For those asking "why Estonia" -- yes, I have family cultural roots here . . . But Estonia has always been very encouraging and supportive of expats. Estonia was the first country in the world to have a "Digital Nomad Visa," started back in 2020 encouraging remote workers to come (highly recommend 🇪🇪😊): https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/nomadvisa/
Happy New Year KivCo! I’m sorry to read the farm hasn’t sold yet. Renting it out will certainly come with its own challenges but wishing you good luck and an easy journey. 🙏🏼 I’m loving your photos and perspective. Cheering you all on from afar. Love and hugs. xoxo☺️💕
Somehow I've missed several of your postings... I'm all caught up now! Darkness always makes the subtle light shine so beautifully... I've seen this over the years in my own 'dark' days. The serendipitous seems to glow in a way that is easy to overlook in the light. I miss you dear friend. Looking forward to the next time we bump into each other virtually...
I am always curious as to how people pick where they emigrate to. Hubby and I knew we would be leaving the US, but looked at a lot of places before departing to Portugal. Anyway, Estonia sounds beautiful!
See what I just posted to Caroline . . . on my own personal roots (and citizenship) in Estonia. A bit more on my first Substack post linked here.. If Estonia had Portugal's climate, we'd be set. 😉. But we do have an incredible summer -- and spend last winter on Madeira. ❤️ https://lisakivirist.substack.com/p/cheers-to-change-in-2024-come-join?r=fcso2
Why Estonia, when you'd never been there? I'm curious. I lived in Riga and worked in Tallinn in the late 90s and still have an abiding love for Estonia in particular. My son *almost* went to Estonia for his high school exchange year (from Switzerland) but is now in Denmark: he wanted Nordic, so must have that from me somehow!
You make an excellent point on the age thing (i.e., don't wait!). I am ready to make the leap (from Switz to ANYWHERE ELSE, but most likely Portugal) and rather envious of your demographic luck. Spouse and I are 62 and 59, respectively, but still have elderly parents starting to need support (in southern Germany and New York), plus a kid at home. Wah!
I'm Estonian (dual citizen -- American & Estonian) -- as is our son. 🇪🇪 😊 My father's side is from Pärnu, the area we are now in. My mom is Latvia. Folks fled in 1044 with the Soviet Occupation and met in a DP (displaced people) camp in Germany -- then eventually immigrated to the States where I was raised. So yes . . my genetic code. 😉. But it's true I had not visited here before we moved. *That* was a leap of faith, by my heart knew . . .right place and time. I always thought Switzerland was the dream place to be -- but you know best. Hoping to make my first trip there this year. Hang in there with the eldercare support. I know that chapter well -- and it is indeed a chapter with an (granted, unpredictable) end ❤️. Thanks for connecting.
That makes sense (your surname). I did something similar, moved to the Czech Republic in 1993 on the basis of my genetic code and grandparental tales of the ‘time between the wars.’ And felt (still feel) completely at home there. It’s funny, what we carry with us.
I find this fascinating and will share with our adult children. With our Wisco farm we are not in a situation to move yet we totally understand the political push.
I would be curious to read more about the locals acceptance of your “US” peeps. Hoping all positive just as the sharing of local vegetation.
Great to hear from you! You mean acceptance here locally -- in Estonia? That's a great question and one I need to probably post on at some point because I feel too many people move abroad (to any country) and just hang out with other English-speaking expats and Americans. Or put a *lot* of effort into "things that they miss from home" -- finding a certain ingredient. Green Bean Casserole ingredients apparently causes deep nostalgia amongst Americans. 😆. But the short answer to your question is we've really loved connecting with locals here (remember: we're very rural) but, importantly: #1)
Be the first to reach out -- there is no need to "wait for anyone to approach #2) Ask lots of local questions -- we have them for SURE -- and people are genuinely happy to help #3) Share food! I must have made 20+ apple pies last year. Everyone "heard" of them from US tv shows but haven't tried . . 🥧. https://lisakivirist.substack.com/p/apple-abundance?r=fcso2
For those asking "why Estonia" -- yes, I have family cultural roots here . . . But Estonia has always been very encouraging and supportive of expats. Estonia was the first country in the world to have a "Digital Nomad Visa," started back in 2020 encouraging remote workers to come (highly recommend 🇪🇪😊): https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/nomadvisa/
Happy New Year KivCo! I’m sorry to read the farm hasn’t sold yet. Renting it out will certainly come with its own challenges but wishing you good luck and an easy journey. 🙏🏼 I’m loving your photos and perspective. Cheering you all on from afar. Love and hugs. xoxo☺️💕
Somehow I've missed several of your postings... I'm all caught up now! Darkness always makes the subtle light shine so beautifully... I've seen this over the years in my own 'dark' days. The serendipitous seems to glow in a way that is easy to overlook in the light. I miss you dear friend. Looking forward to the next time we bump into each other virtually...
You are the BEST -- love you Betty Anderson. ❤️
I am always curious as to how people pick where they emigrate to. Hubby and I knew we would be leaving the US, but looked at a lot of places before departing to Portugal. Anyway, Estonia sounds beautiful!
See what I just posted to Caroline . . . on my own personal roots (and citizenship) in Estonia. A bit more on my first Substack post linked here.. If Estonia had Portugal's climate, we'd be set. 😉. But we do have an incredible summer -- and spend last winter on Madeira. ❤️ https://lisakivirist.substack.com/p/cheers-to-change-in-2024-come-join?r=fcso2
Why Estonia, when you'd never been there? I'm curious. I lived in Riga and worked in Tallinn in the late 90s and still have an abiding love for Estonia in particular. My son *almost* went to Estonia for his high school exchange year (from Switzerland) but is now in Denmark: he wanted Nordic, so must have that from me somehow!
You make an excellent point on the age thing (i.e., don't wait!). I am ready to make the leap (from Switz to ANYWHERE ELSE, but most likely Portugal) and rather envious of your demographic luck. Spouse and I are 62 and 59, respectively, but still have elderly parents starting to need support (in southern Germany and New York), plus a kid at home. Wah!
I'm Estonian (dual citizen -- American & Estonian) -- as is our son. 🇪🇪 😊 My father's side is from Pärnu, the area we are now in. My mom is Latvia. Folks fled in 1044 with the Soviet Occupation and met in a DP (displaced people) camp in Germany -- then eventually immigrated to the States where I was raised. So yes . . my genetic code. 😉. But it's true I had not visited here before we moved. *That* was a leap of faith, by my heart knew . . .right place and time. I always thought Switzerland was the dream place to be -- but you know best. Hoping to make my first trip there this year. Hang in there with the eldercare support. I know that chapter well -- and it is indeed a chapter with an (granted, unpredictable) end ❤️. Thanks for connecting.
That makes sense (your surname). I did something similar, moved to the Czech Republic in 1993 on the basis of my genetic code and grandparental tales of the ‘time between the wars.’ And felt (still feel) completely at home there. It’s funny, what we carry with us.
I find this fascinating and will share with our adult children. With our Wisco farm we are not in a situation to move yet we totally understand the political push.
I would be curious to read more about the locals acceptance of your “US” peeps. Hoping all positive just as the sharing of local vegetation.
Best wishes,
Trish and Bert Paris
Great to hear from you! You mean acceptance here locally -- in Estonia? That's a great question and one I need to probably post on at some point because I feel too many people move abroad (to any country) and just hang out with other English-speaking expats and Americans. Or put a *lot* of effort into "things that they miss from home" -- finding a certain ingredient. Green Bean Casserole ingredients apparently causes deep nostalgia amongst Americans. 😆. But the short answer to your question is we've really loved connecting with locals here (remember: we're very rural) but, importantly: #1)
Be the first to reach out -- there is no need to "wait for anyone to approach #2) Ask lots of local questions -- we have them for SURE -- and people are genuinely happy to help #3) Share food! I must have made 20+ apple pies last year. Everyone "heard" of them from US tv shows but haven't tried . . 🥧. https://lisakivirist.substack.com/p/apple-abundance?r=fcso2