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Applying for Romanian Residency Without a Visa
Most foreigners arrive in Romania with a D-type long-stay visa in their passport. They’ve spent months preparing paperwork, mailing apostilled documents overseas, waiting for consulate appointments, and hoping they’ve understood everything correctly. What many don’t realize is that there is another way for U.S. citizens and other visa-exempt nationals. You can enter Romania under the standard 90-day visa-free allowance and apply directly for residency from within the country,

Jillian Aurora
Oct 213 min read


When You Feel Stuck: Leaving with Little
For many people, the idea of leaving their country feels impossible. They may dream of building new lives in Europe and think, that’s not possible for me. Maybe they’re living paycheck to paycheck, maybe they’ve lost everything, maybe they’re simply too exhausted to imagine another version of life. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be wealthy to begin again. You have to be willing, and curious, and dedicated. The Myth of the “Rich Expat” When people imagine moving abroa

Jillian Aurora
Oct 114 min read


Quiet Steps Toward Leaving the U.S.
Leaving a country is never as simple as buying a ticket. It is layered with paperwork, planning, grief, and hope. For those of us...

Jillian Aurora
Sep 223 min read


Finding Your Way to Residency in Eastern Europe
Imagining a move abroad can feel overwhelming in so many ways. A long distance move is already stressful without considering if a country will even let you stay - that's daunting. But in Eastern Europe especially, there are multiple ways to build legal residency. Unlike Western Europe's high income requirements, skilled job requirements, or other deterring factors, Eastern Europe's requirements are often more reasonable and realistic for the average American.

Jillian Aurora
Sep 193 min read


Welcome to HearthFinder: A Home Beyond Borders
For the past decade, I’ve dreamed of living in Europe. I wanted the rhythm of old cities, the slower pace of village life, and the chance...

Jillian Aurora
Sep 172 min read
HearthFinder: Building safe futures, one hearth at a time.
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