A Day in European Life: Between Strain and Beauty

When people imagine moving to Europe, they often picture fairy-tale streets, slow mornings with espresso, and endless time to enjoy art, food, and history. And yes—those things exist here. But for us, the reality has been different.

We didn’t land in Europe with an unlimited budget, smooth paperwork, or a safety net of resources. We arrived with dreams, determination, and the knowledge that our lives in the U.S. had become unstable. Extracting resources from back home has been messy and is still ongoing. That instability has shaped our daily life here.

Morning

Most mornings start at home. We lean heavily on fresh produce markets—not because it’s trendy, but because it’s affordable. Meals are simple: vegetables, eggs, bread (but we all know the magic Chef Carter weaves with simple ingredients). Coffee shop espressos are a treat I savor when I can have it, worlds better than the bitter brews I left behind in the U.S. Pastries are rare, but every once in a while, we are able to indulge - and my are they tasty! Carter and I share a focaccia sandwich occasionally from a stand in town, which are both delicious and inexpensive. Those small indulgences mean more because they aren’t everyday habits.

Afternoon

Instead of sightseeing or long café afternoons, much of our time is spent in paperwork, building businesses, and navigating systems. Residency appointments, translations, contracts, legal details—this is the unglamorous side of relocation. But it’s also the foundation we’re laying for the life we know is possible here.

Brasov is breathtaking, but we haven’t had as much time to enjoy it as we’d like. We’ve managed an occasional hike in the lush mountains, and each one feels like a luxury, a reminder of why we chose this place.

Evening

Home is where most evenings end. Meals are cooked from scratch with what we’ve carried back from the market. We talk about the future—about the museums, the culture, the travels we’ll make time for once stability comes. For now, evenings are about conserving resources, staying grounded, and pushing forward with the tasks at hand.

The Honest Rhythm

Life here isn’t easy or slow yet. It’s not always what the glossy photos show. Fall is here, and I find myself missing pumpkin spice and my cooler-weather wardrobe. Little things like that remind me of the sacrifices behind the move.

But still, when I walk these streets or look up at the mountains, I know this struggle is part of a larger story. We’re building something, even if the present is heavy. And I believe that someday soon, our days will include more of the beauty, culture, and joy that first drew us here.