Category Archives: The Move

Another Bureaucratic Update: The Waiting Worked!

For those of you who’ve been following along, lighting candles, sacrificing toner cartridges, or simply shaking your heads knowingly, I’m happy to report a small but meaningful victory in our ongoing Social Security saga. Kristie’s account is now showing as ACTIVE. No fanfare or trumpet blast, just a quiet status change on a website. Which,Continue reading “Another Bureaucratic Update: The Waiting Worked!”

Bureaucratic Update: We Have (Partial) Lift-off

For those of you who have been following along (and possibly lighting candles for us), a quick update on our Social Security Suspension Saga. After a full 90 minutes of redialing, followed by five minutes of actual ringing (during which I refused to hang up on principle), I finally reached a human being at theContinue reading “Bureaucratic Update: We Have (Partial) Lift-off”

Suspended in Bureaucracy: Our Social Security Saga from Abroad

When you move abroad, you expect some red tape. Visas, taxes, and bank accounts are the standard dragon quests of expat life. But once you’re settled in, you’d think the basics would stay … well, basic. Kristie and I made that exact assumption when we moved, confident that our previous experience had prepared us. AfterContinue reading “Suspended in Bureaucracy: Our Social Security Saga from Abroad”

Cheese Expectations: Spain’s Dairy Overachievers

Let’s get one thing out of the way: I lived in Portugal for years, and I love Portuguese cheese. I do. From the soft and runny decadence of Serra da Estrela, to the salty firmness of São Jorge, to those lightly aged sheep cheeses that land somewhere between a custard and a dream, there’s someContinue reading “Cheese Expectations: Spain’s Dairy Overachievers”

Southern Soul: Why Italian Food Feels So at Home in Valencia

In my last post, I shared some of our early food discoveries in Valencia. Where to go for paella, tapas, tacos, and even a sushi place with go-go dancers. (Yes, really. If you missed that, it’s worth a scroll back just for the video.) But there was one category where I intentionally held back: ItalianContinue reading “Southern Soul: Why Italian Food Feels So at Home in Valencia”

Tapas, Tacos, and Toothpicks: Our First Food Finds in Valencia

When you move to a new city, your first impressions often come on a plate. It’s still early days, but we’ve already begun building a shortlist of favorite restaurants here in Valencia. And like any good list, it starts with the local hero. In this case, it’s paella. We’re in the land of paella. ValenciaContinue reading “Tapas, Tacos, and Toothpicks: Our First Food Finds in Valencia”

Early Days in Valencia: Finding Our Way

We’ve arrived. Not just physically, although yes, we did literally arrive in Valencia with all the requisite suitcases, boxes, and a surprisingly non-judgmental cat. We’ve also arrived mentally and emotionally. Having visited Valencia before, we had pretty high hopes that we’d feel comfortable here. And I’m happy to report  we were right. It’s like slippingContinue reading “Early Days in Valencia: Finding Our Way”

Bureaucratic Adventures (But Made Surprisingly Efficient)

Now that the moving portion of the adventure is more or less complete, it’s time to start examining life in Valencia! If you’ve ever moved countries, you probably carry a certain emotional scar tissue, inflicted not by the packing, not by the flights, but by the paperwork. Forms you didn’t know existed. Appointments that needContinue reading “Bureaucratic Adventures (But Made Surprisingly Efficient)”

Unburying, Unboxing, and Unpacking the Madness

There’s something oddly archaeological about unpacking after an international move. It’s like excavating the ruins of a long-lost civilization. In this case, though, the ruins are your own belongings, mummified in bubble wrap and cardboard, and labeled with cryptic runes like “Ornaments” or “Decorations.” Armed with box cutters and a cautious sense of optimism, KristieContinue reading “Unburying, Unboxing, and Unpacking the Madness”

Delivery Day: Stair Drama, Missing Boxes, and a Cat on Patrol

We skipped our last glorious breakfast at the Only You August 4th because the movers were scheduled for 8:00 AM. This was a mistake. At 10:00, two guys finally rolled up… and immediately went for a half-hour coffee break. Not exactly the high-energy start I’d imagined. Only two movers? For 222 total items, including furniture?Continue reading “Delivery Day: Stair Drama, Missing Boxes, and a Cat on Patrol”