Between 2017 and 2020, we traveled. A lot. Mexico, Costa Rica, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Hungary, Canada, Italy — each place offered a new flavor, a new rhythm, a new lesson. We embraced different cultures, tried all the food, and soaked up experiences that slowly reshaped our idea of what “home” could be.
It also became increasingly clear: life in the U.S. just didn’t fit us anymore.
So, we did what we thought we were supposed to do. We built the dream. Climbed the career ladders. Bought and remodeled our perfect house, top to bottom. Had two beautiful children. Drove the SUV. Spent weekends at the farmers market and scheduled our lives around kids’ classes and grocery runs.
From the outside, we had everything.
But inside, a quiet dream kept growing.
We missed the feeling of being somewhere different. Spain, in particular, had left its mark on us. We had friends there we stayed connected to through endless video calls, even during the pandemic. We found ourselves daydreaming about tapas, late-night walks, and wandering cobblestone streets on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.
In 2023, we decided to stop dreaming and start planning.
We dove into the logistics: career changes, visa research, dual citizenship options. There were spreadsheets and late-night conversations. Pros and cons. Fears and excitement. And in early 2024, we took the leap and applied to become English language teaching assistants.
Was this our dream job? Not exactly. But it was a doorway. A way to immerse ourselves in a new community, make local friends, and understand the education system from the inside. It was a bridge to the life we wanted.
Then came the big step: we sold nearly everything (including our cars) and packed our lives into six suitcases and two carry-ons.
We didn’t have a perfect plan. No guaranteed remote jobs waiting for us. Just a deep knowing that we needed a change. We craved a slower pace, one centered on connection, fresh food, time outdoors, and presence over productivity.
So we boarded that plane, not with certainty, but with intention.
This blog is where I’ll be sharing our journey — the messy, beautiful, unexpected parts of leaving behind the life we built to create one that feels more us.
If you’re dreaming of a life abroad, you’re not alone. And you’re definitely not crazy.
Welcome to our relocation story.