A man struggling to make a life for himself in Los Angeles told how he and his family moved to the Netherlands unemployed and realized he was wrong about the “American dream.”
Sky Govan, 38, of Chicago, has lived with his wife Sara and their young son in Haarlem, a city outside Amsterdam, for three years after being picked up and moved during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The YouTuber admitted that starting over in another country where he had to adapt to a new language and culture was one of the hardest things he’s ever done, but he has no regrets.
“I’ve had this idea of it all my life.”he american Dream, but three years ago I moved there with my family The Netherlands, and I guess I was wrong,” he explained in a recent video. “I think we’re all wrong about this idea of the American dream.”
Sky Govan (38) moved from Los Angeles to the Netherlands with his wife Sara and their son during the COVID-19 pandemic
Govan said they were both “dead in LA” and had no need to move, but loved to travel and “always felt the urge to live abroad.”
The YouTuber admitted that Amsterdam was last on the list of places he wanted to move to because he didn’t want to live in “another crowded place”.
Govan said that he and his wife were both “dead in LA” and had no need to move, but that they enjoyed traveling and “always had a desire to live abroad.”
He recalled how they thought about moving to Ireland, England and Germany and said Amsterdam was last on their list of places they wanted to move to.
Govan explained that he and his wife both grew up in big cities and neither wanted to move to “another busy place” after living in LA.
They thought Amsterdam was “way too crazy” for them, but that changed when they visited Haarlem after their son was born.
“The moment we got here and just walked around, we both knew this was it,” he said, adding that the city is only 15 or 20 minutes from Amsterdam by train.
But a few months later, the Corona crisis hit and the reality of having to give up everything to move to another country set in.
Govan said they almost backed out of the move until he received an email call from his best friend and mentor, who had just been laid off.
“When he told me he was fired, it hurt a lot because I knew how invested he was in the company,” he explained.
After their son was born, they visited Haarlem and fell in love with the city outside of Amsterdam
Govan said the train from Haarlem to Amsterdam only takes 15 to 20 minutes
To prepare for their move, they opened a Dutch bank account and gave away the furniture in their Los Angeles apartment
After discussing the possible move, they agreed to use the money they had saved over the years to move to the Netherlands.
Govan set up a Dutch bank account with Bunq, a mobile banking company founded in Amsterdam, and found an apartment through Expat Housing.
Before they moved, they gave away the furniture in their Hollywood Hills apartment and he sold his bright yellow Acura NSX.
“We did all this without work [in the Netherlands]He noticed, and three years later they still live there.
Govan said he also sold his bright yellow Acura NSX and noted that they moved to the Netherlands unemployed
Govan explained that this step made him realize that the American dream is not about how much money you make or what car you drive, but about how you feel in your heart.
“I feel like I’m living the American dream,” he said, “but I don’t live in America.”
Govan explained that this move made him reevaluate what the American dream means to him.
“I don’t think it’s about little white picket fences and your house and what you drive or how much money you make,” he said.
“I don’t think that’s what the American dream is about. I think the American dream is here [your heart]. Call me cheesy, call me what you want, but I guess it just depends on where you find your home.
“What is your house?” And [it’s] It’s not really about things, because things are replaceable. It’s all replaceable.’
“I feel like I’m living the American dream,” he added, “but I don’t live in America.”
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
