"As I stepped off a train in Florence into heat so brutal it felt like the city was actively trying to kill me, I wondered if I'd made the right decision. This was my first time in Italy, yet I'd already committed to leaving the US and calling it home. I'd dreamed of living in Europe ever since my semester abroad in college, but here I was - overstimulated, sweating, and on my way to move into an apartment I'd only seen through WhatsApp video calls."
"Conventional wisdom says you should visit a place before moving to it and that committing to a city you've never set foot in is reckless. However, for single women without the budget or time for multiple international scouting trips, that advice feels paralyzing. I'm glad I didn't follow it and happy to report that about eight months later, I'm happily settled in Florence with my 60-pound pit-lab-boxer mix, Archie."
I stepped off a train in Florence into brutal heat and questioned the decision to move. The move to Italy was committed before visiting and included relocating with a 60-pound pit-lab-boxer mix named Archie. Research focused on practical logistics: visa requirements, pet import rules, and cost of living across countries using a detailed spreadsheet. Italy was chosen for an achievable digital-nomad visa, minimal dog restrictions, and attainable income requirements. City selection combined a custom GPT to synthesize research, Google Street View to explore neighborhoods and apartments, travel media, and friends' recommendations. After eight months, the move proved successful and settled.
Read at Business Insider
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