When my husband Harry told his friends and family back in D.C. that he was moving from Panama to Paris, he was shocked to be met with true concern…
“Is it safe over there?”
“Aren’t you worried about terrorism?”
“But I hear about bombings or riots over there every year!”
This was, by the way, before the gilets jaunes began ruling Paris streets every Saturday like clockwork.
All we could do was laugh. None of these friends had raised any concern about us living in Panama for a decade… or batted an eye when we traveled to Nicaragua or Colombia… despite the turbulent reputations of these countries over the last century.
Perhaps it’s something to do with proximity. Maybe being in the same hemisphere and same time zone helps to put folks back home at ease.
In any case, here we are, in dangerous, take-your-life-in-your-hands Paris, France, contending with loved ones who continue to question our choices.
Of course, we’re not alone. If you’ve already spoken to your own inner circle about your go-overseas dreams, you’ve likely met with similar attitudes.
Really, there’s no solution other than to be confident in your own choices.
For most of us, that’s easier said than done. But it does help when you can spend time in the company of the right people…
People who are in the same boat as you (also looking to build their own version of a new life overseas)… as well as those who have already made it to the other side and are enthusiastic about sharing their experiences…
How can you connect with those people… sooner rather than later?
At our 2019 Retire Overseas Conference.
Now in its 9th year, this Stateside event—taking place this Sept. 7–10 in Houston, Texas—is especially geared toward readers just starting out on their journeys.
It’s where we gather our normally globally spread team of experts and expats together to:
- Arm you with everything you need to know before you step foot on a plane…
- Help you narrow your options…
- Introduce you to the contacts who can help you move forward…
- Connect you with your fellow adventurers—like-minded friends who understand you and will support you through one of the biggest changes in your life…
If you’re at all interested in joining us—and making this the year you really push ahead with your plan to make your dream of a new life overseas come true—then I encourage you to sign up as soon as possible…
As for those well-meaning friends and family members… they almost always come around. Sometimes literally…
Your new home may just become their favorite vacation spot.
Kat Kalashian
