Copenhagen’s subway, known as the Metro, is almost unsettlingly quiet, especially compared to the infamous screech of the green line of the T. In the heart of the cemetery, I only hear the abrasive chirps of Eurasian jays hiding in the (still-leafy) treetops. 

A stretch of wind turbines stand proudly on a shoal outside Amager, and can be spotted from the plane as newcomers like myself touch down. This image was striking to me—in many American cities, wind turbines are pushed to rural areas, or  deemed too ugly to exist in places like Cape Cod. This image sends a clear message about how Copenhagen wants to be viewed by the global community—as sustainable—but this reputation comes at a (literal) price. 

Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, which is the main barrier to entry for those seeking sustainable living (one ride on the Metro costs about $3.39, compared to Boston’s $2.40). Once you live here, however, you can enjoy many (climate-adapted) well-maintained public parks and robust infrastructure for biking.

As I prepare to return to the US in less than a month, it’s hard to resist comparing this city with the cities I know best, which I know is a fruitless effort. Denmark’s monarchy has been around for over 1200 years, and the entire country’s population is smaller than New York City’s. As I watch my train home quietly pull into the station, there’s a part of me that misses the sound of voices rising above the wail of the subway’s arrival.