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Americans Abroad: Sandra and Jeff's Travel Blog

Two Retired Americans traveling and living abroad, on a budget, one country at a time

American Expats & Senior Nomads

Our Blog about Traveling and Living abroad, on a budget, one country at a time

Budget Travel Guides for Curious, Cost-Conscious Explorers

Want to explore the world without spending a fortune? Our budget travel guides are crafted for curious travelers who crave rich cultural experiences without luxury price tags. Whether you’re planning a weekend city escape or a longer international stay, these guides offer handpicked tips for saving money on lodging, food, activities, and transportation – without compromising on the experience.

What You’ll Find in These Guides:

  • Cost-saving tips specific to each destination
  • Free and affordable attractions worth your time
  • Honest advice based on first-hand experiences
  • Accommodation recommendations for budget-conscious travelers
  • Where to eat well for less
  • Smart local transportation strategies

We’ve walked these streets, ridden these buses, and eaten at these corner cafés ourselves – so everything we share is tested, researched, and traveler-approved.

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Reader’s Favorite Budget Travel Guides

  • 7 Amazing Day Trips from Tirana
  • Stretching Our Travel Budget: Finding Affordable Places To Stay
  • Where to stay in Lisbon; 6 Best Neighborhood PLUS Hotel Recommendations
  • 3 Days in Mexico City: A Budget-Friendly Itinerary
  • Mexico City Travel Guide
  • Mexico City 5-Day Itinerary: Culture, Cuisine & Local Charm on a Budget
  • South America Travel Guide
  • Buenos Aires Travel Guide for American Expats & Retirees
  • Belém Walking Tour: Self-Guided Lisbon Itinerary for 15 Historic Sites

Destination Guides by Country

  • Central America
    • Costa Rica
      • Puerto Viejo
      • San Jose
    • Panama
  • Cruising
  • Europe
    • Albania
      • Durres
      • Pogradec
      • Sarandë
      • Tirana
    • Barcelona
    • England
      • Andover
      • Derby
      • London
      • Oxford
    • Greece
      • Corfu
    • Italy
      • rome
    • Portugal
      • Algarve
      • Faro
      • Lisbon
  • North America
    • Canada
    • Florida
    • Mexico
      • Guanajuato
      • Mexico City
    • Oregon
    • Washington
  • South America
    • Argentina
      • Buenos Aires
    • Chile
      • Valparaiso
      • Vina del mar

Traveling Smart Doesn’t Mean Skipping the Good Stuff

We believe in slow travel, thoughtful experiences, and making the most of our money – whether that’s skipping a pricey tour in favor of a self-guided route or choosing a cozy family-run guesthouse over a chain hotel.

If you’re looking for itineraries and things to do visit our Budget-Friendly Itineraries page or Explore Our Travel Destinations.

Also check out our Accommodation Reviews

  • Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Our List of the Top 8 Affordable Places to Stay in London England (2024)
  • Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
  • Our Review of Studio Coliving Hotel in Panama City, Panama
  • Stretching Our Travel Budget: Finding Affordable Places To Stay
  • We found Budget Friendly Inns Near Cruise Port in Fort Lauderdale
  • Where to Stay in Guanajuato City
  • Where to stay in Lisbon for budget travelers like us – 6 Best!

Want to know how much it costs us to travel fulltime? Check out our Cost of Living reports and blog posts:

Our First-Year Budget and Expenses

  • Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
  • A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
  • Travel Expense Tracker Template for Full-time Travelers – designed by Full-time Travelers
  • Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
  • What was our Cost of Living in Pogradec Albania? (2025)
  • Our Cost of Living in Durrës, Albania for 61 Days
  • Cost of Living in Chile: What We Spent Living Abroad for 6 Weeks as American Expats and Nomads
  • Cost of Living in Mexico for 6 Weeks: Our Detailed Breakdown
  • Our Cost of Living in Buenos Aires Argentina for Two Months Report
  • Port to Port: Our Journey Getting from Italy to Albania – A Step-by-Step Guide for Budget Travelers
  • From Chile to Guanajuato: Why Mexico City Was the Perfect Stop for Nomads Like Us
  • Retirement Abroad on a Budget: Our Real First-Year Costs as American Expat & Nomads (Age 60+)

more coming soon!

Traveling Soon?

Visit our Travel Resources page to find all the travel planning apps, sites and gear we use

Click here >> Trip Planning Resources

About Us

US

We’re Jeff and Sandra, two retired Americans, living abroad, on a budget, one country at a time. Most days, we’re just doing what we’ve always done— making ourselves a home, working on projects, cooking, and running errands, wherever home might be at the moment.

Meet Sandra & Jeff
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Reader's Favorite Blog Posts

  • Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
  • A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
  • Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
  • ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
  • Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Travel: I Purchased & Tested 3 Budget Brands vs 1 Expensive Brand

Reader's Favorite Destinations

Albania
Portugal
Panama
Costa Rica
Mexico
England
Argentina
Cruising

If our stories inspired you, share the journey with your friends—just click your favorite social media button below or copy the url at the top of your screen. Your support means the world to us!

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Made with ❤ by Sandra and Jeff, Retired Americans Abroad & Slowmads
© 2026 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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  • HOME
  • START HERE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • Find Us on FB
    • Youtube Channel
    • WORK WITH US
  • TRAVEL RESOURCES
  • GET UPDATES TO YOUR INBOX