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International Travel Group Meeting - Sunday August 3rd @ 9:30am Pacific Time

It’s that time again. Every meeting we have two topics, a country, region or city in Europe and a more general topic. I’m always interested to hear any topics you would like to talk about. You can mention them on this post, during the meeting or send me a PM.

Topics for this month:

  • Portugal
  • Have you moved to Europe or are you considering it? What are the pros and cons?

It was decided by the group that we will devote the first hour to the first topic, take a short break and then continue to the second topic. YOU MUST RESPOND EACH MONTH TO THAT MONTHS MEETING POST IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND. If you have attended before I already have your email address. If not, you need to send it to me in a PM. I will not have time to ask you for it if you neglect to do this. The emails with the zoom link will be emailed 1 - 2 hours before the meeting begins. I will post here when I’ve sent them. If you didn’t get it check your junk/spam folder and if it’s not there contact me ASAP. Once the meeting begins I will be unable to do anything.

Every month I get meeting requests from people with 1 post (the one requesting to join) or PM’s from people with 0 posts. We welcome everyone, but without a posting history I am asking you to private message me and tell me a little about yourself and provide your real first name. Please don’t forget to give me your email address in a PM, do not post it on the public forum.

Next meeting: 8/24
This will be the last meeting until 12/7 because I will be traveling in September, October and the first half of November

Posted by
4244 posts

I need to check the time difference carefully but we may be able to make this meeting. Our presence would be very flight and water transportation dependent but send us a link please.

Posted by
35476 posts

It will depend where we are and it is so early in the evening if we are away from home, I hope we can join especially for number two.

Posted by
11217 posts

Toby’s article is interesting and as she says not necessarily how it is in other countries in Europe. It certainly hasn’t been in France, especially for those of us in a French family.

To me this is a preview of what could be a messy topic due to so many different countries and experiences in Europe.

Posted by
16781 posts

Regarding topic 2, moving to one European country is vastly different from moving to another European country, so I agree there is the potential for a messy conversation.

But before you move to Europe remember that you can easily take an American out of America but it will be much more difficult to take America out of an American. I noticed that with my American wives (and other American expats friends and family).

Posted by
11068 posts

I didn’t realize the second topic would be so controversial. My intention was to have a general discussion because some people fantasize about moving out of the U.S. to somewhere in Europe. Knowing the grass isn’t always greener once you get to the other side I hoped that people who made the leap of moving to another country could discuss the pros and cons of such a move.

Posted by
11068 posts

Some of you are making this far more complicated than just a general topic of what expats have found to be the pros and cons of moving to another country. I have no intention of getting into the legal process for each and every country, which are very different from each other. We will discuss things during the meeting, not on this post that is to inform people about the meeting. If you would like to join the meeting to discuss your personal experiences we would welcome your participation.

Posted by
35476 posts

Thanks Andrea - perhaps folks who don't regularly join may not appreciate that we're not an arguing lot, and the announcement post is for signing up and then notes after the meeting.

Thanks for hosting!

Posted by
11068 posts

Nigel, thank you for your clear explanation of what our meetings are about. This is not an argument for why people should or shouldn’t do it, it is just to hear briefly what people have experienced.

Posted by
2261 posts

Nigel, you are a prince. I totally agree with your description. Thank you.

Posted by
614 posts

please add me. I'm also especially interested in #2. I hope I remember to log in as I'll be sitting grandfurs at my daughter's in Seattle so out of my routine.
Cheryl

Posted by
11068 posts

Badger, as I explained on 7/26 this topic is for people to discuss their own experience. Of course every country is different and every person handles things in different ways.

Posted by
192 posts

I won’t be available this Sunday (drat!). Wish I could! I’ll try to plan for 8/24.

Posted by
11068 posts

I just wanted to note that my comment was in response to a post Badger deleted.

Posted by
9475 posts

Maybe I can contribute a bit to both themes. Will take a nap that afternoon so am not so sleepy.

Posted by
11068 posts

Thanks, Jo. We will make it the first topic so you won’t have to stay up too late.

Posted by
9475 posts

I can talk about Portugal too as have walked through it twice walking a Camino.

Posted by
152 posts

Please add me! I'll be looking forward to it.

Posted by
4639 posts

This morning CBS’ Sunday Morning is doing an interview with a couple who retired to Malta. So appropriate for our topic this morning.

Posted by
11068 posts

I’ve just sent the zoom link to your email. If you requested to join and didn’t provide an email I wasn’t able to send it to you. If anyone didn’t receive the email please let me know ASAP. I won’t be able to help you after the meeting begins. I will log in at around 9:15 if anyone wants to join early to chat. See you all soon!

Posted by
391 posts

Sorry that I had to leave at the break. This was a very interesting discussion about moving overseas. Thanks to Andrea and Jim for hosting and to all who offered their insights and questions.

Posted by
35476 posts

Sorry I had to pop out at the break - very long day here, and up very early.

Had a wonderful time. Thanks as always to Jim and Andrea!

I LOVED hearing other perspectives, and about the changing requirements which can affect a life.

Posted by
3794 posts

Andrea, I know you mentioned doing the home exchange topic at the end of this month, but hoping for a different date. Curious about this topic, but we will be getting our youngest settled into her first year of college that day. I won’t be able to join any meetings until December.
And if anyone is interested in the Nomadic lifestyle, several forum members (TexasTravelmom, Mardee), belong to the facebook group Go With Less-Nomadic Life, Early Retirement, Travel Hacking, Housesitting.

Posted by
832 posts

Thank you Andrea & Jim for hosting another enjoyable travel meeting. Always great to connect with fellow Rick Steves' travelers.