Actually one year and two months! I seem to have lapsed on writing up blog posts after the first few. It suddenly got fantastically busy at work and, truthfully, I was just downright lazy to log in.
So after one year how do I feel? Still as dejected? Well not really. But am I happy here? I can't say I truly am. Generally moving around and living in various countries I tended to find that the first six months were when I went through all of my negativity and depression. At the six or seven month point I tended to hit the "Wall" and then the other side would be more accepting and what was left of any negativity determined if I would be able to remain and make that country "home". When it comes to Copenhagen I have to admit that even after one year there are still things that irk me and which I can not get over.
The cost is one thing which just annoys me to no end. Even your standard Europe wide chains (for example Zara) are 15-20% more expensive in Denmark. Recently we bought a Jumper from Desigual which costed 30 Euros more than the same thing in Netherlands on the same day! The cost of going out, drinks, in fact most everything. Even to the extent that their very own Lego is cheaper to buy elsewhere is just for me a considerable negative of this country. I understand the standard argument about wages being higher, taxes, social security, etc, etc. And I agree there is something there - but I don't think they have found the right balance. Wages are pretty fair in the Netherlands as is Social Welfare and the services and goods are not near as expensive. So my view is that there is something not quite right.
I also can not get past the seeming unfriendliness of most people. Maybe it is the weather, but I can't help but feel there is a slight touch of xenophobia in the air despite the ardent struggle to be so very correct and accepting. And then there is the weather which the entire year has depressed me and my partner beyond belief and with Copenhagen being anything but a flight "hub" getting out of here to someplace less depressing costs an arm and a leg comparatively.
It's not all bad though. The few real summer days that there were, we did enjoy going around here and there. There can be quite some things to do here, if you have the funds to spare.
Let's see what 2018 will hold for me in Copenhagen. Perhaps it will be the year the city and the country grows on me.....
So after one year how do I feel? Still as dejected? Well not really. But am I happy here? I can't say I truly am. Generally moving around and living in various countries I tended to find that the first six months were when I went through all of my negativity and depression. At the six or seven month point I tended to hit the "Wall" and then the other side would be more accepting and what was left of any negativity determined if I would be able to remain and make that country "home". When it comes to Copenhagen I have to admit that even after one year there are still things that irk me and which I can not get over.
The cost is one thing which just annoys me to no end. Even your standard Europe wide chains (for example Zara) are 15-20% more expensive in Denmark. Recently we bought a Jumper from Desigual which costed 30 Euros more than the same thing in Netherlands on the same day! The cost of going out, drinks, in fact most everything. Even to the extent that their very own Lego is cheaper to buy elsewhere is just for me a considerable negative of this country. I understand the standard argument about wages being higher, taxes, social security, etc, etc. And I agree there is something there - but I don't think they have found the right balance. Wages are pretty fair in the Netherlands as is Social Welfare and the services and goods are not near as expensive. So my view is that there is something not quite right.
I also can not get past the seeming unfriendliness of most people. Maybe it is the weather, but I can't help but feel there is a slight touch of xenophobia in the air despite the ardent struggle to be so very correct and accepting. And then there is the weather which the entire year has depressed me and my partner beyond belief and with Copenhagen being anything but a flight "hub" getting out of here to someplace less depressing costs an arm and a leg comparatively.
It's not all bad though. The few real summer days that there were, we did enjoy going around here and there. There can be quite some things to do here, if you have the funds to spare.
Let's see what 2018 will hold for me in Copenhagen. Perhaps it will be the year the city and the country grows on me.....
