I’m an American who lived in Ireland for 4 years. Here are 5 things I liked better about life in Europe.

• I’m an American who lived in Ireland for four years and think Europe did some things better.
• I miss having easy access to affordable, fresh foods and generous paid-time-off policies.
• My education felt like a way better price in Europe than it would’ve been in the US. 

I was born and raised in Rhode Island, but in the summer of 2018, I moved across the ocean to Dublin. Though it was initially supposed to be a one-year adventure, I ended up calling Ireland home for four years.

I recently moved back to the US with my European partner to be closer to family and see how we both feel about living here in the long run. Still, there are still many things I preferred about my time in Ireland.

Here are five things I liked better about life in Europe.