So… are we moving to Spain now?
We’re in Spain right now on a Turtle Leap, and as the week has progressed, the questions have changed.
At first, they were normal travel questions:
Where should we eat?
What should we see?
What’s the best way to get around?
Then we started hearing different questions:
How much does it cost to live here?
What’s healthcare like?
Could we buy a place?
And that’s when we knew Spain was starting to get into everyone's heads.
When that happens, you’re not just looking at the buildings anymore.
You’re looking at real estate office windows and wondering what houses cost.
You’re not just walking through a neighborhood.
You’re wondering what it would be like to walk through it every morning.
You start noticing grocery stores, pharmacies, public transportation, healthcare clinics… all the boring stuff you completely ignore when you’re on vacation.
That’s one of the things we love most about our Leaps.
They give you enough time in a place to get past the tourist version.
Not enough time to know what it’s really like to live there, of course. That takes much longer.
But enough time to start asking better questions.
Enough time to imagine what normal life might look like.
And sometimes, enough time to start questioning all your life decisions.
Which brings us back to where we started.
“So… are we moving to Spain now?”
Well…
Let’s just say the thought has crossed our minds. 😁
Is Cuenca on Your Expat List?
The Turtle Travel Club's Leap to Cuenca, Ecuador (March 2027) will be open for booking on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Noon Eastern for Lifetime Club Members and Thursday at Noon for everyone else.
If Cuenca is on your list of possible expat destinations, this small group trip (limited to 15 people) will be a great way to give it a test drive without doing it all alone.
Get the Leap Details Here →
Worth Knowing
Thailand Just Cut Visa-Free Stays for Americans in Half
Thailand has reduced visa-free stays for U.S. passport holders from 60 days to 30 days, effective September 15. Americans can still enter without a visa and may be able to extend their stay another 30 days, but the change makes longer stays more complicated for slow travelers and prospective expats. Source & Source
Europe’s New Biometric Border System Is Still Having Problems
Nine European countries have asked for more time to fully implement the EU’s new Entry-Exit System, which records fingerprints and facial images from non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area. Spain has moved ahead with full implementation, while countries including France, Germany, Greece and Italy continue dealing with technical and logistical problems that have contributed to long border queues. Source
More Americans Are Buying Homes in Paris, and Staying
Americans are becoming a bigger presence in the Paris housing market, and many aren’t just buying vacation homes. Applications by Americans for French residency permits rose 17.3% in 2025, while U.S. buyers have become some of the biggest foreign purchasers of Paris real estate with an average budget around €825,000. Source
Working Abroad? Your U.S. Paycheck Could Get Complicated
Keeping your U.S. job while moving overseas can create unexpected tax and payroll headaches. Where you live and work can affect income taxes, state residency, Social Security contributions and withholding. Source
6 Caribbean Countries Offering Americans a Path to a New Life
Dreaming of trading winter for an island lifestyle? Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada and St. Lucia all offer ways for Americans to establish longer-term residency, with some also providing potential paths to citizenship through investment or other programs. Source
That's all for now. Let me know if you have any questions or comments by replying to this email.
¡Chao!
JP (Amelia Says Hola)
AmeliaAndJP.com
P.S. Remember to check out the Leap to Cuenca. We expect this one to sell out quickly and Lifetime Members get early access for 24 hours. Leap Details | Join the Club