10 Daily Life Adjustments I Faced After Moving Abroad

Myles, NY

Traveler Details: Age Range: 20s | Food Preferences: Adventurous eater, Pescatarian | Black American | First-generation college graduate | LGBTQ+ traveler | Software engineer living in Berlin, Germany | High-budget expat | Prioritizes convenience, structure, and diverse food options

Everyone talks about the thrill of moving abroad—new cultures, dreamy architecture, weekend getaways. But few people prepare you for what daily life will actually look like when the dust settles.

Living abroad is beautiful, yes. But it also means rewiring your habits and adapting to systems that don’t care how things “worked back home.” Here are the 10 biggest daily lifestyle changes I faced after my move to Berlin—and how I adjusted.

1. Grocery Shopping Became a Whole Event

From brands I didn’t recognize to closed stores on Sundays, I had to relearn my entire routine. Forget running to the store at 9pm for snacks—it’s not happening.

Tip: Research store hours, bring your own bags, and use Google Lens to translate labels on the spot.

2. Healthcare Was a Puzzle at First

Even though Germany has great healthcare, figuring out how to book an appointment or what insurance covered took serious decoding.

Tip: Ask expat forums for recommended English-speaking doctors, and carry a local insurance card at all times.

3. I Walked More Than Ever Before

Car culture didn’t follow me to Europe. My legs became my main mode of transport, and I didn’t realize how out of shape I was until week two.

Tip: Invest in comfortable walking shoes and always carry a small umbrella or packable jacket.

4. I Had to Learn to Slow Down

Life isn’t as rushed here. No 24-hour everything. No constant “go-go-go.” At first, it felt inefficient. Now, it feels like self-care.

5. Laundry Day Is a Whole Journey

Tiny machines. No dryers. Waiting for your building’s only washer to be free. Let’s just say, I learned patience.

Tip: If you’re apartment hunting, ask upfront if laundry is in-unit or shared—and how often it’s available.

6. I Missed My Favorite Foods Deeply

There’s no Jamaican food on every corner like back home. I had to either get creative in the kitchen—or settle for European spice levels (which is to say… none).

7. Time Zones Tested My Relationships

Calls home took planning. I’d miss group chats, birthdays, even bad news. At times, it made me feel more distant than I expected.

Tip: Set dedicated weekly catch-up times with friends or family to stay emotionally close.

8. I Felt Both Invisible and Hypervisible

In Berlin, I stood out more than I ever did in NYC—but people didn’t always know how to engage with me. It was both freeing and frustrating.

9. Finding Community Took Effort

Friendships didn’t happen “naturally.” I had to join language classes, attend meetups, and actually talk to strangers. A stretch for an introvert like me.

10. Home Stopped Being a Place—It Became a Feeling

The definition of “home” changed for me. It became about comfort, routine, and connection—not geography.

Final Thoughts:

Living abroad isn’t about recreating your old life in a new place—it’s about building something new from scratch. It’s uncomfortable at times, but it’s also expansive, humbling, and surprisingly joyful in the smallest ways.