- Shawna Lum, 31, knew that the American obsession with climbing the career scale was not for him.
- In 2016, Lum moved to Spain to escape the mouse race and carve its way.
- In Spain, she is happier, spends less money on shelter and has started her business.
This essay as strong is based on a conversation with Shawna Lum, a 31-year-old from Los Angeles who moved to Spain in 2016. She founded Move overseas nowA company that helps people move to Europe and Latin America. The conversation is edited for length and clarity.
I’m originally from Los Angeles but I went to Washington State University. In 2015, I moved to Spain for a semester to study abroad, and this experience completely changed me.
During my six months in Spain, I fell in love with Europe. The ability to travel so easily-like catching a round trip from Bilbao, the city in northern Spain, where I lived, in Amsterdam for just $ 80 or London for $ 100-it is extraordinary.
Moreover, my community and social life were amazing. Going out for Tapas, enjoying a glass of wine and eating a meal was so affordable compared to SH.BA I also loved the walking culture; There is no need for a car. This is something I never realized that I was missing while I lived there.
Happy, the center and her family in Barcelona. Courtesy and shawna river
After my studies in Spain, I returned to SH.BA and worked in corporate work for about a year and a half, first in Texas, then to Agoikago and Luiziana. Throughout that time, I could not shake the memory of my time in Spain.
The typical American Dreamrra was not resonating with me – the “checklist” to get a corporate job, savings for a home and get married. I asked myself, “Why should I follow this path?”
I moved to Europe and agreed with some US life’s downs
At the end of 2016, I moved to Spain and since then I lived here.
When I first moved here, visa options were limited. There are now much more, like Nomad’s digital visas and passive income visas for retirees. At that time, a student visa was my best option.
Although I didn’t want to go back to school, I decided to attend a master’s degree in venture and innovation in Barcelona. After finishing the rank, I continued to renew my visa.
On the way, I began to do the side and diving into digital marketing. Eventually I realized that I didn’t need to work for others and started an online design agency.
River traveled to Lake Como in Italy. Courtesy of shawna river
In 2021, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer in Phase 4, so I returned to Los Angeles to take care of him. He passed away immediately after.
As I was saddened, I was also frustrated for life in the US Return to States was a harsh adjustment. I began to notice toxic culture – people seemed unhappy with their lives, and many of my high school friends were antidepressants. It also felt like everything revolved around money, even health care.
I lacked the feeling of connection and community I had experienced in Spain. Living abroad showed me that life could be different – stress levels and division between work and home were much more balanced.
I felt like many people could resonate with my reasoning. So when I returned to Spain, I started moving overseas now, a business that helps others make their moves.
I help other people move abroad
As a displacement coach, I help people move permanently to Europe and Latin America through online master classes depicting the steps.
Most people enrolling in my courses are 35 years old and older with careers located, independent or working on a 1099.
Possible option is a big reason my customers move abroad, especially fixed retirees. Many find that in countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama, they can live quietly in their social security control – something that is not possible for them in Sh.ba.
Blessed by snatching a coffee in Spain. Courtesy of shawna river
In Spain, you can rent a nice bedroom in a medium city for about $ 650 to $ 980 a month or under $ 1,300 in large cities. In Panama, some of my customers live in beautiful condos just steps from the sea with two balconies and air conditioning in a friendly community for about $ 900 a month. Private health care is also a player: many clients only pay $ 80 to $ 200 per month for coverage, without copies or discounts.
Spending less on housing, health care and daily expenses, they experience more freedom, less stress and a better quality of life – the things they think are out of opportunity at the SH.BA
I don’t see myself ever living in the SH.BA
I feel like my life has improved living abroad.
I always felt different in the SH.BA, how I didn’t get inside. Everything has fallen in Europe. I married my husband, who has a permanent residence in Spain. Through him, he gave me a partnership visa, also known as a family reunification visa.
During Covid, we lived in the guest house of a friend in France for about five months. We also spent six months as a digital nomad in Asia, living in Thailand, Nepal and mainly in India. In general, it was an extraordinary trip.
For now, we are renting a double one bedroom, a bathroom with a bathroom, just outside the city center of Barcelona for 300 euros, or about 314 dollars, a month. We got a big thing because we know the owner. We are planning to buy a home eventually, so for now, we are focused on saving this.
Happy and her husband on their wedding day. Courtesy of shawna river
Living abroad makes me feel cheaper. The weather, greenery and greatest safety as a woman are all amazing. I also feel better spiritually because interactions feel less competitive and transactional. I am really allowed to slow down and give myself more grace.
I do not see myself returning to the SH.BA – at least not willingly unless it is for an event, like a funeral, or take care of something serious for a few weeks.