MOVE ABROAD NOW (THE BLOG)

Crunching numbers is only half the equation when moving abroad. Rent, groceries, and transport matter, but so do climate, community, culture, healthcare, and bureaucracy. This guide explains why cost of living ≠ quality of life, with examples from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and France, and shows how to layer lifestyle factors into your decision. Because the best expat destinations aren’t just affordable—they feel like home.

Knowing average rents and grocery prices is only the start—building your personal expat budget means tailoring those numbers to your lifestyle. This guide shows how to combine data from Numbeo and Expatistan with real expenses like health insurance, entertainment, travel, and one-time fees to create a monthly mock budget you can trust. With examples from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and France, you’ll see what it really costs to live abroad—and whether your income can support it l

Beyond rent and food, the real budget surprises for expats are utilities, transportation, and hidden costs. This guide breaks down average monthly expenses across Portugal, Spain, Italy, and France—from metro passes and gasoline to electricity bills, internet, and condo fees. With sample monthly snapshots, you’ll see how basics like transport and utilities can shift your total cost of living abroad.

Food and dining costs shape your lifestyle abroad as much as rent. From grocery baskets in Portugal and Spain to café culture in Italy and France, this guide breaks down real prices using Numbeo and Expatistan. Learn how much you’ll spend on groceries, eating out, wine, coffee, and daily luxuries—plus sample monthly food budgets for expats in Coimbra, Granada, Naples, and Toulouse.

When planning a move abroad, rent will likely be your largest expense—often 30–50% of your monthly budget. This guide walks you through researching housing costs in Europe using Numbeo and Expatistan, comparing cities side by side, checking local listings, and accounting for neighbourhoods, seasonal rent spikes, and extras like utilities and condo fees. By layering these tools, you’ll create a clear, realistic rental budget for your new life overseas.

One of the biggest unknowns when planning a move abroad is cost of living. How much will rent, groceries, and transportation really set you back in cities like Lisbon, Lyon, or Naples? This guide walks you step by step through using Numbeo and Expatistan—two of the best cost-of-living databases—to compare expenses, factor in hidden costs, and build a mock budget that fits your lifestyle.

Dreaming of life in a sun-drenched village, where mornings start with espresso and evenings end with aperitivo? Southern Europe has become one of the top destinations for Americans looking to relocate, work remotely, or take a sabbatical. But the biggest hurdle is housing. Finding a long-term rental in Spain, France, Portugal, or Italy isn’t as straightforward as it looks — leases work differently, tourist pricing is everywhere, and the best listings often aren’t even online

Packing for an international move isn’t just about deciding what fits in your suitcase—it’s about deciding what fits in your new life. And sometimes, the hardest things to let go of aren’t objects at all, but the doubts, fears, and “what ifs” that have been taking up space in your mind.

Planning to move abroad? Don’t overlook the financial side of your big leap. In this guide, we break down the real cost of moving abroad for Americans—from visa fees and housing deposits to hidden expenses you might not expect. Whether you're budgeting for a solo adventure or a family relocation, this post will help you map out what it really takes to live overseas.

Wondering if you need an immigration attorney to move abroad? This guide breaks down when to DIY, when to hire help, and what it costs for Americans planning to live overseas.