Moving Abroad Isn’t About Finding Perfection

Community, beauty, or culture—what would you move for?

DAILY POSTCARD  | FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 Dear International Living reader, Some people move for history and culture, others for lifestyle and financial advantages…  Sometimes it's forever, and other times it's just one small part of your story…  Whatever the reason, you can be sure that no place is perfect. But sometimes you've just got to figure out your "why". Leena Horner and her sister did and now they live on opposite sides of the world… P.S. Today's your final chance to pick up a FREE copy of our special report, The World's Best Secret Islands: Crowd-Free Beaches and Off-the-Radar Seaside Towns… on Unspoiled Islands in Europe, the Caribbean and Beyond. Find out how to get your copy here. Why Greece Called Me… and Ecuador Called My Sister By Leena Horner Four years ago, my husband and I sold our house, packed what remained into a 5x5 storage unit, and moved to Greece. We didn't know if it would be forever, just that we were ready for change. He had visited Corfu, fallen in love, and come back with that unmistakable gleam in his eye: this is the place. I trusted him, but told myself, "If it doesn't work out, the world is wide. We can always try somewhere else". Leena and her sister, Mona, at the vibrant Mindo sign in Ecuador. © Vijay Raju That first year was a test of patience. We cycled through short-term rentals, faced piles of paperwork, and lived without many of the belongings that usually make a house feel like home. For months, I wondered if I would ever feel rooted. But slowly, I settled in. The olive groves became familiar. Neighbors greeted us with warmth. Expats who had once been strangers became friends. And eventually, Greece wasn't just the place we had chosen—it was home. This past August, though, Corfu's summer heat drove me across the Atlantic to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Cotacachi, Ecuador. They had made their own leap two years earlier, but for different reasons. They wanted a country in the same time zone as the US, with easy flights to see children in Boston and Austin. My brother-in-law still traveled frequently for work, so proximity to an international airport was essential. Ecuador offered all that—and more: a low cost of living, a welcoming expat community, and a climate that seemed almost miraculous. Cotacachi sits in the Andean highlands, where the temperature rarely strays far from the low 70s F by day and the 50s F at night. My sister's home has neither heating nor air conditioning. Windows open and close depending on the weather, and nature takes care of the rest. After sweating through Corfu's August humidity, stepping into this eternal spring felt like heaven. I spent my days walking through town, where every passerby greeted me with buenos días. I joined my sister on a horseback retreat, explored the lush cloud forest near Mindo. The highlight, though, was stepping into the heart of Ecuadorian culture. At a local seed festival, Indigenous communities displayed not only seeds but music, crafts, and food—an entire celebration of heritage and earth. One evening, we were welcomed into the home of Claudia, an Indigenous woman who offers traditional cooking classes. She prepared a feast while her husband and friends played music, and we all danced together in her living room.  Greece and Ecuador, Side by Side Mona and Leena enjoying Lago San Pablo's beauty in the Ecuadorian highlands. © Vijay Raju Travel always brings comparisons. Ecuador charmed me—the friendliness of the people, the beauty of the landscapes, the depth of tradition. But I couldn't help stacking it against the life I've built in Greece. Ecuador has eternal spring; Greece has seasons. Mild though they are, I like watching the year turn—the orange blossoms of spring, the golden light of autumn, even the rare winter frost that makes the hills sparkle. Ecuador has Indigenous festivals and Andean music; Greece has ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and village feasts where locals dance to bouzouki well into the night. Ecuador gives my sister proximity to her children in the US; Greece places me close to the rest of Europe, where Paris, Rome, and someday even the Northern Lights are just a short flight away. And then there's safety. My sister's home is surrounded by a tall wall topped with shards of glass. Bars cover the windows. Two German Shepherd puppies are being trained not only as companions but as guard dogs. None of this felt ominous—life there is vibrant and peaceful—but it is part of the reality. In Greece, by contrast, we often forget to lock our door at night. Crime is rare, and I sleep with a light heart. That sense of security is one of the quiet gifts I didn't know I valued until I saw the difference. Why We Leap Standing on the middle of the world at the Intiñan Equator Museum. Perhaps the most striking part of my Ecuador visit was the realization that my sister and I had both done it—we had both taken the leap so many people only dream about. At conferences with would-be expats, I've met countless people who hesitate. They want adventure, lower costs, or warmer climates, but fear holds them back. Family ties, uncertainty, or simply the overwhelming number of choices can keep dreams in the realm of imagination. Why, then, did my sister and I jump? I think it comes back to our childhood. Our father worked for AT&T, and every promotion meant a new town. By the time I was 16, we had moved from Iowa to Texas. It was a difficult age to uproot, but it taught us adaptability. Moving became less of a fear and more of a skill. For people who have lived in one place their entire lives, I understand how daunting the idea of uprooting must feel. For us, it felt almost natural. Living abroad has taught me that no place is perfect. Greece has bureaucracy and humidity. Ecuador has security concerns. The US has high costs and its own brand of stress. But each place also has its gifts: Greece gives me community, beauty, and history; Ecuador gives my sister climate, connection, and culture. The grass isn't greener anywhere. It's just different shades of green. So if you dream of moving abroad, my advice is this: do your scouting trips, yes—but don't overthink it forever. If a place lights you up, if it feels like somewhere you could live fully, take the leap. My sister knew the moment she landed in Ecuador. My husband knew when he first set foot in Corfu. And eventually, I knew too. Because moving abroad isn't about finding perfection. It's about finding the place where you feel most alive. For me, that place is Greece. For my sister, it's Ecuador. And both of us discovered that home is not a fixed address—it's where you finally live your dream. Editor's Note: In The World's Best Secret Islands we've gathered our best, most in-depth information on over 50 of the world's most desirable, overlooked island escapes—it's your one-stop-shop for island living. And you can get a copy for FREE when you become an International Living member here before midnight tonight. Recommended Resource: The Tourist-Free Caribbean Island Do you want to explore the little-known, unique islands…? Inside, our unique travel book: The World's Best Secret Islands. Learn how to grab your free copy with this special deal.     Why More Americans Are Finding Freedom in Albania By International Living Inbox too crowded? Don't worry—if you can't keep up with our International Living Postcards every day, click here to switch to the Weekly Best of IL Postcards instead. If you no longer wish to receive IL Postcards, click here to unsubscribe. 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