Untold Secrets of Living Overseas

Hosted by Shawna Lum

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Oct 2026

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The Untold Secrets of Living Overseas is your go-to podcast for all things related to moving abroad, remote working, and a digital nomad lifestyle. Join us every week as we interview entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and remote workers, uncovering their best-kept insider tips and tricks for a successful and happy life overseas. Hosted by Shawna Lum, a digital who left the US to explore vibrant Spanish culture and now she helps others live their dream lives abroad. Get inspired by her journey at https://moveoverseasnow.com/ Follow her on IG @shawnalumm: https://www.instagram.com/shawnalumm/

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October 29, 202627 min

How to Move to Europe With Kids: From the USA to Slovakia | Family Relocation Story

After 20 years of teaching in the United States, Jason and his wife, Katie, knew they wanted something different for their two daughters. More cultural experiences. More opportunities to explore the world. And a chance to raise their children in a completely different environment. So they made a decision that would change their lives. They sold their home in Illinois, booked a one-way flight to Amsterdam, and started their journey toward living abroad. Their original plan was to move to the Netherlands through the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) and start a new chapter in Europe. But just before leaving the U.S., Jason received an unexpected email about a teaching opportunity in Bratislava, Slovakia. One interview led to another. Katie was offered a teaching job, too. And suddenly, the family's plans took an entirely different direction. Today, their European adventure has taken them from the Netherlands to Slovakia and temporarily to Albania while they work through their residency paperwork. And through every unexpected twist, one thing has stayed the same: They're committed to building their life abroad. In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna Lum sits down with Move Overseas Now Academy member Jason Basso to share the real story behind his family's move to Europe, including the opportunities, challenges, and lessons they learned along the way. 🎙️ What You'll Learn in This Episode 🇪🇺 How to move to Europe with kids. 🏡 How they prepared to leave the United States: from selling their home in Illinois to booking a one-way flight to Europe. 🇳🇱 Why they originally chose the Netherlands DAFT visa. 👩‍🏫 How they found teaching opportunities in Slovakia. 🧭 Why having a backup plan matters when moving abroad. 🤝 How the Move Overseas Now Academy helped. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 What moving abroad with children is really like. 💬 How to handle unexpected challenges abroad. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? Join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

October 28, 202628 min

Moving to Spain on a Student Visa: How Jean Got Approved in Just 22 Days

At 31, Jean Constant knew exactly where he wanted to live: Barcelona, Spain. 🇪🇸 But knowing where you want to go and actually making the move happen are two very different things. Jean had already experienced life in Europe while playing professional American football in Barcelona, Hamburg, and Milan. And when he returned to Florida, something had changed. After experiencing Europe's walkable cities, social culture, and different approach to work-life balance, he couldn't stop thinking about moving back. He wanted more than the American hustle culture. He wanted a lifestyle where people actually made time for friends, community, and enjoying everyday life. But there was one problem. He didn't know how to make the move happen legally. That's when he decided to join the Move Overseas Now Academy. With guidance from Shawna and her team, Jean found a pathway that matched his goals: a Spanish Student Visa to pursue a 10-month master's program in Digital Communications and New Technologies in Barcelona. And after preparing his application and consulate appointment with the Academy's support, his visa was approved in just 22 days! In this testimonial, Jean shares: 🇪🇸 Why he chose Spain 🎓 Why a master's program and Spanish Student Visa ⏱️ His personal experience navigating the student visa application process 🤝 Why seeing other Academy members receive their visa approvals helped him stay motivated 💰 How the Academy helped him avoid hours of independent research and why he chose it over a relocation service that quoted him around $8,000 🌍 How's life in Barcelona at 31 If you've been dreaming about moving to Spain from the USA but feel overwhelmed by visas, university applications, paperwork, or figuring out where to begin, you don't have to do it alone. Connect with Jean: https://www.instagram.com/jeanconstant2/ ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? Join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

October 20, 202639 min

Spain Arraigo Explained: How to Get Residency & Work Authorization After Your Visa Expires

For many Americans who want to move to Spain, navigating immigration rules can feel like a maze. And with changes to Spanish immigration regulations, understanding your options has become more important than ever. But what if there's a residency pathway you've never heard of? In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas , Shawna sits down with Max, a Move Overseas Now Academy relocation coach , who shares his personal journey from teaching English in Spain through the NALCAP program to successfully obtaining residency and work authorization through Arraigo Social . After spending two years teaching English in Málaga, Max encountered unexpected complications when trying to transition from his previous immigration status to a work permit. Instead of giving up on his dream of living in Spain, he explored an alternative legal pathway. And after navigating the paperwork, legal requirements, and immigration process, he got approved! Today, Max lives in Barcelona and has authorization to work in Spain, including self-employment. 🇪🇸 What is Arraigo in Spain? — Understanding this exceptional residency pathway and when it may be available. 📋 The 3 types of Arraigo discussed — Arraigo Social, Arraigo Sociolaboral, and Arraigo Socioformativo, and how their purposes differ. 🎓 NALCAP and Spanish residency — Why Max originally moved to Spain as an English teaching assistant and the complications he encountered when trying to stay longer. 💼 Getting work authorization in Spain — How Max navigated a rejected work permit application and eventually obtained approval through Arraigo Social. ⏳ Application timelines and bureaucracy — What Max experienced when gathering documents, working with lawyers, and waiting for his residency approval. 🌍 Other ways to move to Spain legally — Why the Digital Nomad Visa, qualifying student programs, and Non-Lucrative Visa may be better starting points depending on your circumstances. Max's experience demonstrates why choosing the right visa from the beginning, and understanding what happens when that visa expires, is so important. If you're dreaming about moving to Spain, working remotely from Europe, studying abroad, or eventually obtaining long-term residency, you don't have to navigate everything alone. The Move Overseas Now Academy provides step-by-step relocation guidance, visa resources, expert connections, coaching, and a community to help you make informed decisions about your move. Max is also part of the Academy coaching team, helping members navigate relocation questions and prepare for life abroad. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠ https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

October 9, 202640 min

Taxes in Spain for Americans: Double Taxation, Beckham Law & What You Need to Know Before Moving

Thinking about moving to Spain but worried about how much you'll pay in taxes? 🇪🇸 Will you be taxed twice on your American income? What happens to your Social Security or retirement savings? And could Spain's Beckham Law actually help you save thousands? For many Americans dreaming of moving to Spain, taxes are one of the biggest reasons they hesitate. But moving to Spain doesn't automatically mean paying double taxes or losing half your income. In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Daniel Vicente, a Barcelona-based tax attorney and founder of Placitum, who has worked in taxation since 2005. Whether you're planning to retire in Spain, move on a Digital Nomad Visa, or relocate while continuing to work remotely for a U.S. company, this conversation will help you understand the questions you should be asking before you move. In this episode, you'll learn: 🇪🇸How taxes in Spain work for Americans. 💰Will you be taxed twice? 🏡The 183-day tax residency rule. 👴Taxes for American retirees in Spain. 💻Digital Nomad Visa taxes. 📊Spain's Beckham Law explained. 🏦Spain's Wealth Tax. 🏠Selling your U.S. home before moving . 📈Tax planning for freelancers and business owners. 📩 Get expert tax advice Want to understand how moving to Spain could affect your specific financial situation? Connect with Daniel Vicente and Placitum for professional guidance on Spanish taxation, international tax planning, and relocating to Spain. 👉🏼 ⁠https://placitum.es/⁠ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized legal or tax advice. Tax laws, rates, and eligibility requirements can change. Consult a qualified tax professional familiar with both U.S. and Spanish tax rules before making financial or relocation decisions. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

September 9, 20261 hr 3 min

Retiring in Italy at 74: How Jan Moved to Florence on the Elective Residency Visa

Is 74 too late to pack up your life and start over in Italy? For Jan Weber, the answer was simple: “If not now, when?” In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas , Shawna sits down with Jan, a retired mortgage broker who left Bainbridge Island, Washington, and moved across the world to start a new chapter in Florence, Italy . At 74 years old. On her own. 🇮🇹 Jan had built a good life in the U.S. But she was healthy, had some savings, lived within her means, and felt like she still had one more adventure in her . Instead of waiting for the “perfect” time, she decided to take the leap. In this episode, Jan shares what the process of retiring in Italy and applying for the Italian Elective Residency Visa actually looked like, from choosing Florence and preparing for her consulate appointment to finding an apartment, learning Italian, making friends, and adjusting to everyday life abroad. We talk about: Why Jan chose Italy over Spain, Portugal, and other destinations What inspired her to move abroad in her 70s How she organized and prepared for her Elective Residency Visa Her experience trying to secure an appointment with the Italian Consulate The documents and apostille process she navigated before applying Why having a step-by-step roadmap made such a difference Finding a long-term apartment in Florence What everyday life in Florence actually looks like Learning Italian in her 70s and immersing herself in the local culture Moving abroad alone and dealing with the fear of loneliness Why she believes there’s never going to be a perfect time to move abroad Jan’s story is a powerful reminder that moving overseas doesn’t have an expiration date. You don’t have to be 25. You don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out. And you don’t have to wait until you feel completely ready. Sometimes you just need the courage to decide that the next chapter of your life is worth pursuing. If you’ve been dreaming about retiring in Italy, moving to Florence, or starting a new life abroad later in life , this episode is for you. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

August 31, 202648 min

How to Move to Mexico: Temporary Residency Visa + Real Expat Story

In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Ashley and Jeff, Move Overseas Now Academy members who left Portland, Oregon and made their dream of living abroad a reality in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For years, living overseas had been on their minds. But after experiencing major life changes, gaining more flexibility through remote work, and realizing that tomorrow isn't guaranteed, they decided it was time to stop waiting. They initially had their sights set on Spain. But after looking at their lifestyle, two senior dogs, aging family members, work situation, and desire to stay relatively close to the U.S., Mexico became the perfect first move abroad. And instead of paying someone thousands to handle everything for them, they navigated much of the process themselves—with the Move Overseas Now Academy helping them understand the steps along the way. In this episode, we talk about: Why they chose Mexico over moving directly to Europe How they applied for Temporary Residency in Mexico The financial requirements they encountered during their application Why they decided to drive from the U.S. to Mexico with their dogs How they approached temporary housing and finding a long-term rental in Puerto Vallarta What happened at their Mexican Consulate appointment in Portland The residency step they almost missed after arriving in Mexico Unexpected fees and paperwork they encountered along the way What it's like continuing to work remotely while living in Mexico How their daily routine has already changed since leaving Oregon Ashley and Jeff also get into something many Americans worry about: Is Mexico actually safe to live in? They share how their experience compares with the fears and warnings they heard before leaving the U.S. Their biggest lesson? You don't need to have the next 20 years figured out. Sometimes you just need to choose your first destination, understand your visa options, get your paperwork together, and start moving forward one step at a time. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

August 31, 202637 min

How to Find Remote and Local Jobs When You Move Abroad with Vanessa Wachtmeister

Want to move abroad but keep getting stuck on one BIG question: “How am I actually going to find a job? In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Wachtmeister , a travel tech professional, angel investor, and the founder of NearFar and Wander Onwards. Originally from Los Angeles, Vanessa is a proud Chicana who has spent the last 13 years living abroad across countries including China, the UK, Turkey, and Germany. Now, she's preparing for her next international chapter in Beijing. Her story is a powerful reminder that moving overseas doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your career or starting from scratch. Vanessa has repeatedly navigated the international job market herself, and now she's helping other people figure out how to build careers that give them the freedom to live abroad. We talk about: How Americans can actually find jobs in Europe How to search for opportunities offering visa sponsorship Why your European CV should look different and why a "boring" CV can actually perform better How applicant tracking systems (ATS) can reject your CV before a human ever sees it How to optimize your CV and LinkedIn for international opportunities What a realistic timeline for finding a job abroad looks like The benefits of working under European labor laws Vanessa also gives us a look inside Nearfar ( https://worknearfar.com/ ) , her new job-tech platform designed to make finding work abroad easier. It brings together 100,000+ fresh monthly job opportunities and helps users identify English-speaking roles, visa sponsorship opportunities, remote jobs, and personalized matches based on their experience and preferred countries. If finding work is the one thing holding you back from moving abroad, this episode is for you. 🎁 SPECIAL OFFER: Get 20% OFF all Nearfar packages with code MOVEOVERSEASNOW at checkout. Connect with Vanessa: https://www.instagram.com/wanderonwards/ https://wanderonwards.co/ ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

August 31, 202630 min

Spain Student Visa Explained: How to Move to Spain Without a Digital Nomad Visa

Thinking about moving to Spain but don't qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa or Non-Lucrative Visa? This episode might completely change how you think about your move abroad. In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Marc Pairó, immigration attorney, partner at ILEI Immigration, and a Barcelona native who has helped thousands of international clients successfully navigate Spain's immigration system. Together, they break down one of the most overlooked pathways to Spain: the Student Visa. Whether you're looking to learn Spanish, complete a master's degree, or simply create a long-term path to residency in Spain, Marc explains why the Student Visa has become one of the most accessible options for Americans who don't meet the financial requirements for other visas. In this episode, you'll learn: Why so many Americans are choosing Spain right now How the Spain Student Visa really works The financial requirements and why they're often lower than other visa options How you can apply while already in Spain The truth about working while on a Student Visa How to transition from a Student Visa to a work permit, self-employed visa (Autónomo), or Job Seeker Visa The biggest mistakes people make when choosing study programs Why patience and adapting to Spanish culture are essential for success Marc also shares valuable insider insights on Spain's immigration system, recent legal changes, and why Americans often struggle with Spain's slower pace and bureaucratic processes. His advice is simple but powerful: slow down, trust the process, and take things one step at a time. If you've been dreaming about living in Spain but thought visas were out of reach, this episode will show you practical pathways that could make your move possible much sooner than you think. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

August 31, 202645 min

Retired at 63… and Moved to Spain in 6 Months: Tim Rowe’s Digital Nomad Visa Story

What if moving abroad didn’t cost $15,000… and you could actually enjoy the process? Today I sit down with Tim Rowe — a 63-year-old entrepreneur from Virginia who made the move to Málaga, Spain on a Digital Nomad Visa in under 6 months after joining the Move Overseas Now Academy. But here’s the twist: Tim didn’t rely on expensive “white glove” relocation services. Instead, he followed a DIY (but guided) approach — saving between $10,000 and $15,000 in the process. We dive into: - How Tim navigated the Digital Nomad Visa step-by-step - The exact documentation process (and how to simplify it) - Why taking one step at a time (one document per week) made everything manageable - How to avoid overspending on lawyers and relocation agencies - Cultural adjustments, language barriers, and real life in Southern Spain - What living in Málaga & Torremolinos is actually like We also go behind the scenes and talk about how Tim’s experience is helping shape the future of the Move Overseas Now Academy — including new ideas like automated checklists and smarter systems to make moving abroad even easier. If you’ve been overwhelmed by the process, worried about the cost, or thinking “I don’t know where to start”… this episode will show you a simpler, smarter way. Because moving abroad doesn’t have to be complicated — or expensive. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠

August 25, 202631 min

Christian Assal Currencies Direct - My Recommended Transfer Company

In this episode, I’m joined by Christian Assal from Currencies Direct , my recommended international money transfer company, to talk about what you need to know when moving money overseas. We discuss how exchange rates and transfer fees can impact the amount you ultimately receive, why using a currency specialist may be different from transferring money through a traditional bank, and how Currencies Direct can help with everything from everyday transfers to larger transactions like moving savings or purchasing property abroad. Christian also shares helpful tips on timing your transfers, planning ahead, and avoiding some of the common mistakes people make when exchanging money internationally. If you’re preparing for a move abroad or know you’ll need to transfer money between countries, this episode will help you better understand your options. 🌍 Get started with Currencies Direct here: http://www.currenciesdirect.com/en/?afflno=0201110000923551&assetid=0000108 ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠ 🙋‍♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠ 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session: ⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠