Does anyone feel a really strong connection with a place they don't live or haven't been to?

[ToooOldForThis]

I have this, and when I went there it felt so familiar and "right". It's not where I live, and probably never could live, but I feel like i belong there! (Completely different country. And continent!) I'm fully aware I'm probably influenced by books, TV etc but I've just never been able to shake this feeling!

We visited somewhere for the first time this year and both felt we never wanted to leave. We went to a church and felt called that this was to be our church. We have recently bought a lovely house in that town.

@Sunshineboo That's five of us now!

@Backthetruckup it's so weird. I grew up in an area witho

@Backthetruckup it's so weird - i grew up in an area with not much cultural diversity - i went to catholic school and yet i knew from a very early age that i was jewish. but i am not. weirdest thing ever!

I wasn't calling Scots insular. It can be harder to fit in when you're obviously an outsider. I've moved to an area of the UK I'm not from recently and I have an obviously different accent and it can be a bit of a barrier to making friends. It depends on the area rather than the country ime, cities and bigger towns are more used to people moving there from elsewhere. I've moved to a village and so far it's harder than towns I've moved to in the past to be accepted. So my post is from the perspective of having recently moved to a new place and sticking out as not from here rather than any assumption about Scottish people. Perhaps moving house and finding it hard this time has made me pessimistic about doing it successfully in the future.

This is a really interesting thread - it’s making me wonder about reincarnation!

I've lived in Scotland all my life and love it. But I've always had a hankering for the huge wide spaces of North America and to have a very extended travel there.

This was before I discovered that my birth mother was Canadian from Saskatchewan, and came to Scotland pregnant to leave me here for adoption.

I can't travel now for various reasons, so I watch all the scenic railway and river programmes on tv.

@BirlinBrain that's so amazing!

@BirlinBrain that's so amazing!

Oregon for me. Finally visited back in 2017 and yep, felt right at home. Loved the small town on the coast vibe.

Ooh I'd love to see a photo of one like your house just out of interest! Obviously not your actual house.

For those who feel close to Japan, I can relate. I lived there for 24 years. I didn't ever "belong". It's the most homogenous country.

I think there might be something in this.

Both my sons have moved away, one to the North East and one to Scotland, both places being several hours away from home. One went for uni after never having actually visited but knew that’s where he wanted to be. He moved back to England for 18 months but has just gone back to scotland for good. The other only visited the NE a couple of times.
Both places are where we have very strong ancestral connections (unknown to us at the time)
Ive always felt I belonged in scotland from being very young although I was in my 20s when I first visited.

And my abroad place is Cyprus, dh doesn’t need to ask where my preference is for going on holiday.

I’ve never really feel like I ‘belong’ in Australia, despite being born here. I love the UK and visiting there. It’s one of the reasons I’m on Mumsnet. It feels like I ‘get’ the people on here.

Sadly don’t have any ancestors that emigrated recently enough to qualify me for an Ancestry visa.

Me too. I have never been but always felt drawn to New England. It is on my bucket list to go, i had intended to.go 2020 but..... the Rona arrived.

Realistically as you say it is likely influenced by TV, movies ,books etc but have always felt that this is where I would be most happy. Also have a little fear that I hope I'm not disappointed when I do go, bit like meeting your celebrity 'heros'. I used to have a few but now I'm older I'm a bit more cynical about hero worshipping.

North east Scotland coast, from Aberdeen up, including Orkney and Shetland. Never set foot there, but would love to live there one day. It looks cold, windy and remote and when I see images of it, it feels like home.

I've been up the west coast (Mallaig, Fort William, etc) a few times and I love it, it's stunning, however, I don't get the same feeling of belonging there.

My great-grandad was Scottish, but from Dundee. It seems his family were always from that area, so it's doubtful that it's something in my genetic memory.

If you go to the right parts of NE, you won’t be disappointed. I’d recommend Chatham in July and Vermont early October 🍂
The seafood is also amazing!

@SpottyStripyDuvet It's Sigur Ros, seeing then in Reykjavik in November; best live band ever!

I have this weird connection to the USA. Watching American sitcoms and movies I just feel more at home than I do British ones. I've never been! It's almost like a homesick feeling which is weird.