After 13 Years of Living Abroad, I Moved Back to the USA

One or two of your videos helped me to begin traveling after my wife died. I remember you walking around a city in France and then walking around Santa Margherita Ligure, and the vulnerability you showed, combined with a sense of bravery, on the streets in your walk, helped me to develop a style of travel that includes those elements. Thanks, Laura.

My husband and I returned to the US in 2009 after 9 years working and living in multiple African countries. For that whole time, our African lives defined who we were to ourselves and others and we had no intentions of ever going back to the US. But life happened and we did return - it took awhile to get our bearings and find our new “tribe”who understood and accepted us since our life experiences were so different. And to figure out that we were more than just our preconceived notion of ourselves. But oh boy, the culture shock! It was much harder to move to Boston in the winter after 9 years on the equator than to move to Cairo at the start of our journey! And yet,no regrets- particularly the time we were able to spend with family and life long friends at truly meaningful points in all of our lives. And,when we were ready to move out of the US again, we did not hesitate - no fear of the unknown – just excitement! Thanks for all of your great videos, particularly in Mexico – our new homebase!

Being able to communicate is so very important in daily needs. Never ever doubt your needs personal, financial or emotional. Only you know what this feels like. Nobody is promised tomorrow will be there for you so take every road you are comfortable with and live your today !! Laura, honey, I had a small stroke this weekend, called a TIA right back to normal thank god, go where you want, where you can afford, where you can communicate and do not stop being happy girl. Please listen to experience.

Hi Laura. At 67 and recently retired (after working for 52 years), I am seriously contemplating moving overseas soon. I thank you for your videos, they are an inspiration for my future in Thailand. 🙏 Wish you the best!

I am an American who has been living abroad (Mainly in Mexico and China). And in about 2 months I’ll be returning to the US. No country is perfect and I feel at home in the US. The US has its problems like every country but it’s still my home and I love and miss the US

Aww... I'm so NOT disappointed in you. Welcome to the PNW. I hope you find your people. Nothing is forever. Everything you stated was well said - and relatable.

I was born in the UK...lived there (Harrow) until 16. Then my family moved to the Seattle area (Fox Island) where I lived for 45 yrs. The weather started becoming an issue for me, so I moved solo to Mexico in 2018 in search of sun. As someone else said...nothing is forever...things change...people change. Good luck in the PNW.

I have always loved your videos. I feel as if I could be sitting or walking with you. As a previous response had said, Your videos are very authentic and not rushed tourist videos. Constantly smiling is not authentic to me. Welcome back !

You have been an inspiration all these years and I don’t believe anyone would be disappointed in you for changing your pace of life. I lived in Greece for one year, the best year of my life. I would be there today were it not for the struggle to understand and be understood when trying to get around town, just as you described. I chuckled out loud with you, though, when you said you moved here to slow down! Keep doing what gives you joy.

I really appreciate your taking the time to give us a personal update. I know you don't know us but as we watch you over the years we feel like we get to know you and as odd as it sounds you feel like a friend. As we watch we root for you and hope you're enjoying your life because we're enjoying being along for the ride. Your videos have always been so chill and non hyped. Explore the northwest. There's a lot to like about it. You're living your life how it unfolds for you. For me at least I watch in part for the travel information but also to see how someone can live life differently than I have/do. Keep doing you. Thanks for bringing us along.

Welcome home. The USA is so HUGE! You will not get bored.

We've missed you a lot. Thank God you are both well and returned to YouTube. Welcome back!

You are one reasons my wife and move to Mexico for 16 months. We lived in Mexico City for one year and four months in Puebla. We are now back in Texas. Thanks for sharing your life with us. God bless your new season.

I loved this more personal video! Thanks so much for sharing it, Laura!

Nice reflective video. Thanks for catching us up. -Marc

Hi Laura - After watching your video I felt sad about the anxiety and stress you've been experiencing since you moved back to the US last November because you felt like you failed or that you were going to disappoint your subscribers. You are such a special young woman and what you and Luke have been doing for the past 13 years takes so much courage and an adventurous spirit...you've done and experienced more than most of us will in a lifetime. You've taken us to places we never knew existed or ever thought was possible. You've quelled our fears of traveling to foreign lands. To hear you share all of the challenges you've encountered and how being back in the States where you can take a mental break and experience ease when interacting with others was surprising and eye-opening...you speak the Spanish language so beautifully; I was surprised about how much work it has been for you to communicate in languages other than your native language on a daily basis. I hope that you will continue creating content, you're a gifted storyteller with a sweet and calming voice. You make every place you visit sound idyllic and charming, and the best place in the world to be in the moment. After watching your Baja videos, Tim and I purchased your guidebook and visited San Jose del Cabo several times, along with Todos Santos, and La Paz. We recently visited Puerto Vallarta in May, where our youngest son got engaged on the Los Muertos Pier, how romantic....and we're making a return trip to PV in September. Also planning to visit Guadalajara/Tlaquepaque, just trying to figure out where me might want to land in retirement next year. I just want to encourage you that your videos have been so valuable to us and have given us the confidence to step out of our comfort zone...BTW, also hoping to do the train trip through Copper Canyon. In summary, you do you, I pray you find the work-life balance you desire. We love you and will continue to follow your adventures and hope that someday we might cross paths in Mexico. 😎🏖

It is natural to doubt. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and we will continue to follow you!

It's been fun and helpful watching and listening to you over the past several years as I researched where I'm going to land. You have a wonderful way about you. I respect your bravery and significant accomplishments. Grateful for you Laura 😊🤗

I lived in Mexico for 8 years and came back when Covid hit. I am still trying recover from the massive changes American society and culture have gone through since I left. Good luck!

Hello Ms. Bronner, my wife and I found your channel while searching for info on our plan to do a little traveling in Europe. We did that last summer (June/July 2023), thanks to many of your videos that we found sooo helpful and informative. We hit Barcelona, Nice, Naples, Rome, Malta and a few other wonderful cities. I absolutely love this video, and really enjoyed having a chance to hear this side of your story and I look forward to your future content, and watching where life takes you guys. Have you ever thought about narrating audio books?