This is lovely. I'm an American planning to move to either Japan or Denmark. I started of learning Japanese, so my goal is Japan. But from the little I've read, Denmark is also amazing. My first goal is to spend a 2 week stay in Japan to have an idea of what at least being there is like. It's gonna take a lot of time to save for goal 1, but I'm excited.
Denmark is a great country but it is quite small, and the taxes are fearsome. The UK has a great tax regime. We have a tax allowance for everything! It you are not amazingly rich, you will pay income tax of about 30%, and you get free health care for that. Our sales tax is 20% but since Brexit there is nothing in the shops to buy, so we don't pay much sales tax!
From what I have seen on this channel, you are doing great with embracing Denmark and danish culture. I totally get what you are saying regarding cooking, I really want to try different American recipes but often can't because of some ingredient that I can't get here in Denmark. I can imagine that it frustrates you sometimes. I really think you are doing great. Remember that when you get frustrated or feeling low or homesick. It's not easy changing your whole way of thinking. Love from Esbjerg
I'm hoping to go to Denmark in 5-8 years. I'm learning Danish using different apps, I'm trying to make Danish friends, and I'm buying some Danish cookbooks, so I can adjust to Danish cooking while I'm still here (In English and released in the USA). My goal is to try to sell as much as I can over the few years following up to moving to DK.
Having a job or education lined up before moving helps with both immigration and adjusting. Too going to work is the best way to learn a new language as you get forced to learn atleast in my experience:)
Korruptor You will love Denmark. The Danes are warm and friendly, most speak English. Copenhagen is gorgeous with its harbor, canals, fairy tale architecture and castles. The streets are SPOTLESS, so clean! I love Danish food - pickled herring, sausages, cod, salmon, pork roast with carmelized baby potatoes, frikadeller (meatballs in a creamy gravy on mashed potatoes...Danish comfort food). Trust me, you will LOVE the food. So many great restaurants. If you are in a hurry, the 7-11's there carry a huge assortment of fresh 'to go' meals. Are you moving due to a job there, or moving for other reasons? I've read a lot of Americans are fleeing to Denmark for its lifestyle to escape Trump. If I was younger and my job was not here in States, I'd be learning Danish and moving myself. I do not identify with this country and its politics. I am too liberal and identify with the Scandinavian countries' lifestyle, values and government.
I do enjoy your videos however whould like to hear if it is maybe possible to adjust the intro and outro volume to the audio volume in the rest of the video :)
Omg!! Thank you so much. Its so helpful. Especially point 5. Im ab to move to Denmark. Im looking forward to your part 2. Thank you again for such helpful tips
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions on the danish multi-partisan political system. I've heard from other american people that it can be quite confusing at first, especially considering you only have two parties in the us.
A lot of Americans like me want to have a Democratic Socialist government, and several Democratic candidates speak of Denmark as the "ideal." Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buddegieg (Rhodes Scholar) to name a few!
@@kristoffersparegodt420 Tak, Kristoffer! I was in Copenhagen with my oldest daughter last fall. We rented an Airbnb near the Lergravsparken Station. Nice neighborhood, walked all over town and always felt safe, even at 1 AM coming back to Lergravsparken from the Centre. It's so easy to get around there. You all have a GREAT transportation system (Berlin's was complex - such a huge place - and I did not feel safe walking a lot of places there at night.) We just fell in love with Copenhagen. I love Danish food and make frikadeller at least a couple times a month. I can buy Felix lingonberry preserves at my grocery store - so delicious with the frikadeller. Also good spread on a bagel with Skyr. I think I must have some Danish blood somewhere as I also love rainy days and licorice. 😏 🇩🇰🚴♀️🧜♀️🍬🌧
Please know, the following is said with as much respect as possible. Here is one thing I would want Americans to know; Unless we are talking about very specific small areas of Denmark (which is pretty small to begin with :) ), religion is a non-factor in everyday life in Denmark. I realise that can sound somewhat mind-boggling to some Americans, but we generally consider religion a very personal thing (as in, you keep it to yourself), and in general society we look upon religion as not a big deal and as a part of our cultural heritage - not as guidelines for everyday life. I do not say this as any kind of criticism of religion. Just a kind word of being prepared for a change. We absolutely have Christian churches all over, and Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques. Just be aware that the support structure and fellowship you might be used to, might not be available to the same extent.
+Steelmage99 Oh believe me! I realized that right away! We appreciated our “church family” in the US, and it was a hard adjustment when moving here to live without one!
I personally love the Danes' respectful attitude toward religion. It IS a personal choice/matter. I am very spiritual but not religious. I feel closer to God while gardening, watching/listening to the birds at my feeders, holding my granddaughter, looking into my sweet cat's adoring, trusting eyes. Sitting in a church straining to hear a sermon with toddlers having meltdowns all around me or adults having a chat fest does not bring me any peace or communion with God. However, it does raise my blood pressure and put me in a pissy mood for the rest of the day. I was raised Catholic and enjoyed certain aspects of it, but when the nuns distributed color pamphlets of aborted fetuses in my elementary school age daughters' CCD class (this was in the 90's), without my knowledge, I HAD to pull the plug. America is religion obsessed. And, to moi, some are more a "cult" than a religion. I had a half dozen Jehovah Witnesses (my neighbor was one) pounding on my front door - scaring the hell out of me - while I was enjoying a quiet mommy moment breastfeeding my newborn daughter. They were pounding on all our neighborhood doors - in subfreezing temperatures - trying to "save our souls!" I peeked out the nursery window...more pounding...tippy-toed downstairs and looked out the front door peephole. I saw 6 women standing on my front porch. I opened my front door - with the chain still on - trying to shield my newborn daughter from the cold. I politely told them "not interested." The 2nd time, I told them, "I'm busy, please respect my privacy", and, finally the 3rd time, "You people are f-ing OBSESSED. Get OFF my property NOW or I'm calling the cops!" OYE!!
Tia Mia I wouldn’t consider most Danes spiritual. I’d say the majority I’ve talked to about religion don’t believe in God at all. My neighbors in the US were JW. Very nice people. I’ve learned to be polite to them. I even invited one lady in and we had a nice chat. No one came after that. I guess she felt I didn’t need her after our chat! I’m Christian, loved church and love God. I understand how the Danes feel, and I’m not one to preach my views on anyone. However, it still rubs me the wrong way when a kid will have a non-firmation because they don’t want to go through confirmation. They still want the party and hundreds of bucks they get from family and friends. 🙄 Don’t get me started.
@@MyNewDanishLife "I wouldn’t consider most Danes spiritual. I’d say the majority I’ve talked to about religion don’t believe in God at all." Spiritual does not equal believing in a personal intervening theistic god, like the Christian god. Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience-something that touches us all. "However, it still rubs me the wrong way when a kid will have a non-firmation because they don’t want to go through confirmation. They still want the party and hundreds of bucks they get from family and friends." That is where the American Radical Evangelical Christian perspective runs into trouble. To most Danes religion is a cultural thing, not a religious one. We (Danes) also really like to get married in churches, baptise our children in churches and get buried in churches. The thing a religious American needs to understand, is that the above things have NOTHING to do with religion, but rather with culture. You would be hard pressed to find a guest at one of the above ceremonies, that actually believe in any of the thousands of gods that humanity have come up with.
@@MyNewDanishLife I agree with you on the non-firmation. That's ridiculous! I'm polite to a point. The 3rd time was it. I had a newborn and a 2 year old and resented the constant intrusions.
Don't believe what she said about the weather in Denmark, it isn't that bad! Think about the weather in Seattle, and then make it a bit wetter, somewhat colder and slightly windier, and you will be pretty close. But stay away in November
Hej Kelly! My daughter and I visited Copenhagen last fall and absolutely fell in love with it. I love the soft-spoken, polite, well educated Danes, the strong Danish family values, hygge (of course!), the minimalist lifestyle, the healthy, outdoor vibe, the beauty of the architecture, parks, waterfront, the crazy cyclists biking furiously in the rain, and the wonderful Danish food. Wish I could find rugbrod in Atlanta. I have mastered frikkadeller and made it several times this past winter with creamy gravy on mashed potatoes with Felix lingonberry jam, which my local grocery store carries. I have read numerous books on hygge and living Danishly. If my job was not here in the States, I would move to Copenhagen tomorrow. I absolutely loved it there and could see myself living there. I actually love rainy days and cool/cold weather. In the meantime, I will have to live Danishly through your videos. Love your honesty and humor. Tak!
Thanks so much. If you liked Copenhagen, you should try to visit the rest of Denmark next time. You'll find that we are a bit more "Danish" out here! ;) Glad to have you along!
@@MyNewDanishLife I am a bit obsessed with Denmark and long ago dated a Dane here in Atlanta. I remember him trying to teach me Danish. Oh lord! So I got a kick just watching you trying to say smoked trout in Danish. Question: I'm a very young 68, single and work as an EA. I have a BS Educ + Concentration in Early Childhood. Could I live there and still receive my U.S. Social Security benefits?
+Tia Mia As far as I know. I have teacher retirement money waiting for me in the US for when I’m old enough. Join Americans in Denmark FB group. Read through the comments/questions people have posted and see if there is anyone in your situation. Copenhagen is easier for foreigners. I moved here at 38, and it was difficult at first without the language. But, I live in a small town...I’d say also to look into nyidanmark.dk.
@@MyNewDanishLife Thanks so much for all the info. I will check those out. I did some further research yesterday evening and I would be able to get my Social Security retirement benefits over there as long as I kept my American citizenship (I'm still working and waiting until I turn 70 to apply for these so I can max out on $ amount.). The SS website states that there are restrictions or no payouts for other SS benefits, such as disability or low income benefits (those don't apply for me), but retirement benefits OK as they come out of my tax payments. At least, that is my understanding. I don't know if this is doable at my age, but I just love everything about Denmark, such a beautiful place. And the govt. there, they've got it right! Such a sense of freedom knowing you can retire and will be taken care of. Such a pervasive feeling of contentment in all the people we met. None of that here, what a mess! Really embarrassing what's been happening the past 3 years. I hope we can get some intelligence in the WH in 2020 and move toward a Social Democratic system like Scandinavia. Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg (Rhodes Scholar) all "get it", and want to move in that direction citing Denmark, Norway, Sweden (particularly Denmark) as "the ideal" - but the average American hears "socialism" and thinks "Venezuela!", "Communism!" They don't understand DEMOCRATIC Socialism is different - way different. I blame it on the lack of education in this country. It's really holding us back. As a former schoolteacher, I'm sure you understand. 😉
Tia Mia Just know that when you live here, the feeling might change since they make it difficult for foreigners here. It is nice that you are so positive, but please check out that FB before you make any decisions. Vacations care one thing, but living here is completely different. I wouldn’t want you yo learn the hard way.
Funny to hear your thoughts :-) But regarding rain-clothes, I have never (as an adult) owned rain clothes, only my kids have rain clothes. I use an umbrella or just stay out of the rain
Thank you for your beautiful video. My family & I trully love Denmark. We've been there twice already and we still cant get enough of it. I believe there are so many beautiful places to explore and the Danish are caring, friendly & respectful people. Hopefully we can visit again this year. Looking forward to seeing Jutland & other cities that we have not visited yet. Any suggestions, pls? Thanks.
Hej Kelly, Du er en rigtig sød Pige og fortæller godt om dine oplevelser :-) ,jeg kan godt forklare dig om alle de spørgsmål du søger, husk, at Danskerne er meget ironiske og at meget vi siger er humor. Knuss fra Steen Andreas
Heading back to Copenhagen, Denmark this Friday for the second time and I’m so excited! Fell in love with the city the first time I went and hoping to see more of the country this time around. I could definitely see myself moving to Denmark. 🤗
A fun way to learn a foreign language. find an audiobook such as Harry Potter, it is available in many languages. listen to it 2-3 times until you know the text. (possibly as a goodnight story with your children) then listen to the same book in the new language. you know the text, you know what is being said, if it helps, break it up into chapters or lines.
As a Dane living in France since 35 years I can recommend this to anyone who is looking for a real culture and language challange. I also lived one year in the US, in Dallas of all places and as a “Copenhagerne” I have evne survived a few yeas in Holstrebro and Maarslet. Through all that, I’ve simple tried to stay myself, as it’s the one I do the best. And for you, Kelly, if I can allow myself, please stay as wonderfully American as you are - and keep those videos comming, I love them!
Accepting change is the first step to being a Dane, or any other nationality if you want. But it’s the same in all of Europe. A Dane moving to France would have to change, and a Frenchman moving to Germany would also have to change. I think a lot of the change has to do with how we think. I had a big city mentality (London) when I first moved to Denmark. It took a few years to shake that of and learn to relax more. But Rome wasn’t built in a day, and everything will fall into to place eventually, and one day you will wake up and feel totally Danish. But that’s the beauty of Europe, so many countries and different languages huddled together in a mass, a melting pot of different ways of thinking and cultures. Brilliant!!
You're definitely right about having to change according to the country that you move to. Having lived in 6 different countries, soon to be 7, It's taken me years to learn to deal with culture shock and just go with the flow. Unfortunately, I think it's something you have to learn by doing, although it does get easier as you adapt, whether you move around like I do or are settling long-term in a new country. I'm jealous about the weather btw. The Netherlands are having weird shifty-changey weather right now. xD
A great listen, thank you. I have dual citizenship 🇩🇰🇺🇸, and spend my winters back in Tucson. Being retired helps. It’s definitely a culture shock as mentioned its best to leave almost everything American behind if you decide to make Denmark your home permanently. When I worked in Denmark, and made a reference to America on how things where done, my Danish co workers would say. “Your not in America anymore”.
Don't think too musch about it :) From TV2/LORRY: - Det er meget usædvanligt. Jeg kan ikke huske tre nætter i træk med tordenvejr så tidligt på sommeren. Torden er generelt et sommerfænomen, men oftest er det sent på sommeren, vi normalt oplever det og især om natten, siger han til TV 2 Lorry. Han forklarer, at årsagen til, at danskerne alligevel oplever det kraftige vejr nu, er, fordi Danmark lige nu ligger på grænsen mellem kold og varm luft. Og det er netop i disse grænseområder, at det regner meget, og når det så er sommer, skaber det tordenvejr.
Hi there. I have used a few different ways of learing new language. I learned som Russian Years back and i used 3 things: kids books (picture books, starter school books etc.), Book and Casette (yeah, i'm that old... but books with tapes included, so you both read and hear the text, and finally Tintin comics. i've read all the tintin comics through childhood, and we used them in school when learing english and german. Often the translations are pretty close to what would be used in that country... and you learn some Idioms (spelling?)
Your cake looks great! Just a sprig of mint on top! I made a strawberry and blueberry shortcake for July 4th. Peaches and raspberries are nice combo also. I love marzipan. Any good Danish cake recipes with that?
I am sure there are tons, but I don't like marzipan. Hahaha! I'll be making one around the Christmas/New Year holidays, though...just for the fun of it!
Nothing is missing that you can’t find in DK regarding kitchen..that’s nonsense. What is so extraordinary special that you are missing from American kitchen. And don’t tell me that are the “danish”... Here in DK are thousands times better.
@@elenapetersen6814 I guess if it is something you have lived without, it doesn't matter much to you, but if you are from another country, you notice the lack of these things right away. There are certain types of creams that I can't find here...certain cheeses..meat substitutes (I'm vegetarian.). The list goes on. It's not quite fair to say that something is "nonsense" when it very much is not "nonsense" to me or the other foreigners who have a difficult time adjusting. Compassion and understanding go a long way. My husband couldn't find rye bread in the US when we lived there and tried his best to make his own. We tried to find ways to help him adjust. It is just the thing you do when you care.
My New Danish Life I did not mean to offend you and anyone by saying is “nonsense “ because,in my opinion,it is.I traveled with my danish husband all over the world for 43 years 10 of it in different countries in Africa and believe me I know what I’m talking about.In each country we lived for tree,six,15 years and with small children.First in Africa Tanzania for tree years my son was tree weeks old ..you could not even find milk or milk powder... I was so great full that I could breast feed him.So I know what is to miss things from the place one comes from. You don’t really know what it is missing my dear.And I adjust in each country with a lot of understanding first,hard work and love not to miss anything danish for us wherever we were.I carried a suitcase with flour for making rye bread each year.. my danish cookbook was helping me learn the language to. You are privileged to move from a civilized country to other civilized one. And please don’t get offended. I could write a book in tree volumes about my experiences first in DK and the rest of the places I have lived. You are going to alright,enjoy your life.
Thank you for your videos. I just returned from 5 days in Roskilde visiting a new friend. I brought way too much stuff, got drenched and nearly electrocuted on Saturday, could not understand a single word although a I spend months trying to pick up a few phrases... lol!! Thank goodness I did not have to drive anywhere!! But also did not get run over by a bicycle 😄 so I consider that a success!! Greetings from California 🌴 😅
Kathy Brady LOL! My daughter (San Luis Obispo, CA) and I (Atlanta) vacationed in Copenhagen in the fall last year. We absolutely fell in love with Copenhagen, however we learned immediately just stay out of the bike lane. I nearly got run over a couple of times the first day. Their bikes are amazingly quiet and you don't hear them coming up behind you. We were walking in the main Square our second day and a young Danish woman was literally knocked off her bike by a car that had turned into the road and clipped her. We all ran to help her up. She was stunned but physically okay. I really wanted to rent a bike and ride through Copenhagen with my daughter, and try riding on "The Snake", but I was recuperating from a torn meniscus so couldn't. Next time!🚴♀️🏰🌦🇩🇰❤
I find your videos very interesting. Being Danish, but living abroad, in Spain, I recognize a lot of the things you talk about. Some are generally true when moving to a different country. And... ah, those rain pants... I'd completely forgotten about them! 😂
Nice video. We are thinking about moving to Denmark, my grandfather was born there and I have family that I would love to meet. I enjoyed your points, nine years ago we moved from Canada to the USA. I remember being in a grocery store, everything was packaged differently, standing there trying to order sliced meat ( converting grams to pounds). At least the language was the same and the driving laws are similar. It did take me some time to get accustom to the “exit in two miles” our Canadian car with the metric speedometer. I had the similar sadness at about 3 months, I had to remind myself of the great opportunity to experience NYC and now the BayArea (California)
My big recommendation would be to have jobs lined up before moving. That will make a huge difference. There are many people who have been here years without jobs (accompanying spouses) and these are highly educated people. Denmark is really great, though, but there are good things about all places, and I still think it would be nice to go back to the USA one day. Who knows.
My New Danish Life Thank you for the feedback. I will definitely have a job first, I work on a Global Data Center Team. When we moved to the USA my husband and I had jobs and it made things much easier. We are looking for our next adventure. Moving within North America was easy, across the ocean will be difficult.
Trying to move there myself.. My Fiancee lives in Hvidovre. Going for my 3rd visit in a couple of months.. So true about the road signs I had to ask about those. Also about the language.. Babbel does not help much with actually hearing it. TV is a great help American shows with danish subtitles or kids shows like Dr Ramasjang... I would add to your videos the importance of cross walks and bike lanes.. Every store will have a huge alcohol selection but good luck finding over the counter meds.. You have to go to a special store for those. Stores are NOT like Walmarts here.. Small selection and confusing set up.. You will find power tools and clothes right next to the bakery... Very interested in future info on finding work and eventually registering as a legal alien.. Immigration is hard
Check out some my other videos where I talk about some of these things! ;) We also DO have a Walmart-style place, but you might not know if it if you haven’t ventured out of Copenhagen area. I’ll be posting more on that in the future! So many topics I have scheduled but not enough Time for filming! 😂
Been in a lot of Netto's and Rema 1000's. Lidl, Fotex and Kvickly come close to stores in the US still a bit odd in the set up . Love the pet stores monkeys, baby turtles and some exotic fish I have never seen here. One of these days I want to go to Toys R Us or Blockbuster.. I miss those here. LOL
Interesting you find the stores confusing normally it makes good sense. But again we are used to milk and such at the back of the store. To get more sales obviously
Its interesting to be in a store going through the food section and then find what I would call a drop table with an air compressor.. So I go over and look next to that are a small bin of unrelated hand tools then Socks... then videos... then plates. ..... It was like when one thing ran out just put what ever in the space... I think it was one of the Fotex. store.. (my Fiancee took my around to a lot of stores shopping for Christmas dinner) She was looking for some fish back in the back corner of the store and I went over to the wine section. Which in Denmark is a 1/4 of any store. Well in between in a literal corner shelf I see cat litter.. Just there by itself. No pet department just tucked in between the food and wine. I have no idea why or how anyone could ever find it... I imagine a stocker just wandering around the store looking for a empty self.
Great video. Interesting about driving in DK. Here in Ontario, so long as the way is clear we can turn right on a red traffic light. In DK - not so. :)
Turning right on a red is unheard of in Europe, mainly because we learned that traffic laws have to be simple and unambiguous if you want ordinary drivers to to the right thing instinctively. In Europe, a red light means "Stop", always. There is no need to look to see if you are allowed to turn on red, because that is a distraction. Americans are afraid of losing a moment sat at a traffic light, even if it means they are safer and have a more relaxing journey.
Moving to Denmark took a lot of tough adjustments. It's like uprooting a southwestern plant and transplanting it in the wet Danish soil. Maybe it will grow, or maybe it will not. I should of realised before I moved here that I would become an immigrant, and have to go through the immigration process. I kind of thought I was just being transferred.
It coupé be an idea to watch children dvs or streaming when you are in Denmark. Most o Them have the choice og Danish language with English subtitles, like Disney moves, Harry Potter ect
As someone who lived and worked in the US, have you visited the US embassy in Copenhagen to inquire as to how to obtain your "entitlements" such as Social Security, eventually? It is worth establishing communication with them. I was fortunate enough to catch a workshop they hosted in 2019 that was very informative. Apparently, when my Danish wife and I eventually retire there, I can still get my SS and SHE can get the SS she is entitled to. Anyway, you look quite young, and are far from worrying about that, but be sure to stay in touch with the embassy to see about these things.
What you said about goingto a new place and having to change, instead of expecting it to change for you, is so admirable, and is something a lot of those middle eastern immigrants could learn from. You are a good example of what an immigrants SHOULD be, and we really like that.
Great video! Manchester in England has the same weather as Denmark. I had to buy a special raincoat when I started working in Manchester because it rained so much. "Rainpants" made me laugh because in the UK "pants" are underwear, and what American call "Pants" we call Trousers. So call our Rainpants "Waterproof Trousers". Vive la différence!
While editing your videos you should adjust the audio so that the volume levels are similar throughout the whole video. Would make for a better viewing experience :)
Rocket Man Thanks for the tip, but unfortunately, I don’t really hear the difference. I was never blessed with good hearing to begin with. I’ll see what I can do.
I'm 27 years old my name is Rebecca , I'm Italian my mom is just died.... my dream would be to start a new life in Denmark. Finish my education and brand new start... I have 2 dogs (little one & a big one) I wish to learn all that I can, in order to make it happen sooner as possible. ❤️Where Do you think would be the best place to start living in a central but green place with backyard cause the size of the house is not important for me but I think, having a garden would be the best solution in order to have a easy life with my dogs.
I feel for you - it’s hard to let go of your culture - but you can’t really prepare yourself for the daily life in a foreign- vacation is easy but living long term takes its own toll.
You are starting to feel danish to me:) Still american, but something in you have changed I think..or you maybe just added a little something. Hope you are a happy!
If moving, is wealth affected? I’d love to live in Denmark, however I no longer need income. Is wealth taxed when moving? If someone has millions of dollars in cash and millions in assets and wanted to retire there would their wealth be taxed or is there loss of control with finances? I do not agree with the high income tax but since I wouldn’t be working how would that work. I’m sure property taxes would be high but that’s not as much as a concern as the home I desire may only be 3-400 thousand.
Danish Income tax is levied on investment income, so if your assets produce an income, you will pay tax on this. Danish tax rates are high! And the way the Danish system taxed capital gains means that you pay tax if you have made a gain even if you have not realised that gain. This is different to the UK - in the UK, you only pay our Capital Gains Tax if you make a gain when you sell the asset. In Denmark, you might buy an asset of 10,000 DKK, pay tax of 370DKK per year because the asset has increased in value by 1000DDK, and then if you can only sell the asset for 10,000DDK, you have paid capital gains tax, but not enjoyed any gain! Tax allowances in Denmark about 10-50 times less than the allowances in the UK. e.g. Capital gains tax allowance in Denmark is 2,000DKK, in the UK it is the equivalent of 100,000DKK!
I will go there for a vacation because i sée more picture buildings color around thé river there..and i hear about people danemark they bring always happiness
I am from VENICE CA. I lived in Danmark now for 15 yrs and still a fish outa H2O......I love it here but Sorry to say yes you will have ups and downs . They don't go away...... I can Chang Me ....I have changed but I can not and will not Chang who I am for where I live. Danmark is where we live and I love it. The Food thing you talk about .....lol........Will ever Chang......I can to find my ways to get what I want and miss back here.... But if or when we go back Home ...We miss a lot of thing's we can't get in the U.S. Danmark a place with good food some of the best Beers..... Take it all in.......But alway's be you.
Would be nice if you gave actual examples. Nice to know what we need to consider, but would be much more useful if you provided actual examples: food differences, how are the driving signs different, what are the useful things there not useful, coming from USA, etc.
There might be too many to mention. I miss that you can't find Cream of Celery soup here. Where I live, it is very difficult to find good peanut butter. They have PB here, but it doesn't taste the same. It is pretty gross, actually. I also can't find Jello, which is something I like to make during the holidays. Cranberries of any kind are also hard to find during Thanksgiving. There are many more options for everything in the US. I miss that. Here, if you find what you are looking for, you will only find usually one option for it. I think that I might notice different types of foods because I come from the Midwest. Others from the South may have a different list. I was just trying to be more general to reach a larger audience and just talk about the differences "in general". I hope this helps. Feel free to message me on my FB group if you have specific questions!
My New Danish Life, thank you. Can not reach out via fb bcuz I don’t have or use fb; I stopped when I realized they allowed Cambridge Analytical to interfere in USA elections. Will continue to research re: driving, street signs, housing, dress wear, weather, etc., enjoy seems like a great place to live.
The Danes aren't big on polluting. A non-recyclable balloon containing a rare gas is not an ecological choice for a gift. (There is a Helium shortage in case you weren't aware.)
@@tlangdon12 I use Mylar Balloons as a sex toy. I don't need helium. I just inflate them with normal air. but I would love to move to America. Denmark is boring.
Doesn’t it help a lot that most danes speak english auite well? I have moved from Denmark to Germany and back, and never experienced really major adjustment problems although I needed to upgrade my German a lot. I am pretty sure that I know US well enough to be able to adjust fast. Western countries have enough in common to not need major changes to your daily way of living
My New Danish Life : mmm... I quess you are right 😊. I also live in the countryside, and my nabours are not that proficient in english. I think we are not that different, though, so you will probably soon get new friends and habits, and no longer feel that you are in a foreign country 👍. I can easily spend time with you on email, if you feel like having a little online support from a “native”
Driving with an American driver's licence in Denmark is actually illegal. To swap a foreign licence to a Danish one, you need to take both a theoretical and a practical test before you can swap your foreign driving licence to a Danish one. That way you know the signs.
+Jesper Kruuse-Jensen 😂The difference though is that in the US, we would have major flooding. I have grown up with large thunderstorms and like them at times, but being in Denmark always seems like going through a mist tent!😂
ad 2) Trafic in Århus: It has allways been a nightmare by car. I haven't been to Århus for - say 30 years - but as a todler my farther and I did the shopping on Saturdays - and that continued till I graduated from University. But Århus is a medieval city that had outgrown its shues. It is a spokes in wheel type traffic where everything has to pass the center - not like an american city which is a grid pattern. Around 1870 Århus was NOT the second largest city in Denmark: That was Charlotte Amalie on the Virgin Islands. ad 3) There is no connection between how words are spelled, and how they are pronounced - That is really the thing that makes Danish hard to learn. ad 5) It is not the big things like language, religion, politics - it all the little things - nobody cares about American Football, and womens handball is/was a big thing.
Danish is the easiest language to learn you dumb fuck. Took me 6months to learn that language. The grammatik is fuckt cause of all the brain dead rules your society choose to put into it. Even a modern Danish person have hard times with the grammatik. Only the old people knows this shit. Want a hard language. Learn Greenlandic or Arabic or mandarin or Japanese many other languages. You fuck faces are the dumb of the earth pretending to be smart only to be stealing from other cultures cause ya culture is only drinking beer and "hygge" like WTF
I can relate, when I first came to the Netherlands, even a single food from my country didnt bring coz I was too focus on clothes, etc, etc..but anyway, new friend here ;-) Love #CuteyAndrea
I wonder how much you traveled outside the US before moving to Denmark. Many US Americans tend to be uninformed about anything/everything outside the US borders because they simply have never been abroad, others have traveled but have always gotten off easy because US American culture has spread all over the world. It is when you have to leave your entire way of living behind (well, mostly) that you stumble over all the little issues you managed to ignore up to that point. You will never stop being an US American, you should cherish it and hang on to whatever you find beneficial from US culture. Use English at home to the extent you can to enable your children to be bilingual - they will be immersed in Danish culture outside the home anyway. Be proud of your heritage.
I started traveling out of the county in 1996, and traveled quite often since then. I've mostly just been to Europe and the Middle East (once). I have seen and experienced many things, but it is very different to be a tourist compared to an immigrant.
Kelly, I assumed you have traveled more than most of your countrymen. The "problems" US Americans have are 1) The US is HUGE and very diverse, 2) you are extremely self-sufficient, i.e. there is little need for the average US citizens to travel abroad, so 3) US citizens tend to be ignorant or ill-informed about world affairs which leads the rest of the world to 4) mistakenly regard US Americans as stupid. A sad state of affairs, not helped by the current political situation...
@@Halli50 Believe me, I am aware. You can get as much culture shock in NYC for the first time if you grew up in rural Mississippi, but I think that Americans are a bit more understanding and open. We are used to foreigners and are happy to explain things. That is my opinion. What people see on TV is not always the real America. I hate that our country is so publicized, because it gives others the feeling that they know just how the country is. Most of the time, they don't have a clue. I can say I know how Denmark is, because I live here. It is much different than being a tourist or learning about it on TV.
This video is kind of hard to watch, because most of us wants people to feel welcomed here, and you are bringing another culture, which sometimes will clash with the danish culture, but thats very exciting, Its like a kind of field where we can learn from each other. This means you have to integrate in Denmark, just to make it easier for yourself, but you do not have to assimilate, after all you are an american and you should not forget the culture you comes from, instead lets enrichs each other with the cultures and learn from each other.
pleace visit the west coast during summer, or Bornholm. im from Ringkøbing, live in aalborg. have you been to any of thouse places? Aalborg was in the ny times resently. :)
kasper christensen Where have you moved to where this is true for you? I’m curious about other places. I’ve moved many times, and I wouldn’t say this is the same for all of those places.
@@NaciYT Denmark recognises International Driving Permits, which can be issued on the basis of a US Driving Licence. Most European countries will expect resident to exchange their US Drivers Licence for a local Licence within 6 months. Whether any test is required is down to the Country involved. It would make sense to require drivers with a foreign-issued licence to take a theory test where their knowledge of road signs and traffic laws could be tested.
Lol don’t put to much energy in learning what the road sings means not even danish people know that in Danmark we just drive by using our brain and common sense
De 3 P’er Påklædning ? Påklædning ? Påklædning ! Påklædning man har på (som er forkerte) Påklædning man burde have på (som måske er rigtig) Påklædning som er den rigtigt (Men er hjemme i skabet) Ps. husk hjelm
ahoy. You keep refering to yourself as 'an anerican living in denmark'? By any of my definitions you are 'a dane with american assent' your husband is danish, aswell as your kids. You've been living here for 3 years, and do alot to ajust to our society, learning the language and so on. I can see that your label is better for promotion in the US (where i guess your main audience is), but i think it would be better for you to use 'danish with US assent' in personal situations. For one, it's more accurate, and the danes respond bettet to a forrener if they don't selv-identify as such. Totally an oppinion you can disagree with, but i think it will help you to atl east have heard it.
@@KurtFrederiksen great argument. We aggree in the big picture. What i called a dane inmy comment is largly what you refer to as a 'danish citisen'. In my head the to Are synomines. Of cours a an emigrent Can never be a dane, but aslong as they fit in, in our sosiaty they Can self identify as 'danish' Disclamer: to Drunk to express thought in words.
@@frankthetank1894 Yes, I always say that you are from the town where you were a teenager. It is when we start to leave the supervision of our parents that we become "ourselves". Wherever this happens, this is where are "from".
This is lovely. I'm an American planning to move to either Japan or Denmark. I started of learning Japanese, so my goal is Japan. But from the little I've read, Denmark is also amazing. My first goal is to spend a 2 week stay in Japan to have an idea of what at least being there is like. It's gonna take a lot of time to save for goal 1, but I'm excited.
Denmark is a great country but it is quite small, and the taxes are fearsome. The UK has a great tax regime. We have a tax allowance for everything! It you are not amazingly rich, you will pay income tax of about 30%, and you get free health care for that. Our sales tax is 20% but since Brexit there is nothing in the shops to buy, so we don't pay much sales tax!
@@tlangdon12 That's interesting! My narrowed down choices are still Japan or Denmark tho.
From what I have seen on this channel, you are doing great with embracing Denmark and danish culture.
I totally get what you are saying regarding cooking, I really want to try different American recipes but often can't because of some ingredient that I can't get here in Denmark. I can imagine that it frustrates you sometimes.
I really think you are doing great. Remember that when you get frustrated or feeling low or homesick. It's not easy changing your whole way of thinking. Love from Esbjerg
I'm hoping to go to Denmark in 5-8 years. I'm learning Danish using different apps, I'm trying to make Danish friends, and I'm buying some Danish cookbooks, so I can adjust to Danish cooking while I'm still here (In English and released in the USA). My goal is to try to sell as much as I can over the few years following up to moving to DK.
Having a job or education lined up before moving helps with both immigration and adjusting. Too going to work is the best way to learn a new language as you get forced to learn atleast in my experience:)
You're welcome here in Denmark. 😊
@@bubbermaan I wish I could move to Copenhagen...tomorrow! Hate living in States under Herr Trump.
I would gladly show you around Copenhagen. Message me if you are intrested. PS visit in summer
Korruptor You will love Denmark. The Danes are warm and friendly, most speak English. Copenhagen is gorgeous with its harbor, canals, fairy tale architecture and castles. The streets are SPOTLESS, so clean! I love Danish food - pickled herring, sausages, cod, salmon, pork roast with carmelized baby potatoes, frikadeller (meatballs in a creamy gravy on mashed potatoes...Danish comfort food). Trust me, you will LOVE the food. So many great restaurants. If you are in a hurry, the 7-11's there carry a huge assortment of fresh 'to go' meals. Are you moving due to a job there, or moving for other reasons? I've read a lot of Americans are fleeing to Denmark for its lifestyle to escape Trump. If I was younger and my job was not here in States, I'd be learning Danish and moving myself. I do not identify with this country and its politics. I am too liberal and identify with the Scandinavian countries' lifestyle, values and government.
I do enjoy your videos however whould like to hear if it is maybe possible to adjust the intro and outro volume to the audio volume in the rest of the video :)
I second that.
Third here
Omg!! Thank you so much. Its so helpful. Especially point 5. Im ab to move to Denmark. Im looking forward to your part 2. Thank you again for such helpful tips
Jessica HouseVN welcome too Denmark 🇩🇰 👍
Everything I brought when I moved to denmark fitted in a fiat ducato , cat included 🦊
Sir thats a fox
She said a thousand dollar mixer... I'm like this is not the video for me lol
@@ogikay7056 i dont care , i like it
Welcome to Denmark! I hope you're enjoying living here. Sorry for all the rain. :D
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions on the danish multi-partisan political system. I've heard from other american people that it can be quite confusing at first, especially considering you only have two parties in the us.
A lot of Americans like me want to have a Democratic Socialist government, and several Democratic candidates speak of Denmark as the "ideal." Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buddegieg (Rhodes Scholar) to name a few!
Tia Mia. You are the first non-Danish i have seen in one of her videos
@@kristoffersparegodt420 I love Denmark, a beautiful country. Would move there tomorrow if I could. My apartment is very cozy, hygge. 🇩🇰 🕯📚
Tia Mia. Maybe one day you can visit us
@@kristoffersparegodt420 Tak, Kristoffer! I was in Copenhagen with my oldest daughter last fall. We rented an Airbnb near the Lergravsparken Station. Nice neighborhood, walked all over town and always felt safe, even at 1 AM coming back to Lergravsparken from the Centre. It's so easy to get around there. You all have a GREAT transportation system (Berlin's was complex - such a huge place - and I did not feel safe walking a lot of places there at night.) We just fell in love with Copenhagen. I love Danish food and make frikadeller at least a couple times a month. I can buy Felix lingonberry preserves at my grocery store - so delicious with the frikadeller. Also good spread on a bagel with Skyr. I think I must have some Danish blood somewhere as I also love rainy days and licorice. 😏 🇩🇰🚴♀️🧜♀️🍬🌧
Please know, the following is said with as much respect as possible.
Here is one thing I would want Americans to know;
Unless we are talking about very specific small areas of Denmark (which is pretty small to begin with :) ), religion is a non-factor in everyday life in Denmark.
I realise that can sound somewhat mind-boggling to some Americans, but we generally consider religion a very personal thing (as in, you keep it to yourself), and in general society we look upon religion as not a big deal and as a part of our cultural heritage - not as guidelines for everyday life.
I do not say this as any kind of criticism of religion. Just a kind word of being prepared for a change.
We absolutely have Christian churches all over, and Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques.
Just be aware that the support structure and fellowship you might be used to, might not be available to the same extent.
+Steelmage99 Oh believe me! I realized that right away! We appreciated our “church family” in the US, and it was a hard adjustment when moving here to live without one!
I personally love the Danes' respectful attitude toward religion. It IS a personal choice/matter. I am very spiritual but not religious. I feel closer to God while gardening, watching/listening to the birds at my feeders, holding my granddaughter, looking into my sweet cat's adoring, trusting eyes. Sitting in a church straining to hear a sermon with toddlers having meltdowns all around me or adults having a chat fest does not bring me any peace or communion with God. However, it does raise my blood pressure and put me in a pissy mood for the rest of the day. I was raised Catholic and enjoyed certain aspects of it, but when the nuns distributed color pamphlets of aborted fetuses in my elementary school age daughters' CCD class (this was in the 90's), without my knowledge, I HAD to pull the plug. America is religion obsessed. And, to moi, some are more a "cult" than a religion. I had a half dozen Jehovah Witnesses (my neighbor was one) pounding on my front door - scaring the hell out of me - while I was enjoying a quiet mommy moment breastfeeding my newborn daughter. They were pounding on all our neighborhood doors - in subfreezing temperatures - trying to "save our souls!" I peeked out the nursery window...more pounding...tippy-toed downstairs and looked out the front door peephole. I saw 6 women standing on my front porch. I opened my front door - with the chain still on - trying to shield my newborn daughter from the cold. I politely told them "not interested." The 2nd time, I told them, "I'm busy, please respect my privacy", and, finally the 3rd time, "You people are f-ing OBSESSED. Get OFF my property NOW or I'm calling the cops!" OYE!!
Tia Mia I wouldn’t consider most Danes spiritual. I’d say the majority I’ve talked to about religion don’t believe in God at all. My neighbors in the US were JW. Very nice people. I’ve learned to be polite to them. I even invited one lady in and we had a nice chat. No one came after that. I guess she felt I didn’t need her after our chat! I’m Christian, loved church and love God. I understand how the Danes feel, and I’m not one to preach my views on anyone. However, it still rubs me the wrong way when a kid will have a non-firmation because they don’t want to go through confirmation. They still want the party and hundreds of bucks they get from family and friends. 🙄 Don’t get me started.
@@MyNewDanishLife "I wouldn’t consider most Danes spiritual. I’d say the majority I’ve talked to about religion don’t believe in God at all."
Spiritual does not equal believing in a personal intervening theistic god, like the Christian god.
Spirituality is a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience-something that touches us all.
"However, it still rubs me the wrong way when a kid will have a non-firmation because they don’t want to go through confirmation. They still want the party and hundreds of bucks they get from family and friends."
That is where the American Radical Evangelical Christian perspective runs into trouble. To most Danes religion is a cultural thing, not a religious one.
We (Danes) also really like to get married in churches, baptise our children in churches and get buried in churches.
The thing a religious American needs to understand, is that the above things have NOTHING to do with religion, but rather with culture. You would be hard pressed to find a guest at one of the above ceremonies, that actually believe in any of the thousands of gods that humanity have come up with.
@@MyNewDanishLife I agree with you on the non-firmation. That's ridiculous! I'm polite to a point. The 3rd time was it. I had a newborn and a 2 year old and resented the constant intrusions.
I’m danish ethnicity but live in America I really want to live in my ancestors country and this was really interesting to listen to
I LOVE DANISH PEOPLE you guys are awesome. Btw what generation are you in the US?
Sroy Detroy. You are so welcome but i advice you to visit in the summer months
Sroy Detroy 5th and 4th and 2nd generation, from multiple grandparents
Don't believe what she said about the weather in Denmark, it isn't that bad! Think about the weather in Seattle, and then make it a bit wetter, somewhat colder and slightly windier, and you will be pretty close.
But stay away in November
Hej Kelly! My daughter and I visited Copenhagen last fall and absolutely fell in love with it. I love the soft-spoken, polite, well educated Danes, the strong Danish family values, hygge (of course!), the minimalist lifestyle, the healthy, outdoor vibe, the beauty of the architecture, parks, waterfront, the crazy cyclists biking furiously in the rain, and the wonderful Danish food. Wish I could find rugbrod in Atlanta. I have mastered frikkadeller and made it several times this past winter with creamy gravy on mashed potatoes with Felix lingonberry jam, which my local grocery store carries. I have read numerous books on hygge and living Danishly. If my job was not here in the States, I would move to Copenhagen tomorrow. I absolutely loved it there and could see myself living there. I actually love rainy days and cool/cold weather. In the meantime, I will have to live Danishly through your videos. Love your honesty and humor. Tak!
Thanks so much. If you liked Copenhagen, you should try to visit the rest of Denmark next time. You'll find that we are a bit more "Danish" out here! ;) Glad to have you along!
@@MyNewDanishLife I am a bit obsessed with Denmark and long ago dated a Dane here in Atlanta. I remember him trying to teach me Danish. Oh lord! So I got a kick just watching you trying to say smoked trout in Danish. Question: I'm a very young 68, single and work as an EA. I have a BS Educ + Concentration in Early Childhood. Could I live there and still receive my U.S. Social Security benefits?
+Tia Mia As far as I know. I have teacher retirement money waiting for me in the US for when I’m old enough. Join Americans in Denmark FB group. Read through the comments/questions people have posted and see if there is anyone in your situation. Copenhagen is easier for foreigners. I moved here at 38, and it was difficult at first without the language. But, I live in a small town...I’d say also to look into nyidanmark.dk.
@@MyNewDanishLife Thanks so much for all the info. I will check those out. I did some further research yesterday evening and I would be able to get my Social Security retirement benefits over there as long as I kept my American citizenship (I'm still working and waiting until I turn 70 to apply for these so I can max out on $ amount.). The SS website states that there are restrictions or no payouts for other SS benefits, such as disability or low income benefits (those don't apply for me), but retirement benefits OK as they come out of my tax payments. At least, that is my understanding. I don't know if this is doable at my age, but I just love everything about Denmark, such a beautiful place. And the govt. there, they've got it right! Such a sense of freedom knowing you can retire and will be taken care of. Such a pervasive feeling of contentment in all the people we met. None of that here, what a mess! Really embarrassing what's been happening the past 3 years. I hope we can get some intelligence in the WH in 2020 and move toward a Social Democratic system like Scandinavia. Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg (Rhodes Scholar) all "get it", and want to move in that direction citing Denmark, Norway, Sweden (particularly Denmark) as "the ideal" - but the average American hears "socialism" and thinks "Venezuela!", "Communism!" They don't understand DEMOCRATIC Socialism is different - way different. I blame it on the lack of education in this country. It's really holding us back. As a former schoolteacher, I'm sure you understand. 😉
Tia Mia Just know that when you live here, the feeling might change since they make it difficult for foreigners here. It is nice that you are so positive, but please check out that FB before you make any decisions. Vacations care one thing, but living here is completely different. I wouldn’t want you yo learn the hard way.
Funny to hear your thoughts :-) But regarding rain-clothes, I have never (as an adult) owned rain clothes, only my kids have rain clothes. I use an umbrella or just stay out of the rain
Thank you for your beautiful video. My family & I trully love Denmark. We've been there twice already and we still cant get enough of it. I believe there are so many beautiful places to explore and the Danish are caring, friendly & respectful people. Hopefully we can visit again this year. Looking forward to seeing Jutland & other cities that we have not visited yet. Any suggestions, pls? Thanks.
Hej Kelly, Du er en rigtig sød Pige og fortæller godt om dine oplevelser :-) ,jeg kan godt forklare dig om alle de spørgsmål du søger, husk, at Danskerne er meget ironiske og at meget vi siger er humor. Knuss fra Steen Andreas
Very interesting perspective! Thanks so much for sharing! Love the garden background, so pretty!!
Heading back to Copenhagen, Denmark this Friday for the second time and I’m so excited! Fell in love with the city the first time I went and hoping to see more of the country this time around. I could definitely see myself moving to Denmark. 🤗
+Keisha Newton Yes, definitely try other places. There is more to Denmark than just Copenhagen and Zealand! ;)
A fun way to learn a foreign language. find an audiobook such as Harry Potter, it is available in many languages. listen to it 2-3 times until you know the text. (possibly as a goodnight story with your children) then listen to the same book in the new language. you know the text, you know what is being said, if it helps, break it up into chapters or lines.
As a Dane living in France since 35 years I can recommend this to anyone who is looking for a real culture and language challange.
I also lived one year in the US, in Dallas of all places and as a “Copenhagerne” I have evne survived a few yeas in Holstrebro and Maarslet. Through all that, I’ve simple tried to stay myself, as it’s the one I do the best. And for you, Kelly, if I can allow myself, please stay as wonderfully American as you are - and keep those videos comming, I love them!
Accepting change is the first step to being a Dane, or any other nationality if you want. But it’s the same in all of Europe. A Dane moving to France would have to change, and a Frenchman moving to Germany would also have to change.
I think a lot of the change has to do with how we think. I had a big city mentality (London) when I first moved to Denmark. It took a few years to shake that of and learn to relax more.
But Rome wasn’t built in a day, and everything will fall into to place eventually, and one day you will wake up and feel totally Danish.
But that’s the beauty of Europe, so many countries and different languages huddled together in a mass, a melting pot of different ways of thinking and cultures. Brilliant!!
Hi from South Africa. Discovered your channel today, I think I'm going to love it. ❤♥
You're definitely right about having to change according to the country that you move to. Having lived in 6 different countries, soon to be 7, It's taken me years to learn to deal with culture shock and just go with the flow. Unfortunately, I think it's something you have to learn by doing, although it does get easier as you adapt, whether you move around like I do or are settling long-term in a new country.
I'm jealous about the weather btw. The Netherlands are having weird shifty-changey weather right now. xD
Velkommen til Danmark 🇩🇰🇺🇸
this dude said “welcome to Denmark” if you didn’t know
@@baldboyhalosmellslikechees4359 thank you, I needed this!
A great listen, thank you. I have dual citizenship 🇩🇰🇺🇸, and spend my winters back in Tucson. Being retired helps. It’s definitely a culture shock as mentioned its best to leave almost everything American behind if you decide to make Denmark your home permanently. When I worked in Denmark, and made a reference to America on how things where done, my Danish co workers would say. “Your not in America anymore”.
Totally agree about the cooking and so , even that I only moved from a place 800 km from danmark , it is a big difference
Pleaae help. There is thunder in Denmark right now. Even when i'm listening to loud music, i can hear it. o_o
Yeah true. I am a danish person, and it is pretty creepy
Don't think too musch about it :)
From TV2/LORRY:
- Det er meget usædvanligt. Jeg kan ikke huske tre nætter i træk med tordenvejr så tidligt på sommeren. Torden er generelt et sommerfænomen, men oftest er det sent på sommeren, vi normalt oplever det og især om natten, siger han til TV 2 Lorry.
Han forklarer, at årsagen til, at danskerne alligevel oplever det kraftige vejr nu, er, fordi Danmark lige nu ligger på grænsen mellem kold og varm luft. Og det er netop i disse grænseområder, at det regner meget, og når det så er sommer, skaber det tordenvejr.
Hi there. I have used a few different ways of learing new language. I learned som Russian Years back and i used 3 things: kids books (picture books, starter school books etc.), Book and Casette (yeah, i'm that old... but books with tapes included, so you both read and hear the text, and finally Tintin comics. i've read all the tintin comics through childhood, and we used them in school when learing english and german. Often the translations are pretty close to what would be used in that country... and you learn some Idioms (spelling?)
Your cake looks great! Just a sprig of mint on top! I made a strawberry and blueberry shortcake for July 4th. Peaches and raspberries are nice combo also. I love marzipan. Any good Danish cake recipes with that?
I am sure there are tons, but I don't like marzipan. Hahaha! I'll be making one around the Christmas/New Year holidays, though...just for the fun of it!
@@MyNewDanishLife I look forward to that!🍰
What are (were?) you missing in the kitchen? I'm really curious and it might work out as a good, informative video.
I am curious about that as well.
Maybe I’ll make a list on my blog and tell what I did as a substitute! 😊
Nothing is missing that you can’t find in DK regarding kitchen..that’s nonsense.
What is so extraordinary special that you are missing from American kitchen.
And don’t tell me that are the “danish”...
Here in DK are thousands times better.
@@elenapetersen6814 I guess if it is something you have lived without, it doesn't matter much to you, but if you are from another country, you notice the lack of these things right away. There are certain types of creams that I can't find here...certain cheeses..meat substitutes (I'm vegetarian.). The list goes on. It's not quite fair to say that something is "nonsense" when it very much is not "nonsense" to me or the other foreigners who have a difficult time adjusting. Compassion and understanding go a long way. My husband couldn't find rye bread in the US when we lived there and tried his best to make his own. We tried to find ways to help him adjust. It is just the thing you do when you care.
My New Danish Life
I did not mean to offend you and anyone by saying is “nonsense “ because,in my opinion,it is.I traveled with my danish husband all over the world for 43 years 10 of it in different countries in Africa and believe me I know what I’m talking about.In each country we lived for tree,six,15 years and with small children.First in Africa Tanzania for tree years my son was tree weeks old ..you could not even find milk or milk powder... I was so great full that I could breast feed him.So I know what is to miss things from the place one comes from. You don’t really know what it is missing my dear.And I adjust in each country with a lot of understanding first,hard work and love not to miss anything danish for us wherever we were.I carried a suitcase with flour for making rye bread each year.. my danish cookbook was helping me learn the language to.
You are privileged to move from a civilized country to other civilized one.
And please don’t get offended.
I could write a book in tree volumes about my experiences first in DK and the rest of the places I have lived.
You are going to alright,enjoy your life.
Thank you for your videos. I just returned from 5 days in Roskilde visiting a new friend. I brought way too much stuff, got drenched and nearly electrocuted on Saturday, could not understand a single word although a I spend months trying to pick up a few phrases... lol!! Thank goodness I did not have to drive anywhere!! But also did not get run over by a bicycle 😄 so I consider that a success!! Greetings from California 🌴 😅
Kathy Brady LOL! My daughter (San Luis Obispo, CA) and I (Atlanta) vacationed in Copenhagen in the fall last year. We absolutely fell in love with Copenhagen, however we learned immediately just stay out of the bike lane. I nearly got run over a couple of times the first day. Their bikes are amazingly quiet and you don't hear them coming up behind you. We were walking in the main Square our second day and a young Danish woman was literally knocked off her bike by a car that had turned into the road and clipped her. We all ran to help her up. She was stunned but physically okay. I really wanted to rent a bike and ride through Copenhagen with my daughter, and try riding on "The Snake", but I was recuperating from a torn meniscus so couldn't. Next time!🚴♀️🏰🌦🇩🇰❤
I find your videos very interesting. Being Danish, but living abroad, in Spain, I recognize a lot of the things you talk about. Some are generally true when moving to a different country.
And... ah, those rain pants... I'd completely forgotten about them! 😂
Nice video. We are thinking about moving to Denmark, my grandfather was born there and I have family that I would love to meet. I enjoyed your points, nine years ago we moved from Canada to the USA. I remember being in a grocery store, everything was packaged differently, standing there trying to order sliced meat ( converting grams to pounds). At least the language was the same and the driving laws are similar. It did take me some time to get accustom to the “exit in two miles” our Canadian car with the metric speedometer. I had the similar sadness at about 3 months, I had to remind myself of the great opportunity to experience NYC and now the BayArea (California)
My big recommendation would be to have jobs lined up before moving. That will make a huge difference. There are many people who have been here years without jobs (accompanying spouses) and these are highly educated people. Denmark is really great, though, but there are good things about all places, and I still think it would be nice to go back to the USA one day. Who knows.
My New Danish Life Thank you for the feedback. I will definitely have a job first, I work on a Global Data Center Team. When we moved to the USA my husband and I had jobs and it made things much easier. We are looking for our next adventure. Moving within North America was easy, across the ocean will be difficult.
@@pamgodsoe9076 It is a big move for sure! I wish you luck with whatever the future brings.
Trying to move there myself.. My Fiancee lives in Hvidovre. Going for my 3rd visit in a couple of months.. So true about the road signs I had to ask about those. Also about the language.. Babbel does not help much with actually hearing it. TV is a great help American shows with danish subtitles or kids shows like Dr Ramasjang... I would add to your videos the importance of cross walks and bike lanes.. Every store will have a huge alcohol selection but good luck finding over the counter meds.. You have to go to a special store for those. Stores are NOT like Walmarts here.. Small selection and confusing set up.. You will find power tools and clothes right next to the bakery... Very interested in future info on finding work and eventually registering as a legal alien.. Immigration is hard
I got hooked on the over night Dr Ramasjang that shows all the characters sleeping in an endless loop. LOL actually helps me fall asleep.
Check out some my other videos where I talk about some of these things! ;) We also DO have a Walmart-style place, but you might not know if it if you haven’t ventured out of Copenhagen area. I’ll be posting more on that in the future! So many topics I have scheduled but not enough Time for filming! 😂
Been in a lot of Netto's and Rema 1000's. Lidl, Fotex and Kvickly come close to stores in the US still a bit odd in the set up . Love the pet stores monkeys, baby turtles and some exotic fish I have never seen here. One of these days I want to go to Toys R Us or Blockbuster.. I miss those here. LOL
Interesting you find the stores confusing normally it makes good sense. But again we are used to milk and such at the back of the store. To get more sales obviously
Its interesting to be in a store going through the food section and then find what I would call a drop table with an air compressor.. So I go over and look next to that are a small bin of unrelated hand tools then Socks... then videos... then plates. ..... It was like when one thing ran out just put what ever in the space... I think it was one of the Fotex. store.. (my Fiancee took my around to a lot of stores shopping for Christmas dinner) She was looking for some fish back in the back corner of the store and I went over to the wine section. Which in Denmark is a 1/4 of any store. Well in between in a literal corner shelf I see cat litter.. Just there by itself. No pet department just tucked in between the food and wine. I have no idea why or how anyone could ever find it... I imagine a stocker just wandering around the store looking for a empty self.
Great video. Interesting about driving in DK. Here in Ontario, so long as the way is clear we can turn right on a red traffic light. In DK - not so. :)
Turning right on a red is unheard of in Europe, mainly because we learned that traffic laws have to be simple and unambiguous if you want ordinary drivers to to the right thing instinctively. In Europe, a red light means "Stop", always. There is no need to look to see if you are allowed to turn on red, because that is a distraction. Americans are afraid of losing a moment sat at a traffic light, even if it means they are safer and have a more relaxing journey.
Moving to Denmark took a lot of tough adjustments. It's like uprooting a southwestern plant and transplanting it in the wet Danish soil. Maybe it will grow, or maybe it will not. I should of realised before I moved here that I would become an immigrant, and have to go through the immigration process. I kind of thought I was just being transferred.
Beautiful weather? It has been nothing but rain the last couple of days.
+Cavalr! What about today??? Loving it!!
It coupé be an idea to watch children dvs or streaming when you are in Denmark. Most o Them have the choice og Danish language with English subtitles, like Disney moves, Harry Potter ect
I suggest watching English shows with danish subtitles - this really helped me learn danish - the older movie the better the translation
@@denmark98 That's how I learned english.
I’m a Puerto Rican that’s thinking about moving to Denmark. It’s my dream place to live in.
As someone who lived and worked in the US, have you visited the US embassy in Copenhagen to inquire as to how to obtain your "entitlements" such as Social Security, eventually? It is worth establishing communication with them. I was fortunate enough to catch a workshop they hosted in 2019 that was very informative. Apparently, when my Danish wife and I eventually retire there, I can still get my SS and SHE can get the SS she is entitled to. Anyway, you look quite young, and are far from worrying about that, but be sure to stay in touch with the embassy to see about these things.
I haven't. Not on my radar yet. I still need a few more years of working under my belt before I am at that point! ;)
What you said about goingto a new place and having to change, instead of expecting it to change for you, is so admirable, and is something a lot of those middle eastern immigrants could learn from.
You are a good example of what an immigrants SHOULD be, and we really like that.
Been there, done that!! Moving here from US with a big container😅
why do Americans want to live in Denmark? I was born in Denmark. I'd rather move away from Denmark.
Nice video! Very helpful. Thanks for your amazing videos
Great video! Manchester in England has the same weather as Denmark. I had to buy a special raincoat when I started working in Manchester because it rained so much. "Rainpants" made me laugh because in the UK "pants" are underwear, and what American call "Pants" we call Trousers. So call our Rainpants "Waterproof Trousers". Vive la différence!
While editing your videos you should adjust the audio so that the volume levels are similar throughout the whole video. Would make for a better viewing experience :)
Rocket Man Thanks for the tip, but unfortunately, I don’t really hear the difference. I was never blessed with good hearing to begin with. I’ll see what I can do.
I'm 27 years old my name is Rebecca , I'm Italian my mom is just died.... my dream would be to start a new life in Denmark. Finish my education and brand new start... I have 2 dogs (little one & a big one) I wish to learn all that I can, in order to make it happen sooner as possible. ❤️Where Do you think would be the best place to start living in a central but green place with backyard cause the size of the house is not important for me but I think, having a garden would be the best solution in order to have a easy life with my dogs.
I feel for you - it’s hard to let go of your culture - but you can’t really prepare yourself for the daily life in a foreign- vacation is easy but living long term takes its own toll.
thanks for sharing this.
You bet!
You are starting to feel danish to me:) Still american, but something in you have changed I think..or you maybe just added a little something. Hope you are a happy!
Solveig Hansen I am happy! Thank you for noticing! 😊
Does Amazon not deliver to you in Denmark though? So wouldn't you have access to everyrhing everyone else does?
It would cost 76 Danish kroner or $11.30 for one can. Doesn't seem worth it to me.
If moving, is wealth affected? I’d love to live in Denmark, however I no longer need income. Is wealth taxed when moving? If someone has millions of dollars in cash and millions in assets and wanted to retire there would their wealth be taxed or is there loss of control with finances? I do not agree with the high income tax but since I wouldn’t be working how would that work. I’m sure property taxes would be high but that’s not as much as a concern as the home I desire may only be 3-400 thousand.
Danish Income tax is levied on investment income, so if your assets produce an income, you will pay tax on this. Danish tax rates are high! And the way the Danish system taxed capital gains means that you pay tax if you have made a gain even if you have not realised that gain. This is different to the UK - in the UK, you only pay our Capital Gains Tax if you make a gain when you sell the asset. In Denmark, you might buy an asset of 10,000 DKK, pay tax of 370DKK per year because the asset has increased in value by 1000DDK, and then if you can only sell the asset for 10,000DDK, you have paid capital gains tax, but not enjoyed any gain! Tax allowances in Denmark about 10-50 times less than the allowances in the UK. e.g. Capital gains tax allowance in Denmark is 2,000DKK, in the UK it is the equivalent of 100,000DKK!
I will go there for a vacation because i sée more picture buildings color around thé river there..and i hear about people danemark they bring always happiness
Nyhaven
Sorry, but we don't have rivers I Denmark because the country is too small. I guess it is pics of the harbour you have seen
Kurt Bellmandk of course we have rivers lmao?
Were in Denmark are you living?
I am from VENICE CA.
I lived in Danmark now for 15 yrs and still a fish outa H2O......I love it here but Sorry to say yes you will have ups and downs .
They don't go away...... I can Chang Me ....I have changed but I can not and will not Chang who I am for where I live.
Danmark is where we live and I love it.
The Food thing you talk about .....lol........Will ever Chang......I can to find my ways to get what I want and miss back here....
But if or when we go back Home ...We miss a lot of thing's we can't get in the U.S.
Danmark a place with good food some of the best Beers.....
Take it all in.......But alway's be you.
Mark Tomasulo what the hell is this grammar?
Would be nice if you gave actual examples. Nice to know what we need to consider, but would be much more useful if you provided actual examples: food differences, how are the driving signs different, what are the useful things there not useful, coming from USA, etc.
There might be too many to mention. I miss that you can't find Cream of Celery soup here. Where I live, it is very difficult to find good peanut butter. They have PB here, but it doesn't taste the same. It is pretty gross, actually. I also can't find Jello, which is something I like to make during the holidays. Cranberries of any kind are also hard to find during Thanksgiving. There are many more options for everything in the US. I miss that. Here, if you find what you are looking for, you will only find usually one option for it. I think that I might notice different types of foods because I come from the Midwest. Others from the South may have a different list. I was just trying to be more general to reach a larger audience and just talk about the differences "in general". I hope this helps. Feel free to message me on my FB group if you have specific questions!
My New Danish Life, thank you. Can not reach out via fb bcuz I don’t have or use fb; I stopped when I realized they allowed Cambridge Analytical to interfere in USA elections. Will continue to research re: driving, street signs, housing, dress wear, weather, etc., enjoy seems like a great place to live.
@@MyNewDanishLife Brits find it difficult to get good tea.
Hejsa❤️ god video!❤️ bor du i byen Vamdrup?
Witch City do you live in ( im Living in Denmark)
Rain in Denmark - it isn't as bad as you say - only rains about two days a week. ^_^
Ja, det starter på onsdag og stopper mandag, tirsdag, du har en dejlig dag.
@@tlangdon12 :-D
Doesn't rain as long as we have freezing temperatures! ^_^
I need Mylar Balloons... I have to import them myself
The Danes aren't big on polluting. A non-recyclable balloon containing a rare gas is not an ecological choice for a gift. (There is a Helium shortage in case you weren't aware.)
@@tlangdon12 I use Mylar Balloons as a sex toy. I don't need helium. I just inflate them with normal air. but I would love to move to America. Denmark is boring.
@@tlangdon12 I hate Environmentalism
@@tlangdon12 Ecology is stupid. if I had a choice at birth it would NEVER had been Denmark.
@@tlangdon12 Climate Change is a conspiracy. going green is a religion like The Bible and Islam.
great video. the video seems a little hazy? maybe try to clean the lens for the next video :)
Doesn’t it help a lot that most danes speak english auite well? I have moved from Denmark to Germany and back, and never experienced really major adjustment problems although I needed to upgrade my German a lot. I am pretty sure that I know US well enough to be able to adjust fast. Western countries have enough in common to not need major changes to your daily way of living
E Jensen Bigger towns are easier for English, but not so much where I live. (Middle of nowhere)
My New Danish Life : mmm... I quess you are right 😊. I also live in the countryside, and my nabours are not that proficient in english. I think we are not that different, though, so you will probably soon get new friends and habits, and no longer feel that you are in a foreign country 👍. I can easily spend time with you on email, if you feel like having a little online support from a “native”
Keep focusing on the language - took me a long time to speak danish but there is so much culture in the language
Driving with an American driver's licence in Denmark is actually illegal. To swap a foreign licence to a Danish one, you need to take both a theoretical and a practical test before you can swap your foreign driving licence to a Danish one. That way you know the signs.
purportedly Actually, you don’t. I have a Danish driver’s license.
Opens with "such beautiful weather"...….after having multiple thunderstorms within just a few days.
Thunder storms contain their own kind of beauty and awe. :)
+Jesper Kruuse-Jensen 😂The difference though is that in the US, we would have major flooding. I have grown up with large thunderstorms and like them at times, but being in Denmark always seems like going through a mist tent!😂
Two weeks ago I moved back to DK and I so much enjoyed the rain
ad 2) Trafic in Århus: It has allways been a nightmare by car.
I haven't been to Århus for - say 30 years - but as a todler my farther and I did the shopping on Saturdays - and that continued till I graduated from University.
But Århus is a medieval city that had outgrown its shues. It is a spokes in wheel type traffic where everything has to pass the center - not like an american city which is a grid pattern.
Around 1870 Århus was NOT the second largest city in Denmark: That was Charlotte Amalie on the Virgin Islands.
ad 3) There is no connection between how words are spelled, and how they are pronounced - That is really the thing that makes Danish hard to learn.
ad 5) It is not the big things like language, religion, politics - it all the little things - nobody cares about American Football, and womens handball is/was a big thing.
5)* what ever sport the national team does great at is popular besides football where it does not matter if the team do shit Danes still care:)
Århus are now spelled Aarhus 😉
Danish is the easiest language to learn you dumb fuck. Took me 6months to learn that language. The grammatik is fuckt cause of all the brain dead rules your society choose to put into it. Even a modern Danish person have hard times with the grammatik. Only the old people knows this shit. Want a hard language. Learn Greenlandic or Arabic or mandarin or Japanese many other languages. You fuck faces are the dumb of the earth pretending to be smart only to be stealing from other cultures cause ya culture is only drinking beer and "hygge" like WTF
Idk why i'm here i'm danish
I can relate, when I first came to the Netherlands, even a single food from my country didnt bring coz I was too focus on clothes, etc, etc..but anyway, new friend here ;-)
Love #CuteyAndrea
I wonder how much you traveled outside the US before moving to Denmark. Many US Americans tend to be uninformed about anything/everything outside the US borders because they simply have never been abroad, others have traveled but have always gotten off easy because US American culture has spread all over the world. It is when you have to leave your entire way of living behind (well, mostly) that you stumble over all the little issues you managed to ignore up to that point.
You will never stop being an US American, you should cherish it and hang on to whatever you find beneficial from US culture. Use English at home to the extent you can to enable your children to be bilingual - they will be immersed in Danish culture outside the home anyway. Be proud of your heritage.
I started traveling out of the county in 1996, and traveled quite often since then. I've mostly just been to Europe and the Middle East (once). I have seen and experienced many things, but it is very different to be a tourist compared to an immigrant.
Kelly, I assumed you have traveled more than most of your countrymen. The "problems" US Americans have are 1) The US is HUGE and very diverse, 2) you are extremely self-sufficient, i.e. there is little need for the average US citizens to travel abroad, so 3) US citizens tend to be ignorant or ill-informed about world affairs which leads the rest of the world to 4) mistakenly regard US Americans as stupid. A sad state of affairs, not helped by the current political situation...
@@Halli50 Believe me, I am aware. You can get as much culture shock in NYC for the first time if you grew up in rural Mississippi, but I think that Americans are a bit more understanding and open. We are used to foreigners and are happy to explain things. That is my opinion. What people see on TV is not always the real America. I hate that our country is so publicized, because it gives others the feeling that they know just how the country is. Most of the time, they don't have a clue. I can say I know how Denmark is, because I live here. It is much different than being a tourist or learning about it on TV.
This video is kind of hard to watch, because most of us wants people to feel welcomed here, and you are bringing another culture, which sometimes will clash with the danish culture, but thats very exciting, Its like a kind of field where we can learn from each other. This means you have to integrate in Denmark, just to make it easier for yourself, but you do not have to assimilate, after all you are an american and you should not forget the culture you comes from, instead lets enrichs each other with the cultures and learn from each other.
pleace visit the west coast during summer, or Bornholm. im from Ringkøbing, live in aalborg. have you been to any of thouse places? Aalborg was in the ny times resently. :)
Very informative. Thank you
I like your video😊
I am from Denmark / jeg er fra Danmark
This is nothing about moving to denmark. This is things that you needed to know where ever you move 😂😂
kasper christensen Where have you moved to where this is true for you? I’m curious about other places. I’ve moved many times, and I wouldn’t say this is the same for all of those places.
Maybe you should see episode 1 again then 😉 and ask me again 😉 container, coat and so on. 😁 Come on. Is that not normal for moving 😉
kasper christensen 👍🏻
I had same problem move to norway. New signs,? Can you tell me where There Are 2 countrys Whit same traffic signs? 😂
I moved to England first and then Denmark- it’s so true 😂
Rain suprise
Manchester in England likes to surprise new residents in the way too.
Adaptation is key
muslims and Islam will not adapt
How did you drive in Europe without taking a european driver's license test?
Пётр Володин It wasn’t against the law if that is what you are asking!
@@MyNewDanishLife No but I mean how, I thought driver's licenses aren't recognized in other continents
@@NaciYT Denmark recognises International Driving Permits, which can be issued on the basis of a US Driving Licence. Most European countries will expect resident to exchange their US Drivers Licence for a local Licence within 6 months. Whether any test is required is down to the Country involved. It would make sense to require drivers with a foreign-issued licence to take a theory test where their knowledge of road signs and traffic laws could be tested.
"I had a raincoat or so I thought" Poor thing!!!
Velkommen 😊 🇩🇰
Nice. thanks.
Jesus fucking christ, had a panic attack at 5am thinking my smoke alarms went off upstairs, even woke up the whole house
Why the whispering?
Love this
Lol don’t put to much energy in learning what the road sings means not even danish people know that in Danmark we just drive by using our brain and common sense
I Are froom denmark and I wad born here is a butiful land try to go to djurs sommerland and is on danish
Hej
De 3 P’er
Påklædning ?
Påklædning ?
Påklædning !
Påklædning man har på
(som er forkerte)
Påklædning man burde have på
(som måske er rigtig)
Påklædning som er den rigtigt
(Men er hjemme i skabet)
Ps. husk hjelm
This is a very closed homogenised society.The economy is good but if you want to make friends this is the worst country to do so
Alkomp75
Not homogenised enough in my opinion
Excellent am working with denmark suppliers, this will help me thanks a lot may god bless you.
Mohammed Imran Great and thanks! Many blessings to you too!
:-)
ahoy. You keep refering to yourself as 'an anerican living in denmark'? By any of my definitions you are 'a dane with american assent' your husband is danish, aswell as your kids. You've been living here for 3 years, and do alot to ajust to our society, learning the language and so on.
I can see that your label is better for promotion in the US (where i guess your main audience is), but i think it would be better for you to use 'danish with US assent' in personal situations. For one, it's more accurate, and the danes respond bettet to a forrener if they don't selv-identify as such.
Totally an oppinion you can disagree with, but i think it will help you to atl east have heard it.
You are not danish just because you move there lol
@@frankthetank1894 In these times.. Anyone can be danish.
@@jutlander2278 the opposite haha. No one can become danish, I'm danish and can't even pass the citizenship test xd
@@KurtFrederiksen great argument. We aggree in the big picture. What i called a dane inmy comment is largly what you refer to as a 'danish citisen'. In my head the to Are synomines. Of cours a an emigrent Can never be a dane, but aslong as they fit in, in our sosiaty they Can self identify as 'danish'
Disclamer: to Drunk to express thought in words.
@@frankthetank1894 Yes, I always say that you are from the town where you were a teenager. It is when we start to leave the supervision of our parents that we become "ourselves". Wherever this happens, this is where are "from".
Like hvis i for står mig 😂😂😂
Sounds sad.