After living in US cities for years, I moved to a small Italian town with a few thousand residents. It's been an amazing experience to really connect with my neighbors and get to know them. I like living in a place with a strong sense of community - I never felt I had that back in the US. Ten years ago, I was enjoying overpriced cocktails at trendy bars in San Diego.
My husband and I were both born in the US, but for the last decade, we've worked remotely, living abroad in countries like Mexico and South Korea. We always had a longtime dream, though, of ending up in Europe. Five months after having our daughter, we decided on Portugal, which offered a digital nomad visa and proximity to tons of European countries.
Just think about it: you've got a shared interest, so there's no risk of small talk. You know you're going to see them again, but in a neutral environment. There will be other people there, so you can easily find someone else to talk to if the conversation runs cold, and if it all goes belly up you've got an easy way out you can just stop going to meet-ups and never have to see them again.
I was 30, a British-South African expat living her best life in Zurich, when I was unexpectedly and entirely swept off my feet by a Swedish knight in shining armour. The day we met, I knew deep in my bones that my life was about to change forever. We spent an hourslong brunch together, followed by strolling the city with mutual friends he was visiting for the weekend from London.
Imagine waking up to the sound of waves gently lapping the shore, enjoying fresh tropical fruits for breakfast, and spending your days exploring lush landscapes—all for $1,000.
Shopping for groceries in the UK has thrown me for a loop, with major differences in product availability and business hours compared to my experience in the US.
The lesson came swiftly: China does not bend its will. Instead, one learns to adapt, to alter one's rhythm to the customs of this vast nation. I've found that the answer to most questions is merely, 'because China.'
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