What does it really take to build a life abroad when your career, visa options, and personal circumstances don’t neatly fit the mold? In this episode, Ali Dubrow shares how she went from a U.S.-based reality TV career to designing a freedom-based life in France, with visa roadblocks, a big dog, and strong family ties.

Key Takeaways

• The “move first vs. build first” decision isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your energy, finances, and lifestyle constraints matter more than generic advice.
• Moving abroad before hitting $3-5K/month can sometimes be the faster, easier path, especially if your current environment is draining your time, money, or motivation.
• There are flexible “stepping stone” visa options and countries that let you live affordably while building your business.
• Building first makes sense if you have stability, time, and a strategic reason to wait; but it should come with a clear timeline, not an open-ended delay.

At the end of the day, the right path is the one that gets you moving - not the one that keeps you stuck “preparing” forever. Whether you decide to move first or build first, the goal is the same: create momentum and design a life that actually works for you.

Subscribe and Review
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more visionaries who need these insights. 🎙

Want to join Freedom Life Experience?
Hop on a call with Katti No matter when you’re ready to start, we’ll help you find the right fit.

Links & Resources:

→ Ali’s Instagram

→ Ali’s Substack

→ Follow me on Instagram to see my travels in Andalucia with my family

→ Follow Move Abroad Coach on Facebook

Your move abroad just got a serious upgrade. The NEW Move Abroad Master Plan is an 6-lesson, self-paced course that helps you:

• Create your personalized move abroad plan
• Gain clarity without the overwhelm
• Take action immediately

Plus, when you complete 6 lessons, you get a free 40-minute Master Plan Success Session with my team — your roadmap to actually making it happen.

This is your chance to turn your move abroad dreams into a plan you can actually follow. Register Now!

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This? What to Listen to Next:

#142 Moving to a French Fairytale Town… With a 90-Pound German Shepherd: Carissa’s Story

#146 When You’re Home for the Holidays and No One Really Gets You

#138 I Moved to Spain to Slow Down… But My Old Workaholic Habits Came With Me

#155 What Staying in the US for One More Year Is Actually Costing You

Should you move abroad now and figure it out as you go, or stay put until your business is “ready”? If you’ve been stuck between building income and starting your life overseas, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and choose the path that actually works for your reality.

Key Takeaways:

• The “move first vs. build first” decision isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your energy, finances, and lifestyle constraints matter more than generic advice.
• Moving abroad before hitting $3–5K/month can sometimes be the faster, easier path, especially if your current environment is draining your time, money, or motivation.
• There are flexible “stepping stone” visa options and countries that let you live affordably while building your business.
• Building first makes sense if you have stability, time, and a strategic reason to wait; but it should come with a clear timeline, not an open-ended delay.
• No matter which path you choose, you need proof of concept: getting even $1 from a client shifts you from “idea” to “real business.”

At the end of the day, the right path is the one that gets you moving, not the one that keeps you stuck “preparing” forever. Whether you decide to move first or build first, the goal is the same: create momentum and design a life that actually works for you.

Subscribe and Review
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more visionaries who need these insights. 🎙

Want to join Freedom Life Experience?
Hop on a call with Katti No matter when you’re ready to start, we’ll help you find the right fit.

Links & Resources:

→ My NEW Youtube Channel

→ Follow me on Instagram to see my travels in Andalucia with my family

→ Follow Move Abroad Coach on Facebook

Your move abroad just got a serious upgrade. The NEW Move Abroad Master Plan is an 8-lesson, self-paced course that helps you:

• Create your personalized move abroad plan
• Gain clarity without the overwhelm
• Take action immediately

Plus, when you complete the course, you get a free 20-minute Master Plan Success Session with my team — your roadmap to actually making it happen.

This is your chance to turn your move abroad dreams into a plan you can actually follow. Register Now!

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This? What to Listen to Next:

#136 How to Build a Business AND Move Abroad (Without Losing Your Mind)

#124 Corporate Culture, Burnout & the Brave Choice to Start Over with Coach Evan Monroe

#137 Entrepreneurs: Why the Hell Are You Still Running Your Business from the U.S.?

#155 What Staying in the US for One More Year Is Actually Costing You

What does it look like for a queer couple (with 2 kids and 3 pets) to move from Massachusetts to the Netherlands? What does it take to move abroad as a family in general?

Grover and Nova are offering an honest look at the decision-making process and the reality of starting over.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Life as a queer family in the Netherlands
• How their quality of life has changed after moving
• What drove them towards leaving the U.S.
• Why they chose the Netherlands (and why not Amsterdam)
• Their Stay or Go Workbook (and how to decide if leaving the U.S. is right for you)
• Cost of living: rent, healthcare, and taxes
• Finding housing as immigrants with pets
• The DAFT visa and building a business abroad
• Settling in: the stressful first weeks vs. long-term rewards

Starting over (or even choosing to do so) can be a process, and this is how that process led Grover and Nova to their dreamy new life in the Netherlands.

Subscribe and Review
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more visionaries who need these insights. 🎙

Want to join Freedom Life Experience?
Hop on a call with Katti No matter when you’re ready to start, we’ll help you find the right fit.

Links & Resources:
→ Grover & Nova’s Workbook

→ DAFT Resource

→ Risk benefit Toolkit

→ Nova’s Instagram

→ Grover’s Instagram

→ My Freebie

→ Follow my Spain life on Instagram

→ Follow Move Abroad Coach on Facebook

Your move abroad just got a serious upgrade. The Move Abroad Master Plan is an 8-lesson, self-paced course that helps you:

• Create your personalized move abroad plan
• Gain clarity without the overwhelm
• Take action immediately

Plus, when you complete the course, you get a free 20-minute Master Plan Success Session with my team — your roadmap to actually making it happen.

This is your chance to turn your move abroad dreams into a plan you can actually follow. Register Now!

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This? What to Listen to Next:

#44 Fresh Off the Plane! Moving to the Netherlands (with a husband and two cats) featuring Monica Hay

#142 Moving to a French Fairytale Town… With a 90-Pound German Shepherd: Carissa’s Story

#99 Buying a Home for €30K?! Heather’s Story of Moving to Southern Spain

#155 What Staying in the US for One More Year Is Actually Costing You