Discovering
The Good Life Abroad
What Does It Really Mean to Live Abroad for a Month? Watch Our Webinar Recap
If you've ever felt like traditional travel just isn't cutting it anymore — the rush from site to site, the tour bus schedules, the hotel check-ins every few days — you're not alone. And if the idea of simply moving abroad feels exciting but a little daunting, well, you're not alone in that either.
That's exactly the conversation we had in our recent "Discovering The Good Life Abroad" webinar. Our founder, Andrew Motiwalla, was joined by Marlys Samler — a retired teacher from California and one of our Florence program alumni — for an honest, heartfelt look at what a month abroad with The Good Life Abroad is really like.
Whether you missed the live session or just want to revisit the highlights, the full recording is available to watch now.
Why The Good Life Abroad Exists
Andrew has spent nearly 30 years in the travel industry, and over that time, he kept hearing the same thing from seasoned travelers: tours are great, but they're exhausting. And yet, the idea of just going to live abroad on your own brings up a whole different set of worries — loneliness, language barriers, navigating medical care, and not knowing if the apartment you booked will look anything like the photos.
The Good Life Abroad was built to solve exactly that. The secret ingredient? Community.
By bringing a cohort of like-minded travelers together in the same neighborhood, pairing them with a dedicated local Community Manager, and layering in curated activities throughout the month, the program gives you the freedom of independent travel with the comfort of a built-in support system.
As Marla put it: "You have this level of security of knowing there are community managers there who know the culture, who know the area, who will look out for you — but you're independent and you have time to yourself. It's the best of both worlds."
What's Included in the Program
The Good Life Abroad's month-long Signature Programs are built around four core features:
Vetted Apartments All apartments are carefully selected with the needs of travelers 55+ in mind. They're located in real, walkable neighborhoods — not tourist traps — with grocery stores, cafés, and local life right outside your door. Apartments come fully equipped with kitchens, high-speed Wi-Fi, and weekly cleaning service. In the vast majority of cases, elevator access is available.
Marla and a friend shared a two-bedroom apartment in the Oltrarno district of Florence — right across from the main tourist area, full of artists and great restaurants, with a rooftop terrace where they'd invite fellow travelers to watch the sunset.
A Local Community Manager These are the people who make the magic happen. Community Managers organize activities, share local tips, and are available via WhatsApp Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 — like having a knowledgeable local friend in your pocket. In Florence, Marla was supported by Jacomo and Martina, both of whom she described as "probably the best community managers out there" — a sentiment Andrew noted he hears from every single city.
They don't just plan events. They sit down with you one-on-one at the start of the program to understand what you want to get out of your month — whether that's brushing up on your French, diving deep into Renaissance art, or simply exploring neighboring towns.
A Built-In Community of Fellow Travelers The average group size is around 15 people, most between the ages of 60 and 75, with roughly 30% traveling solo. Before the program even begins, you'll join a Zoom call to meet your fellow travelers and Community Managers. Once you arrive, orientation, a welcome party, and a shared WhatsApp group help the community quickly take on a life of its own.
Marla made friends who texted her months later to join her in Lake Como. She's been invited to visit someone in Savannah. "We've made some friendships that are actually lasting beyond just the trip," she said.
Travel Medical Insurance Peace of mind is part of the package. All programs include travel medical insurance and access to English-speaking medical care — so you can explore with confidence.
A Week in the Life: The Activity Schedule
The program is structured around a light but intentional weekly rhythm:
Arrival Day – Settle in, get comfortable
Day 2 – Morning orientation, evening welcome party
Tuesdays – Tuesday Lunch Club: a two-hour lunch exploring different parts of the city and local cuisine
Wednesdays – A cultural activity (varies by city)
Thursdays – "Happy to Be 55+" Happy Hour — vermouth workshops in Barcelona, blind wine tastings in Paris, and whatever makes each city unique
Fri–Mon – Free days to explore, travel, or simply wander
The free days are intentional. As Andrew explained, the beauty of being there for a full month is that you have time — time to stumble upon a Christmas market, follow a street musician down an alley, or catch the train to a neighboring city for the day.
Marla's favorites from Florence included a medieval painting class (where they learned how artisans made their own dyes and gold leaf), a pasta-making class, an architecture tour, and plenty of happy hours scattered across different neighborhoods. "Towards the end of the trip, Martino asked, 'What are your highs and lows?' I went, 'I can't really think of any lows.'"
Is This Program Right for You?
The Good Life Abroad is not a tour. There's no bus, no packed itinerary, and no one telling you where to be (except for that Tuesday lunch). You'll get around by walking, public transit, and the occasional taxi. A smartphone is your best travel companion — Google Maps and WhatsApp are used throughout the program.
The program works beautifully for those who:
Love slow travel and cultural immersion
Want independence and community
Are comfortable navigating a city on foot or by transit
Have basic comfort with a smartphone
If you have mobility concerns, contact the team directly — some cities are more accessible than others, and the staff can help find the right fit for you.
Two Weeks or a Full Month? There's an Option for Everyone
In addition to the month-long Signature Programs (30 nights) in cities like Florence, Barcelona, Paris, Lisbon, Valencia, Split, Rome, and more, The Good Life Abroad also offers two-week Short Stay programs in smaller towns like Porto, Nice, Lake Como, Edinburgh, and Granada. Both share the same DNA — Community Manager, activities, and that sense of belonging — and they can be combined for a six-week European adventure.
There's also a Bring Your Own Housing option ($2,500/person) for those who want to find their own accommodation — including pet-friendly options — while still enjoying full access to the community, activities, and staff support.
And for solo travelers? Dedicated solo-only sessions are available, studio apartments keep costs down, and the private Good Life Abroad Community Facebook group is a great place to connect with a potential travel companion before you book.
What Does It Cost?
Pricing varies by city, apartment type (studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom), and time of year. You can explore all dates and pricing on the website by using the filter tool. As a general guide, Marla compared a month in Florence to the cost of a 8–10 day river cruise: "I feel like I paid about the same price for the river cruise as I did for a whole month in Florence."
Day-to-day living costs (groceries, meals out, local transport) typically run around $1,000–$1,500 per person for the month. Airfare, transfers, and any optional tours are separate.
A $495 deposit holds your spot, with 50% due upfront and the remaining balance due before departure.
Ready to Explore?
Many 2026 sessions are already sold out, with waitlists forming. If you're thinking about it — in Marla's words — "just do it."
"You can Airbnb on your own, but you get ten times the value by going with a group like this and having the community." — Marlys Samler, Florence Alumni
Browse available dates and pricing, or schedule a one-on-one Zoom consultation with the team