I’ll share my story, which might not seem like a big risk to everyone, but it feels significant to me.
I’m 31 and have just moved from my hometown in the UK to South America for the next three years (the length of my visa) to fully commit to my small business.
I chose South America because the cost of living is lower compared to London. I left behind family and friends, but I was already drifting away from most people due to our lifestyles revolving around drinking and similar activities, with only a few genuine connections.
Many people think I’m crazy for making this move, but for me, it’s been positive. I have my own apartment in a cool seaside town with a good number of people my age. It’s a bit touristy, which I like right now because I don’t feel completely out of place. I’m able to live off what my business is currently earning and focus full-time on growing it, unlike back in the UK where I was sharing a flat with messy party-goers, struggling financially, and feeling depressed.
While people back home are settling down—one friend’s girlfriend is even pregnant—I’m starting this new chapter. Some think I’ve lost my mind, but deep down, I believe it’s the right move. I get to explore, experience something new, and focus on my long-term goals. It feels risky since there’s no guarantee it will work out, and I have only a modest amount in savings that I plan to avoid using.
So, does anyone else have similar stories of taking a big leap or pursuing a risky path after 30?
My dad grew up in poverty in what was then a third-world country and moved to Canada at age 12. He had a tough childhood with an abusive father and dropped out of college at 19. He worked hard, learned technical skills, and started a family. By 38, he and his high school best friend, along with another friend, launched an engineering automation company. Fast forward to when he was 43, the company was sold to a US firm for $10 million.
A year before the sale, my mom left him, and they had been struggling with crippling debt from their mortgage for years, which I believe contributed to their divorce. After the separation, my dad fell into a deep depression. Just months before the company sold, one of his partners tried to force him out, leading to a mental breakdown that landed him in the hospital for several days. He lost custody of me and my siblings and continued to accumulate debt from loans taken to support the business.
Despite all the hardships, when the company was sold, my dad received millions, which turned his life around. He paid off his house, his financial issues were resolved, and he eventually regained custody of us. The lesson here is to keep pushing forward, as things often get worse before they get better.
My family is of Slavic background, and my brother is a true free spirit. He settled in the Philippines, married a Filipino woman, and now has two beautiful children. Before that, he spent 15 years traveling the world in a van and living in a hut he built by hand on a sandy beach, where he sold custom tourism packages. He’s shared many of his adventures online, and I’d be happy to pass along his contact info if you want to reach out to him directly. He might even be willing to share more with you.
I admire him for his lifestyle and applaud you as well. Create an amazing life for yourself, and maybe turn it into a movie later on!
I’m in a tough spot (33-year-old male orthodontist living in Madrid) and not doing well financially due to a saturated market. I have the opportunity to own my practice in France, which could improve my financial and professional situation. However, my emotional side is hesitant about taking this leap of faith and worries about missing the comfort of my current life in Madrid. Any advice on whether I should take the plunge, or if the grass really is greener on the other side?
Don’t view this as a single chance that might work out or not. Expect difficulties and rough patches along the way. Instead, see it as a commitment to persevere regardless of short-term results, until you find a path to success. With this mindset, if you keep pushing forward, you’ll eventually achieve success.
Wow, thank you. I will follow your advice