"My husband and I both had thriving businesses. We had a lot of external things that defined success, like two brand-new cars sitting in the driveway, a beautiful 2,000-square-foot two-story house that we spent a lot of time renovating to be perfect. From the outside, it looked like we had it all together. But the truth is, we weren't really happy."
"One of my biggest fears about moving to Spain was how my kids would handle learning the language and assimilating into the culture. They definitely notice they're in a new country."
Izabela Oquendo, 36, and her husband left their successful Connecticut life featuring material markers of success—thriving businesses, new cars, and a renovated home—because they felt unfulfilled despite external appearances of achievement. In 2025, they moved to Alicante, Spain, with their two children, ages 4 and 6, seeking a slower pace of life, reduced financial burden, proximity to Oquendo's Polish mother, and cultural enrichment for their family. The children are enrolled in local school learning Spanish. While the transition proved difficult initially, the family has adapted well. Oquendo identified language acquisition and cultural assimilation as primary concerns but reports improved adjustment.
#expat-lifestyle #family-relocation #work-life-balance #cultural-adaptation #international-parenting
Read at Business Insider
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