- Joanna Davies moved to New York from Denmark in January 2024.
- She said living in New York is more expensive, and she feels less safe than in Denmark.
- Denmark is among the happiest countries in the world, but Davies said New York is more exciting.
This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Joanna Davies, 30, about moving from Denmark to New York. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I was born in London and lived in the UK until my mid-20s.
In late 2019, I moved to Denmark for my Ph.D. at Aarhus University, where I stayed for four years. My research focused on how glaciers and sea ice have responded to climate change.
I lived in Aarhus, Denmark's second-biggest city. It was very pretty. There were woods and beaches around the city, and it was filled with cute little houses and cobbled streets.
Halfway through my Ph.D., I went to a summer school in America, where I met a professor who wanted to hire me as a postdoc, working at Columbia University in New York.
I moved to start the position in January 2024 and have been living in New York ever since.
I left a country that's known as one of the happiest places in the world. Denmark was a safe place to live with a lot of welfare support, but I've found a more exciting destination in New York.
New York is much more expensive compared to Denmark
I'd visited New York a couple of times before moving here and was drawn to its excitement. I remember driving back to the airport after a visit and looking at Manhattan as the sun set from the taxi window. It was iconic.
After moving to New York I realized it is the most expensive place I've ever lived. Eating out and shopping at supermarkets are expensive.
Apartment rents are insane. I think I've gotten super lucky with the two-bedroom apartment I'm in now, which I share with a roommate — It's very close to Central Park, it's bright, and there's no mold or cockroaches. But there's no in-unit washer-dryer or dishwasher. I'm still paying the most rent I've ever paid in my life, at $1,700 a month.
Meanwhile, in Denmark, I paid around 6,400 Danish Krone a month, around $950, for a lovely one-bedroom apartment. I think I got a good deal, but rent is still cheaper across the board.
Academic positions at my level don't pay amazingly well, and in Denmark, I didn't feel like the lower salary impacted my quality of life. Money feels like more of an issue to me in New York because everything's so expensive.
Denmark has a stronger welfare system
I'm fortunate to have savings and parents who can support me, so living in New York hasn't felt impossible, but I know I have to look out for myself a bit more.
New York feels especially different from Denmark's strong welfare system. When I went to the doctor, I got great care for free. Meanwhile, in America, out-of-pocket healthcare fees are common even when you have insurance.
It's less common to see homelessness on the street in Denmark because of the strong welfare state. It was a little upsetting to see the contrast with New York when I moved.
In Denmark, you really feel you're looked after. But you feel more like you're on your own in New York.
It's easier to meet people and make friends in New York
New York is massive, and there are a ton of opportunities. There's always something going on, and you can meet different people every night.
Aarhus is tiny in comparison. I felt like I knew every street. I did sometimes feel suffocated, but it was nice to feel less anonymous and to have little spots you could go back to hang out at all the time.
I also felt safer in Denmark compared to New York, especially while going home at night.
It was easy to make friends in Aarhus, but it's easier in New York. There are so many people, and I think Americans are more outgoing overall, so it's easy to make small talk. It's a very transient city where people come and go, so there are always people looking for friends.
But Danish people were very loyal in my experience, and I found they were very thoughtful about the language barrier and spoke in English around me.
I did feel lonely in Denmark at times because I lived alone for three years. Danish society is very family-oriented, and people spend their weekends with partners and families.
In New York, lots of people are living away from their families. There's less of a culture of having family days, and I don't feel lonely here.
Denmark may be one of the 'happiest' places to live, but New York is more exciting
Denmark is known as one of the happiest countries in the world. I think it's a great, safe, and lovely place to live. I'd describe it as contentment rather than happiness: If you want to buy a lovely house and send your kids to a lovely school, Denmark's amazing.
But I find New York more exciting.
There's always more going on. If you want to live a fast-paced lifestyle and be adventurous, New York is a better place. It feels like a good place for when you're a bit younger and have fewer responsibilities.
Moving to a new place does instil excitement generally. I lived in Denmark for four years, so it all felt very familiar by the end.
But in New York, I feel like I'm living somewhere so many people dream of living. Seeing the Manhattan skyline from a rooftop feels really special.
I don't know if I'll live in New York forever, but I think it's the right place for me for now.
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