We moved to Japan 3 years ago. We have a lower cost of living and travel more.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Wide angle view of quay and downtown buildings in port of Kobe city, Japan
The author and her family moved from New Zealand to Kobe, Japan three years ago and have settled into their new life nicely.

Sergey Alimov/Getty Images

Moving to Japan at 22 helped my depression. At 31, I don't know where I belong.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Environment
Friends at a bar having beer in Japan.
Laura Pollacco's original plan was to teach in Japan for two years; plans change.

Provided by Laura Pollacco

I've lived abroad for 8 years, and now too many places feel like home

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Environment
A woman posing with the National Congress building in Brasilia, Brazil, in the background.
Amanda Molenaar spent most of her 20s and 30s living abroad; now she finds it hard to answer where home is.

Provided by Amanda Molenaar

When raising my newborn in New York City became too difficult, I took an extended parental leave and moved to Berlin

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Danielle Elliot and her baby in europe
The author moved abroad shortly after her baby was born.

Courtesy of Danielle Elliot

After years abroad, they retired in Thailand instead of returning to the US. They pay $870 for a 3-bedroom.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A couple posing on the beach in Hua Hin, Thailand.
After living abroad for eight years, Kevin Elliott and his wife, Camille, decided to retire in Thailand rather than return to the US.

Provided by Kevin Elliott.

I left the US to retire in Mexico at 50. My first year of mistakes and surprise expenses taught me what it really takes to live abroad.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
Woman posing below arch on pier
Living abroad in Mexico has come with many challenges, but I'm glad I retired early and made the jump.

Ivy Ge

We left Texas for a year in Spain. After 3 countries and 3 school systems, we found where we belong.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A man wearing a bike helmet bike riding in Spain.
Victor Trac left Texas to spend a year in Spain with his family; they ended up settling in a new US city.

Provided by Victor Trac

My 70-year-old mom moved abroad with my family. Less than 6 months later, she returned to the US without us.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Rebecca Cretella's mother and sons at the airport
My mom spent six months in Spain before deciding to return to the US.

Rebecca Cretella

I moved to California with my family for a better life. Moving back to Berlin was the real fresh start.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A woman in a black long-sleeved top and jeans leaning against a wall.
Ruth Barry and her husband moved to California to be close to his family, then decided to go back to Germany.

Robert Rieger

I've lived in Spain for 7 years now. My daily schedule and social life are so different from what they were in the US.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman smiling, posing in front of blue door on white building
When I moved from the United States to Spain, many parts of my daily schedule and social life changed so much.

Kiersten Brown

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