April 19, 2025 • 10 mins
In this solo episode, Maria unpacks five of the biggest dilemmas many expats face—identity, belonging, purpose, relationships, and the elusive idea of "home." Drawing from her journey and countless conversations with others living abroad, she invites you to reflect on what it means to build a life between cultures.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Maria (00:03):
Hi again, and welcome back to Almost Local.
I'm Maria.
I'm your host here in AlmostLocal podcast.
So what's the story behindAlmost Local and what is almost
local?
Almost local began as an ideaof, creating a community that
would gather, people that wereliving abroad and expats who are
(00:26):
experiencing, changes and livingin new cultures, and facing
challenges while living abroad.
The name almost local, I thinkit says a lot.
I suppose a way of explainingthis is that we all feel want to
feel like we are locals.
And we try to become part ofcommunities and cultures and new
(00:48):
places.
In a way, we feel like we arealways almost there to become a
local.
We are not there yet.
We are almost locals.
So this is the concept of thename, and essentially what we
are trying to, convey with thisname is that we are.
We are not locals.
We are almost locals.
(01:09):
And so this is what bring ustogether in this community, of
expats all those of us who arenavigating, life abroad, and all
the challenges differences andnew ways of living a life in a
place that we are starting tocall home.
Or maybe you've been living, forquite a long time, but you are
(01:30):
still facing this feeling of notbeing a local, but being almost
a logo.
A little bit about, mybackstory.
So I am originally fromArgentina.
I was born in Buenos Aires.
I grew up between differentplaces.
I, lived in, another city inArgentina called Mar de Plata.
(01:53):
I grew up in Brazil.
I lived in Rio de Janerio for acouple of years while I was.
A kid.
So I'm also, an experienced,global, citizen as a kid.
I am also, aware of all thechallenges and how difficult, it
is to be a kid while you are notin your.
(02:14):
Country of origin, but howlittle by little you start
becoming, a new, person in a newcountry and you start calling
another country home.
With, our.
Nomadic parents.
We lived in different places inArgentina, and then we moved to
Brazil.
We returned to Argentina, whereI finally, went to university,
(02:36):
studied and started my travelbusiness, which I've been,
managing with my sister, who ismy, business partner.
Our business, is across SouthAmerica.
It's a boutique travel companyspecializing in trips to South
America.
For, discerning travelers whoare looking, to combine
adventure with, hidden gems anda more luxurious experience.
(03:00):
After living in Buenos Airesfor, another, I don't even
remember.
15 years, I don't even know.
With my husband, we decided as afamily with our kids to move to
New Zealand, where we lived, inOakland for about six to seven
years.
Our kids, did their primaryschool years in New Zealand.
(03:23):
So that was a big change for usas a family, which I will be,
telling, more in comingepisodes, after, this period of
time, which was quite long, as afamily we decided to move to the
Netherlands.
Where we are currently livingright now, in the Hague this
beautiful place here is theNetherlands.
(03:44):
And we've been here for threeyears.
The reason why we moved, becausethis is a typical question, was
mainly, due to my husband's, joband his profession.
And we were lucky because I canactually, as a travel, business
owner, I can actually work fromanywhere in the world.
I'm a pioneer, working remotelybecause I started, doing this
(04:08):
back in 2015, which was notcommon as it is this days.
So that's a little bit about mybackstory.
Right now.
I am, a mother of two teenagerswho are, going to, the
international school here in theHague.
So it's quite a nice, adventureand experience for the whole
(04:29):
family.
So why almost local now?
which is really, a question I'vebeen also asking myself.
there is no good or bad momentto start things.
but, over the years while weleft Argentina, I realized that
I was, really into all this,Living abroad and expert
(04:50):
experience in terms of meetingnew people and understanding,
the reason behind, what makesus, make this decision?
Why do we decide to, leave Ourhomes and start a new life in a
different country.
this is something that reallyresonates with me.
How we are all different fromdifferent countries, from
(05:12):
different cultures.
We are in a way so different,but at the same time we are all
so similar, and we all face, Thesame challenges and we also face
the same difficulties.
And we might be also searchingfor similar things, new
adventures, and also newfriendships, this has always
(05:35):
been something that I found,super rich and it creates a lot
of connection, among thecommunity of experts and
immigrants and nomadics.
so this is really the reason whyI.
Started almost local.
I also found myself, thatwhenever I meet someone who is
(05:57):
coming from another country, I'minstantly drawn to ask, many
questions.
And I love to understand thebackgrounds and the stories
behind, each, of the personsthat I meet along.
that is really, rich in termsof, the reasons why we are all
moving and what are the thingsthat, we are all, the different
(06:18):
stages we are all going through.
So the reason I'm starting now.
It's basically because I just.
realize that, we really need aspace where we can have these
conversations, not just to talkabout, the usual challenges we
face A work visa, how to find ajob, how to buy a house, how to
(06:40):
rent a house, where, to searchfor schools, which cities are
the best cities in the world tolive, et cetera.
the idea would almost localizemore, community where we can
feel like we are just having acup of coffee, and meeting new
people and just having thesecasual conversations Thinking
back of, the reason why we leftand where we are at this moment
(07:04):
and what we are, looking interms of what's gonna happen
next.
Are we going to move again?
Are the kids going to stay in adifferent country and we are
going to, decide to move andstay?
and so these conversations, thisspace, It's a space I wish I
(07:24):
had, when I, initially moved.
because we are really, Likeenough these conversations and
whenever we have the chance to,grab a coffee with a new person,
we meet I love to learn and seewhat we can learn from each
other, how we can support eachother, and, at the end of the
day, it's honestly a feeling.
(07:45):
This space, is for us to havekind conversations about
stories, that bring us together,about the style of life that we
all chose.
In a new place, in a newculture, throughout, the
podcast, there will be, guests,we'll have interviews with other
expats from different parts ofthe world.
(08:07):
We are also going to bewelcoming, guests, specialized
in different, areas of what isthe expat life, from education
to psychologists, coaches, howto start a business abroad.
So we are, happy to be startingexcited.
(08:28):
I've been talking about almostlocal for quite a long time, and
This is the moment and we arenow, ready to begin these
conversations.
this, initial podcasts areespecially for us to, get to
know each other.
I love to introduce myself andto, let you know what is almost
local and what's the gold, Andif all that I'm saying here
(08:52):
sounds familiar to you, pleasecome along, join, follow us.
you can subscribe to thepodcast.
and of course you are welcome totell your friends anywhere in
the world, even family back homewho might say, okay, listen to
this podcast where you mightunderstand a bit more how life
is for all of us.
(09:13):
while we are producing thepodcasts, if you'd like to be,
featured, if you feel like youwant to tell your story, please
reach out to us through,Instagram, and also through our
website.
our website is, Almostlocal.com.
I will also, be sharing this, inthe next podcast, because as I
(09:37):
was explaining in the previousepisode, we have a blog and, in
this blog I am sharing, Some ofthese experiences, the lemons we
are talking about.
and also we have, one of our,collaborators Andrea, who is a
writer.
She has just, launched her firstnovel and she's gonna be
(09:59):
writing, all these stories inour blog.
so that's gonna be really funand interesting to.
Read as well, if you like, tocontinue.
getting more of these stories,from experts and, people who
have been living abroad.
so thank you again For joining,the podcast.
(10:20):
as I said, what's coming, we aregonna have more episodes, and we
are going to have guests, thatwill be sharing with us, their
experiences and challenges.
Thank you again for, beingthere.
now like I said, I'm gonna havemy morning coffee.
this is, a way of, startingtoday.
(10:41):
So thanks again and we'll betalking soon.
Hi again, and welcome back to Almost Local.
I'm Maria.
I'm your host here in AlmostLocal podcast.
So what's the story behindAlmost Local and what is almost
local?
Almost local began as an ideaof, creating a community that
would gather, people that wereliving abroad and expats who are
(00:26):
experiencing, changes and livingin new cultures, and facing
challenges while living abroad.
The name almost local, I thinkit says a lot.
I suppose a way of explainingthis is that we all feel want to
feel like we are locals.
And we try to become part ofcommunities and cultures and new
(00:48):
places.
In a way, we feel like we arealways almost there to become a
local.
We are not there yet.
We are almost locals.
So this is the concept of thename, and essentially what we
are trying to, convey with thisname is that we are.
We are not locals.
We are almost locals.
(01:09):
And so this is what bring ustogether in this community, of
expats all those of us who arenavigating, life abroad, and all
the challenges differences andnew ways of living a life in a
place that we are starting tocall home.
Or maybe you've been living, forquite a long time, but you are
(01:30):
still facing this feeling of notbeing a local, but being almost
a logo.
A little bit about, mybackstory.
So I am originally fromArgentina.
I was born in Buenos Aires.
I grew up between differentplaces.
I, lived in, another city inArgentina called Mar de Plata.
(01:53):
I grew up in Brazil.
I lived in Rio de Janerio for acouple of years while I was.
A kid.
So I'm also, an experienced,global, citizen as a kid.
I am also, aware of all thechallenges and how difficult, it
is to be a kid while you are notin your.
(02:14):
Country of origin, but howlittle by little you start
becoming, a new, person in a newcountry and you start calling
another country home.
With, our.
Nomadic parents.
We lived in different places inArgentina, and then we moved to
Brazil.
We returned to Argentina, whereI finally, went to university,
(02:36):
studied and started my travelbusiness, which I've been,
managing with my sister, who ismy, business partner.
Our business, is across SouthAmerica.
It's a boutique travel companyspecializing in trips to South
America.
For, discerning travelers whoare looking, to combine
adventure with, hidden gems anda more luxurious experience.
(03:00):
After living in Buenos Airesfor, another, I don't even
remember.
15 years, I don't even know.
With my husband, we decided as afamily with our kids to move to
New Zealand, where we lived, inOakland for about six to seven
years.
Our kids, did their primaryschool years in New Zealand.
(03:23):
So that was a big change for usas a family, which I will be,
telling, more in comingepisodes, after, this period of
time, which was quite long, as afamily we decided to move to the
Netherlands.
Where we are currently livingright now, in the Hague this
beautiful place here is theNetherlands.
(03:44):
And we've been here for threeyears.
The reason why we moved, becausethis is a typical question, was
mainly, due to my husband's, joband his profession.
And we were lucky because I canactually, as a travel, business
owner, I can actually work fromanywhere in the world.
I'm a pioneer, working remotelybecause I started, doing this
(04:08):
back in 2015, which was notcommon as it is this days.
So that's a little bit about mybackstory.
Right now.
I am, a mother of two teenagerswho are, going to, the
international school here in theHague.
So it's quite a nice, adventureand experience for the whole
(04:29):
family.
So why almost local now?
which is really, a question I'vebeen also asking myself.
there is no good or bad momentto start things.
but, over the years while weleft Argentina, I realized that
I was, really into all this,Living abroad and expert
(04:50):
experience in terms of meetingnew people and understanding,
the reason behind, what makesus, make this decision?
Why do we decide to, leave Ourhomes and start a new life in a
different country.
this is something that reallyresonates with me.
How we are all different fromdifferent countries, from
(05:12):
different cultures.
We are in a way so different,but at the same time we are all
so similar, and we all face, Thesame challenges and we also face
the same difficulties.
And we might be also searchingfor similar things, new
adventures, and also newfriendships, this has always
(05:35):
been something that I found,super rich and it creates a lot
of connection, among thecommunity of experts and
immigrants and nomadics.
so this is really the reason whyI.
Started almost local.
I also found myself, thatwhenever I meet someone who is
(05:57):
coming from another country, I'minstantly drawn to ask, many
questions.
And I love to understand thebackgrounds and the stories
behind, each, of the personsthat I meet along.
that is really, rich in termsof, the reasons why we are all
moving and what are the thingsthat, we are all, the different
(06:18):
stages we are all going through.
So the reason I'm starting now.
It's basically because I just.
realize that, we really need aspace where we can have these
conversations, not just to talkabout, the usual challenges we
face A work visa, how to find ajob, how to buy a house, how to
(06:40):
rent a house, where, to searchfor schools, which cities are
the best cities in the world tolive, et cetera.
the idea would almost localizemore, community where we can
feel like we are just having acup of coffee, and meeting new
people and just having thesecasual conversations Thinking
back of, the reason why we leftand where we are at this moment
(07:04):
and what we are, looking interms of what's gonna happen
next.
Are we going to move again?
Are the kids going to stay in adifferent country and we are
going to, decide to move andstay?
and so these conversations, thisspace, It's a space I wish I
(07:24):
had, when I, initially moved.
because we are really, Likeenough these conversations and
whenever we have the chance to,grab a coffee with a new person,
we meet I love to learn and seewhat we can learn from each
other, how we can support eachother, and, at the end of the
day, it's honestly a feeling.
(07:45):
This space, is for us to havekind conversations about
stories, that bring us together,about the style of life that we
all chose.
In a new place, in a newculture, throughout, the
podcast, there will be, guests,we'll have interviews with other
expats from different parts ofthe world.
(08:07):
We are also going to bewelcoming, guests, specialized
in different, areas of what isthe expat life, from education
to psychologists, coaches, howto start a business abroad.
So we are, happy to be startingexcited.
(08:28):
I've been talking about almostlocal for quite a long time, and
This is the moment and we arenow, ready to begin these
conversations.
this, initial podcasts areespecially for us to, get to
know each other.
I love to introduce myself andto, let you know what is almost
local and what's the gold, Andif all that I'm saying here
(08:52):
sounds familiar to you, pleasecome along, join, follow us.
you can subscribe to thepodcast.
and of course you are welcome totell your friends anywhere in
the world, even family back homewho might say, okay, listen to
this podcast where you mightunderstand a bit more how life
is for all of us.
(09:13):
while we are producing thepodcasts, if you'd like to be,
featured, if you feel like youwant to tell your story, please
reach out to us through,Instagram, and also through our
website.
our website is, Almostlocal.com.
I will also, be sharing this, inthe next podcast, because as I
(09:37):
was explaining in the previousepisode, we have a blog and, in
this blog I am sharing, Some ofthese experiences, the lemons we
are talking about.
and also we have, one of our,collaborators Andrea, who is a
writer.
She has just, launched her firstnovel and she's gonna be
(09:59):
writing, all these stories inour blog.
so that's gonna be really funand interesting to.
Read as well, if you like, tocontinue.
getting more of these stories,from experts and, people who
have been living abroad.
so thank you again For joining,the podcast.
(10:20):
as I said, what's coming, we aregonna have more episodes, and we
are going to have guests, thatwill be sharing with us, their
experiences and challenges.
Thank you again for, beingthere.
now like I said, I'm gonna havemy morning coffee.
this is, a way of, startingtoday.
(10:41):
So thanks again and we'll betalking soon.
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