Leslie Hodgin Relocates to the Netherlands with Husband John Lyman

Leslie Hodgin, a 55-year-old marketing consultant, has made a significant decision in her life - relocating to the Netherlands with her husband, John Lyman, who is 52 years old. This move marks a new chapter for the couple, who have been living in various locations around the world since their childhood.

Leslie's upbringing was marked by frequent moves due to her father's Army career. Richmond, Virginia, became her adopted home after growing up internationally. The couple spent about 10 years in Richmond before Leslie received an offer to move to Seoul, South Korea, for a marketing job. This opportunity led them to spend two years abroad together, just one week after their marriage.

Their time in Korea was followed by a return to the United States, but it didn't take long for Leslie and John to feel the need for another change. After experiencing personal losses with the passing of loved ones from both families, they began questioning why they were waiting to move abroad again. This realization led them to think about making a move sooner rather than later.

These life events prompted Leslie and her husband to reassess their priorities and consider relocating to a new country. The thought of not having promises for tomorrow was particularly poignant after experiencing the sudden loss of close family members and friends.

The freedom to relocate without family obligations made our decision easier. We didn't have children to consider, so we weren't held back by that factor. Having a financial safety net also gave us the confidence to take the leap and move abroad.

Our past experiences in the Netherlands played a significant role in our decision-making process. John had attended graduate school there, which meant we'd already explored the country and knew what it was like to live there. I also had an established network of contacts through my work in advertising, making it easier for us to settle into a new life.

We researched various visa options and discovered the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) allowed freelancers and entrepreneurs to reside in the Netherlands. This made the country seem like an attractive choice for us, especially since John was self-employed and could easily relocate. I had also started my own consulting business and planned to freelance if needed.

Moving away from our family members was undoubtedly the most difficult part of our decision. My husband's father is nearing 90 years old, while my mother has just celebrated her 80th birthday. We felt a sense of guilt for leaving them behind, but they were understanding and supportive of our choice to relocate.

Our decision to relocate was not taken lightly, but we felt it was essential to break free from the constraints of our old life without putting everything on hold indefinitely.

We relocated in January, and the entire process took six months to complete. This timeframe allowed us to sell our belongings, secure visas, and make necessary arrangements for a smooth transition.

Since selling our house about a year before moving, we had been living in an apartment, which was a strategic decision to keep costs low. We then decided to sell almost everything we owned to minimize expenses further.

We managed to raise nearly $12,000 from the sale of our belongings, which helped cover visa fees and some of the relocation costs. This amount also came in handy for other miscellaneous expenses during the moving process.

We had to secure our rental property by paying six months' worth of rent upfront, a significant expense that added to our moving costs.

The experience still feels surreal, and we're grateful for every moment of it. The sense of adventure is palpable, and we're eager to continue exploring this new chapter in our lives.

One thing that has made the transition smoother is the strong social network we've built up here. We've met many wonderful people through social media and have become close friends with some of our neighbors, who have been incredibly welcoming.

The community in the Netherlands is something we're really starting to appreciate, particularly the emphasis on respect and trust among its residents. This sense of social contract has made us feel more at home than we ever could have imagined.

Living abroad without a car has eliminated one significant expense for us, allowing us to allocate our budget more efficiently.

The cost of living in our current location is substantially lower compared to New York City, where we would have had to pay double the rent for an equivalent apartment, making this decision even more financially attractive.

This sense of freedom and newfound vitality is palpable, with many people commenting on how I seem "alive again" after relocating.