Blog Post Archive
Expat Bookshelf: Packing for Travel Like an Expat
Americans often struggle with their “stuff” when they move abroad. Antoine de Saint-Exupery, said, “He who would travel happily, must travel light.”
What about you? What do you need?
Bookshelf: Living as an expat at a lower cost
This week, our attention turns to moving overseas on a budget. I found a few books with good ratings, and although some really focus on retirement, I think they are also a good way to consider living on a limited income elsewhere.
Resources for staying connected as an expat
Discussion with expats often center on staying connected as an expat. It’s not an easy task, but having a feeling of connectedness while abroad is a critical component of many people’s wellbeing. Here are a few things that I found that might be useful for you, too!...
Bookshelf: Supporting an Expat Life
I'm always on the lookout for new resources and ideas for working and living outside the US. I am amazed by the creative approaches that some people take to change their location while still making a living income and thriving. I recently ran across two books that...
Taxes for US Expats
Because I am not dead, I deal with taxes. Chances are, if you are reading this, you are still alive and paying taxes, too. I recently ran across a resource that may be helpful for my US friends living overseas. Tax season was especially difficult, and expensive, because there was no clear guide to all of the tax-related stipulations of living abroad. I recently ran across this book to address the challenges of being a taxpayer in the US…
Guest Post, Part 2: Beginning the Expat Life
In my last post, I mentioned that sometimes blogging can be a great way to share ideas and experiences with others. My friend Adam, who recently moved to Valencia, agreed to share some of his ideas. Here’s part two: ================= I don’t know much about Buddhism,...
Guest Post, Part 1: Beginning the Expat Life
In my last post, I mentioned that sometimes blogging can be a great way to share ideas and experiences with others. One of the people who contacted me through my blog was Adam, who was considering attending graduate school in Valencia. He agreed to write a post to...
Sharing the Expat Experience
This blog has been an interesting way to meet people, even after returning to the US. Due to my blog, I have spoken with some really interesting people who have dreamed of moving to Spain or Valencia. Some people are looking for a place to retire, some people are...
Resources for Future Expats
Choosing life as an expat is usually usually requires some serious thought and determination. In this post, I’ll share some resources that I have found along the way that might help others.
2018: Green Spaces
In a recent conversation with a friend, she commented on the amount of non-grassy or non-tree areas in my photos. Looking through my pictures, I have to agree that the green space is not as prominent as I feel it should be. While...
2018: Spring Day part 1
The days we were walking around Valencia provided a unique opportunity to enjoy springtime. Valencia is a pleasantly walk-able city, as I have mentioned before, and the abundance of sunlight and sheer number of different views of the city were a perfect vacation...
2018: I think I need a snack!
I guess I could be suffering from "vacation palate," where perhaps everything tastes better because of the locale. I could also be enjoying meals that others prepared, because NOT having to cook is a lovely seasoning to any meal. However, I very quickly fell back into...
2018: Overcast Beach Day
Sometimes the beach cooperates and you have a great tale of sun-filled adventures spent playing beach volleyball, pretending to be a dolphin in the water, and relaxing with a chilly glass of sangria at a beachside bar. This is not one of those tales, gentle reader. To...
2018: Surprise Falleros
It takes two things to make a great picture: something scenic and a camera. When those two things align, I have found that my picture-taking skill improves exponentially. However, sometimes you have to take what you can get. These few pictures are an example of having...
2018: A Whole Different View
Upon occasion, I think it's a good idea to look at some slightly different views of any city. I'm not talking about the super-scenic or the tourist-laden attractions that most people see, but about the real life that is lived in the everyday streets. For this...
2018: Fallas Museum… and only one of you will survive!
Yes, yes, I know I have written a lot about Las Fallas, the incredible festival that arrives with a bang every March and keeps on banging until it catches fire on March 19. But one thing is saved every year... a sculpture from the winning falla presentation. It's a...
2018: Day trip to Ribarroja del Turia
During our trip to Valencia, we took the train to Ribarroja del Túria (in Valenciano, Riba-Roja de Túria). It was the first time using the Valencia Metro on this trip, and I was quickly reminded of what a great transportation a subway system can be. It was a...
2018: Finally, a Post About Horchata
Gentle readers, I have been remiss in recounting an essential component of Valencia culture: Horchata and fartons. If you are in the United States or have had the pleasure of having the Latin American version of horchata, then you might think that this was a...
2018: Who brought the tourists?
Way back in 2013, I wrote a post about the Water Court, or the Tribunal de las Aguas. I said it before, and I'll say it again: some things are worth seeing in person, even if they are not big, flashy events. Typically, the Water Court is something of an antiquated...
2018: A Collection of Buildings is Not a City
It's true: a collection of buildings does not make a city. What it can make, however, is a quite amazing visual attraction that sets Valencia apart of from many other cities in the world. I've already mentioned the City of Arts and Sciences many times in my blog, and...
