• Katherine Phillips was burned out, so she left San Diego and moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2019.
• She works remotely on a Destination Thailand Visa and lives in a $340-a-month apartment.
• She says her life has slowed down since moving to Chiang Mai and it's done wonders for her mental health.

Katherine Phillips, 32, had never been to Chiang Mai, Thailand, before she moved there on her own in 2019.

Phillips, who grew up in San Diego, always dreamed of traveling around Asia. Her mother is from the Philippines, and while she's been to Manila multiple times to visit family over the years, she never got the chance to explore the rest of Southeast Asia.

After finishing grad school and getting her master's in counseling, she was ready to take a break.

"I was really burned out," Phillips told Business Insider. "It was a lot of 15-hour days."

While she was keen on the idea of taking a gap year to travel, she also wanted to make sure she had some income.

When she stumbled upon a job listing for a one-year counseling position at a private international school in Chiang Mai, she decided to go for it.

Why Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is about 450 miles north of Bangkok and has long been a popular destination for tourists and expats alike, in part due to its relatively low cost of living.

Phillips says Chiang Mai caught her attention because it frequently came up on lists of popular destinations for digital nomads and expats. It felt like a safe place to live.

Her parents were shocked when she first told them about her plans to move abroad.

"I've always done everything by the books. And this was the first time I was like, 'I'm going to leave the country,'" she said. "They were like, 'You couldn't have just gone to a different state? You had to go to a whole other country?'"

While they were supportive, they were also worried because they couldn't quite understand why she wanted to do it.

"My mom immigrated to the States when she was 18 or 19. She came here and created this really amazing life for herself. And then I, on the other hand, wanted to do the opposite and leave the States," Phillips said.

Her parents have always been somewhat traditional, she said: "You get the degrees, you climb the corporate ladder, that kind of thing, and I was not for that at all."

The school helped Phillips with her visa application, and she stayed in her job there for two years.

When the pandemic started, everything moved online, including her counseling sessions, and she could feel herself starting to burn out again.

"It just started to not feel fulfilling anymore, and I felt like I was doing a disservice. I don't want to show up every day miserable," Phillips said.

After she left her job, she got an education visa and enrolled in a university to learn Thai.

Now, she works remotely for a marketing agency. She has a Destination Thailand Visa, which was introduced last year and can be used by digital nomads and remote workers.

In November 2022, Phillips moved into a one-bedroom apartment near Nimman, a trendy district popular with tourists and expats. Her rent is 11,500 Thai baht, or about $340, a month. It's her third apartment in Chiang Mai.

The 550-square-foot apartment has an open floor plan, two balconies, and a washing machine.

Better mental health, more free time

In recent years, Chiang Mai has become a popular choice for people around the world looking to relocate.

Data from the Bureau of Registration Administration of Thailand indicates that 163,036 foreigners were living in Chiang Mai province as of December 31.

Several people who moved to Chiang Mai previously told BI they were drawn to the area's low costs and laid-back lifestyle.

Johnny Ward, a travel blogger, previously told BI he managed to build his dream "James Bond" villa in Chian Mai for about $600,000. Fred Jones, a retired cop from Florida, previously told BI that life in Chiang Mai is cheaper, safer, and less stressful than back in the US.

Living in Chiang Mai has done wonders for her mental health, and she has more control over her time now. That's partially due to the nature of her work, which is more flexible and project-based.

"I have time for hobbies now. What is that? Because that never happens in the States," she said with a laugh. Now, she gets to do creative things, like learn how to dance the salsa and the bachata, as well as make videos on YouTube and TikTok.

That said, her journey wasn't without its challenges. There was a language barrier, and it took Phillips some time to get used to the food in Chiang Mai, which was more spicy than back in the US.

She added that there was also a part of her that felt like she was missing out on things that were happening back in the States.

However, now that she's been living in Chiang Mai for so long, she says she doesn't see herself moving back to the US.

"I honestly feel safer than I do in the States sometimes," she said. "I feel like everyone looks out for each other."

Ultimately, she's glad she took the plunge to make the move.

"You can always go back to your 9-to-5, to your life in the States, but I think it's worth just experiencing it at least once, to try it out and see," she said.

Do you have a story to share about moving to a new country? Contact this reporter at [email protected].

• Many Americans tell Business Insider how they moved abroad for more affordable and fulfilling lives.
• Mercer consultants identified cities that offer low costs of living and a high quality of life.
• The eight spots range from Old-World gems in Eastern Europe to a Canadian hub for food and culture.

As inflation continues to drive up the cost of everyday necessities, more Americans are looking abroad, hoping to find places where their money goes further and life is sweeter.

But where to go?

Researchers at HR and financial consulting firm Mercer analyzed over 200 everyday expenses, including housing, food, healthcare, and entertainment, in 226 cities worldwide to identify the most and least expensive spots. Mercer also weighed safety, infrastructure, environmental friendliness, and connectivity to determine eight cities in Europe, Asia, and the Americas that offer a balance of low living costs and high living standards.

To give readers a feel for day-to-day expenses in each city, Business Insider used cost-of-living data from Numbeo. Numbeo combines user-submitted spending figures with data from government institutions and service companies to estimate prices for various things, such as what it would cost a single person or a family to live in the city center. It also provides typical prices for everyday items like coffee, a meal for two, and a gym membership. While the methodology relies on crowdsourced data, which may vary widely, it can be a useful tool for getting a general sense of what it costs to live around the world.

Read on to learn more about eight cities that offer opportunities to live both cheaply and well, according to Mercer. They are presented in alphabetical order.

Business Insider used the latest population estimates from Demographia for all cities except Ljubljana, which uses a Slovenian government estimate. Numbeo expenses have been converted from local currency into US dollars.

Budapest, Hungary

Population: 2.407 million

Known for: Budapest is the largest city in Hungary and the nation's capital. It's known for its Gothic architecture, bohemian nightlife, and historic thermal baths.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $670

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $704.40

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $2,490.90

Cost of a cappuccino: $2.49

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $52.34

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $54.72

Someone who lives there said: Budapest has a vibrant social atmosphere all year long, according to Sabrina Arnold, who lived there for four months. "There are so many things to do, even in the winter and summer. In the summer, there's lots of street food, festivals, lots of concerts and music, or you can just chill next to the river," she said in a YouTube video posted in late 2023. "In the winter, there's lots of Christmas markets and ice rinks."

It might be hard to live there because: That hustle and bustle may not be for everyone. "It's very touristy. There's always a lot going on in the city especially on the weekends. If you don't like that, then Budapest might not be right for you," Arnold said in her video.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Population: 9.387 million

Known for: The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is known for its rich multiculturalism, blending native cultures along with Indian, Chinese, and Western influences. The city, nicknamed KL, goes all out for major festivals including Diwali and Lunar New Year.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $499.60

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $573.90

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $2,035.40

Cost of a cappuccino: $2.89

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $27.13

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $43.56

Someone who lives there said: Kuala Lumpur's range of cultures translates to an unbeatable food scene. "A city after my own heart, the best activity in KL has to be eating! Malaysians love their food, and so do expats! Thanks to the diversity of the city, you'll find Malaysian, Indian and Chinese food all over, as well as western options and everything in between," blogger Lynne Lessar wrote in a post about living in Kuala Lumpur.

It might be hard to live there because: It can require some patience, especially with items and etiquette more common in other parts of the world. "The entertainment industry isn't exactly supported in Malaysia and alcohol is relatively expensive for the region," Lessar wrote. "Still, there are pockets of great nightlife and plenty of great things to do. Just bear in mind that Malaysia is not known for customer service, so keep your spirit light and patience high while you're out, as service takes time here."

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Population: 288,382

Known for: Ljubljana is the largest city and capital of Slovenia, a country located just east of Italy and sandwiched between Austria and Croatia. Ljubljana stands out for its charm and ease compared to other major European cities that get more flooded with tourists.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $931.11

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $885.40

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $3,023.90

Cost of a cappuccino: $2.34

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $63

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $45.45

Someone who lives there said: Aaron Arnold — who moved from Texas to Slovenia, where he lives as an expat — maintains that Ljubljana is one of Europe's best-kept secrets. "Although Ljubljana is growing in the tourism world, it's definitely not as big of a place like Budapest. I think of all the European capital cities that I know — Ljubljana is much more chill and more of a hidden gem," Arnold said in a YouTube video.

It might be hard to live there because: Adapting to Slovenian culture can be an adjustment for Americans, in part because locals may not be especially welcoming right off the bat, Arnold said in a different video. "I didn't actually make a friend from Slovenia until three weeks after my arrival," Arnold added.

Montreal, Canada

Population: 3.75 million

Known for: Montreal is a French-Canadian hub known for its vibrant cafés, nightlife, and packed schedule of summer festivals. The city is also dotted with historic architecture and European-style sights.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,201.41

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $973.10

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $3,593

Cost of a cappuccino: $3.52

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $69.93

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $37.12

Someone who lives there said: Montreal is a epicenter of vibrant culture. "No matter which neighborhood you live in, you're guaranteed that a trendy local spot is just around the corner," writer Rosemary Twomey said on the Montreal site MTLblog.com.

It might be hard to live there because: Winters are no joke in Montreal — the city averages 85 inches of snow a year. "Although the snow that never seems to disappear is one of the downfalls of Montreal, the city and the people in it are always up to the challenge of having fun in the cold," Twomey wrote.

Panama City

Population: 2.067 million

Known for: Panama City is the capital of Panama. It is known for its coastal lifestyle and, of course, its eponymous canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,050

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $831

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $2,965.1

Cost of a cappuccino: $3.50

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $55

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $47.43

Someone who lives there said: "The city, Latin America's answer to Miami, is a place where towering skyscrapers meet the ocean, and palm trees sway to the rhythm of a unique cultural blend — Spanish vibes with various splashes of indigenous, African, North American and Caribbean influences," according to a blog post from the Nomad Capitalist, a site with advice and information for people who can work remotely and want to live abroad.

It might be hard to live there because: Panama City's laid-back vibe may be a good thing most of the time. However, expats have shared online that things get done at a slower pace than they're used to.

Santiago, Chile

Population: 7.099 million

Known for: Santiago's modern city center stands in contrast to the craggy Andes mountains in the distance.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $503.71

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $729.50

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $2,581.6

Cost of a cappuccino: $3.05

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $52.98

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $35.18

Someone who lives there said: "Santiago's mountainous backdrop makes for one dramatic skyline. I've lived here for a year and a half now, and (when I can see them) these mountains still surprise me every day," Lauren on Location, who calls herself a serial expat, said in a 2017 blog post.

It might be hard to live there because: Santiago is located on the San Ramón Fault and experiences somewhat frequent earthquakes. According to Earthquake Track, the city had 43 earthquakes in the last 365 days.

Warsaw, Poland

Population: 2.028 million

Known for: Warsaw is Poland's capital and most populous city. It has a rich history and many cultural attractions.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $1,052.87

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $820.20

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $2,694.10

Cost of a cappuccino: $3.94

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $50.54

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $39.55

Someone who lives there said: "First and foremost, Warsaw has got some lovely parks and plenty of museums," Richard Blanks, a native of Great Britain living in Poland, said in a blog post about Warsaw life as an expat. "There's no chance that you'll get bored here easily."

It might be hard to live there because: Warsaw can have stretches of fiercely cold temperatures. "The weather can be a significant drawback, with cold and long winters, and relatively short summers," Joshua Wood said on Expat Exchange, a site he cofounded.

Zagreb, Croatia

Population: 691,000

Known for: Zagreb is a city where Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe meet.

Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center: $748.67

Monthly costs for a single person (excluding housing): $797.50

Monthly costs for a family of four (excluding housing): $2,768

Cost of a cappuccino: $2.18

Cost of a three-course meal for two: $62.87

Monthly cost of a gym membership: $42.35

Someone who lives there said: "Zagreb is the cultural, political, and economic hub of Croatia. While it might be overshadowed by the Adriatic's coastal gems, this city has its own allure: grand Austro-Hungarian architecture, sprawling parks, and a blend of old-world charm and contemporary dynamism," Jonelle Simunich. a California native with Croatian heritage who has lived in cities around the world, wrote in a blog post.

It might be hard to live there because: Zagreb is heavily reliant on tourism, according to blogger Nicola Curtis, and some local businesses shut down during low season. "Most of the bars and restaurants close down from the end of October until the beginning of April, and while it's a chilled-out time, it can be a little boring at times," she wrote.

• My wife and I retired in England, then retired in Cyprus instead. We absolutely love it.
• Cyprus has a lot of history, sunshine, beautiful beaches, and fresh produce.
• Our life in Cyprus is laid-back and filled with joy, so we have no plans to leave.

In 2013, my wife and I retired in England.

We both have family connections there and thought we'd enjoy England's culture and beautiful countryside. Plus, it was fairly easy to do as my mother was Scottish and my wife had been born in Yorkshire.

After three years, we realized our home just didn't feel like the right fit for us, and we'd grown tired of the short summers and the long gray winters.

Our next move became clear when I needed cataract surgery and began to explore medical-tourism options in Europe.

We found a lot of local clinics in Cyprus that seemed like a good fit for me, so we traveled there for a week to check them out. In that short time, we fell in love with the island.

Six months later, in the spring of 2017, we moved into our new retirement home in a lovely apartment overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

At the time, England was still part of the European Union, so gaining permanent residency in Cyprus was a fairly simple process. We've now been retired here for almost a decade and love it.

Here's why we have no plans to leave.

Life is pretty laid-back in Cyprus, but we're never bored

Many are drawn to Cyprus for its sun, sand, and sea, but we've found so much more on the island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The country has over 10,000 years of history, and we never run out of things to learn and explore here. On our many local adventures, we've seen 600-year-old monasteries, Crusader villages, Roman ruins, botanical gardens, secluded beaches, mountain villages, spas, and more.

Plus, Cyprus has world-class golf, car rallies, marathons, scuba diving, and surfing. We're also spoiled with easy access to symphonies, ballets, operas, and film festivals.

Despite having so much to do, we still get to have a pretty laid-back lifestyle here.

On a typical day, we have a quiet breakfast of strong Cypriot coffee and fresh fruit and take a quick dip in the sea. In the afternoon, we explore the island or visit friends, then take a Cypriot siesta (a midday nap that's popular with locals).

We usually end our night with a dinner made with fresh local ingredients or a meal with friends at a nearby tavern.

Our food and beverage options feel fresh and varied

Speaking of meals, we feel lucky that the local Cypriot Mediterranean diet offers us so many excellent traditional, healthy choices.

Given its favorable climate, Cyprus is able to grow many crops and maintain a lot of livestock. We're never lacking in fresh fruits and vegetables, and the local chicken and pork seem tastier than what we've had back home.

We also have many options when it comes to drinking, with dozens of wineries on the island. Cyprus is also known for its beer (especially its lagers), and there are numerous festivals dedicated to it come October.

Of course, the sunny weather is a highlight

Cyprus is sunny about 75% of the year, and we adore it. We have long summers that typically stretch from May to October.

They can be very dry and hot, with temperatures often hitting over 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, but we've gotten acclimatized after a couple of years.

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year, with comfortably warm temperatures and, again, lots of sunshine.

The cool days of December and January bring the yearly rainfall with lots of thunderstorms. As residents, we don't mind since we need the rain to fill the reservoirs with water to prepare for the long summers.

The island experiences dust storms a few times a year, but they have been manageable. During the worst of them, we just avoid doing anything strenuous outside.

We've been happy with our healthcare, too

We appreciate having access to high-quality medical care and many modern general hospitals in cities throughout the country, especially as we get older.

Through the country's healthcare system, we've been able to access free and low-cost healthcare services, plus medication at a subsidized cost.

All that said, it's perhaps no surprise that Cyprus seems to be a pretty popular place for retirees — we've even met many from Europe.

• Shawna Lum, 31, knew the American obsession with climbing the career ladder wasn't for her.
• In 2016, Lum moved to Spain to escape the rat race and carve out her own path.
• In Spain, she is happier, spends less money on housing, and has started her own business.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawna Lum, a 31-year-old from Los Angeles who moved to Spain in 2016. She founded Move Overseas Now, a company that helps people move to Europe and Latin America. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm originally from Los Angeles but went to Washington State University. In 2015, I moved to Spain for a semester to study abroad, and that experience completely changed me.

During my six months in Spain, I fell in love with Europe. The ability to travel so easily — like catching a round-trip flight from Bilbao, the city in northern Spain where I was living, to Amsterdam for just $80 or London for $100 — was incredible.

On top of that, the community and my social life were amazing. Going out for tapas, enjoying a glass of wine, and having a meal was so affordable compared to the US. I also loved the walking culture; there's no need for a car. That's something I never realized I was missing until I lived there.

After my studies in Spain, I returned to the US and worked in corporate jobs for about a year and a half, first in Texas, then in Chicago and Louisiana. Throughout that time, I couldn't shake the memory of my time in Spain.

The typical American dream wasn't resonating with me — the "checklist" of getting a corporate job, saving for a house, and getting married. I asked myself, "Why must I follow this path?"

I moved to Europe and came to terms with some downsides of American life

At the end of 2016, I moved to Spain and have been living here ever since.

When I first moved here, visa options were limited. There are many more now, like digital nomad visas and passive income visas for retirees. Back then, a student visa was my best option.

Although I didn't want to go back to school, I decided to pursue a master's in entrepreneurship and innovation in Barcelona. After completing my degree, I kept renewing my visa.

Along the way, I started doing side hustles and diving into digital marketing. I eventually realized I didn't have to work for others and launched a web design agency.

In 2021, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, so I returned to Los Angeles to take care of him. He passed away shortly after.

While grieving, I also became frustrated about life in the US. Coming back to the States was a tough adjustment. I started noticing the toxic culture — people seemed unhappy with their lives, and many of my high school friends were on antidepressants. It also felt like everything revolved around money, even healthcare.

I missed the sense of connection and community I had experienced In Spain. Living overseas showed me that life could be different — the stress levels and the divide between work and home were much more balanced.

I felt like many people could resonate with my reasoning. So, when I returned to Spain, I started Move Overseas Now, a business that helps others make their moves.

I help other people move abroad

As a relocation coach, I help people move permanently to Europe and Latin America through online master classes that outline the steps.

Most people who sign up for my courses are 35 and older with established careers, freelancing or working on a 1099.

Affordability is a huge reason my clients move abroad, especially retirees on fixed incomes. Many of them find that in countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama, they can live comfortably on their Social Security check — something that isn't possible for them in the US.

In Spain, you can rent a nice one-bedroom in a midsize city for about $650 to $980 a month or under $1,300 in the major cities. In Panama, some of my clients live in beautiful condos just steps from the sea with two balconies and air conditioning in an expat-friendly community for around $900 a month. Private healthcare is also a game changer: Many clients pay just $80 to $200 a month for coverage, with no copays or deductibles.

By spending less on housing, healthcare, and daily expenses, they experience more freedom, less stress, and a better quality of life — things they feel are out of reach in the US.

I don't see myself ever living in the US again

I feel like my life has improved living abroad.

I always felt different in the US, like I didn't fit in. Everything has fallen into place in Europe. I married my husband, who has permanent residency in Spain. Through him, I was granted a partnership visa, also known as a family reunification visa.

During COVID, we lived in a friend's guest house in France for about five months. We also spent six months as digital nomads in Asia, living in Thailand, Nepal, and mostly India. Overall, it was an incredible journey.

Right now, we're renting a one-bedroom, one-bathroom duplex just outside Barcelona's city center for 300 euros, or about $314, a month. We got a great deal because we know the landlord. We're planning to buy a home eventually, so for now, we're focused on saving up for that.

Living abroad makes me feel freer. The weather, the greenery, and the greater safety as a woman are all amazing. I also feel better spiritually because interactions feel less competitive and transactional. It's really allowed me to slow down and give myself more grace.

I don't see myself returning to the US — at least not willingly unless it's for an event, like a funeral, or to take care of something serious for a couple of weeks.

• At 23, Hong Kong was Hannah Ho's dream city, until it wasn't.
• She had moved there after graduation but when she turned 30, she knew it was time to move back home.
• She enjoys spending more time with family back in the UK but wants to continue exploring the world.

When I graduated with degrees in business management and Chinese, I didn't have a clear career plan. I just knew I wanted to live abroad.

I had spent two semesters in China — six months studying in Shanghai and six months completing an internship in Qingdao. That year, I took a 5-day trip to Hong Kong, and something about the city's energy and diversity drew me in. I decided I wanted to move there.

So, at 23, I took the leap and moved to Hong Kong. I was excited but also nervous. I was a fresh graduate with no real-world experience and had landed a nine-month job as a project coordinator for an educational foundation.

I thought it would be a short adventure, but I ended up staying for seven years. I transitioned into the recruitment industry and before I knew it, Hong Kong became home. I made a lot of friends and adapted to the city's fast-paced lifestyle.

But my life in Hong Kong began to shift in 2020. During and after the pandemic, the once-bustling city felt gloomy. Over time, I realized that the version of Hong Kong I had fallen in love with was gone. Some of my close friends had left, tourism had slowed down, and the once-thriving social scene had faded with fewer gatherings and events.

As the city changed, so did I. I found myself craving something new, a fresh challenge and the desire for a career change began to grow.

Moving home was hard

In 2023, and after I turned 30, I knew it was time to leave. Moving back home to the UK was not an easy decision. It meant leaving behind the life and career I had built, the friendships I had formed, and a city that had shaped me as a person.

I had never heard anyone talk about how hard it is to move home after being an expat. The truth is, you come back as a different person, shaped by experiences and perspectives that people around you may not fully understand.

Meanwhile, I quickly noticed that things back home had also changed. My parents were older, most of my friends had settled down, and the life I once knew felt both familiar and foreign.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was returning without a professional network. Having left the UK straight after university, I had built my career in Hong Kong. Now, I was essentially starting from scratch.

In Hong Kong, my well-established career provided useful connections. Back in the UK, I had to rebuild everything. I started getting back in touch with old friends and acquaintances, attending networking events, and leveraging LinkedIn to create new opportunities. At times, it was uncomfortable, but I reminded myself that I had done this before — I had built a life from scratch once, and I could do it again.

Not missing Hong Kong's work culture

For the first time in years, I had time to pause and reflect. It was a strange paradox — I had longed for more balance, yet I found myself missing the intensity of my old life.

There's so much I miss about Hong Kong: transporting myself from the hustle and bustle of Central to an island beach or a hiking trail in 30 minutes. I miss the food, the social scene, and the warmer weather. The sense of adventure that came with living in a place where something was always happening.

In Hong Kong, I shared a compact apartment with a roommate in a lively neighborhood. Big-city living meant being surrounded by high-rises and skyscrapers. Now, in Liverpool — a port city about 200 miles northwest of London — I've gone from apartment living to a house with a garden — something that once felt almost impossible in Hong Kong. With more space, fresh air, and quieter surroundings, home now feels more open and relaxed.

Coming back to the UK has brought its own joys. Spending quality time with my family has been a highlight, I notice myself appreciating them now in a way I never did before. I can drop by my sister and brother's places for home-cooked meals, a cup of tea, and just talk about life. These simple moments remind me of the comfort and connection I once took for granted.

I have a car, so I can drive to the countryside instead of relying on public transport.

Adjusting to the UK's work culture has also been refreshing. In Hong Kong, the work ethic was intense — long workdays were the norm, and efficiency was everything. There was a sense of urgency in everything people did. In contrast, the UK has felt more relaxed. The standard 9-to-5 schedule, hybrid/remote working models, and emphasis on work-life balance have been a welcome change.

Most importantly, I've been using this transition as an opportunity to pivot my career. While I still work a part-time job, I've decided to step away from the agency recruitment industry. Now, I'm building an online business that will allow me to work remotely and travel more. Because if there's one thing I've learned, once an expat, always an expat.

It does feel like I'm starting from scratch, but I see it as an opportunity to build something new on my own terms while embracing the lessons and experiences that shaped me abroad.

Got a personal essay about moving home after living abroad that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: [email protected].

• In January, I moved from Scotland to Spain to start the new year in a new place.
• Barcelona is a fun-loving, vibrant city, and I've had a fun time dating here.
• I feel like I can actually meet people organically instead of just swiping on apps.

At the beginning of 2025, I uprooted my life and moved to Barcelona.

I didn't specifically move for the Spanish dating scene, but as a single 33-year-old, it was definitely part of the draw of the fun-loving city.

I'm from Scotland, and dating in the UK was getting pretty monotonous. I'd swiped past the same random Glaswegian guys so many times that I'd have to reset Tinder.

After going on several dates over the last month and a half, here are some of the biggest differences I've noticed about dating abroad, so far.

I don't need an app to get a date

In the UK, it seemed like the only way I could get a date was by downloading a dating app like Hinge, Bumble, or Tinder. Even with the endless swiping, though, there was no guarantee.

Men in Scotland rarely approached me unless there was a lot of alcohol involved. It's not exactly fun when a guy is slurring into your ear that he wants to take you out.

In Barcelona, however, my experience being asked out has felt a little more civilized, for lack of a better word.

When I go out for tapas at one of the jam-packed vermuterias (like a wine bar but for vermouth) in the Gràcia area, I almost always end up chatting with the guys standing next to me at the bar.

Next thing I know, one of them is asking the server for his pad and pen, and I'm writing down my number so we can meet up next weekend.

When I am on the apps, Bumble is king

Meeting people organically in Barcelona has been significantly easier for me. However, that doesn't mean people here don't use (and find success) with dating apps.

According to some local friends I've made, the preferred dating app here is Bumble. I promptly downloaded it, and since doing so, it's also the place I've had the most success.

I've found that people I match with on Bumble are very quick to ask what I want. Am I looking for some fun? Do I want to hang out? Am I looking for a relationship?

This upfront, no-nonsense approach was refreshing. Things are just so much easier when everyone communicates and is on the same page.

I'm not trying to imply that I'll somehow be on the same page as everyone in Barcelona, but I don't need to be. Since these conversations have happened early and often, I know when to let people go on their merry way instead of being strung along.

The prospect of a dancing date was intimidating at first

In Glasgow, dancing was not a typical date option in my social circle. Typically, grabbing a pint or dinner was the go-to.

So, when a date in Barcelona asked me to go dancing at a salsa and bachata club, I was speechless.

Luckily, just knowing some basic steps was more than enough where we went. Everyone seemed like they were just there to have a good time.

After going, I can see why it's a more popular (and romantic) date option here.

I haven't paid for a single date in Barcelona

In the UK, most of my friends agree that you should split the bill on a date. They call me old-fashioned, but I prefer it when the man I'm with pays on our first date

Sometimes, it happened naturally without too much nudging on my end, but that wasn't the norm.

In Barcelona, though, when I try to put my money down, my purse is batted away. This may not be everyone's experience, but I'm not mad that it's been the trend for me so far.

After chatting to one of my dates about the phenomenon, he said that he thinks Latin men feel more inclined to spoil a woman while pursuing her.

I seem to be the only one going on 'solo dates'

Dating can be tiring, and sometimes, all I want to do is fly solo.

Taking myself to dinner is one of my favorite things to do — there's nothing better than treating yourself to some expensive wine and a delicious meal. I did it all the time in the UK, no questions asked, and often saw other people dining alone, too.

However, Barcelona seems to have a more sociable culture. Going out for a meal, in particular, is typically a shared event that lasts for hours — not something you do by yourself.

When I first started taking myself out for tapas and wine in Barcelona, the wait staff would often ask when my boyfriend was going to turn up.

• We're seniors who own a home in Mexico and rent in the US. Living in Mexico has come with surprises.
• We appreciate how much easier it feels to get products repaired in Mexico than in the US.
• I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I like going on long bus rides and buying food in Mexico.

My husband and I rent an apartment in our native United States but also own a home in Mexico.

For the past 20 years, we've split our lives between our house in Guanajuato, Mexico, and our rental in Eureka, California.

Although we traveled to Mexico several times before buying our home, living in the country is different than just visiting it.

I'm now in my 70s, and he's in his 80s — and we still make our bicultural lives work while continuing to be surprised and delighted by our city and neighbors.

Here are a few things that have surprised me most about living in Mexico throughout the past two decades.

It feels much easier to get things repaired in Mexico

I've noticed Mexico doesn't have a "throwaway culture" like so much of the United States does. When something breaks here, trying to fix it is a priority, and it's often fairly easy to do.

For instance, when my husband's mini desktop computer refused to open, our US tech specialist said it was irreparable. Instead of buying a new one, we brought it with us to Mexico, where a local computer shop in Guanajuato had it fixed in two hours for $30.

In Mexico, it's generally been easy for us to find small businesses and local repairmen who will fix everything from electronics to clothing for a reasonable price.

I've had the motor of my blender fixed at a local small-appliance repair shop and a replacement lid for my broken slow cooker made by a local craftsman.

I recently took my outdoor vest to a tailor in Mexico, who did a beautiful job replacing the zipper for about $5. The same service would've likely cost at least triple in California.

Our healthcare costs much less than it did in the US — but not everything is cheaper here

As seniors over 65, we have Medicare in the US that helps us with basic healthcare. Still, its changing policies and out-of-pocket costs can be difficult to navigate.

While in Mexico, though, it's easier and often more affordable for us to see specialists, like dermatologists and dentists.

A couple of years ago, for example, my husband needed a complicated crown and root-canal procedure that would've cost us about $3,500 out of pocket in the US — and he would've had to wait months for an appointment.

He had the procedure done in Mexico for $600, and getting an appointment took less than two weeks.

Although our healthcare is generally less expensive here, not all health-related products are. For example, we bring our vitamins, ibuprofen, and sunscreen back from the US because they're typically more expensive to purchase in Mexico.

Dining out often feels like attending a party

Most restaurants we visit here are bustling with loud music and large groups of multigenerational families having lively conversations.

The dining-out atmosphere in Mexico also tends to feel laid-back. We've never felt pressured to eat quickly so we can give up our table, and it's nice to be able to take our time.

Eating out can be so leisurely, in fact, that we sometimes have to hunt down the server to ask for our bill.

Food shopping has been surprisingly enjoyable and easy

I love doing errands on foot in Guanajuato — it's easy because the streets in the city center where our house is located are pedestrianized, colorful, and lively.

I especially shopping because I get an opportunity to speak with locals in Spanish and connect with my community.

When I'm not stopping at a local bakery (for fresh rolls), liquor store (for wine), or café (for coffee beans in bulk), I do most of my shopping at the grocery store just three minutes from our home.

Although it's small, with just three narrow aisles, it has much of what we need: fruits, vegetables, canned food, condiments, meat, and dairy.

Since eggs are sold in bulk, I can even buy just a few if I don't need a whole dozen. I'm also able to buy just one stick of butter instead of a bigger pack if I'd like.

Long-distance buses have been an especially wonderful way to get around Mexico

Buses are one of the most popular forms of transportation here — and we've been pleasantly surprised by them, especially for longer trips.

We love the long-distance bus trips we've had in Mexico so far that have allowed us to explore more of the country.

One of our go-to companies to travel with is Primera Plus, where our bus rides have been complete with reclining seats, spotless onboard restrooms, and even WiFi.

• Justin Wong, 36, gave up on the idea of buying a home in Canada, citing the unaffordable prices.
• He grew up visiting Japan and decided to buy a home there instead of in Canada.
• He plans to go back and forth between Canada and Japan for as long as possible.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Justin Wong, who bought a house in Japan's Nara Prefecture through Akiya Mart, a site that helps foreigners buy abandoned Japanese homes known as akiyas. Wong, 36, works in marketing in Delta, British Columbia, about 15 miles south of Vancouver. The conversation was edited for length and clarity.

I've been in Japan a lot since I was a kid. I've always loved Japanese culture. I've gone on vacation there maybe six or seven times — sometimes on my own, sometimes with my parents. When I met my wife, we went there together a couple of times. She loves it.

It was always like, "I really wish we could spend more time in Japan." That's always been a thought.

So, we bought our home for $30,000 — that was the base price before we accounted for fees and everything else. I believe it was built in the late '70s or early '80s. It's 2,200 square feet with eight bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two kitchens.

People closest to me are mostly just surprised and curious. The only flack I've gotten is my family thinking it's some sort of scam — and I don't really blame them.

I'm buying a house thousands of miles away. I had never actually seen it. I hadn't actually been there. What if I go there and it's like an empty lot? I wasn't sure myself until I actually got there.

Technically, we bought the house sight unseen. We did a video tour, but it was a little bit of a leap of faith. I did go to see the home afterward because we already had a trip planned in October, but we thought, "Let's just buy it, and then I'll go and make sure the house is alright."

Personally, I love that the home sits in a walkable neighborhood. I don't mind driving, but whenever I'm there, it's like you can walk literally anywhere. Everything is so convenient — that's a huge part of it. Another thing is the food. It's so good in terms of how much it costs and the quality. It's just the type of food I enjoy. So, I have always loved that part of Japanese culture.

Also, I am a private person — more introverted. I don't really care much about going out and socializing all that much, especially now that I'm in my 30s. Japan is very friendly to people who just want to be left alone and do their own thing.

It's a little bit of happenstance because I found a random Reddit thread of people looking to buy houses in Japan. One person suggested Akiya Mart, so I was just looking through it and looking at the prices and thought, "We could actually do this."

Our purchase lines up with the current geopolitical situation, which is just a coincidence. Still, I'm happy we're making some progress.

I can't afford a home in Canada right now

I was born in Vancouver, so I've been here my whole life. I live in Delta, which is just south of Vancouver.

I have a decent wage. I make a good amount of money relative to the Canadian median, I'd say, but there's no way I can afford a house in my area. I can't even afford a mortgage for a closet in Richmond, British Columbia.

The average house price in Vancouver is over a million, I would say.

[The median list price in Vancouver, British Columbia, is $1.5 million, according to Canadian MLS Houseful.]

I'm not super familiar with owning a house, but I remember I specifically looked up a house with the same size and the same dimensions as the one I got in Japan. There's a place in Vancouver that's selling for $5.6 million Canadian [or about $3.9 million].

I kind of made peace with the fact that I would just rent for the rest of my life in Canada. Then we saw this opportunity to buy in Japan, and it was like, "Wait, for $40,000 Canadian, I can own this house, and it's in a country I've always wanted to spend more time in."

Once we knew that this opportunity was available, it was kind of a no-brainer, really.

The process was easier than I expected, too. I've never bought a house before — it seems no one in Vancouver can really — so I had no idea what to expect.

All in all, it was maybe a month and a half to two months, and most of it was just waiting. We did a lot of research going in and looked at as much as we could. So when we met with Akiya Mart and when we met with the real-estate agent, we already knew the home we wanted. We didn't want to waste any time.

I wish I could live in Japan full-time

We're doing some minor renovations. I'm fixing a couple of big cracks in the foundation and putting in some termite-prevention stuff. After that, not much, really. The house is gorgeous, and I don't want to mess with it.

When we were buying, one of my biggest concerns was getting this thing up to earthquake standards because, living in Vancouver, we're also on an earthquake line.

So I wanted to renovate the place, make it earthquake-proof, etcetera. After the contractor got me the quote, I was like, "This is four times the cost of the house. Forget it."

It's not like an investment. We're not looking at it to rent. We're far out in the countryside, so I'm pretty sure no one's going to want to Airbnb somewhere like that.

Right now, however, it's basically a vacation home. I want to get a 90-day visa as a tourist. We're planning on going back three months at a time to Japan, then coming back home, then returning three months at a time.

I have a remote job, so I can work from home without having to worry about finding employment. My workplace is cool enough to allow me to do that.

If I could get permanent residency in Japan, I would probably spend most of my time there. I'd probably be happy. I would love to be able to retire in Japan; they just make it very difficult for you to do so.

Maybe after I spend three months there, I'll hate it—who knows? For now, I love that idea.

• Insurer William Russell ranked the safest countries for expats in 2025.
• The ranking considers political stability, crime, natural disasters, and healthcare, among other things.
• The list features countries in Europe, including Slovenia and Switzerland, as well as some in Asia.

For those considering living and working abroad, safety will likely be a key factor in choosing a destination.

William Russell, an expat insurance provider, has ranked the safest places to live as an expat in 2025.

The ranking uses data from the 2024 Global Peace Index and the World Risk Report, which consider factors such as political instability, the level of violent crime, the impact of terrorism, and vulnerability to natural disasters.

William Russell said it also considers healthcare access and digital security.

It found that the safest countries shared a few characteristics, including high levels of wealth, social welfare, and education.

There's another common thread — the majority are in Europe.

10. Malaysia

Tenth on William Russell's ranking is Malaysia.

As Malaysia exits an era of political turmoil, its government hopes that rising investments and startups flowing into the country signal that it is on its way to becoming Asia's Silicon Valley.

The HSBC Expat guide says Malaysia's growing IT sector already offers plenty of opportunities for expats, who may choose the country for its relatively low living costs, accessible healthcare, and tropical climate.

9. Slovenia

William Russell also ranks Slovenia highly as an expat destination.

The OECD Better Life Index notes that Slovenia outperforms the global average in safety. It found that 91% of people in the country feel safe walking alone at night, and that the homicide rate is far below the OECD average.

For expats moving with families, Brittany McAnally, who lived in Slovenia for a year with her family, told Business Insider that Ljubljana, the picturesque capital, feels especially safe for raising kids.

8. Denmark

Denmark came in eighth.

Ilana Buhl, an American teacher who moved to Denmark in 2018, told BI she feels much safer there, both as a woman and in terms of gun violence.

Beyond safety, Buhl said she enjoys a significantly better work-life balance— a core aspect of Danish working culture, where long summer vacations are standard and employees receive at least five weeks of paid leave a year.

7. Portugal

Portugal, already a hub for digital nomads, came seventh.

The European nation is drawing in North Americans, who praise its affordable healthcare, quality of life, and work-life balance.

The Global Peace Index 2024 ranked it seventh in the world for safety, noting high levels of political stability and very low levels of violent crime.

6. Switzerland

Switzerland is famously politically neutral, meaning there's little risk of it being involved in an international conflict. This likely factored into its ranking.

The Global Peace Index notes that there's a low risk of violent crime, political instability, or political terror within the country.

Expats generally earn well in Switzerland, but a 2024 study by consulting firm Mercer found that Swiss cities, including Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Bern, are among the most expensive cities in the world to live in as an expat.

Mercer ranked Zurich as 2024's most liveable city, thanks in part to its public services and low crime rates.

5. Singapore

Fifth on William Russell's ranking of the safest places for expats is Singapore.

Although it's one of the world's most expensive cities, HSBC Expat says international workers are still drawn to the city-state by its high salaries, opulent lifestyles, and convenient location for travel across Southeast Asia.

Healthcare there also ranks among the best in the world, although it can be expensive.

William Russell noted that Singapore also has efficient infrastructure and is one of the most digitally secure countries in the world.

4. New Zealand

New Zealand, fourth on William Russell's ranking, is making moving there easier for expats, investors, and digital nomads.

In the past few weeks, it has relaxed both its "golden visa" and visitor visa rules.

Although the country has recently faced economic headwinds, it is a peaceful place with a low crime rate and plenty of opportunities for expats in engineering, medicine, and other industries.

That said, William Russell noted that there are environmental safety issues, such as rising sea levels leading to more flooding in coastal areas.

3. Austria

Austria came third in the ranking.

William Russell said that factors that make it safe for expats include a strong public health system, an extensive rail system, and a low rate of serious crimes.

In 2024, Vienna, Austria's capital, was number two in Mercer's ranking for most liveable cities for expats. Meanwhile, The Economist Intelligence Unit named it the most liveable city in the world in 2024, for the third year running.

2. Ireland

Coming in second in the ranking, William Russell attributed Ireland's safety for expats to factors such as a downward-trending crime rate, a tolerance of migrants, and a strong and stable economy.

Alexis McSparren, an American who moved to Ireland, told BI that she has never felt safer than she does living in Dublin, highlighting, in particular, the strict gun laws.

1. Iceland

Top of the ranking was Iceland.

The European nation has a significant expat population. According to Statistics Iceland, over 20% of its population was born overseas. Safety, no doubt, plays a big part.

Iceland has topped the Global Peace Index list since 2008, thanks to its low crime rate and its avoidance of international conflicts.

While five expats told BI in 2024 that expensive groceries and the limited daylight in winter can be challenging, the country's stunning scenery, high-quality public services, and safety continue to attract international workers.

William Russell also said that the country topped its ranking owing to factors such as environmental safety — there are few dangerous wildlife and excellent air quality.

• My wife and I have been spending our retirement traveling and have visited over 43 countries so far.
• As Americans, I wish we'd known how much Schengen rules could impact our travels in Europe.
• Now that we get the rules, we use a strategy to avoid overstaying our welcome in select places.

My wife and I have been living as full-time nomads since 2019 and have already visited more than 43 different countries.

Our lifestyle seems dreamy, but we've experienced numerous issues along the way — and many of the biggest have been related to visas.

As Americans, we're fortunate to have one of the strongest passports in the world, and many countries have not required us to present a visa upon entry.

However, I wish I'd known before we began our journey that there are some especially strict travel limitations in Europe that could complicate our plans.

Schengen rules make it difficult for foreigners to spend months traveling through Europe

As Americans, we knew we could not spend more than 90 days in a row visiting countries like Italy or Germany. However, we soon learned that simply hopping from one European country to another in 90-day stints wasn't an option or workaround to that rule, either.

This is, in part, due to Schengen rules: Non-European Union citizens can only stay in the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period

The Schengen zone consists of mostly European Union countries that share similar criteria for visitors. Citizens within those countries can freely travel across others in the zone without being subject to border checks.

The Schengen zone includes 29 European countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

For many travelers staying in Europe for less than 90 days, these rules are pretty irrelevant. However, for us, this meant a lot of European countries were off-limits for long trips.

We knew that if we wanted to stay in Europe long-term, we'd need a residency permit.

After getting a visa proved difficult, we began planning our trips around the Schengen rules

Many countries offer multiple variations of residency permits, like digital-nomad visas or retirement visas. However, visa applications can be complicated and take months (or even years) to get approved.

At one point, we attempted to get retirement visas in Spain. After months of preparing and filing paperwork and spending a fair amount of money, our application has still not been approved.

Eventually, we decided to stop waiting for a visa. Instead, we would do the "Schengen shuffle," a common strategy among expats that involves strategically entering and leaving the Schengen zone without overstaying your welcome.

For example, if we've been exploring Spain and Italy for almost 90 days, we'd then spend months traveling to places outside the Schengen zone, like Malaysia or Bosnia, before returning to any country in it.

Fortunately, as nomads, we're very flexible — and we've gotten good at doing the "shuffle."

However, it's worth noting that the "shuffle" comes with risks, and violating Schengen rules can have severe legal consequences ranging from jail time and deportation to bans and fines.

Until we get a residency permit in Europe, we'll continue to stay on top of visa rules in every country we visit, as all travelers should.

After all, the rules can (and do) change often.

• Claire Volkman, 39, tried online dating after her marriage ended.
• She was traveling for work and went on dates in cities around the world.
• She met her second husband after a year of dating across multiple apps.

A few months after I left my husband, I downloaded multiple dating apps. It felt like foreign territory, as I'd met my ex-husband in college before dating apps existed — a time when "swiping right on Tinder" held no meaning.

I had lost 40 pounds, which made it difficult to find the right photo to use on my profile, and I had no idea what to write about myself. Should I be coy? Or blunt? Silly or serious? After hours of deliberating, I created my first account on Bumble and started finding matches.

My goals for the year were to travel the world, go on as many dates as possible, and attempt to find my soulmate in between airport delays and missed connections. As a travel writer, I loaded my schedule up with assignments that would take me around the world.

I traveled to over 20 countries that year. The further I went, the harder online dating got. My 20+-hour flights to countries like Myanmar and Australia made the journeys to cities in Colombia and Spain seem short.

But the red-headed Brit I dubbed Prince Harry in Hong Kong, and the Aussie I fell for as we hiked up volcanoes in Bali did help fill temporary voids of loneliness.

I didn't find love abroad

As I traveled from the beaches of Sardinia to the craggy mountains of Patagonia, I found myself swiping, texting, and occasionally questioning my life choices. I created dating app profiles and swiped through candidates on Tinder, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel.

Was I destined to end up with a guy who explained life's meaning over tapas in Madrid or a tour guide in Macedonia who I later found out had a wife and kids at home? I started to wonder if my life was going to play out as one bad date after the next.

After months of swiping and bumbling abroad, online dating paid off, and I matched with someone back in the US who felt different. We spent hours talking virtually. We'd text at 3 a.m. about everything from childhood trauma to which "Friends" character we compared ourselves to.

He was based in Chicago, two hours away from my temporary base in Indiana. The distance didn't bother me. We were falling for each other even though we hadn't met face-to-face.

I suggested a date on a day when I would be in Chicago just long enough for a coffee before catching a flight to China As I took the train from Indiana, we chatted about where to meet and agreed on a bakery.

I got there first, disheveled after schlepping down Michigan Avenue with a suitcase and a backpack, and sat down. I noticed him when he walked in, and even though we only had a few minutes to talk, it felt like we'd known each other for years.

Online dating paid off

We spent the following weeks texting and Facetiming whenever we could. He became a constant in my life when nothing else was. While I struggled with an eating disorder, broken body image, heartbreak, and the rather desperate life of a freelance writer, he was there to offer support and love — crazy time differences and all.

We met again one month later, on a chilly night in October, and it all clicked into place. He looked almost boyish, with a worn baseball cap and hoodie, and I looked at him and realized that this was it.

The adventure I'd been chasing — across continents, through a series of questionable decisions and awkward dates in Asia, Australia, and Iceland — had somehow brought me here, to this small corner of Chicago, to this guy who made me believe that love doesn't need to be complicated and that online dating can help.

So, in the end, after swiping through countless profiles on the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel, I met the love of my life. First online, then in Chicago — not in a foreign country or on a remote mountaintop, but in a corner bakery.

• Erik Buhrow bought a home in Japan for $26,000 while he was still living in the US.
• Buhrow, who grew up in Japan, plans to return at some point when his career is over.
• In the meantime, he plans to rent out his home to the Americans looking to move to Japan.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Erik Buhrow, who bought a house in Japan's Niigata Prefecture through AkiyaMart, a site that helps foreigners buy abandoned Japanese homes known as akiyas. Buhrow, 39, runs a construction business outside Minneapolis.

A lot of people born and raised in Minnesota stay here forever. I've only been here about 10 years.

It can feel like anybody who has any sort of money bought a cabin in northern Minnesota back in the day — when you could. Now, if you want to buy a cabin up north, you're spending $300,000 for a starter shack in the tundra.

Would I rather spend $300,000 on a cabin in northern Minnesota or $30,000 for a cabin in Japan — a country I'm from, I'm accustomed to, and I actually enjoy going to?

I purchased an akiya in Japan this year. I closed on it in July and I did everything remotely over the course of three months.

I did not visit Japan to see the house or do anything. I worked with a real-estate agent who went there and FaceTimed me. Because I'm in construction and I am used to Japan, I was like, "Yeah, I'm willing to pull the trigger without going there."

It's roughly 3,000 square feet and about 150 years old. The Japanese would classify it as eight bedrooms, but I would classify it as six. There are two extra rooms that they would consider bedrooms, but because of their lack of closets, I'm going to call them bonus rooms. There's a two-car garage, one bathroom, and multiple really open living room spaces in an old-school style.

All in with the taxes and the real-estate fees and everything, it was $26,000.

A lot of people say, "The prices are really good, but the insurance and the taxes are going to get you." They don't. My insurance for $200,000 of replacement costs me a little under $500 a year. I actually bought five years' worth of home insurance at once.

My taxes are $183 a year. In Japan, homes over 22 years old are depreciated, so that $183 is just on the land. There's no tax on the house because it's ancient.

I own my home in Burnsville, Minnesota. It's very similar — 3,000 square feet, a garage. I bought it in 2017 for $300,000, and my taxes have gone — from 2017 to now — from $3,000 a year to about $5,000 a year.

I may be a little bit cavalier about the situation. I knew that no matter how bad the house is, it's nothing that I haven't seen. I just felt like, if I don't go visit it, but it's in the location that I want, that's what real estate is about. That's what these houses are really about. You can fix things, you can make the house better or worse, but you can't move it.

I grew up in Japan and long to move back for retirement

I grew up in Japan, so it helped make the decision easier. I grew up on a US military base in Misawa, Japan, in the Aomori Prefecture. My mom was a government teacher, so I lived there for an extended amount of time.

I officially moved to the United States when I went to college. But when I grew up in Japan, I had a huge desire to own property there, but it was always seen as impossible. My mom, my sister, and my brother-in-law, who's half Japanese, just always accepted it as something you can't do — that it's too complicated, or you have to get residency.

I reached out to AkiyaMart for a consultation. They pitched me on being the pilot person for their buyer program. I think it worked out perfectly.

My biggest aim was to be surrounded by the culture of Japan. I grew up on a military base, so I know what it's like to be around foreigners in Japan. Tokyo and Osaka are very tourist-driven, and it can be really difficult to learn the language and truly learn the customs.

The Sea of Japan, or western, side of the country is known for not being very heavily touristed or westernized. The house I bought is on the southern portion of the Tohoku region of Japan. You still get snow, but the architecture as you get further south in Japan gets to be, in my opinion, more beautiful. You have tile roofs and things of that nature. If you go north, you get more flat metal roofs.

Because I'm in construction, I care about home design. So this was a beautiful in-between spot where I could enjoy a southern-style home, but in a snowy northern climate, and also still be close to Tokyo.

The closest city-slash-train stop for the bullet train is 20 minutes away. I can hop on the bullet train and be in Tokyo 90 minutes later.

The prices in that area are lower because it is more remote. It allows you to explore in this adventure of buying a foreign property without having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.

I plan to rent out my akiya to other Americans weighing moves to Japan

I'm also in the process of buying another akiya property two minutes down the street. The original premise to buy the second home is based on my sister and brother-in-law, who both grew up in Japan.

In the meantime, I'm hoping that I can turn the second home into a long-term-stay place. I can allow people thinking about doing the same thing that I'm doing to stay there one to three months while they try and figure out is this something that might be a fit for them.

Because people are curious and they're interested in living in Japan, but they don't know if it would work. Somebody could go, "Hey, Erik, I want to stay in your house for a month, use your car, use your Wi-Fi, and figure out if this area fits my goals."

Or maybe my renters will want to work remotely in Japan for an extended amount of time.

My life goal would be to retire in Japan. However, because of visas and complications, it's not that easy.

I look at buying the akiyas as a new adventure in life, a new chapter. If you're not continuing to write new chapters in your book, then it gets kind of boring to read.

• After booking a trip to Ireland on a whim, I fell in love with the country and also met my husband.
• Years later, we're still together, and we've made a new life for ourselves in Cork.
• I still live in Atlanta part-time, but I love going home to my husband in Ireland.

Several years ago, I dreamed I was walking down the main street of a small town, where I met a nice bookseller and a local witch. In the dream, I kept getting the message to "go to Skibbereen."

When I woke up, my first thought was, "Where the heck is Skibbereen?" I looked it up, and to my delight, it's a real town in West Cork, Ireland.

This isn't the first time I've gleaned information from my dreams, but they rarely provide such literal instructions. Figuring I should listen to the message, I booked a trip for a few months down the line.

Little did I know that my Irish adventure would lead me to my future husband and a new home.

I trusted my gut and eventually got to Skibbereen

My travels first brought me to the city of Cork, where I made friends who helped secure me a ride out to the smaller town of Skibbereen.

As I rode through West Cork, I promised myself that I'd follow my intuition wherever it led without asking questions. I came here because of a dream, so why not follow the path as far as it would go?

Luckily, it led me right to Skibbereen's main street — like my dream, it does, in fact, have a wonderful bookseller and a pagan shop.

I felt welcome, and I kept noticing phoenix symbols throughout the town. It felt like a sign since I'm from Atlanta, and the fictional bird is on our city seal.

As I continued my trip, wandering and exploring more of County Cork, a gut feeling began to grow that this was exactly where I needed to be.

Then, I met the man who would be my future husband

At the time, I had the dating app Bumble on my phone. I happened to open it during my travels and match with a local Irish chef.

We met up for a date, and he was instantly warm, welcoming, and honest. Since we both work with food in some capacity (him as an executive chef, me as a writer, educator, and consultant), we had lots to talk about.

We continued talking online, and after I returned to the US, we officially started dating. With things going well, we arranged to meet back in Ireland three months later.

After a whirlwind romance, we got married last year.

I'm still in awe of my new life

In the years since my trip, I bought a house in Cork, and my husband and I are slowly settling in and making it feel like home.

I still live in Atlanta part time, but I feel like all the different parts of my life have fallen into place.

Whether I'm in Ireland or the US, I pinch myself every day that I get to live this magical life and share it with all the incredible people I've met along the way.

I don't live in Skibbereen (yet), but I still visit. In the future, I hope to move out that way and have a few acres of space to host culinary and writing residencies.

In the meantime, I'm settling into my two-continent lifestyle nicely.

There are still questions to navigate (like the best way to move my cats abroad), and it isn't always smooth sailing. However, so far, it's worth all the challenges, long travel days, and time-zone juggling.

• A couple moved from the US to Morocco for a better lifestyle and work-life balance.
• They work remotely, allowing them time to enjoy the country's late-night culture and leisure.
• They're expecting a baby, so they value Morocco's safety, healthcare, and family-oriented culture.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Arleevia and Ricoyo Lyles. The couple moved from the US to Tangier, Morocco, in November. Arleevia, 26, works in marketing, and Ricoyo, 40, works in finance. Both work remotely in jobs focused on the US, and they're expecting a baby in April. The couple posts on YouTube about their experience living abroad. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Ricoyo: After spending a few days here during our honeymoon, we fell in love with the culture, the people, and the food. I was joking with Arleevia when I asked her, "Hey, what do you think about moving to Morocco?" I didn't think I would get the response that I did. That sparked us going down the rabbit hole of "What if we actually moved here?"

Arleevia: We work remotely, so we thought it was feasible. We didn't own any property in the US. It was simply a conversation with my employer. They said, "As long as you get your work done." Ricoyo has his own financial firm that he had just started, so he's his own employer. So, for him, working remotely wasn't an issue. He works on US Central Standard Time. He works from about 4 p.m. until about 2 or 3 a.m., and he's up by 11 a.m. the next day.

Ricoyo: We were living in Nashville. We had been there for about three years, and then we relocated back to my hometown of Las Vegas right before moving to Morocco.

My biggest concern was, "Am I going to be falling asleep talking with clients?" But we've adjusted to it. It's almost turned into an evening-type position. It's funny because the culture here is kind of a late-night culture anyway. At night, there are still people in the cafés drinking coffee and going out to restaurants. My schedule almost fits with the vibe of the city.

Arleevia: We're still able to go out, explore the city, and hang out with friends in the afternoon if we want to. I work in the morning and often close out in the evening because I'm not on as many client calls as he is. We've been able to acclimate and socialize.

They have a healthy work-life balance here. Yes, they work very hard, but also they believe in leisure and rest. You see a lot of people out during the day — at cafés drinking tea together. A lot of men will be out, and they'll go back to work. Having that kind of influence has been very helpful for us to be like, "OK, we can take a break from work." We don't have to grind, grind, grind, like we did in the US.

Ricoyo: The priority of family feels like it's so much higher on the list. Even just seeing families out and about is a super-calming thing. We went to a park the other day, and we were thinking, "When was the last time we saw this many kids at a park?"

From the standpoint of raising a child here, that would be a great thing for our daughter.

From a safety and crime standpoint, it's a very low crime rate.

Arleevia: When it comes to gun violence, especially, we don't have to think about that. We just feel a lot safer.

Also, the healthcare is amazing. We had to find a gynecologist. We were not expecting it to be as amazing as it was. I've had the most thorough doctor experience of my life. In the US, my appointments for baby checkups would be five to 15 minutes, on average. Here, we spent 45 minutes to an hour with our doctor. She was so thorough, cared so much, and was deeply invested in answering every question I had.

Ricoyo: I was always conditioned that it doesn't get better than the US, that nowhere else has the luxuries that we have in the US. Yet in terms of the lifestyle, in Morocco the food quality, for example, seems so much better.

Arleevia: Even when it comes to customer service and how they treat people, it's with such respect and care — and they make sure that everybody feels supported. I feel like that comes through in people being able to take time away from work and spending time with their family.

Ricoyo: I set my own schedule, and sometimes Arleevia will be like, "Hey, babe, maybe don't book as many meetings today. Let's go and do something and explore a little bit." So, she kind of keeps me grounded. Otherwise, I'll work the day away.

There are other differences. For example, in terms of race, it's not something that you're thinking about as soon as you meet somebody. Here, they seem to think more in nationality, if anything. They're thinking, "Are you from Senegal? Are you from the US?" Even then, many people seem to love other countries.

Going back to safety: As a Black man, that's something that I always had in the back of my mind. Being here, we don't have to think about that as much, if at all. It's been nice to just interact human-to-human and then try to connect with your experience versus the stereotype behind your skin color.

In the US, when a complete stranger approaches me, it's kind of like I'm on guard. But here, you just meet some of the most amazing people who take time out of their day. They'll be like, "Hey, let me show you something around here." I find myself having to lower my defenses. I will stop and spend time and talk to them and enjoy cups of tea.

When my friends ask me what it's like living here, I think of it as a one-sentence answer: "This reminds me of the good old days." It feels like time has really slowed down. You're really able to take time out of your day and — not to be cheesy — really smell the roses.

Arleevia: There's a heightened level of respect for people here, especially with me being pregnant. There's so much care around that. Men are like, "Hey, take a seat. I can help you with your luggage."

We see often — and this is something very different — if an older person is trying to cross the road, somebody that's much younger will come and assist them. They don't even know them from Adam, but they'll go and walk across the road to make sure that they get across safely. That's something that you see in old movies, but that's a common practice here.

Arleevia: We want to be here for several years because we've moved so much. It'd be ideal to stay for three to five years. Even if it's not in Tangier, we would be open to living in another country. We definitely see this as a long-term living abroad.

Not having a church has probably been the most difficult thing for us to get acclimated to. Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. There are Christian churches around, but it's tough to find them.

Being away from family is obviously also hard. We miss them dearly. The language barrier has probably been the other tough thing. But outside that, it's been a very easy transition for us.

Ricoyo: The best things in life are often outside our comfort zone. People always talk about how it would be great to travel the world, to see other places, and to experience other cultures. This is making that a reality.

• Andrew Taylor, 70, left the US to retire in Malaysia a decade ago.
• He now lives in a two-bedroom condo in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, that costs about $620 a month.
• "I probably would not be retired if I were still in the US," Taylor said.

At 60, Andrew Taylor retired and left the US to move to Malaysia.

Taylor, who used to do administrative work, started thinking about retirement when he was in his mid-50s. But the high cost of living in the US made it feel like a pipe dream.

"I realized that I was probably not going to be able to stay in the United States, or I was going to have to work until I was 80," Taylor, now 70, told Business Insider.

He started considering retiring abroad, and it was through his then-partner — who lived in Penang, a state in the northwestern part of Malaysia — that he first learned about the Malaysia My Second Home, or MM2H, visa program. The MM2H program was introduced by the government in 2002 to attract foreigners to retire and live in Malaysia.

The conditions for the visa have been tightened over the years.

Based on the most recent rule changes announced in 2024, there are now three different categories: platinum, gold, and silver. Depending on the category of visa they apply for, applicants are required to have minimum bank deposits of between $150,000 and $1 million and also buy property in Malaysia. The validity of the visa ranges from five years to 20 years. Because Taylor got a visa under an earlier version of the visa rules, he wasn't required to purchase property in Malaysia.

Having visited multiple times before, the idea of living in Malaysia appealed to him. He said he saw the visa program as something that could help him retire much earlier.

In late 2014, he applied and was approved a few months later. In 2015, Taylor packed up his bags and moved from Washington, DC — where he'd lived for 40 years — to start the next chapter of his life.

Creating a dream apartment in the city

It's been 10 years since Taylor arrived in Malaysia. He spent seven years in Penang before moving to Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, three years ago.

He's been in his current rental — a two-bedroom condo — for about five months.

Taylor said his previous unit was on two floors, and he had to climb 20 steps to reach the bedroom. "I'm 70, and the stairs are irritating to me now, so I want it to be all on one floor," he said.

He said it took just one weekend to find his apartment, which was about 2 miles outside the city center. The view of the city immediately caught his attention.

"I'm on the 22nd floor, and I can see the Twin Towers. I can see all the major towers in KL, and it's just a beautiful view. I think if I'm going to be in KL, that's what I wanted," Taylor said.

His rent costs 2,800 Malaysian ringgit, or about $620, each month. It's a two-year lease with an option for a third year. Unlike his previous apartments, he opted for an unfurnished unit this time.

"I really never liked the furniture in the apartments that I was renting," he said, adding that he'd always been interested in interior design. Most of his furniture is sourced locally.

"It's sort of eclectic," he said, describing his apartment. "I have oriental carpets and things like that, but with modern furniture."

His apartment block is part of a five-building condo development, which offers amenities such as a pool and a gym.

This is Taylor's fifth apartment in Malaysia, and he says he plans to continue renting and riding around the city on his Vespa for the foreseeable future.

Lessons learned along the way have contributed to his decision. The first place he moved into after arriving in Malaysia was on the 35th floor of a building in Penang.

"The landlord said, 'Oh, they'll never build in front of it.' Well, yes, they built right in front of it immediately," he said. "If you buy a place, it's just harder to move on."

Americans are retiring abroad

Taylor isn't alone in his decision to retire abroad.

An analysis published in March of last year found that a single person would need to earn $96,000 a year to live comfortably in many major US cities. It comes as no surprise that more and more Americans are being priced out of the US.

There's also a retirement crisis sweeping across the nation, with more people over 65 still punching the clock because they can't afford to retire.

An AARP survey of 8,368 people conducted in January 2024 found that 1 in 5 Americans 50 and over reported having no retirement savings. More than half of them also said they didn't think they'd have enough money to keep themselves afloat in retirement.

It's a sentiment that Taylor shares. "I probably would not be retired if I were still in the US," he said.

In contrast, the MM2H visa has made Malaysia an attractive destination for expats.

As of January 2024, there were 56,066 active MM2H pass holders in the country, Malaysia's minister of tourism, arts, and culture, Tiong King Sing, said during a parliament session, according to the local paper The Star. Chinese nationals formed about 44% of pass holders, followed by those from South Korea and Japan. There were 1,340 pass holders from the US. The ministry didn't respond to a request for comment sent by BI.

'Pretty similar' lifestyles in both countries

While Taylor's lifestyle in Malaysia is "pretty similar" to the one he had back in the States, he said, the lower cost of living means his money can go further each month.

"I would say I used to try to keep my budget to $2,000. Now it's a little bit more than that. I would say $2,500 is what I live on now," Taylor said, adding that he didn't think he could live on the same amount back in the US.

He has a basic health-insurance policy that costs 340 Malaysian ringgit each month.

"There are other much better policies, but I went with the cheap option," Taylor said. He says it covered only hospitalization and related costs.

He also said he was satisfied with Malaysia's healthcare facilities.

"You don't have to wait long for an appointment or wait long at your appointment," he added.

Cost of living aside, Taylor says he also felt safer in Malaysia.

"I've never felt safer anywhere. Where I lived in my last place outside D.C., sometimes I would hear gunshots from outside my window, and that just is so foreign here. There's nothing like that," he said. "I've never ever felt any uncomfortable feeling when I'm out, even alone walking around."

These days, Taylor spends his time filming YouTube videos about what it's like to live in Malaysia.

He said, however, that such a drastic move might not be for everyone — especially for those who have children, grandchildren, or even older parents. It only worked for him because he had loose family connections.

Looking back, Taylor said he'd learned not to be afraid of living outside his comfort zone.

"My family thought I would last about six months, and then I would come back," he said. "Ten years later, and I'm still here, and I have no intention of ever going back to the US."

Have you recently relocated to a new country and found your dream home? If you have a story to share, contact this reporter at [email protected].

• I spent nine months traveling the world, and although I had a great time, I wouldn't do it again.
• Because I was on a tight budget, I often found myself turning down cool experiences to save money.
• I also struggled to make genuine friendships and missed having a space to call my own.

When I was working remotely in 2021, my boyfriend and I packed up and traveled to 22 countries across Europe and Latin America.

Although these were some of the best days of my life, I quickly learned that a lot of the videos I saw on social media that glorified full-time travel didn't always showcase the downfalls of the lifestyle.

More and more people are becoming digital nomads — countries like Italy have even implemented specific visas for remote workers. However, during my nine months abroad, I learned that the lifestyle isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Here's why I wouldn't travel full time again.

I kept looking for places and experiences that felt like home

While traveling full time, I found myself constantly looking for places and experiences that felt like home.

In some ways, it was cool to feel like a local in a new city. However, when I returned home and took shorter vacations, I started to value the places I was visiting for their differences rather than trying to find some semblance of home.

Nowadays, I like having a home base. Shorter trips help me to break up the monotony of life without sacrificing the comfort of home.

It felt like I was constantly thinking about money

When I was traveling full-time, I was on a strict budget. I either drained my wallet or ate cheap food to maintain some sort of financial security while on the road.

I talked myself out of going to every museum I wanted to and purchased cheap meals for dinner instead of indulging in local cuisine that might have been out of my budget.

The moments I would slip up on my spending were when I forgot this wasn't a never-ending vacation, but rather, my new everyday life.

During the first two weeks of our trip, I wanted to go to all of the must-try restaurants in Paris. However, I soon realized that came at the cost of establishing a strict daily budget for the remainder of our three weeks there.

Of course, it was worth it in the end to save money so I could travel for nine months. However, now that I take a few shorter trips a year, I have more flexibility to make them everything I want them to be.

My friendships at home changed, and the new ones I made were fleeting

I think what travelers yearn for the most is community. When I was traveling, it was really hard to find the same quality of friends I have at home.

When I did meet friends abroad, it was often short-lived. I found that many people traveling full time were only in a city for a few days. Even when I did find someone I connected with, it was hard to maintain a long-distance friendship.

Traveling full time also took a lot out of my friendships at home, as it seemed like they learned to live without me.

When I returned home, it felt like we didn't have as much in common as we used to. It took me months to get my friendships back to where they were before I left.

I missed having a space to call my own

While traveling, I stayed in 25 different places across nine months. Although seeing so many new places was cool, I missed having a space to call my own.

After spending so many nights in beds that weren't my own, it was an indescribable feeling to come back home. In fact, when I got back, I was able to create a space that took inspiration from the places I'd been.

I think traveling is something everyone should prioritize, but there are ways to see the world that don't involve doing it full time.

Nowadays, I plan to take at least four international trips a year, ranging from one to two weeks. This allows me to live a travel-filled life without giving up the comforts of home, career, and relationships.

This story was originally published on April 26, 2024, and most recently updated on January 9, 2025.

• After living in seven different countries, I've learned a few things that surprised me. 
• Prague was the hardest place to adjust to because of its cold temperatures and language.
• Texas' Dry Sundays, Europe's showers, and Wales' KFC menu surprised me the most.

Moving abroad can be exhausting, but I've done it multiple times, leaving my native island of St. Lucia for college in the US about 15 years ago. Since then, I've lived in places like Wales, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, and Greece. 

Traveling was daunting at first, especially coming from a country with a population of less than 200,000. But I loved immersing myself in new cultures, forming close friendships, and discovering new delicacies in every possible city.   

I felt knowledgeable about my destinations from my education, books, and television, but you never truly know a country until you've lived like a local.

Here are 11 things that surprised me during my travels.

Living in Spain can require a lot of paperwork 

There's always a lot of paperwork involved in traveling, but Spain is a different level of bureaucracy if you plan on living there for more than six months.

First, you must secure the Empadronamiento or "padrón," which is a document necessary to register with the town hall in the region of Spain you live in. This document adds your name and address to your city's census and is also necessary for administrative tasks like applying for a Social Security number, residency, public healthcare, opening a bank account, and getting married.

The process needs to be repeated if you move to another city and your residency must be canceled before leaving the country. Though the process seems simple, spots are often unavailable, so booking an appointment to do so can be very difficult.

The food scene is vast and varied in Prague

As a tourist in the Czech Republic, there are certain meals that you must try: beef steak tartare, Kulajda, Svíčková, and kolache.

Prague's international food scene is impressive, with restaurants representative of multiple cultures and palates. I was even able to find the ingredients to cook a local St. Lucian meal that included chicken backs and ripe plantains.

If you're not sure where to start or want to sample a variety, Manifesto Market features an eclectic mix of cuisines including authentic Hawaiian poké, rump steak tartare with shiitake mushrooms, traditional Mexican tacos, and Mediterranean dishes.

The bars are also stocked with Italian prosecco and a selection of craft beers. 

Italian food is actually as good as advertised

I had often been told that you haven't had real pizza or pasta until you go to Italy, and I can confirm that this is true. 

The best pizza I had was at a small, family-run joint in Crocetta del Montello, a tiny commune about an hour outside of Venice. It was simple, with some well-seasoned sauce and cheese on a crispy crust, but tasted amazing.

The same can be said for the gelato, which is velvety with intense fruit flavor.

I have also always loved spaghetti Bolognese, but enjoying the savory sauce in its native Bologna was unmatched. 

Some states participate in Dry Sundays

During the two years that I lived in Texas, I discovered Dry Sundays, during which liquor-store sales are prohibited on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

If Christmas or New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the liquor store is closed the following Monday.

The law itself can be a bit complex, as beer sales on Sundays are permitted from 10 a.m. to midnight, and wine sales are regulated within special hours.

There are also different stipulations in place if you're attending a fair, festival, concert, or sporting event.

Other states like Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee participate in some variation of Dry Sunday as well.

Showering can be an extreme sport in some places

Showers in Europe can be small, making it difficult to move around. The half-door, which doesn't extend all the way across the tub, can also result in a very wet and messy floor.

The shower nozzle can be handheld, and once you figure it out, showering will be a breeze. However, washing your hair can be difficult, so be prepared to lay some towels out on the floor. 

Greece has a Caribbean vibe

As a native of one of the premier vacation and honeymoon spots in the world, if the water is cold or there are rocks in lieu of sand on the beach, I am not interested.

But as I drove along the coastline to Olympia, the blue sea and sunny sky were reminiscent of St. Lucia. Skafidia Beach made me feel at home and showed me that Greece is a fantastic option if you can't make it to the Caribbean. 

Some parts of Spain take siestas very seriously

In Prague, my Valencian roommate retreated to her bedroom every day around two o'clock for siesta, the Spanish tradition of taking a nap shortly after lunch. Our professors at a Barcelona university also scheduled classes during the morning to observe the ritual.

In my L'Hospitalet de Llobregat neighborhood, well outside of Barcelona's city center, the practice was going strong. Stores closed every day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and I even witnessed a shop owner ask a woman to leave so that he could close at two.

KFC and many other fast-food chains don't have the same menu around the world

Kentucky Fried Chicken struck gold when it opened in the Caribbean Islands, becoming the most popular fast-food restaurant across the region, beloved even by Barbados native Rihanna.

Besides the fried chicken, one of the most popular sides is the golden buttermilk biscuit. Or at least that's what I thought until I wandered into a KFC in Wales only to discover that they didn't have it. After some confusion from workers who thought I was trying to order a cookie, they offered me rice, which I never knew was an option.

Major food chains like McDonald's, Wendy's, and KFC offer location-specific menus to appeal to target audiences worldwide. This can range from a Samurai Burger in Asia to a Chee-Zee Marmite Stuffed Pizza Crust in New Zealand. 

People are friendlier than you might expect across the globe

Friendly faces are always a welcome sight and in Spain, Greece, and Italy, I found the locals to be patient and helpful even if I wasn't fluent in the language.

In the US, I met some of the warmest people when I lived in Detroit, Louisiana, and Texas.

In the UK, I initially thought people were a bit more reserved. However, when I had a problem with my visa, an amazing family in Wales helped me through it.

Though I thought Czechs, had a tough exterior, they also have a wonderful, dry sense of humor.

I learned to travel with an open mind and ignore the stereotypes — otherwise, you might miss out on connecting with some incredible people. 

Prague was the most difficult place to adjust to

With its Romanesque architecture, steep hills, and small rivers, Prague is one of the most gorgeous cities in Central Europe.

However, Prague is also a cold city, so I bundled up in layers — coming from the tropical Caribbean, this was a tough adjustment.

The Czech language was also difficult to learn, and unlike in Spain, where English was very prevalent in the city center, Czech was spoken virtually everywhere. Because Czech falls in the West Slavic language group, it didn't have the familiar structures shared by French, Spanish, and Italian, which made it hard for me to retain.

The Czech Republic is very dog-friendly

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Prague's pet owners proudly walking with their dogs and on the trams instead of strays roaming the streets.

The pets were also incredibly obedient and well-behaved at restaurants and on public transportation. This is the antithesis of St. Lucia's cultural norms, in which pets are not typically allowed in restaurants or public buses.  

This story was originally published on February 1, 2022, and most recently updated on January 8, 2025.

• I moved from the US to Spain, and instead of going home for the holidays, I went to Ireland.
• I didn't do a ton of planning, but I decided to limit my trip to West Cork and Dublin.
• I had such a great time and met lots of friendly fellow travelers along the way.

Last year, I moved from New Jersey to Spain.

As much as I love my family, being in the US stresses me out. Instead of flying home, I wanted to experience something new this holiday season that would hopefully be a salve to the constant political disappointment I've been feeling as a Black woman living in the country.

Although Barcelona (my current city) comes alive during December with Christmas markets, festive lights, and a wave of tourists, I was craving greenery, the tranquility of nature, and maybe a sprinkle of luxury (at least for a few days). I knew I'd find that in Ireland, which I've loved every time I've visited.

Less than a month before Christmas, I did some last-minute planning to make my dream trip a reality.

I set my sights on County Cork

I've been to Ireland a few times, and multiple people I've met abroad have encouraged me to visit West Cork.

The somewhat underrated foodie destination is covered in farmland and remnants of Ireland's once-abundant temperate rainforests.

My curiosity was fully piqued, so I booked an extended weekend at Liss Ard Estate in the town of Skibbereen.

The luxurious estate was a bit of a splurge for me — the cheapest suites start at 160 euros, or about $166, a night — but I considered it a Christmas gift to myself.

The county's natural views were straight out of a movie

I hoped to spend time in nature during my trip, but I wasn't expecting to see greenery similar to "Jurassic Park" in the winter Irish countryside.

I spent most of my time in West Cork wandering the Irish Sky Garden, which James Turrell created in the 1990s.

I didn't even know about the internationally renowned masterpiece of interactive natural art when I booked my stay, but it's safe to say I was forever changed by the beautiful installation.

The Sky Garden is basically just a giant concave oval. When standing inside it, the sounds of nature are amplified, and the sky turns into a massive portrait.

As I lay on the rock slab, staring at the sky and hearing blades of grass shuffle in the breeze, I was reminded how wonderful it is to just be present in the moment.

I returned to an old haunt for Christmas Day

I loved the solitude of West Cork, but I planned on spending Christmas Day in Dublin, more specifically, at Jacob's Inn.

I've stayed in this hostel every time I've visited Dublin. As an avid solo traveler, I rarely find accommodations that organically create the feeling of family among strangers, but this place does it for me every time.

Immediately after entering and putting my bags in storage, I met a travel buddy at the bar who mildly peer-pressured me into going to a reggaeton club (something I didn't even know existed in Dublin).

We had a blast.

There was plenty to do in the capital city

Although Dublin was crowded with a wave of holiday tourists and locals gathering with friends and family, I was still able to carve out dedicated time to rest, regroup, and explore the city at my own pace.

Two of my favorite adventures were finding The Little Pig Speakeasy and visiting the city's museums.

The four properties of the National Museum of Ireland and the National Gallery are all free to the public, so I took my time wandering through as many exhibits as I could.

The speakeasy was the most authentic-feeling one I've been to in years.

To enter, my hostel buddy and I had to find a pay phone, type three numbers, say a code that we got from a local store owner, enter a trick wall, and then follow the neon pig. The tasty cocktails were worth the effort we spent getting into the bar.

My trip ended up being the perfect way to spend Christmas

Other than talking to my mom on Christmas Day, everything about this holiday was new for me.

At times, it was a bit overwhelming. However, not knowing what each day would bring during a season that's usually steeped in tradition was also exciting.

Whether I return to Ireland in December 2025 or set off to another country, I'm excited to make solo travel my new holiday tradition.

• In 2020, my family of three moved from Florida to a small village in Central Portugal.
• The people we met in Portugal were very kind — and loved to stay up late.
• Overall, life in Portugal was more affordable for us.

In early 2020, my family of three was living in West Palm Beach, Florida, when we decided to take a six-month trip around Europe.

During our stay, we rented an Airbnb in Portugal on farmland near the city of Coimbra. We fell in love with the area and ended up extending our stay so many times that the owner asked if we'd like to buy the house.

We decided to make the purchase and lived in central Portugal for the next three years. Here are a few of the biggest differences we noticed after moving abroad.

For my family of 3, settling in Portugal was much cheaper than living in Florida

One of the main reasons we relocated to Portugal was the lower cost of living. Though there are always exceptions, the homes we saw in Portugal were considerably cheaper than those in Florida.

For example, a market summary from the Miami Association of Realtors said the median sale price of a home in Palm Beach County was $363,000 in January 2020. Meanwhile, in our Portuguese neighborhood, we saw houses listed for less than $250,000.

Essentials like medicine, groceries, and even road tolls were also incredibly affordable compared what we paid in the US. In Florida, our family of three spent about $150 on essentials each week, but in Portugal, we spent about $80 weekly.

In Portugal, my family of three could go out to eat for the equivalent of about $31. However, in the US, I don't believe we ever got away with a bill under $50 for a middle-of-the-road meal.

The strangers we met in Portugal were incredibly kind

When we first moved into our home in Portugal, our neighbors offered us freshly picked produce each week.

At the store, when other customers or staff members saw my husband and me with our small child, we were ushered to the front of whatever line we were in. By comparison, in Florida, people sometimes cut me in line if I became distracted by my child.

Though there are definitely kind strangers in the US, the people we met in Portugal were nicer than I expected, and it felt genuine.

Driving through Portugal feels like exploring a national park — an experience I didn't have in the US

If you've ever been to a national park in the US, you'll probably understand what I mean when I say this is how I think of most of Portugal.

From the majestic mountains to the abundance of unspoiled landscapes, you can travel for miles and see only wildlife before being jerked back into reality by another traveler on the road.

Nature trails, walking and bike paths, natural pools, and boardwalks seem to be endlessly woven through the country.

There are tons of beautiful places in the US, but where I lived in Florida, I didn't feel that natural beauty was as accessible or widespread as it was in Portugal.

Our Portuguese friends' schedules were much different from ours

We were surprised to learn that many of the Portuguese people we met liked to stay up late, even with their kids.

While spending time with friends in Lisbon, I learned many of them thought of 8 p.m. as the normal time to begin dinner. After eating, parents often sat, chatted, and had wine while children played alongside them, so small kids didn't get to bed until 9 p.m. or later.

Back in the US, my family usually ate dinner at about 6 p.m., and we always made sure to have our child in bed by 7:30 p.m.

• When I was a college student, I decided to skip studying abroad.
• There were many reasons, but mainly, I wanted to stay with my boyfriend and roommate on campus.
• Now, as a mother of two, I regret that decision to travel freely at a young age.

I went to a liberal arts college that felt, at times, like a four-year sleepaway camp.

After spending high school studying, not dating, and having no social life, college was a dream come true. During freshman year, I snagged a great roommate, several lifelong friends, and a boyfriend.

When it came time to decide if I should study abroad, it was sophomore year, and I was still going strong with my roommate, friends, and boyfriend. I didn't want to leave them, so I decided not to study abroad.

I'm big on accepting my past decisions, but this one, to decline the opportunity to study abroad, is one of my persisting regrets.

I didn't study abroad for a few reasons

When asked, I told people I "couldn't" go abroad and still graduate on time. I was a double major and trying to minor in classics. There were quite a few graduation requirements I'd yet to take, and I remember thinking it would be hard to get all my credits for general ed and my majors while abroad. I didn't want my senior year of college to be spent scrambling to graduate.

If I'm being honest with myself, though, I was scared. I wasn't good at learning languages, so I'd either have to go somewhere English-speaking or put forth a significant effort to gain mediocre language skills in order to navigate another country. I wasn't a very chill traveler, had only ever traveled with family, and liked my comfort foods and spaces.

But my biggest fear was that I would miss out on a great social life I built. Socially, my life had never been better. I'd found a home at my school, had friends who were like family, and was in a relationship. He told me he wasn't planning to go abroad either for similar reasons: He also had a competitive major and liked his life the way it was.

I didn't want to miss a moment with those people.

I regretted my decision the following year

I was immensely lucky and privileged to be at college: A scholarship and my parents paid my tuition. I should've taken the opportunity given to me at that time, so it was short-sighted not to have the chance and study a culture other than my own.

My junior year ended up being one of the most stressful times of my life. The boyfriend and I broke up and got back together — and then we had even more issues. Many of my friends were abroad either for one semester or the whole year, including my previous roommate. Her replacement for the fall semester and I were, to put it mildly, a bad fit. I never felt so alone as I did those first few months of junior year.

I regretted not going abroad, but I was still nervous to do so because my on-and-off-again boyfriend was still on campus.

Years later, I still imagine what my life would be like if I did study abroad

Looking back 20 years later, I wish I'd just gone on my own little adventure. It would have been good for me to stretch my comfort zone at 20 when I was able to move more freely than I am now that I'm financially and physically responsible for myself and two kids.

Because I married that college boyfriend, had two children, and then divorced in 2020, I often wonder if it was worth staying behind for him.

I honestly think it was a sliding doors moment, and my entire life would be different today if I'd taken the opportunity. While I'd like to think I learned from my junior year experiences, I think I could have gotten there faster with a little physical distance from the place and people I'd come to rely on for emotional regulation.

The "Friends" finale aired in the spring of my freshman year — when I was entrenched in these relationships. Rachel famously gets off the plane, doesn't go to Paris, and gives up her dream career. We were supposed to think her staying with her friends and baby-daddy/sometimes boyfriend was the peak of romance. Now, I wish that both Rachel and I had gotten on that plane and taken the chance on the unknown.