Most major cities are just very expensive. Nothing you can do about it. An option is to stay an hour or 2 outside the city. I personally just choose to go to smaller cities and have been to some incredible places in Europe for not as expensive as London or Paris.
I love to cook. I like to try different recipes. Most airbnbs have very basic setup in regards to a kitchen. If there is an appliance other than a toaster then I feel like I’ve won the lottery. Right now where I am staying they have a blender, I’ve made the most delicious milkshakes.
I understand why airbnb hosts don’t have a better kitchen setup. Most people don’t cook elaborate meals and you’re adding another layer of admin with appliances, so I get it. It’s just so nice when you have extras like a grater, or tongs. I’ve bought a few utensils over the last year and just leave it in the airbnb.
One piece of advice is skip Greece. The Internet is dial up slow and was infuriating to work with.
Definitely not a reason, I love driving and miss it.
I have visited both multiple times, never lived in either. I would choose London. I resonate more with British culture. I love how close it is to countries very culturally different. Eurostar goes to four different cities and it’s less stressful than flying. I would say that I preferred the Asian food scene a bit more in New York and the weather is better but I still think having so many places to visit on your doorstep and only 3 hours flight away trumps those two factors. I also love the historical buildings in London. You could probably live there for years and not see every historical building worth visiting.
In my experience the underground is also easier and less smelly than the subway in New York. I do love New York city too but London is more my vibe to live.
It doesn’t sound like you have much reason to stay. What is stopping you from returning home?
I always find this fascinating. Where I grew up we were always taught on school that we have to talk quietly, even in public spaces out of respect. This is something still ingrained in me. Now the problem is whoever I’m with can’t always hear me.
I’m the opposite to you, white woman. And I get stereotyped too wherever I go.
I have had many restaurants tell me they won’t make me a certain meal because I won’t like or it will be too spicy for me. My favourite food is sichuan cuisine and I eat a lot of spice and almost everything. One of my favourite meals is tendon noodle soup. I know I eat a lot of food considered “adventurous” by other white woman. It’s just the way of the world.
Every time I have visited my home country I would bawl my eyes out. And I am not one to cry very often. I can’t live there because crime and opportunities make it difficult. The last time I visited I had 3 grandparents and knew it could be the last time I saw them. I now have one grandparent left. And that one has dementia so I feel like I have lost them already.
I love the country I have my citizenship in now. I don’t see myself as patriotic and even living in my birth country I never saw myself as patriotic. So it’s weird how sad I feel when I leave.