#expats

#expats

For most Americans dreaming of a Mediterranean life - sipping espresso by the sea, wandering historic towns, buying fresh tomatoes at the morning market - the obstacle is always the same: how to stay legally. Tourist visas don't cut it. Schengen rules limit Americans to 90 days within any 180-day window. Anything longer sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare - language tests, bank statements, endless documents, and short-term renewals.

In Mexico City, recent protests against U.S. expats and so-called "digital nomads," blamed for driving up rents and fueling gentrification, show not many people like them. Yet in other Mexican destinations, from Tijuana to Puerto Vallarta, Americans have been part of the social fabric for decades, often without the same public backlash.

Amidst the sleepless nights, hospital stays, medication dosing, and screaming into the pillow, I cared for the plant (and my son), thinking, in my delusion, that if Vasily were going to live, my son would, too. A revived Vasily stayed behind in New York City with a friend. "The friends we leave behind will stay our friends, and in new places we'll make new friends" I told my son at the time.

Webley founded The Expats Club to connect with others in Kuala Lumpur. His casual dinner meetups evolved into a thriving community, fostering friendships.

I realized I didn't really know anybody. I'd moved around so much by then, and the longest I'd ever stayed in one place was two or three months.

Europe has a variety of affordable cities that offer a high quality of life, beautiful landscapes, rich cultures, and low living costs.

Naples, Italy, falls short for expats due to high living costs and safety concerns, making it challenging for long-term residents despite its rich culture.

Rising rents in major Spanish cities, tightened visa rules, and a surge in English-speaking enclaves have nudged some expats to lesser-known nations.

Moving abroad for tax savings and an elevated lifestyle is appealing to many Americans, but understanding each country’s rules and tradeoffs is crucial before relocating.

Private insurance costs don't scale with income in the same way as public insurance, allowing high earners to find it cost-effective to choose private insurance.

I realized it wasn't built to last. It was hard to fully integrate without being fluent in the local languages.

"I'm so glad you guys are out of this country, lucky you ❤️ we are hurting over here," one person wrote. "Looks like a beautiful life you're living away from the horror of USA politics," another user echoed.