10 Things I Never Knew I’d Miss About Europe After Moving to the US

Have you ever thought about what you’d truly miss if you packed up your life and moved across the ocean? Not just your favorite foods or family get-togethers, but those tiny, everyday comforts you barely even notice until they’re gone. Moving from Europe to America isn’t just an adventure in geography; it’s a profound exploration of what shapes our routines, joys, and sense of belonging. I’ve lived through this leap, and trust me—some things about Europe still catch me off guard with a wave of nostalgia, years after trading cobblestone streets for highways. Let’s dig into the ten things I miss most, and what they really mean when we think about home.

Rediscovering Walkability and Human Connection

Europe is made for walking. In so many towns and cities, everything from your morning coffee to fresh market flowers is right outside your front door, waiting to be discovered step by step. Quick errands become social safaris—you bump into neighbors, find a friend at the bakery, or wander through a park just for the pleasure of it. In America, unless you’re among the lucky few living in big cities like New York or Boston, life is just less…walkable. Errands mean car rides from strip mall to strip mall; even grabbing a coffee is an event that starts with turning the ignition. I miss those European evenings when the city feels like a living room, where walking isn’t just exercise—it’s how you live.

The Ritual of Fresh Bread—and Other Simple Joys

Let’s talk bread. You haven’t truly known heartbreak until you’ve tried to find a chewy, crusty baguette in an average American grocery store. Yes, America excels at a multitude of culinary delights, but bread? That’s a daily art form in Europe. Where I’m from, picking up a warm loaf on the way home was a ritual so deeply woven into daily life that I barely thought about it—until it vanished. Here, a great loaf is a rare find, a small luxury. It’s the kind of everyday goodness you might not appreciate until it’s no longer at your fingertips.

Public Transport That Works—And What Happens When It Doesn’t

In much of Europe, efficient trains and quiet trams aren’t a backup—they’re the primary way people get from A to B. Public transportation is affordable, timely, and reaches even the smallest towns. Coming to the US, I was stunned by how impossible it is to visit friends across the city without a car. The freedom that comes with reliable public transit isn’t just convenient—it feels like a doorway to independence and connection that’s hard to replicate.

Savoring Life with Café Culture and Work-Life Balance

There’s an unmistakable magic to the casual café culture of Europe. Imagine lingering over a tiny espresso for hours, watching the world go by, and knowing no one will rush you. In the US, coffee is often about big cups, speed, and a parade of to-go orders. That slow pace—the invitation to stay and savor—is a luxury I didn’t know I’d crave. The same goes for paid vacation and true downtime; most Europeans get four to six weeks of paid holidays, and a work-life balance that’s built into the culture. Stateside, paid time off is often scarce, and there’s a subtle pressure not to use it. I miss how seriously people value recharging, not just for themselves but as a collective right.

Header: Markets, Medicine, and Nature—A Web of Daily Surprises

Markets brimming with fresh produce, tiny specialty shops where the owner knows your name—these aren’t just romantic notions, they’re daily life in Europe. Open-air markets make shopping personal, local, and seasonal. In America, huge chain stores are convenient but can feel impersonal. The same shock applies to healthcare; in Europe, a doctor’s visit doesn’t require financial gymnastics. Universal healthcare, with all its flaws, gives a peace of mind that’s hard to overstate for anyone who’s lived with it.

And then, there’s nature. America’s raw, vast landscapes are legendary, but in much of Europe, a lush countryside or a serene forest is often just a short train or bike ride away. It’s normal to put city life on hold for a few hours, stepping into the wild with minimal planning. Here, nature’s grandeur sometimes feels like a big trip, not a small detour.

Celebrating Community: Festivals, Street Life, and Shared History

European cities turn their streets into living rooms when the sun shines. Pop-up festivals, impromptu music, and bursts of streetlife are the heartbeat of a culture that loves spontaneous togetherness. Even in winter, Christmas markets transform the darkest days into a glow of celebration. In America, these moments happen, but the everyday, serendipitous street magic is rare. I often find myself longing for those surprising evenings of laughter, food, and music just beyond my doorstep.

And above all, what really lingers is Europe’s profound sense of history. There’s something quietly reassuring about walking roads smoothed over centuries, or passing buildings that witnessed generations come and go. In Europe, history isn’t just found in museums—it’s part and parcel of every block and brick. America’s freshness is thrilling, but sometimes, I crave the grounding comfort of being part of a much longer story.

Takeaway: Embracing Where We Come From—and Where We Are

Moving to America has altered my life in ways I could never have imagined. There’s energy, drive, and optimism here I’ve truly come to love. But it’s also taught me how the little things—bread, walks, a simple sense of safety and connection—quietly anchor us wherever we live. We might travel far, but those pieces of another world stay with us, shaping our days and how we see our new homes.

If you’ve made a leap to a new country, what’s the one thing you still miss most? Or if you’re planning a big move, which comforts would be hardest to leave behind? Let’s share our stories—and maybe help each other find new ways to feel at home, wherever we are.

Thank you for joining this journey. Remember, no matter how far you go, a piece of home always travels with you.