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ALWhy did I decide to leave London and move back to France? 👇🏻🇫🇷
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I recently completed my master’s degree in the UK and chose not to apply for a two-year post-study visa. Why?
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🌆 London is full of opportunities.
BUT… if they don’t match your personal needs, life can quickly feel unnecessarily difficult.
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That was the case for me: I wasn’t planning to continue my studies or apply for a job. I’ve been self-employed for years, so the job market simply didn’t interest me.
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💷 Cost of living
London also felt more expensive than Paris. I rented a room with flatmates near Vauxhall and still paid more than I would for a studio in Paris. And often, I didn’t feel I was getting quality for what I paid. Take food, for example: tomatoes didn’t really taste like tomatoes, and blueberries lasted weeks in the fridge – which made me miss the natural taste and freshness of French products.
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🚶♀️ Crowds
Yes, Paris is crowded too. But there I usually walk or cycle. In London, it was hard to avoid huge train stations where you’re constantly moving in a sea of people. It drained my energy.
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🚨 Safety
I was walking in Soho with a friend when, in broad daylight, someone snatched our phone and ran off. After that, I felt uneasy around almost everyone who passed by. In Paris, I usually sense if an area feels sketchy (and avoid going to touristy or known bad areas). In London, I often felt unsafe even in “good” neighborhoods
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🖼️ Aesthetics
It’s very subjective, but after eight years in France, I find its aesthetics much closer to my heart – and as an art historian, that matters a lot.
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And to be honest, I never wanted to live in England. It’s not that I was disappointed in London – I had traveled there before and knew the city. I went purely for my master’s and never planned to stay long-term. My time there didn’t change that.
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Please remember, that everyone’s experience is different. There are things in London that are better than in Paris – it all depends on your priorities and where you feel better!
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💭 What about you – would you have made the same decision?
@alexandrandart
