I certainly had a similar list in my 20s when I moved from the gorgeous (if somewhat David Lynch-like) city of my birth to a larger metropolis (three times the population). Yes there was more of everything there – more arts, more people, more music, more food, more cool, more more more – which was what I wanted. But the move was ultimately a failure. Unlike friends who had made the same move – mostly professional musicians or wannabes – I had not developed a viable plan to enter a high profile creative career. If you’re lost where you are you’ll probably be just as lost somewhere else. The trick is to get un-lost (I’m still trying). I *hated* the weather there – never underestimate the effect of climate on your mood and health. Most of my friends who made the same move did extremely well in every way though some still moved on later. I sank into a lost quagmire, took an awful job to try to salvage some self respect, lost my life partner who I loved and became quite physically ill. Of course it wasn’t all the new city’s fault, much of it was just me. It always is.

By contrast: much later in life I have ended up living what some would regard as a dream. I’m in a little modern penthouse with beach views on a beautiful island in the Mediterranean, in an astounding chaotic ancient city which is overrun by tourism in the summer.

But it’s always work to carve out a life wherever you are and I’ve had problems. The immediate social network of expats – though often fascinating – is way too small, incestuous and way too saturated in alcohol. Expats here are often directionless, either drop outs from the 70s or retirees or scraping out a living in shitty jobs. Nonetheless everyone come to like the laid-back lifestyle here. Making friends with tourists is almost always a loss leader imho though it is good practice. You rarely ever see them again. For some friends, this is an advantage for one-night stands etc.

I’ve concluded that the only way to fully enjoy what this place has to offer is to learn the local language which is difficult. But with that, I could break out of the expat ghetto of effectively only about a 100 people max (there are many more but you have to go further afield). There a very few or no viable attractive expat women locally for example. Mingling more freely with the locals would immediately open up a large local population including many drop dead gorgeous looking women of various nationalities and ages, most of whom speak only a few words of english, and many interesting and eccentric companions.

So my principal piece of advice is: learn the local language. Now I have to gird my loins to take my own advice.

My other piece of advice is: get involved. Sports, arts, music, whatever the expats are up to that you’re also into – get involved in something. That’s the best way to make friends. And beware of falling into a heavy drinking pattern.

Do you happen to have any insights on what someone getting a psychology degree can do?

Don’t kid yourself.