While trekking through the stunning Seven Rila Lakes in Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains, Maureen Thomson and Jeremy Myers pause to appreciate the crisp mountain air before continuing on their path.

The American couple, who moved to Bulgaria from the United States last year, are often amazed by the country’s awe-inspiring scenery — from rugged mountains and thick forests to mineral springs and fresh waterways.

When they aren’t marveling at the lakes, they often visit secluded monasteries, hike to waterfalls, or go on impromptu road trips that turn into spontaneous sightseeing adventures.

“Living here feels very rooted,” says Thomson. “It’s more than just visiting nature — it’s becoming part of it.”

Seeking a Life Closer to Nature

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Thomson and Myers weren’t new to the idea of moving abroad. This most recent relocation marked their third attempt to find an overseas home.

“I’ve never felt like I needed to spend my entire life in the country where I was born,” explains Thomson. She adds that while they love the U.S., they were eager to live life differently and more adventurously.

The two, who wed in 2007 and run a U.S.-based elopement business called Blue Sky Elopements, were fortunate to have careers that allowed them flexibility to move and work from abroad.

Their first international move happened back in 2012 when they tried living in Mexico.

However, after two years, they returned to the U.S. due to unreliable utilities and poor infrastructure, which made it tough to manage their business remotely.

“In hindsight, we probably weren’t quite ready yet,” Thomson admits.

Still, the desire to explore never faded. Nearly ten years later, their interest in relocating reignited.

This time, they looked to Ecuador, a country they had fond memories of visiting in 2008.

After a six-week exploratory trip in late 2022, they decided to go for it again, driven by tensions back home and a thirst for new experiences.

In 2023, they made the move to Ecuador with their two cats, Damon and Pythias, and dove into life there with optimism. They rented an apartment in Quito and invested in making it their long-term home.

Discovering Ecuador Wasn’t a Fit

But after 18 months, it became clear that Ecuador wasn’t the right match.

“We’re both introverts,” says Thomson. “We enjoy solitude and quiet, and the vibrant, often noisy culture didn’t align with our lifestyle.”

Frequent electricity issues made day-to-day living difficult, and the country didn’t feel like the place they had once loved.

As unrest broke out across Ecuador and the government declared a state of emergency, worry set in.

“There always seemed to be a crisis,” Thomson recalls telling Myers. “I needed to be somewhere calmer, where things felt safer.”

It wasn't easy convincing Myers to leave. Although living costs in Ecuador were low, the initial move had been expensive, and they ended up donating most of their possessions before leaving.

“You have to live long enough in a place for the investment of moving there to make sense,” says Thomson.

Finding the Right Fit

Still in Ecuador, the two started researching their next potential home. They developed an extensive spreadsheet that compared different countries such as France and Slovenia.

They valued opportunities for hiking, a supportive international community, and balanced weather conditions.

“I don’t like extremes — too hot or too cold,” explains Thomson. “The spreadsheet helped us approach it more logically and removed some of the emotion.”

Eventually, they chose Bulgaria because it matched nearly all their criteria and allowed them to legally run their U.S.-based business while applying for residency under a retirement visa.

“Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania were all close contenders,” says Thomson. “They each offered a scenic lifestyle, low cost, and the kind of weather we wanted.”

Preferring smaller mountain communities, they steered away from larger cities after applying for a Bulgarian D visa back in the U.S.

They arrived in Bulgaria in December 2024, hopeful this move would finally stick. After a short stay in Sofia, they settled in Plovdiv — a city in southern Bulgaria known for its cultural heritage and hilltop views.

“Plovdiv felt like a better fit for us than Sofia,” shares Thomson, noting that the capital was just a bit too urban and busy for their tastes.

Hoping Third Time’s the Charm

The couple has found themselves quickly adjusting to life in Bulgaria and appreciate the country’s slower, more family-centered lifestyle.

“People here know how to unplug from work and enjoy life,” says Myers. “That’s hard to find back in the U.S.”

Though they note that Bulgarians can appear reserved, locals have been generally kind and supportive.

Myers particularly enjoys the food, the laid-back rhythm of daily life, and Bulgaria’s rich historical backdrop.

Political issues might exist, but the couple chooses to stay removed from the drama. “We're not really affected by it. We just do our thing,” says Myers.

They admit Bulgarian is tough to learn, but locals appreciate their efforts to speak it, knowing it’s not an easy language for foreigners.

Safety has been a major factor for Thomson. In contrast to Ecuador, she now feels completely at ease walking alone at night.

“I no longer worry about mass violence,” she says. “When I hear a loud noise, I don’t panic — I stay grounded. That’s a huge change.”

While they occasionally miss the fast pace and responsiveness of services in the U.S., it’s a trade-off they’re happy with.

“I’m the one who has to adapt,” says Thomson. “Not the other way around.”

Settling Into Mountain Life

Although they’ve made friends and love their apartment in Plovdiv, summer heat was an issue they couldn’t ignore.

After about ten months, they chose to relocate again — this time to Bansko, a charming ski resort town they visited in the summer and immediately loved.

Thomson describes it as reminiscent of Breckenridge, Colorado, but with authentic Bulgarian character.

They recently signed an 18-month lease on a spacious apartment just a short walk from Bansko’s town square.

“There are hiking trails everywhere,” says Thomson. “And the town is starting to attract digital nomads, so we feel right at home.”

One of the biggest selling points for Thomson? “It’s not hot in the summer,” she laughs.

The path to finding their place wasn’t easy, but living in Bulgaria now feels right. “We don’t have any plans to leave,” Thomson says confidently.

“Relocating multiple times is costly,” she adds.

The couple now share their adventures online through their YouTube channel, Expat Journey, where they talk about moving abroad and adapting to new cultures.

They plan the occasional visit back to the U.S. to see loved ones, but not often, as the travel itself — involving a flight through Istanbul and a long journey to Denver — takes a toll on them.

Would they move back to the U.S. for good? Possibly, but only if a major life event called for it.

“As long as we’re healthy, we’re staying put,” says Thomson. “But never say never.”

Looking back on their previous experiences, she jokes, “Maybe it takes a few tries. But this time, it really feels like we’ve found our place.”