Shawna Lum ✈ Move Abroad Coach

💸 Hot take: the expensive part of life isn’t Europe - it’s staying in the U.S.

So let’s settle this real quick 👇

Team Spain 🇪🇸 or Team Italy 🇮🇹?

Because yes, both countries make it completely realistic to live well on under $2,000/month — if you do one thing right:

🚫 Don’t rely on a local salary
✅ Keep foreign income (remote work, freelancing, or your own business)

That single shift changes everything. 💻✨

Here’s what my real monthly life in Spain actually looks like:

🏠 Housing: $500–$1,200 depending on the city
(Confession: I currently pay around $300 😅)

🥗 Groceries: ~$100/month
Fresh, organic, and somehow better tasting than back home

📞 Phone + WiFi: ~$30/month

🏥 Private healthcare: ~$70/month
No co-pays. No deductibles. No anxiety.

🍽️ Eating out often: ~$400/month
Because enjoying life is the point.

🍷 Drinks & social life: ~$100/month
€1.50 beers, €3–4 wine, cocktails €6–10

🚗 Car? Nope. Public transport is solid — I rent one only when I feel like it (~$12/day).

✨ This is why more Americans are realizing they don’t need to “wait someday.”

💃 Send this to the friend who keeps saying “eventually.”

👇🏽 Comment “ABROAD” and I’ll send you a free invite to my Abroad in a Year masterclass — where I break down visas, income strategies, and exactly how to make this move without burning money or time.

👋🏼 Follow @shawnalumm for honest, real-life insight on building a better life abroad.

#MoveAbroad #LivingAbroad #SpainLife #AmericansAbroad #ExpatLife