Moving from the US to the EU soon... Any advice?

frank@sopuli.xyz to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 167 points –

Hi all!

We're very excited to move to Denmark soon as lifelong Americans. I have a good job lined up, and we're set on a place to live for a while.

Any advice from people who have done it, looked it up, had friends who have done it, etc? Just in general :)

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  • Language is by far the most important door opener, so put in one hour of learning every day for at least a year.
  • Mingle to get out of your comfort zone: Go to after-work parties and flea markets, take public transit. Use hobbyist/ meet-up apps. Read/ watch the local news.
  • Don't expect to be invited, especially not to people's homes. People might also be uncomfortable being invited to your home. Meeting in a public place is almost always the better option, unless you've gotten to know someone really well.
  • Irony/ sarcasm don't translate very well between cultures.
  • Europe has some lousy weather, so get watertight coats and waterproof your shoes and backpacks.
  • Take it slow.
  • Also: Enjoy it! Europe is a fantastic little place at the crossroads between Asia and Africa and I would never want to leave.

UK inhabitant here. Is being invited to someone's house a casual thing in the US? I don't think I've ever been invited by someone who isn't a close friend.

Greece here, we invite people to our homes all the time, even if we don't know them very well.

I lived in Italy and Germany and it does happen here. Mostly with friends you already know reasonably well though.

All of this sounds so exciting. Thanks for the reply.