Money & Moves - Arnica

Episode One: Arnica, 26 — From Vancouver to Valencia

When Arnica moved to Spain, she wasn’t following a perfect plan. She was following a feeling — the need for something different.

At 26, she had a good life back home in Vancouver. A stable job, a comfortable apartment, things were “great on paper.” But inside? It felt too routine. Too predictable. She knew it was time for a change — a new language, new people, and a new environment that would shake things up.

So, she booked the flight.

But how did she afford it?

“Financially, it was definitely something I had been saving towards — even subconsciously,” Arnica told me.
“I had a good job post-uni, and I saved a lot during that time. I left Canada with over $10,000 in savings.”

That money gave her the flexibility to land in Spain and take some time to figure things out. At first, she hoped to get a remote job in her field — but nothing materialized right away. So, she did what a lot of travelers do when plans shift: she got creative.

She started tutoring English online and nannying part-time — gigs she hadn’t originally planned for, but that ended up being exactly what she needed.

“I told myself I wouldn’t move unless I had a good job lined up. But I just wanted to be here. And once I was, I realized how freeing it was to just... live.”

With a flexible schedule, Arnica had time to travel, explore, and build a community with others doing similar things. Most of her friends were also teaching or nannying — and their lifestyles matched. The shared experience made her feel less alone and more empowered to redefine what “success” abroad looked like.

“Have I made a lot of money? No.
Have I been enjoying myself, traveling, meeting people? Absolutely.”

She now earns around €1,000 per month, with rent taking up about half of that. The rest goes toward food, daily expenses, and the occasional weekend getaway. There’s not a lot left to save — and that’s okay with her.

“Right now, I’m living more paycheck-to-paycheck. But I know that more financially stable opportunities will come in time. For now, this is exactly what I need.”

When I asked her what she wished she’d known before moving, Arnica didn’t talk about budgets or visas. She talked about patience.

“Be patient with yourself — and with others. Learning a new language, adapting to a culture, figuring out your job and finances — it all takes time. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out on day one.”

And her biggest takeaway?

Sometimes, stepping away from the grind is what actually gives you perspective.

“The value I’ve gotten from this experience — the people, the perspective, the pace — is worth more than any salary I could have made if I stayed in Canada. That will come later. This moment is for living.”

Final thoughts:

Arnica’s story is a reminder that the decision to move abroad doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be yours. You can save a lot, spend a little, pivot plans, or figure it out as you go. The most important thing? Starting.

This is what Money & Moves is all about — real people, real numbers, and the many different ways we make it work.

Want to share your story or nominate someone inspiring? I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s keep the conversation going.