As someone with dual citizenship (US/Italy), the option of nomading vs. relocating overseas often comes up for my wife and I. (Well, once our senior cat is no longer with us.) However, seeing what the EU is facing politics-wise doesn't get me as excited to move there as it did in the past. Similar to the US in Italy with right wing government, anti-immigration, anti-fucking everything. Liberalism in retreat, gulp.
Nomading seems like such a great option now if someone can swing it, especially if you lob the climate headaches into the picture. Marrying a place is so much harder to do these days.
Plus, as you said, here's to life adventures---keep on rolling, fellas!
You touch on climate change, which is something else we think about. Earlier this year we lived in the Valencia region of Spain to see what we thought of living there. Three weeks ago portions of that part of Spain were ravaged by floods. I'm very reluctant to try and pick a place knowing that a fire, flood, or drought could wreak havoc.
Hello you two!! Thank you so much for this email/blog! I am saving it! Yes, I want to stay on our farm with our native wetland and riparian plant nursery....but some times I can't breathe due to the unexpected circimstances we are all going to face...and soon. Your email, put some confidence back into my step....thinking there is another way to live, if life here becomes intolerable. Thank you again!! Your friend from Bear Creek High School....Heidi (Hynes) Windell
Hi Heidi! I wondered if that was you! I'm glad we can make you feel like there is some breathing room and a chance to do something else if need be. But it sounds like you have a great situation for the time being, which makes me happy to hear.
Looking forward to joining you and other nomads on our worldwide adventure in less than a year. I love the last sentence of this post - I'm looking forward to that myself!
Serious question: is an "artist" or "cultural" visa a thing?
Meaning, can a person get a temporary, or even permanent, visa to become an artist in another country? I've heard of this idea before, but it could be apocryphal and I haven't done any serious research. You gentlemen are the experts, so I figured I'd ask.
It isn't something we've looked into. As Brent says, they are usually quite hard to get. Let's see how big a hit Leverage is and then you might be golden!
Yes! But my sense is they've typically been very hard to get (unless your name is "Stephen King"), and they're getting harder. For all intents and purposes. I think it's a no-go for mere mortals like Michael and me.
Another advantage: it’s easier to persuade a spouse or significant other to go along with a temporary relocation rather than something that seems more permanent.
For me, nomading back and forth between the US and elsewhere is the most likely solution. Now just need to figure out what to do with the dog.
Love this! In recent years, I’ve considered being a nomad. I have a partial teaching pension and am an entrepreneur and can move my business into a digital format rather than in-person. With a love of travel and my two adult children living in New Zealand (they are US, NZ and Irish citizens through dad, my ex) and the current disgust I feel, it’s now on my mind even more. I have two friends who’ve been digital nomads the last couple of years and are loving it! I’ve committed to one more year in Colorado (at least I’m here and not in certain other states!). I’ll be happily following your journey as I prepare for my own!
Hi Brooke, from a fellow Coloradoan. Well, at least by birth since I haven't lived there in many years. Glad that's at least where you get to be right now. And even more glad you're going to get to follow your own nomadic dream!
I'm sorry you have both had to endure rage-fueled comments from fellow Americans. The hatred in this country is becoming unbearable. I returned to the US to vote, but am now deeply disappointed and unhealthily angry. My husband and I are nomading back out of here ASAP, heading for the south of France to spend three months living in a small market town. I'm happy that we are already traveling full time, and can easily escape the next four years.
Wow, that makes me sad to hear that. We're going back for the holidays and wonder what we'll find. Enjoy the south of France. We haven't been yet but very much want to go.
Be prepared for jeering supporters who are gloating over the victory but still enraged. My go-to response is "I hope you get everything you have voted for."
Look, guys, I just re-applied for my passport! It's going to be 4-6 weeks (because I didn't want to pay the $60 "expedited" charge that would get it to me in 4-5 weeks!), but when it's done I'll have a passport and passport card to use as an "Enhanced ID".
Still don't know if I'm leaving the country (neither of my friends, the ones who along with my cat Meatloaf kept me from losing my marbles during The Neverending Divorce Story), but at least I can stuff Meatloaf in a carrier and drive the seven-eight hours to Canada if things get too bad and decide what I'm doing from there....
That should be fun at the border—"Anything to declare?"
"No, nothing to de—"
::MAWWWRRRRR!::
"Uh, sorry—guess my lunch didn't agree with me...."
"Sir, would you care to explain why your 'lunch' is rubbing his head against my sidearm while purring and drooling?"
That would be the hardest part of nomading for me—giving up having cats.
I had a friend who had a cat that traveled with her—he'd ride in the car, had a portable litter box as well as his food and water dishes, and she'd stay at hotels that allowed pets. But that was just in the U.S. ....
Spain, Italy, and Greece are strong contenders because of the weather and affordability. But they're VERY popular, and I think a local backlash is brewing.
There are some great countries in central and eastern Europe that are extremely affordable. But the healthcare is sub-par, so they're probably not the best for long-term residency.
For me, it would probably be Italy, followed by Greece and Spain. Norway, Denmark, and the UK all have great things I like about them, but the weather makes them a no go. Germany as well, as I don't want to be cold. Spain is also a strong contender.
We have massive skill shortages, so if you happen to have a professional qualification it's quite easy e.g. teaching, nursing, medicine etc etc. (That's how I got in from the UK)
Interesting. I met one family with kids, but they were pre-school. They had an apartment "base" that they rented regularly (like 4-6 months out of the year, in one particular country), then they traveled the rest of the time. Oh, and I remembered another family with a teenager. They made a point to stay in countries with longer visas (6 months) and they home-school him.
We are already exploring the longer visit times. A base also sounds like a good idea, some place to return to that's familiar. Thanks for responding to my query.
I haven't met them personally, but I know there are a few out there. I imagine it would depend a lot on the personalities of your kids and how they feel about not having a tight circle of friends. Pros and cons, I imagine.
was nomading for a year and some change between 2022-2023 and all told my partner and I spent about 40k total. so totally agree, far cheaper than living stateside. about to hit the road full time again in a few months!
I think the problem "normies," as some of our nomad friends call non-nomads is that they can only picture travel as doing all kinds of touristy things and flying around and staying in expensive hotels. They don't get that in many ways, nomads are just living regular lives.
Oh totally, the majority of the time we're just doing normal, daily chores - grocery shopping, cooking at home, and nights in at the Airbnb. Definitely not going out to eat every day or doing all of these crazy activities, otherwise we'd blow through the budget. Even if the cost of living wherever you are is cheaper - it all adds up!
I’ve been planning, regardless of the election results, on full nomad life (downsizing, selling items, etc.) for a while and will go full nomad in May 2025. I thought about moving to Mexico (I love it there) but I really just want to travel and see the world for several (or more) years. You two are a bit of a “spirit couple” for me!
Thanks, Ken! I know we'll have to settle down at some point and there will be nice things about that, but like you, for now I want to see as much of the world as I can.
Yeah, and it's just tucked down in the far corner. And being smaller, it doesn't have as many flight choices. I mean, it isn't terrible, but just another thing I don't love about it.
I see. If Romania is Schengen how does it work with an EU passport? Did you get around fine with just English? Multumesc mult ( the extent of my knowledge of Romanian)
Having an EU passport means you don't have to worry about the Schengen at all. As for English, it's a little less widely spoken in Romania, but we still had very few problems. When in doubt just look for a young person.
When you take in weather, location, culture, etc, I would choose Italy. I know there are bureaucratic problems there and the current govt isn't that great, but I love the culture, the natural beauty, and the fact that the country has such a wide range of places from the Alps to the coasts.
Thanks for this, I always love your perspective!
As someone with dual citizenship (US/Italy), the option of nomading vs. relocating overseas often comes up for my wife and I. (Well, once our senior cat is no longer with us.) However, seeing what the EU is facing politics-wise doesn't get me as excited to move there as it did in the past. Similar to the US in Italy with right wing government, anti-immigration, anti-fucking everything. Liberalism in retreat, gulp.
Nomading seems like such a great option now if someone can swing it, especially if you lob the climate headaches into the picture. Marrying a place is so much harder to do these days.
Plus, as you said, here's to life adventures---keep on rolling, fellas!
Oh, I love that term: Marrying a place!
You touch on climate change, which is something else we think about. Earlier this year we lived in the Valencia region of Spain to see what we thought of living there. Three weeks ago portions of that part of Spain were ravaged by floods. I'm very reluctant to try and pick a place knowing that a fire, flood, or drought could wreak havoc.
Thanks, Dakota! Jealous of the duel citizenship thing. VERY jealous, frankly.
(We waited for our elderly cat to pass on too. lol)
Hello you two!! Thank you so much for this email/blog! I am saving it! Yes, I want to stay on our farm with our native wetland and riparian plant nursery....but some times I can't breathe due to the unexpected circimstances we are all going to face...and soon. Your email, put some confidence back into my step....thinking there is another way to live, if life here becomes intolerable. Thank you again!! Your friend from Bear Creek High School....Heidi (Hynes) Windell
Hi Heidi! I wondered if that was you! I'm glad we can make you feel like there is some breathing room and a chance to do something else if need be. But it sounds like you have a great situation for the time being, which makes me happy to hear.
Looking forward to joining you and other nomads on our worldwide adventure in less than a year. I love the last sentence of this post - I'm looking forward to that myself!
Looking forward to having you join us!
Serious question: is an "artist" or "cultural" visa a thing?
Meaning, can a person get a temporary, or even permanent, visa to become an artist in another country? I've heard of this idea before, but it could be apocryphal and I haven't done any serious research. You gentlemen are the experts, so I figured I'd ask.
It isn't something we've looked into. As Brent says, they are usually quite hard to get. Let's see how big a hit Leverage is and then you might be golden!
Yes! But my sense is they've typically been very hard to get (unless your name is "Stephen King"), and they're getting harder. For all intents and purposes. I think it's a no-go for mere mortals like Michael and me.
That makes sense. In the exceedingly unlikely chance LEVERAGE reaches GONE GIRL success, I’m out of here.
Hehe, finger's crossed.
I love the idea of nomading.
Another advantage: it’s easier to persuade a spouse or significant other to go along with a temporary relocation rather than something that seems more permanent.
For me, nomading back and forth between the US and elsewhere is the most likely solution. Now just need to figure out what to do with the dog.
Also very true!
We still haven't solved the "pet" issue. Have a few nomad friends who travel with dogs, but frankly, it seems like a MASSIVE hassle.
Brilliant and practical.
Thank you!
Love this! In recent years, I’ve considered being a nomad. I have a partial teaching pension and am an entrepreneur and can move my business into a digital format rather than in-person. With a love of travel and my two adult children living in New Zealand (they are US, NZ and Irish citizens through dad, my ex) and the current disgust I feel, it’s now on my mind even more. I have two friends who’ve been digital nomads the last couple of years and are loving it! I’ve committed to one more year in Colorado (at least I’m here and not in certain other states!). I’ll be happily following your journey as I prepare for my own!
Hi Brooke, from a fellow Coloradoan. Well, at least by birth since I haven't lived there in many years. Glad that's at least where you get to be right now. And even more glad you're going to get to follow your own nomadic dream!
I'm sorry you have both had to endure rage-fueled comments from fellow Americans. The hatred in this country is becoming unbearable. I returned to the US to vote, but am now deeply disappointed and unhealthily angry. My husband and I are nomading back out of here ASAP, heading for the south of France to spend three months living in a small market town. I'm happy that we are already traveling full time, and can easily escape the next four years.
Wow, that makes me sad to hear that. We're going back for the holidays and wonder what we'll find. Enjoy the south of France. We haven't been yet but very much want to go.
Be prepared for jeering supporters who are gloating over the victory but still enraged. My go-to response is "I hope you get everything you have voted for."
"Unhealthily angry." Yes, that's where I'm at too.
Look, guys, I just re-applied for my passport! It's going to be 4-6 weeks (because I didn't want to pay the $60 "expedited" charge that would get it to me in 4-5 weeks!), but when it's done I'll have a passport and passport card to use as an "Enhanced ID".
Still don't know if I'm leaving the country (neither of my friends, the ones who along with my cat Meatloaf kept me from losing my marbles during The Neverending Divorce Story), but at least I can stuff Meatloaf in a carrier and drive the seven-eight hours to Canada if things get too bad and decide what I'm doing from there....
That should be fun at the border—"Anything to declare?"
"No, nothing to de—"
::MAWWWRRRRR!::
"Uh, sorry—guess my lunch didn't agree with me...."
"Sir, would you care to explain why your 'lunch' is rubbing his head against my sidearm while purring and drooling?"
Haha. I wish we could travel with cats. Love the name Meatloaf! lol
That would be the hardest part of nomading for me—giving up having cats.
I had a friend who had a cat that traveled with her—he'd ride in the car, had a portable litter box as well as his food and water dishes, and she'd stay at hotels that allowed pets. But that was just in the U.S. ....
Which of the EU countries would you be happiest to settle in?
Spain, Italy, and Greece are strong contenders because of the weather and affordability. But they're VERY popular, and I think a local backlash is brewing.
There are some great countries in central and eastern Europe that are extremely affordable. But the healthcare is sub-par, so they're probably not the best for long-term residency.
For me, it would probably be Italy, followed by Greece and Spain. Norway, Denmark, and the UK all have great things I like about them, but the weather makes them a no go. Germany as well, as I don't want to be cold. Spain is also a strong contender.
Fascinating.... and very tempting 😀 I'm not in the US, but this sounds like such an inspiring way to live and see the world.
Apparently enquiries to New Zealand real estate companies from the US have tripled in the last week!
We think so! Not surprised to hear about NZ, but that's a tough country to get into.
We have massive skill shortages, so if you happen to have a professional qualification it's quite easy e.g. teaching, nursing, medicine etc etc. (That's how I got in from the UK)
How is your supply of travel writers? ;-)
There is a category for 'talent' which lots of creative/media types get visas under..... 😊
Interesting...
Have you met many nomad families? Our kids are teenagers, but remote school so we have the flexibility to travel.
Interesting. I met one family with kids, but they were pre-school. They had an apartment "base" that they rented regularly (like 4-6 months out of the year, in one particular country), then they traveled the rest of the time. Oh, and I remembered another family with a teenager. They made a point to stay in countries with longer visas (6 months) and they home-school him.
We are already exploring the longer visit times. A base also sounds like a good idea, some place to return to that's familiar. Thanks for responding to my query.
I haven't met them personally, but I know there are a few out there. I imagine it would depend a lot on the personalities of your kids and how they feel about not having a tight circle of friends. Pros and cons, I imagine.
was nomading for a year and some change between 2022-2023 and all told my partner and I spent about 40k total. so totally agree, far cheaper than living stateside. about to hit the road full time again in a few months!
Prices are definitely climbing fast. OTOH, prices are climbing fast everywhere, so I suppose this makes sense.
I think the problem "normies," as some of our nomad friends call non-nomads is that they can only picture travel as doing all kinds of touristy things and flying around and staying in expensive hotels. They don't get that in many ways, nomads are just living regular lives.
Glad you'll be getting back out there soon!
Oh totally, the majority of the time we're just doing normal, daily chores - grocery shopping, cooking at home, and nights in at the Airbnb. Definitely not going out to eat every day or doing all of these crazy activities, otherwise we'd blow through the budget. Even if the cost of living wherever you are is cheaper - it all adds up!
I’ve been planning, regardless of the election results, on full nomad life (downsizing, selling items, etc.) for a while and will go full nomad in May 2025. I thought about moving to Mexico (I love it there) but I really just want to travel and see the world for several (or more) years. You two are a bit of a “spirit couple” for me!
Thanks, Ken! I know we'll have to settle down at some point and there will be nice things about that, but like you, for now I want to see as much of the world as I can.
Q: of all the countries you have lived in EU which one would you settle in?
Greece. Or Spain. Maybe Croatia. If cost was an issue, Romania or Bulgaria.
Thanks!! I have a Spanish Passport. Romania is my paternal origin, but I don't speak Romanian. It's beautiful right? What about Portugal?
We LOVED Romania. Very bummed it's now part of the Schengen Zone bc it's harder for us to visit.
Lots of people love Portugal, but it just doesn't speak to me. I also don't like that from there it's harder to reach the rest of Europe.
Because of lack of train connections?
Yeah, and it's just tucked down in the far corner. And being smaller, it doesn't have as many flight choices. I mean, it isn't terrible, but just another thing I don't love about it.
And the food in Romania? Delicious right? I love Italy, Greece, etc but La Meloni is very similar to 🎃 here, no?
I see. If Romania is Schengen how does it work with an EU passport? Did you get around fine with just English? Multumesc mult ( the extent of my knowledge of Romanian)
Having an EU passport means you don't have to worry about the Schengen at all. As for English, it's a little less widely spoken in Romania, but we still had very few problems. When in doubt just look for a young person.
Thank you very much
😁😁😁
I speak Spanish, a bit of French and Italian. Romani is a Latin language so it shouldn't be too difficult
When you take in weather, location, culture, etc, I would choose Italy. I know there are bureaucratic problems there and the current govt isn't that great, but I love the culture, the natural beauty, and the fact that the country has such a wide range of places from the Alps to the coasts.
Loved this! Thank you very helpful
You are most welcome, my dear friend!