James and Debbie Moreno have lived in California for their entire lives, raising children and running their own businesses. In 2019, they embarked on a journey to a new chapter in their lives, moving to Barcelona, Spain. They were met with several reactions when they shared their plans with friends and family including intrigue, shock, disbelief, curiosity, and a host of other acronyms. But there was one common response…a desire to follow their journey. Thus, An Expat’s Journey was born.
In addition to sharing their journey and communicating with loved-ones, Debbie saw an opportunity to help other soon-to-be expats navigate their own journey. And, although the Covid-19 pandemic delayed their move, it also allowed them to learn more about what is involved in such a process. Debbie will be sharing everything she has learned so far, including mistakes to avoid, and will continue to share future experiences to help others learn what to expect throughout the process.
“When you vacation, you see and experience things for a quick moment in time. I want to be able to become a part of that culture. My dream is to see the world and immerse myself in another culture and I hope that our journey will inspire anyone who has ever dreamed of living abroad.”
The Morenos are set to arrive in Barcelona in March 2022 and Debbie says it’s just the first stop for them, adding: “I am not sure how long we will be in any one place or how that will play out – which is the beauty of this plan. The goal is to stay light and open to whatever opportunities come our way. Live in the moment and let your heart lead.”