The weather is phenomenal. Well, we do live in San Jose, California and its weather is hard to beat with moderate year-round temperatures and up to 300 days of sunshine each year.
That’s why I also love being outside. You can go for a run, ride your bike, sit in the sun, go for a hike, lie on the beach or jump into the pool almost all the time. I am very grateful that our girls could spent their early childhood years in this wonderful climate and had not to be bundled up in Jack Wolfskin jackets 50 % of the year.
Nature. There are so many wonderful places to see and to explore, not only in our close proximity but in all of California. Living in the USA gives you an endless pool of travel destinations for all kinds of adventures. And the US National Park system is amazing. It would probably take several lifetimes to see all the beauty of the Golden State, let alone of all the US: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Crater Lake, Denali, …. Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.
Diversity and open-mindedness. People here are from everywhere in the world. Approximately 190 different nationalities live in the US. Heck, every American you meet is not actually American. They all seem to have some German in their past, are 4/15 Italian, ten other random countries, and then of course half Irish. This country is a big melting pot and especially here in the Bay Area you meet so many people from different countries. That what makes living here so easy and interesting. You are only one of innumerable people from somewhere else. This and the fact that people here have less prejudices and are very open-minded makes integration so much easier than in any other place in the US.
The people. Americans have a big heart. They are always willing to help wherever they can. We live in on of the wealthiest areas of the US and people here are willing to share. Americans run lots of donation drives and fundraising events throughout the year, especially during the holidays. They volunteer lots of hours in school, organize bake sales, help Foster kids and donate to animal shelters. Americans go a great length to build strong communities that hold together. Someone is sick? Friends and neighbors will organize a meal train for this family to support them and to show them that they care. I’ve met many wonderful people here and there are no words for how much I appreciate my friends.
Child-friendliness and service. Compared to my German people, the Americans are so family and child-friendly. I’ve never had one bad experience in a restaurant because my kids were overly active or a bit louder. Never, even not when I was about to kick’ em out of the place. Living in the US you will find impeccable service which is hard to beat even though some waiters could cut down on the small talk sometimes.
Living an expat life is naturally very different from the one you were used to in your home country. Even after a good amount of years living in California there are still things I hear or have to do for the first time. There are still numerous words I have to learn and habits or routines I have to get used to. This is the beauty of living abroad and it is the part of this life that I appreciate most. Every day you can experience something yet unfamiliar or pick up a new skill. I love the challenges, the surprises and the adventures of my life in the US.
What do you love about living in the US?
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