Content Creator, Shantel Rousseau on Moving to London

“My goal was simply to embrace a new experience…I was completely open to the idea of returning to Toronto if London didn’t meet my expectations. I understand that for many, the notion of returning home can feel like a setback, but for me, there was no shame in the possibility. It was about exploring opportunities without the pressure of permanence.”

As someone who has moved a lot in life, I’m uniquely qualified to speak on the transformational effects that come with relocating. When I was six my family moved from the US to Nigeria. I moved back to the States at fifteen. I moved to New York City at twenty-three then to Paris at thirty-five and Switzerland at thirty-eight. With each move you become better at letting go, at finding yourself, and at adapting. You become more comfortable with uncertainty, you expand your mind and your network. You transform into a more worldly, interesting and conscious individual. Moving allows you to step back from the life you are currently living and gain perspective. It frees you from an identity that you may be dying to shed. It awakens a part of you that you may have kept hidden. I want more women to embrace the idea of moving when their needs are no longer being served where they are, or when their gut is telling them there’s more for them somewhere else.

When I wrote about my NYC to Paris relocation, I heard back from so many women who wanted to do something similar but were afraid, unsupported and unsure of where to begin. As not everyone moves to join a partner, I thought that sharing another young woman’s experience with relocating could provide some answers that my story didn’t and share a different perspective on what it takes to pack up one’s life and move across the world.

Shantel Rousseau was living in Toronto, Canada, working as a senior executive assistant while doing some content creation on the side. She had been traveling annually to Europe and made friends across the pond during those trips. With each vacation’s end, she realized she was feeling more than the typical vacation blues. She felt an overwhelming sense of wanting more and a strong urge to expand her horizons and do something different. After yet another delicious conversation with friend’s who had just returned from London, she decided at 29, that it was time to investigate what was pulling her.

Shantel’s story made me tear up a little bit. I can’t explain the joy it brings me to see young women living for themselves, taking risks and riding around on the back of scooters with handsome Romans! Her story also offers some thoughtful learnings and practical tips that I’m sure will guide and encourage so many women.

Here’s her story:

Shantel at her goodbye dinner with family in 2018

How did you finally decide to take the plunge and move across the ocean?

I'm often asked why I chose to relocate to London, as many assume it was for love or career—common catalysts for such a move. However, my reasons were purely personal. I was simply ready for a new chapter. While I cherished my life in Toronto, the allure of something greater was irresistible. The decisive moment came during a conversation with two friends who had previously lived in London. Although they had since returned, their stories and enthusiasm about their experiences there convinced me it was where I needed to be. Inspired by their courage, I embarked on my own London adventure two months before my 30th birthday.

Were your friends and family supportive?

Everyone was incredibly supportive. My friends and family really understand who I am, so the idea that my frequent traveling could evolve into moving abroad didn't come as a huge surprise to them. As a first-generation Canadian (my background is Jamaican), migration is a familiar narrative in my family; many of my relatives have had similar experiences. My sister, who moved to the U.S. several years earlier, had also laid the groundwork for embracing new beginnings, which further encouraged their support for my decision.

Did you leave a significant other behind?

I did not, I left Toronto single!

How exactly did you do it ?

I flirted with the idea about 10 months prior, even though I didn't formally apply for my visa until about two months before I left. To prep, I saved money and sold stuff! I arrived in the UK on a Working Holiday Visa. As a Canadian under the age of 30, this visa allowed me to live and work in the UK for up to two years without any complications.

Shantel in Saint Tropez

“Lucky”

Shantel in Florence

Basically.

What were your fears and hopes?

As I prepared for my move to London, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement, but interestingly, I wasn't burdened by intense fears or lofty expectations. My goal was simply to embrace a new experience. Additionally, I was completely open to the idea of returning to Toronto if London didn’t meet my expectations. I understand that for many, the notion of returning home can feel like a setback, but for me, there was no shame in the possibility. It was about exploring opportunities without the pressure of permanence.

How did you settle in terms of finding a place, making friends? What do you do for work now?

I had one friend in London and lived with her for 8 months until I moved into my own place. I was very lucky and since I knew her prior, it worked out really well.

I’m an executive assistant and content creator.

How did you find work in london? Was it easy/difficult?

Finding work was relatively easy in London, although recruiters are heavily involved here which is not the case in Toronto. So there’s an added layer of job hunting. Negotiating pay here is absolutely necessary because recruiters will often want you to take less pay to close the books quicker on their end.

Has the move helped your romantic life and/or career?

My romantic life has really blossomed since being in London, truly! The dating scene here introduced me to a diverse array of people and experiences that I just wouldn't have encountered back in Toronto. From enjoying first dates in exquisite restaurants to spontaneous Vespa rides on warm summer evenings in Rome, I've truly experienced a myriad of memorable moments with brilliant men.

However, life is a balance, and my career trajectory faced challenges in this transition. The European job market—especially in terms of compensation, career advancement, and overall trajectory—has proven difficult compared to North America. I'm always candid about this aspect of my expatriate life. While this may not be everyone's experience, it has been a significant part of mine, underscoring the complex trade-offs of living abroad.

Shantel with friends. Image @kensingtongrey

What surprised you?

I really thought Brits and Canadians would be more alike, but living here showed me they're quite different. Also, I'm from Toronto where there's a very strong, borderline palpable Caribbean vibe throughout the culture, and I expected the same in London. Turns out, it's quite different here too—still vibrant, but not quite the same.

How has the move changed you?

It’s changed me in so many little ways that really add up. Obviously, living here for five years is bound to have an impact, but one of the biggest surprises was how much it’s boosted my confidence. I've always considered myself worldly and cultured and even more so now. I’ve come to appreciate being Canadian even more and I'm much more empathetic to immigration issues. It’s been a journey of beautiful growth.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Hmmm, great question. I can’t really say that I would. Sure, experiencing London as a young 20-something could have been invigorating, but I’m incredibly grateful that I moved here towards the end of my 20s and into my early 30s. I came with a solid foundation—self-awareness, confidence, some money saved up, and plenty of career experience. All of that made my transition here smoother and more enjoyable.

What did you learn about yourself?

So many things! That I will always have my own back. Anything I want in this lifetime I can have it - because it's already a desire of mine, it'll come to pass. There are seasons where you sprint and seasons that you walk - don't resist either, go with the flow and trust the timing of your life.

Shantel in Dubai, 2023

London, 2024

London, 2024

What advice would you give other women considering moving and do you hope to stay, move back or move elsewhere?

DO IT! You don’t have to move across the world—it could be a new province, state, or even just a different city. Don’t hold back your desire for something new. You rarely regret what you did, you usually regret what you didn't do. Remember, you can always go back home if it doesn’t work out. Think of it as a little experiment. Check in with yourself every six months to a year to see if you’re still happy. And remember, wherever you go, there you are. If you're trying to escape something, it'll find you, whether you're in a tiny village or a big city. As for me, I’m not sure if London is forever, but right now, it's great. There are other places I’d like to try living in, and although I don’t see myself returning to Toronto soon, I’m keeping an open mind—never say never.

Are you still on the 2 year visa? Can you extend it if you choose or will you be forced to make a move?

I’ve now moved into the Skilled Worker visa, which I can stay on until I’m eligible for residency.

What's next for you?

Ahh so many possibilities, but we make plans and God laughs, so I'm taking the scenic route - we'll see what happens.

A Quote that exemplifies your outlook on life?

I love the sayings, "Fortune favors the bold" and "Closed mouths don’t get fed." They resonate with how I see things and give me a good kick in the pants when I need it. The first one has always pushed me to take chances because, honestly, the best opportunities aren’t going to just fall into your lap—you have to be bold. The second one is a reminder that if I don’t speak up about what I want, I’m not going to get it. Why not go for it, whatever it is, and see what happens? This approach also helps when meeting new people! It often takes a bit of initiative and courage to make new friends. These quotes have really come in handy in various aspects of my life.