Hello everyone,

I left a western European country (think sunset at 16:30 in December) for a southern European country. I’m visiting my family for the holidays, and it just feels very strange to be back here.

I now live in a city, and the contrast with the urban sprawl in my previous country is almost jarring. Car dependency is also quite high, while I mostly walk around where I live now.

For people who experienced similar situations, did you find any way to deal with it? I’m only here for a few weeks, so it’s fine, but I guess I just wanted to see if someone has any tip.

It also probably means I made a good decision to move where I live now.

  • Moghul@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    6 months ago

    I don’t think it’s reverse culture shock, just culture shock. I have the same thing. I moved from eastern to northern Europe and going back for the holidays kind of sucks.

    It’s loud, kind of stinks in places, and everything looks like shit. Nothing looks like it’s built with any kind of plan, and just feels very anti-human. There are potholes on the way from the airport that I know have been there for more than 10 years. There are sewer lids right where a car’s wheels roll. There are electricity poles right down the middle of 1m wide sidewalks. Cars are parked halfway up the sidewalk. The amount of ads in public and ground floor shops in every style and color is insane.

    I don’t have any advice for dealing with it, it’s just a reality I accept now. I don’t belong here anymore. I start getting stressed out about 2 weeks in, so I just visit for the holidays now. I’d rather not be here.