Why So Many People Dream of Living Abroad — and Why Few Take the Next Step

From vague curiosity to intentional planning

Most people who consider living abroad don’t wake up one morning and decide to move. The idea shows up gradually — after a trip, a life transition, a moment of burnout, or a growing sense that daily life could feel more aligned. Spain, in particular, tends to enter these conversations quietly: as a place associated with culture, health, good food, closeness with nature, and a slower rhythm.

Yet for all the interest, relatively few people move forward with confidence. Not because the dream is unrealistic — but because the process is fragmented.

The Gap Between Aspiration and Execution

People researching life abroad often encounter the same pattern:

• Visa rules in one place

• Property listings in another

• Tax, healthcare, and legal advice scattered across forums and anecdotes

Each piece may be accurate on its own, but without structure, the whole picture becomes overwhelming. Many either rush into decisions prematurely or stall indefinitely.

This pattern appears repeatedly across conversations with people exploring life abroad.

The most difficult part is rarely the desire to live abroad. It is understanding how the pieces fit together over time — without treating relocation as a leap of faith.

A Different Starting Point

Dream Abroad Living (DALI) was created to address this exact gap. Rather than beginning with visas or property, DALI starts with clarity:

• What kind of life are you actually designing?

• How do time, place, income, and family intersect?

• What does “success” look like five, ten, or twenty years out?

Only then does it make sense to explore legal pathways, housing strategies, and regional options.

This approach doesn’t rush decisions — it de-risks them and recognizes that relocation works best when it’s treated as a process, not a transaction. DALI exists to guide that process — thoughtfully, incrementally, and with respect for the complexity of real lives.

Because moving abroad isn’t just about where you go. It’s about how you live once you get there.

Data Snapshot

• Global interest: Around 16% of adults worldwide report that they would like to leave their country permanently, indicating widespread interest in international migration (interest, not intent). Source: Gallup World Poll

• Migration context: OECD research documents the complexity and diversity of migration policies and integration frameworks across advanced economies, highlighting the multifaceted nature of long-term international migration. Source: OECD, International Migration Outlook

If reading this brought up questions about your own situation, you’re not alone. DALI's short reflection survey is designed to help people think through their goals, timelines, and priorities — whether or not they’re ready to take next steps.

It’s simply a way to bring a bit of structure to what is often a very personal, long-term conversation.

Explore the DALI Reflection Survey.