You have decided to make the big move to a different country, and now you want to do your research to see how you will fit in, how easy it is to find a national community that will welcome you, show you the city, and teach you how to start this new chapter of your life.
As a Romanian ex-pat living in London, I know how daunting it may seem, in the beginning, to find the right people and places that you can go to and enjoy so that your new town can become your new home. I will give you a few tips on how to make this new place feel like a cozy home away from home if you live abroad like me.
Start new conversations and make new friends!
I was lucky to find a little Romanian community when I arrived in London over eight years ago. Where you can start is when you look for a place to live perhaps, you can find some people from your home country to share with, as I did. Romanians are known for their welcoming nature, so they made it easier for me to adapt to a foreign way of living and a new language; as they had already experienced this new place, new job, bills, and taxes, and even where I could have some fun over the weekend (I miss our BBQ parties).
Where to find traditional Romanian food in London
I live in North London, a little town called Edgware; this place has been called “Little Romania” as many Romanians live here. Of course, you can find many Romanian Restaurants and Cafes, Romanian Delis, and Romanian Fruit & Veg shops. There are Romanian barbers, nail places, and even a Romanian homemade pastry shop! This is by far the biggest Romanian community in the UK, but you can also find other Romanian communities in places like Harrow, Brent, Newham, and Coventry. The best way to enjoy our Romanian traditional cuisine is by cooking at home with your mates, making each other your childhood favorites, and feasting on those culinary flavors that will spike your senses and bring your memories to life. It will feel like a Home Away from Home!
Making Connections and building long-lasting relationships
For those moments when you get too overwhelmed or homesick, and a trip to your hometown is not in the cards (maybe you have exams, or the plane tickets are too expensive), look out on Facebook Marketplace for Romanian community events or Cultural festivals and meetups! These are quite fun, and they are a great way to meet new people, make new friends, try some delicious Romanian food, and even dance the night away with your traditional music, all guaranteed to sway your blues away. Do not be shy, as the people that attend these events are just as lonely as you and eager to make new friends too!
Find the best interior décor for your Home Away from Home
Luckily, here in the UK, we all have access to the amazing IKEA, Amazon Prime, and recently Jisk opened a few stores nationwide. They have plenty of choices to decorate your home with a few traditional touches. There are, of course, several charity shops where you might find the perfect rug, or that colored fruit bowl that reminds you of your grandmother and those special summer nights in the countryside. Another thing I love about living in London is all the car boot sales (where people sell their old stuff in an open field on a Sunday morning!); it reminds me of the old days when my dad used to take me to the local farmer’s market. There you are, bound to find some treasures for your home, and the best part is that you get to bargain for it! And we, Romanians, love a bargain! 😊
In Conclusion
You can make any foreign country your own, make memories and feel at home, even though you are miles away. Just embrace your community, cook to your heart’s content with traditional ingredients, and become part of the city as if you were born there. London has stolen my heart, but my soul is still Romanian! Go out there and find your own traditional Home Away from Home!