Real experiences from Americans who took the leap. The good, the challenging, and everything in between.
"I didn't know much about Albania. But the moment I arrived, something clicked. One month turned into two."
— Monica Miranda, Albania
via CNBCAfter years in the New Jersey hustle, I packed up my life and my dog and moved to Vlorë, Albania. One month turned into two, and now I've built a life I never imagined.
After visiting 70 countries together, our family finally found a place to call home in Annecy, France. We're ready to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of expat life.
Eight years abroad, five in Spain. Cheap healthcare, affordable food and rent, amazing restaurants, kind people. I nap every day—as is customary. I regret not doing it sooner.
I was 35 when I moved and thought I was already too old. Now at 45, I can say it was the best decision I've ever made. People make the leap at 30s, 40s, 50s, even 70s.
My rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Tirana is less than one-sixth of what I'd been paying in California. Even as costs rise, it's still a fraction of what I paid back home.
Moving from the USA to Andalusia was the best unexpected move I've ever made. The pace of life, the affordability, the culture—it's everything California used to be.
I went from being homeless and selling drugs in the US to having a career, good credit, and free time in Germany. The transformation has been incredible.
I took an 8k pay cut moving to Finland and didn't even feel it. The work-life balance here is insane. Healthcare, vacation time, parental leave—it's a completely different world.
It's definitely not without its challenges—being far from family during emergencies is hard. But here I am, living my best life in one of the safest countries in the world.
I love living in Porto. The city adds no stress to my life, so I can produce great work here. It's the healthiest community I've ever been a part of.
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