"Experience of a U.S. couple: Moving to Spain equates to exiting a tumultuous union, offering a mix of hardship and delight"
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After calling it quits with the United States in 2022, Laura Hamlin and her husband Allan Amer describe their move to Spain as leaving a "toxic relationship." Hailing from New York but previously living in New Jersey and Florida, Laura struggled to feel at home due to the increasing divisiveness of the political landscape.
"I was waiting for America to feel like it used to. It was like staying in a relationship that you know is bad. You keep hoping for better, but it's never there," Laura explains to CNN Travel.
Laura, who previously worked in real estate, and Allan, together for 27 years, opted for a few years of traveling in a campervan before deciding to settle in Spain. However, their journey hasn't been smooth-sailing, as they were forced to return to the US just six months after moving due to an unfortunate accident.
"Life's been a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs," says Laura. Reflecting on their decision to leave Florida, Laura mentions feeling uneasy amidst the polarized political climate. "People were very opinionated and held nasty signs... We just couldn't find a place that felt like home."
Eventually choosing Spain due to positive experiences during past visits, the couple began the tedious process of applying for a non-lucrative visa, allowing non-EU nationals to live in Spain without working as long as they could support themselves financially.
Upon arrival in Spain, Laura and Allan quickly adapted to their new life and were thrilled to be fulfilling their dream. "Our first few months were exciting. I couldn't believe we really did it," says Laura. Once settled, they embarked on numerous trips, exploring as many regions as possible.
Their blissful life took a turn for the dramatic when Allan tripped in a grocery store, incurring kidney damage and six broken ribs around four months after their arrival. Despite having purchased private Spanish medical insurance, the couple discovered that they weren't initially covered due to a stipulation regarding use within six or eight months of being in the country.
"We didn't anticipate paperwork and bureaucracy would consume our time," Laura admits. "But by that point, we felt relief to finally escape the political chaos in Florida."
While the couple encountered obstacles along the way, Laura and Allan remain dedicated to exploring Spain and embracing their new lives, focusing on the joys of travel, stunning landscapes, and cheap wine. They've even learned to appreciate the Spanish siesta, as it aligns with their preferred lazy afternoons after exercise.
However, they admit that learning Spanish has been challenging, with their attempts at in-person classes falling short due to their limited language skills. Nevertheless, they continue to persevere, tackling online classes and Spanish apps to improve their language abilities.
"Living in Spain has been an adventure, and we wouldn't trade it for anything," says Allan. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have Laura by my side, guiding me through every challenge."
- Laura, sharing her feelings with CNN Travel, compares leaving the United States in 2022 to escaping a toxic relationship, citing the increasing divisiveness of the political landscape as her main concern.
- In 2022, after opting for a few years of traveling in a campervan, Laura and her husband Allan moved to Spain, but returned to the US six months later due to an unfortunate accident.
- Despite obstacles such as learning Spanish and dealing with bureaucracy, Laura and Allan are dedicated to exploring Spain and embracing their new lives, finding joy in travel, stunning landscapes, and cheap wine.
