Field Notes: A Journey Through Life Abroad

People enjoying the summer at the beach at Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia

Europe

Inside North Macedonia: Europe’s Most Unexpected Reinvention

North Macedonia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 at a time when the rest of the country was disintegrating and at war. Macedonia was able to quietly and peacefully…

Two people sitting on a beach at sunset with waves rolling in and rocky coastline silhouetted against the golden sky

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Costa Rica

Why Some Expats Leave Costa Rica (and Others Stay Forever)

Added 10 September 2026. This piece is about why people leave Costa Rica, and the honest answer for most of them is money. It gives almost no figures, so here…

Woman walking down a narrow street in Havana lined with weathered pastel buildings beneath a bright blue sky

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Cuba

The Reality Behind Cuba’s Romance

The island nation of Cuba has been at the fore of global fascination for decades. Its very existence is romanticised by some and brings ire to others. The word Cuba…

Female traveler standing in Bali rice paddies during golden hour

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Costa Rica

Costa Rica or Bali? A Tale Between Two Paradises

A Life Shaped by Travel As an avid traveler, I find it ironic that I was raised by parents whose world rarely extended beyond American borders. Yet two of their…

Woman steering a sailboat near a tropical island while living a sailing lifestyle at sea

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Interview

When the Ocean Becomes Your Home

For most people, the idea of leaving behind a conventional life to sail across the world’s oceans alone would seem unthinkable. For Captain Liz Clark, it felt inevitable. Raised along…

Aerial view of Puerto Vallarta coastal town with turquoise ocean water, sandy beaches, white buildings, green mountains, and boats anchored in the bay

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Know Before You Go

Mexico Beyond the Headlines: The Expat Reality

The killing of cartel kingpin Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” has sparked a wave of backlash across parts of Mexico, setting off violence, government response, and…

Daily life in Costa Rica moves at its own pace, shaped as much by culture as by policy.

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Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Digital DIMEX, Explained

Checked 10 September 2026. For a guide to a residency process, this piece is unusually short of specifics. It contains no fees, no income thresholds and no processing times at…

Raising children with space for exploration, resilience, and wonder.

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Interview

Raising a Family in Motion

For the Willink family, travel has never been about escape or spectacle. Long before children entered the picture, it was already a way of moving through the world with intention,…

A red cable car descends from a lush green mountain, offering a breathtaking aerial view of the historic red-tiled roofs of Brasov, Romania, under a cloudy sky.

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Romania

From Exodus to Opportunity: Romania’s New Chapter

Added 10 September 2026. This guide says living costs are “significantly lower than Western European capitals” without ever saying what they are. Here is what Bucharest actually costs. Bucharest Per…

A woman relaxes in a private pool on a white-washed cliffside in Santorini, Greece, overlooking the deep blue Aegean Sea with a cruise ship and distant islands under a clear sky.

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Relocation

The Most Appealing Places to Relocate in 2026

This year, many of us may be taking stock of what is no longer serving us and setting goals that create a life that feels more aligned. While small changes…