#expat-life

#expat-life

I've spent years filling up my passport with stamps from all around the world, from Australia to Latin America to Asia. I was even the first in my family to travel internationally - the only vacations we'd been on were road trips in our home country, Germany. By the end of 2021, I'd travelled full-time for seven and a half years, visited more than 40 countries, and lived in several of them.

After living in US cities for years, I moved to a small Italian town with a few thousand residents. It's been an amazing experience to really connect with my neighbors and get to know them. I like living in a place with a strong sense of community - I never felt I had that back in the US. Ten years ago, I was enjoying overpriced cocktails at trendy bars in San Diego.

The longer I stayed, the more I liked it here,

My husband and I were both born in the US, but for the last decade, we've worked remotely, living abroad in countries like Mexico and South Korea. We always had a longtime dream, though, of ending up in Europe. Five months after having our daughter, we decided on Portugal, which offered a digital nomad visa and proximity to tons of European countries.

Just think about it: you've got a shared interest, so there's no risk of small talk. You know you're going to see them again, but in a neutral environment. There will be other people there, so you can easily find someone else to talk to if the conversation runs cold, and if it all goes belly up you've got an easy way out you can just stop going to meet-ups and never have to see them again.

I was 30, a British-South African expat living her best life in Zurich, when I was unexpectedly and entirely swept off my feet by a Swedish knight in shining armour. The day we met, I knew deep in my bones that my life was about to change forever. We spent an hourslong brunch together, followed by strolling the city with mutual friends he was visiting for the weekend from London.

Stockholm received the top position in a non-scientific survey, driven by its multicultural atmosphere, career opportunities, and accessibility to nature and culture.

Life abroad was exciting, but I struggled to feel at home and navigate language barriers.

Imagine waking up to the sound of waves gently lapping the shore, enjoying fresh tropical fruits for breakfast, and spending your days exploring lush landscapes—all for $1,000.

Sunny Beach has long been Bulgaria's most famous seaside resort, offering affordable flats for as low as $160 monthly and an exciting lifestyle.

Shopping for groceries in the UK has thrown me for a loop, with major differences in product availability and business hours compared to my experience in the US.

As the resonance of the age-old chants filled the sky, I noticed more and more individuals coming from their cars, gradually assembling at the same spot - only it was not for any religious reasons.

Choosing a new home abroad isn't just about scenery—it's about systems that support a better life.

"I am personally doing better than I probably would be in the US. My husband earns enough that I've been able to pursue personal passions instead of working an office job."

The lesson came swiftly: China does not bend its will. Instead, one learns to adapt, to alter one's rhythm to the customs of this vast nation. I've found that the answer to most questions is merely, 'because China.'