My husband and I moved abroad in our 50s after deciding there was no perfect time to relocate

Leslie Hodgin and her husband, John Lyman, decided to relocate to the Netherlands in January 2026, after a decade of living in Richmond, Virginia. The couple had previously lived in South Korea for two years, where they met and married. They felt the need for a change in their lives after the loss of multiple family members. John had attended graduate school in the Netherlands, which made them familiar with the country.

Leslie, a marketing consultant, had a network of contacts in the Netherlands, and they were able to take advantage of the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) visa, allowing freelancers and entrepreneurs to live in the country.

The move was expensive and time-consuming, but Leslie found happiness in their relocation. Their children were grown, and they had considerable savings, which made the decision easier. They downsized their belongings, selling most of their possessions and shipping only a half-crate. They spent six months preparing for the move, and when they arrived, they lived in a newly renovated two-bedroom apartment.

Despite the challenges of language barriers and adjusting to a new environment, the couple feels grateful for the sense of community in the Netherlands and appreciates the opportunities for personal growth and creativity.