Yolanda Reshemah, host of The Places We Call Home Podcast, joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about building authentic community when you move abroad. Yolanda's expat journey began at just 10 years old when she moved from the Caribbean to the UK, and she's since lived in France and the USA. She shares how each move shaped her identity — from discovering Parisian culture to navigating reverse culture shock — and why feeling at home starts with knowing yourself.

Carlie and Yolanda dig into why shared expat status isn't enough to build lasting friendships, and how Yolanda sought deeper connections through volunteering, classes at Berkeley, and being intentional about what she needs. They also swap stories about cultural quirks in the US, from California's yoga-outfit uniform to the phenomenon of "flaking," and discuss what it really means to thrive rather than just settle in a new country.

#ExpatLife #ExpatCommunity #MovingAbroad #LivingInUSA #BuildingCommunity

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00:00 Yolanda's Expat Journey

01:25 Caribbean to UK at 10

02:42 Finding Parisian Community

04:13 Reverse Culture Shock

04:41 Tourist to Local Mindset

05:43 How Early Moves Shape You

08:09 Lessons on Slowing Down

09:41 Starting Her Podcast

12:23 A Process for Belonging

13:47 What Feeds and Anchors You

18:39 Building Lasting Friendships

22:15 Beyond Expat Friend Groups

24:48 US Culture Quirks

29:32 Where Home Is Next

31:19 Find Yolanda Online

32:36 Final Thoughts

🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/international/podcast/the-secret-to-expat-happiness-building-friendships-abroad

📝 Show Notes

The Places We Call Home Podcast – https://theplaceswecallhome.com/

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Relocation and lifestyle consultant Laura Poggioli joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about what it really takes to settle into life abroad. Laura is the founder of La Relocation Group, which operates across Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, and soon Dubai. After relocating more than 108 people around the world in her previous corporate role, she recognised that traditional relocation support was missing something crucial — ongoing lifestyle assistance that goes far beyond the typical checklist of finding a house and a school.

From navigating building rules and recycling systems to finding a dog sitter, language classes, or a French-speaking ballet companion, Laura explains how her team helps expats handle the everyday things that can become overwhelming in an unfamiliar environment. Carlie and Laura swap stories about the unwritten rules of apartment living in Europe, the culture shock of adjusting to narrow Swiss mountain roads, and Laura's philosophy of "expat aptitude" — an open mindset that lets you accept a new culture without judging it, while also knowing it's okay to admit a country isn't the right fit and make a Plan B.

If you're preparing for a move abroad or already living in a new country and feeling the strain of adjusting, this episode is full of practical perspective on how to find your comfort zone again — and why the small things matter more than you think.

#ExpatLife #Relocation #LivingAbroad #ExpatMindset #CultureShock #MovingAbroad

👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com

00:00 Welcome

01:02 Why Laura Started La Relocation

02:14 Beyond the Checklist Support

05:53 Community and Expat Mindset

08:03 Building Lifestyle Services

13:14 House Rules and Recycling Culture

18:18 Integration and Family Pressure

19:40 Solving Problems and Bureaucracy

22:51 Emotional Support and Referrals

27:25 Keys to Living Well Abroad

30:32 Where to Find La Relocation

31:34 Wrap Up

🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/international/podcast/how-to-really-feel-at-home-in-a-new-country-tips-from-a-lifestyle-consultant

📝 Show Notes

La Relocation Group website –http://larelocationgroup.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=expat-focus

La Relocation Group Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/larelocationgroup

La Relocation Group Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576952125116

La Relocation Group LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/larelocation/

Laura Poggioli LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurapoggiolimaraniello/

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Susana Yang, founder and CEO of The Golden Portugal, joins the Expat Focus Podcast to talk about moving to and retiring in Portugal. Originally from Hong Kong, Susana moved to Portugal in 2018 and founded her immigration agency after a frustrating experience with local legal services. She breaks down the three main visa routes — the D7 passive income visa for retirees, the D8 digital nomad visa and the D2 entrepreneurial visa — and explains the income and savings requirements, realistic cost of living, rental market challenges, healthcare access, and why buying property might be a simpler route for some.

Susana also dives into Portugal's Golden Visa programme, the step-by-step visa application timeline, and a looming citizenship law change that could double the residency requirement from five to 10 years. Her advice for anyone already in Portugal: apply for citizenship now, even if you haven't hit the five-year mark, because processing times mean the current rules may still apply to your case. If you're considering Portugal for retirement, remote work or simply a better quality of life, this episode is packed with practical guidance on what to expect.

#ExpatLife #MoveToPortugal #PortugalExpats #RetireInPortugal #D7Visa #GoldenVisa

👉 Visit Expat Focus at https://www.expatfocus.com

00:00 Portugal Retirement Boom

00:45 Founding The Golden Portugal

02:37 Service Culture Shock

03:38 Why Move to Portugal

04:23 Who Uses Which Visas

04:59 D7 D8 D2 Explained

06:17 D7 Income Requirements

07:39 Realistic Living Costs

09:44 Rent Pressures and Co-Living

11:12 Healthcare for Residents

12:43 Visa Steps and Timelines

15:03 DIY vs Using an Agency

17:13 D7 Permit Timeline

18:27 Citizenship Rule Changes

20:23 Apply Now Strategy

21:58 Renting Reality Check

23:26 Finding Rentals and Fees

25:44 Buying Property Instead

26:57 D7 Stay Requirements

29:37 Golden Visa Explained

31:53 Why Portugal and Wrap Up

🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.expatfocus.com/portugal/podcast/moving-to-portugal-visas-costs-and-a-citizenship-deadline-you-need-to-know

📝 Show Notes

The Golden Portugal – https://www.thegoldenportugal.com/

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