Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories
Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories shares honest, human stories of people building lives and homes abroad. Hosted by Marc Alcobé, the channel explores what it really means to live somewhere new, beyond visas, checklists, and highlight reels.
Through in-depth conversations with people living abroad around the world, we talk about belonging, identity, culture shock, community, and the slow process of becoming almost local. These are stories about finding home in unfamiliar places, navigating life between cultures, and redefining where you’re from.
Whether you’re already living abroad, planning a move, or simply curious about life elsewhere, Almost Local is a space for reflection, connection, and real experiences of life beyond borders.
New episodes weekly feature personal stories from around the world, shared with honesty, depth, and nuance.
Episodes
84 episodes
Almost Local #62 | The Honest Reality of Being Location Independent with Bobby Casey
In this episode, Bobby Casey shares his journey of living in multiple countries, building online businesses, and managing a remote team — all while traveling the world. His experience offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and digital nomads...
Almost Local #61 | Balkans Life: The EU Move that Transformed My Identity and Perspective with Chanoa Inez
In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Chanoa Inez, a fearless American who transitioned from New York to the Balkans, lived in Montenegro, and built a life rich with cultural exploration and personal growth. She shares the emotiona...
Almost Local #60 | The Reality of Being a Foreigner in Dubai: Life after a football career with Marcelo Mercuri
In this episode, Marcelo Mercuri shares his journey from a professional football goalkeeper spanning four continents to becoming an investor and real estate expert in Dubai. His story provides a unique perspective on adapting to new cultures, p...
Almost Local #59 | When Everything Changes, Home Becomes Internal with Nina Aziz Justin
In this episode, Nina Aziz Justin shares her inspiring story of moving across borders, building resilience, and redefining belonging amidst cultural shifts. Her journey from Malaysia to Europe, her professional evolution, and her experiences wi...
Almost Local #58 | Always Hiking, Never Home: What That Actually Feels Like with Belinda Coker
In this episode, Belinda shares her inspiring journey from corporate life and extensive travel to embracing the outdoor life in Scotland. Discover how hiking and slow travel have transformed her perspective and enriched her life, offering pract...
Almost Local #57 | From France to Canada: A Journey of Language and Culture with Cathy Introligator
Unlock the secrets of embracing life abroad and learn how mastering language and culture can transform your experience — all from someone who did it firsthand. Cathy shares her incredible journey moving from France to Canada, launching a French...
Almost Local #56 | From Communist Poland to Detroit: How Being an Outsider Became My Superpower with Polish Peter
Peter Kolat, known as Polish Peter, left communist Poland at 14 and landed in Detroit — expecting palm trees and sports cars from the movies, but finding identical brick houses and a language he couldn't speak.What followed was a decade...
Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories (Trailer)
People think living abroad is about places—but it isn’t. It’s about what you leave behind: a routine, a language, even a version of yourself. Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories explores the real life abroad—not the highlight...
Almost Local #55 | I Moved to Vancouver After a Live of Travelling and This Shocked Me Most with James Hammond
What happens when you move abroad with absolutely zero plan? In this episode of Almost Local, I sit down with James Hammond (host of the Winginit Travel Podcast) to talk about his 10-year journey of long term travel, surviving on working holida...
Almost Local #54 | From Sardinia to Wyoming: How Cultural Adaptation Shapes Our Identity with Franz Sidney
In this episode, Franz Sidney shares her fascinating journey through multiple countries and cultures, revealing insights about adaptation, mindset, and the emotional nuances of living abroad. Whether you're considering a move or just curious ab...
Almost Local #53 | Moved to Nicaragua 14 Years Ago: Here's What He Learned About Building a Life Abroad with Mike Cobb
Thinking about moving to Latin America? In this episode, we sit down with Mike, who has spent 14 years living in Nicaragua and over 30 years building communities across the region. We dig into the truth about safety, the real cost of living, an...
Almost Local #52 | Culture Shock in Europe: What Nobody Warns You About with Amy Smith
Is raising kids abroad harder than you thought? In this episode of Almost Local, British English teacher Amy Smith breaks down the brutal reality of culture shock in Poland vs. Spain and exposes the biggest myths about language learning.If ...
Almost Local #51 | Starting Over Abroad at Midlife: Reinvention, Courage & Life Abroad with Tina Coleman
What does it really take to start over abroad — especially later in life? In this episode of Almost Local, Tina Coleman shares how living abroad reshaped her identity, courage, and view of time. Living abroad isn’t just about chang...
Almost Local #50 | You Don’t Need Perfect English to Live Abroad — Here’s Why with Megan Nicholls
Are language skills really the key to confidence when living abroad? In this episode of Expat Experts, we go deep into what expats get wrong about learning a language, expat confidence, and actually feeling at home in a new country.We t...
Almost Local #49 | Living in the South of France Isn't What Instagram Shows with Josh Kennedy
Thinking of moving to the South of France? It’s not just baguettes, beaches, and sunshine. In this episode of Almost Local, we dive into the real, unfiltered truth about expat life in France.Josh Kennedy, a Dutch forigneir who has lived...
Almost Local #48 | Quitting a Career to Start Over Abroad: Finding Peace in Portugal with Caline Malek
What really changes when you move abroad? In this episode of Expat Experts, Caline Malek shares her journey from high-pressure journalism to aligned living in Portugal — and how Human Design can help expats avoid burnout and find clarity.
Almost Local #47 | The Emotional Cost of Expat Life: Loneliness, Identity & Burnout with Dr. Elefant-Yanni
Expat life isn’t always an adventure. In this episode of Expat Experts, clinical psychologist Dr. Elefant-Yanni reveals the hidden emotional cost of living abroad, identity shifts, and the pressure expat couples face.Living abroad can b...
Almost Local #46 | Moving to Costa Rica: The Real Cost, Visas & "Pura Vida" Reality with Zach Gerth
Thinking of moving to Costa Rica? It’s not just beaches and sloths. In this episode of Almost Local, Zach Gerth from Start Abroad breaks down the honest reality of relocating to Central America.From his time in the Peace Corps to buildi...
Almost Local #45 | Moving Abroad Reality: What Paris Actually Looks Like with Paul Island
What is it really like to live in Paris as an American expat? 🇫🇷 In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, Marc sits down with Paul Island, originally from New York City and now living in Paris, France. After traveling to 54 countries, Paul...
Almost Local #44 | Why We Chose Portugal After 15 Years Abroad (Spain, Korea, Saudi) with Kalie
Thinking about moving to Portugal? In this episode, American expat Kalie reveals the honest reality of living in Porto as a family, breaking down the exact cost of living, the SEF bureaucracy nightmare, and why you should come with "no expectat...
Almost Local #43 | Living in Indonesia as a Foreigner: Daily Life, Culture & Reality with Chris Baron
🎧 In this episode of Expat Experts, I’m joined by Australian-born filmmaker, storyteller and podcast host Chris Baron. Now based in Indonesia, Chris takes us behind the scenes of his extraordinary journey—from filmmaking in extreme environments...
Almost Local #42 | I Escaped Toxic Work Culture to Live in Amsterdam with Lara Ferreira
What happens when your life abroad looks perfect on paper — but inside, you feel completely empty? ✈️ 🤔In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, host Marc Alcobé talks with Lara Ferreira — a Brazilian-born former corporate high-flye...
Almost Local #41 | The Spain Dream vs Reality: What to Expect with Isabel Guerreira
Thinking about moving abroad? Wondering why some places feel right and others feel off? Today’s episode will change how you see the world 🌍✨We’re joined by Isabel Guerreira, founder of Your Stellar Truth — a New York City expat who move...
Almost Local #40 | The Dark Side of Studying in Italy: Expat Reality 🇮🇹
👩🏼🎓🇮🇹 In this episode, we sit down with Sofia Vrettou, a Greek researcher and expat currently living in Italy, to explore what it really takes to build a life abroad — emotionally, culturally, and personally. Sofia shares her journey from Gree...
Almost Local #39 | From 9–5 Jobs in Australia to Slow Travel in Southeast Asia
🏯 👧🏽 What happens when you sell most of what you own, leave behind stable 9–5 jobs, and decide to slow travel through Southeast Asia? Meet Zanesta & Nabeel, the creators behind Tiny Detour. Originally from Australia, they traded routine for...
