124: How I Actually Moved Abroad (My Story)
My Move Abroad Story: How I Moved from Texas to London
Many people ask how I actually moved abroad. The truth is that my move abroad story didn’t start with a perfect plan. It started with curiosity, a study abroad trip, and a feeling that I needed to try living overseas.
Today I live in London and I’m applying for permanent residency. Looking back, moving abroad is easily the best decision I’ve ever made. But the path to get here wasn’t straightforward.
In this post, I’m sharing my move abroad story and the key moments that pushed me to take the leap.
How My Move Abroad Story Began
My move abroad story really started in 2017.
I grew up in Austin, Texas. My family didn’t travel internationally when I was younger, and no one in my family even had a passport. Living abroad wasn’t something I had ever considered.
Then one of my close friends studied abroad in Spain. She showed me photos and talked about her experience. That’s when I started thinking, if she can do it, maybe I can too.
Not long after that, I joined a study abroad program that took us to seven European countries in 28 days. The first stop was London.
We only stayed for five days, but those five days changed everything. I remember texting a friend and saying, “I’m going to move to London someday.”
At the time, I didn’t think it would actually happen.
But that was the beginning of my move abroad story.
When I Couldn’t Stop Thinking About Moving Abroad
After returning to Texas and finishing my degree, I couldn’t stop thinking about London.
Throughout 2018, I kept bringing up moving abroad in conversations. I talked about it with friends, family, and even strangers.
At the time, I didn’t realize it, but I think I was slowly preparing myself emotionally for the idea of living abroad.
If you’re constantly thinking about moving abroad, you’re not alone. That’s often one of the first signs that the idea is becoming more real.
The Job Offer That Changed Everything
In 2019, I was about to graduate with my master’s degree. Everyone around me was getting job offers and planning their next steps.
I didn’t have a job yet, and nothing I saw felt exciting.
Then an advertising agency in Houston offered me a position.
Most people would have celebrated. Instead, I stepped outside my class and started crying.
In that moment, I realized something very clearly: if I accepted the job, I might never try living abroad.
That realization was one of the biggest turning points in my move abroad story.
The Conversation That Helped Me Decide
Around the same time, I spoke with a woman who had once moved from Texas to London.
She told me about her life and how she had always wanted to live abroad but delayed it for years.
Listening to her story made something click.
I realized I was standing at a crossroads. One path was predictable: stay in Texas, take the job, and build a traditional life there.
The other path was uncertain but exciting: move abroad and see where life took me.
That conversation helped me realize which path I wanted to try.
My First Opportunity to Move Abroad
Eventually, I found a short-term program that allowed me to work in the UK for three months.
The job was in Brighton, a coastal city about an hour from London.
Even though it wasn’t exactly what I had imagined, it gave me the chance to get my foot in the door.
Those three months changed everything. I fell in love with life in the UK and knew I wanted to stay longer.
From there, I started networking, reaching out to people on LinkedIn, and talking to anyone who might have connections.
One conversation eventually led to a job opportunity in London.
That job allowed me to stay and build my life here.
Where My Move Abroad Story Is Today
Today, I’m still living in London.
I’ve built a career, friendships, and a life here that I never imagined when I first visited Europe in 2017.
I’m now applying for permanent residency, and soon I’ll also be eligible for British citizenship.
Moving abroad didn’t solve every problem, but it opened doors that I never knew existed.
It gave me new opportunities, new experiences, and a broader view of the world.
Why I Started the Move Abroad Podcast
I started the Move Abroad podcast because I remember how overwhelming the process felt.
When I first started researching how to move abroad, I felt completely lost. There were endless visa options, confusing information online, and no clear path.
I wished someone had explained the process step by step.
That’s why I now share resources, stories, and practical advice to help others make moving abroad possible.
Final Thoughts
Everyone’s move abroad story is different.
Some people move abroad for work. Others move for relationships, education, retirement, or adventure.
But if you’ve been thinking about living abroad and wondering whether it’s possible for you, I want you to know something important.
I’m not special.
If I could figure it out, you can too.
Sometimes the biggest step is simply deciding to try.
If you’re not sure where to even start—what countries or cities to visit—take my free quiz:
👉 Which European City Should You Move To?
Turn your plan to move abroad into a clear path. Learn how to choose the right European destination and build a realistic timeline for your move.
Start here:
👉 Episode 56: How to Choose the Perfect European Destination for Your Move
