Expat Interview With Megan - US Expat Living in London

Megan is a teacher, traveler, blogger and mother with a penchant for roller derby and gin cocktails. Before moving to London, she made 13 household moves to various locations around the world at the behest of the US Submarine Service and her submarine captain husband. When the husband traded the Navy life for corporate life in London, she traded a classroom career for a new life exploring the world's classroom, one continent at a time. When Megan isn't traveling or exploring the streets of London, she's organizing bespoke trips for small groups of friends and family. Megan's expat blog is called Explat (see listing here)

Here's the interview with Megan...

Where are you originally from?
I'm originally from the US. I can't really claim that I'm from one area of the US since we've lived in so many places.

In which country and city are you living now?
London. UK

How long have you lived here and how long are you planning to stay?
I've been here for 6 months. My visa is good for 2 years. I'm not sure what's going to happen after that. I periodically contemplate an extension, but it's too early to tell at this point.

Why did you move and what do you do?
I actually moved because of my husband's job. I'm a teacher, which I thought would travel well, but doesn't really. I did have offers at the international schools, but decided it was time to try something new. I'm still an educator at heart and work on volunteer projects related to education through UN online volunteers. http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/vol/index.html I write a blog based on my travels and experiences as an expat.

Did you bring family with you?
When my husband and I announced we were moving to London, the three (almost) grown children announced that they were coming as well. The youngest one now attends university in Scotland and the two older "children" are in graduate programs in various schools in the UK.

How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
We lived in the UK before when the children were little so I felt a bit more prepared this time. Even though it is an English-speaking country, the cultural shift is huge. The biggest transition was probably moving from suburbia to a huge city. I'm still adjusting to that, but I can't imagine being in a better city.

Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
It's difficult. I haven’t really connected with many expats, which is completely my fault. Most of my friends here are "locals." I work at home now instead of in a traditional workplace, which can be isolating. I’m a crossfit enthusiast and crossfit tends to be a very welcoming and diverse community, so I’ve met great people there. It takes time and effort. I’m working on it.

What are the best things to do in the area; anything to recommend to future expats?
London is a huge city and the opportunities are endless. I think rather than suffering from a lack of things to do, residents suffer from FOMO (Fear of missing out) on the endless opportunities available in the city. So much to do, so little time.

What do you enjoy most about living here?
I love the city itself. London is a very walkable city and I am happy to walk for miles and miles, sampling what the city has to offer. I find London's history particularly fascinating and can spend hours digging for interesting stories about the city.

How does the cost of living compare to home?
It is stunningly expensive. Someone told me not to do currency conversion when you buy something since it's really depressing. It was good advice. I just tell myself that my proximity to European travel is is a potential cost saver, but now I just travel more often.

What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
The expense and the weather, although the memories of the long, wet winter will fade by summer (if it ever comes).

If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving here, what would it be?
I don’t think you can ever be fully prepared. No matter how organized you are or how much reading you’ve done, there are things you just can’t anticipate. Even if you’ve sorted out all the “big” things like housing and schools, the little things take a long time to sort out and can really impact your day to day life. Be patient and accept that it all takes time. For me, it was really that transition to city life that was/is difficult at times. We didn’t ship a car, so the whole grocery shopping/post office/public transport/doctor thing caused more than a few frustrated moments on the street. We also made a conscious decision to ship as little as possible, so we are in rented, furnished accommodation. The furnishings are truly terrifying and at times, I wish I brought more things from home.

What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
The transition from traditional workplace to work from home has been somewhat difficult as it impacts your ability to meet new people. I worry, along with every expat, about friends and family back home, elderly parents and emergencies.

What are your top expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?

1. I would say that it’s important to manage your expectations. It takes time to feel settled in a new place. Someone told me that it takes 3 to 4 years to truly feel “settled”, and in my experience, it’s true.
2. I also think it’s important to manage the inevitable comparisons to the place you just left. It’s easy to idealize a place where you felt comfortable, had friends and a defined role in a community. You have to fill those initial months of doubt and longing with new London experiences to compensate for those expat blues.
3. Also, don’t expect sympathy from friends. You are living the life everyone thinks they want. You have to find other expats for sympathy, empathy and venting sessions.
4. London is ideally located for world travel. Use the opportunity and don't spend all of your vacation time back "home."

Tell us a bit about your own expat blog. Like most people, I started blogging to keep in touch with friends and family. I’m still stunned when someone outside my personal circle reads or responds to something I write. I hope that my love for travel and London comes through in my writing.

How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
By my blog (it has email contact) or my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ExplatLondon I'm also on twitter @ExplatLondon

Megan blogs at http://explat.wordpress.com/ which we recommend a quick visit if you haven't been already. Explat has an ExpatsBlog.com listing here so add a review if you like! If you appreciated this interview with Megan, please also drop her a quick comment below.

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