Biggest Lifestyle Differences US and Europe, From American Traveler

2025-09-19T13:43:43Z

As an American who spent six months living in Europe, I noticed lots of lifestyle differences.
I plan on taking some aspects of life in Europe back home with me.
I’ll no longer let the weather affect my plans and hope to find more small adventures close to home.

It’s no secret that Europeans and Americans have very different lifestyles. From shopping habits to sports preferences to work culture, we often fall onto different ends of the spectrum.

I experienced these differences firsthand as an American traveling around Europe for six months, spending time in places like the UK, Czech Republic, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Here are the five European lifestyle choices I’ll be integrating into my life in the States.

I’ll no longer let the weather ruin my plans.

Emily standing in front of a cathedral in the rain. — When I was in the UK, rainy days were a normal part of life.

Emily Pogue

I’m lucky to have sunshine most of the year in my home state of Colorado. Because of this, though, I tend to talk myself into staying home when the weather is rainy, windy, or even overcast.

When I was in the UK, however, rainy days were a normal part of life. I didn’t want to waste time following my “nice weather or bust” mindset, so I started watching the locals.

For example, they had quality rain jackets and carried waterproof casings to go over their backpacks or bags to keep them dry.

I followed their lead and invested in a more heavy-duty raincoat, and I quickly learned that with proper preparation, the cold and rain aren’t bad at all. The moody weather often added to the overall ambiance of the day.

I’m going to make an effort to find more adventures near my hometown.

A statue of a goat wearing a crown surrounded by a black fence with pink flowers in boxes in front of a body of water. — I loved seeing quirky details like the King Puck statue in Kerry, Ireland.

Patrick Mangan/Shutterstock

When I travel, I actively try to accumulate the most experiences in an area, from museums and landmarks to local events. However, I feel guilty about not always doing this at home.

It’s similar to the cliché that some born-and-bred New Yorkers have never been to the Statue of Liberty.

Some of my favorite experiences in Europe weren’t the grand, famous monuments, but the quirky things I encountered in small towns.

I loved seeing a statue of a goat king in Kerry, Ireland, and stumbling upon an older couple giving an alphorn concert in a Swiss village.

I’m certain there are similar gems close to my hometown, and now I’m determined to find them.

I’ll be embracing the idea that less is more.

Four grocery-store shelves holding different types of cereal. — I found that European grocery stores didn’t have as many options as their American counterparts.

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Many of the Europeans I met were wonderful at having a “less is more” mindset. They owned fewer things, like clothes and decor items, and bought less food at once than I did in the US.

They seemed to have a different attitude about buying things in general. Part of this is likely because European apartments are generally smaller than American homes.

After shopping less while abroad, I’m going to try to maintain that habit stateside.

Using two duvets instead of one comforter is a game changer.

Inside a wooden cabin, a bed with two duvets next to a bunk bed and a window with green curtains showing a view of the grassy outdoors. — When staying in hotels in Europe, my husband and I often found two duvets on one bed.

Emily Pogue

In my marriage, I’m known as the “blanket hog” — though this is still hotly debated on my end. So, when my husband and I walked into an alpine cabin and saw two neatly folded duvets over the bed, he was ecstatic.

We encountered this several times throughout our journey, and I must admit, having my own fluffy blanket to cuddle into was pretty nice. The duvet covers are also way easier to wash than a comforter.

I’m excited to continue following soccer.

Fans watching a soccer game on a huge screen in a bar. — I love how passionate soccer fans are in Europe.

Emily Pogue

Americans still haven’t embraced soccer the way other countries have. Though I’ll always be a diehard American football fan, being in Europe for the UEFA European Championship opened my eyes to just how electrifying soccer can be.

From the team chants and bitter rivalries to the epic watch parties, I’ll be setting my alarm to watch some major games from across the pond.

This story was originally published on November 7, 2024, and most recently updated on September 19, 2025.

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