What do you think?
American Expat: Moving Abroad Solo After 60
What if the life you’ve been dreaming of is just one bold decision away?
In 2021, amid global uncertainty and COVID lockdowns, Barbara Grassey left behind the familiar comforts of the United States and boarded a plane to Portugal. She had never set foot in the country, didn’t know a soul, and couldn’t speak the language. What she did know? It was time to stop waiting and start living.
American Moving Abroad Solo After 60 is a candid, often funny, and deeply relatable travel memoir that chronicles Barbara’s first year in Portugal—from the confusing bureaucracy of getting a visa to the nerve-wracking leap of faith that brought her across the Atlantic. Along the way, she learns how to navigate a new culture, build a new life from scratch, and rediscover a sense of freedom she didn’t know she’d lost.
Written for dreamers, doers, those with wanderlust, and anyone who’s ever thought, “Maybe I’m too old” or “Maybe I shouldn’t do this alone,” this book is a powerful reminder that reinvention has no expiration date. Whether you’re 35 or 75, partnered up or flying solo, American Expat shows you what’s possible when you stop waiting for the right time or the right person—and go anyway.
If you’ve ever dreamed of leaving the US, this book is your permission slip, your roadmap, and your proof that it’s never too late to change your life.
In 2021, amid global uncertainty and COVID lockdowns, Barbara Grassey left behind the familiar comforts of the United States and boarded a plane to Portugal. She had never set foot in the country, didn’t know a soul, and couldn’t speak the language. What she did know? It was time to stop waiting and start living.
American Moving Abroad Solo After 60 is a candid, often funny, and deeply relatable travel memoir that chronicles Barbara’s first year in Portugal—from the confusing bureaucracy of getting a visa to the nerve-wracking leap of faith that brought her across the Atlantic. Along the way, she learns how to navigate a new culture, build a new life from scratch, and rediscover a sense of freedom she didn’t know she’d lost.
Written for dreamers, doers, those with wanderlust, and anyone who’s ever thought, “Maybe I’m too old” or “Maybe I shouldn’t do this alone,” this book is a powerful reminder that reinvention has no expiration date. Whether you’re 35 or 75, partnered up or flying solo, American Expat shows you what’s possible when you stop waiting for the right time or the right person—and go anyway.
If you’ve ever dreamed of leaving the US, this book is your permission slip, your roadmap, and your proof that it’s never too late to change your life.
263 pages, Paperback
Published June 24, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 13, 2025
If you ever wanted to live in Europe or abroad. You should read this book.
If you ever thought, I couldn't possibly do that! You should read this book.
If you ever thought, it's too much, too hard, I'm too old, I'm A Single Woman(or man)!
You Should Read THIS Book!
It made me laugh, it made me think, it made me laugh again and, in the end, much like Barbara, it made me wish I had done it sooner.
In “American Expat – Moving Abroad Solo After 60” Barbara takes us on a yearlong ride of an intelligent introverted but otherwise a "one of us" kind of a woman, who up and moves to another country, Sight Unseen, during a Pandemic, with little more than a few suitcases, a few bucks, and a good idea - or so she hoped!
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but that's the good stuff! The Great Stuff? It's fun, while being informative, introspective, and friendly enough to make you feel like you're hearing it from a friend you just met at the café up the street. You can actually Believe it, because it's real! You Can take it from dream to reality, and Ms, Grassey does so, with excellent doses of humor and humility. Leading the way and shining a light on the path for those who wish and want to be able to follow.
It's a fabulous read and…..Barbara is Still there, in her sweet Portuguese village, and Still Loving it.
If you ever wanted to – You Should Read This Book!
If you ever thought, I couldn't possibly do that! You should read this book.
If you ever thought, it's too much, too hard, I'm too old, I'm A Single Woman(or man)!
You Should Read THIS Book!
It made me laugh, it made me think, it made me laugh again and, in the end, much like Barbara, it made me wish I had done it sooner.
In “American Expat – Moving Abroad Solo After 60” Barbara takes us on a yearlong ride of an intelligent introverted but otherwise a "one of us" kind of a woman, who up and moves to another country, Sight Unseen, during a Pandemic, with little more than a few suitcases, a few bucks, and a good idea - or so she hoped!
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but that's the good stuff! The Great Stuff? It's fun, while being informative, introspective, and friendly enough to make you feel like you're hearing it from a friend you just met at the café up the street. You can actually Believe it, because it's real! You Can take it from dream to reality, and Ms, Grassey does so, with excellent doses of humor and humility. Leading the way and shining a light on the path for those who wish and want to be able to follow.
It's a fabulous read and…..Barbara is Still there, in her sweet Portuguese village, and Still Loving it.
If you ever wanted to – You Should Read This Book!
July 23, 2026
A fun read, even if you never leave your couch. Filled with both practical insights and humor (you can't travel well with humor), American Expat may just give you the push you need to do what the author did, especially if you think you're too old or too...whatever. I found it inspirational that Grassey managed her emigration during the pandemic, making the challenges greater but also the rewards she shares with us.
One of my favorite lines: “It’s amazing how quickly things happen once you say yes to adventure.” I can attest that this observation applies to other “adventures” as well!
One of my favorite lines: “It’s amazing how quickly things happen once you say yes to adventure.” I can attest that this observation applies to other “adventures” as well!
August 5, 2026
As I read “American Expat: Moving Abroad Solo After 60” by Barbara Grassey, I found myself continually stepping into her shoes. At each turn, I wondered what I would do, feeling the weight of the decisions and gaining immense respect for her courage to embark on such a journey.
In addition, it’s a useful, practical resource. The author doesn’t gloss over the logistics, and the advice and tools she includes are helpful for anyone even quietly contemplating a similar leap.
An empowering, highly readable guide to starting a bold new chapter.
In addition, it’s a useful, practical resource. The author doesn’t gloss over the logistics, and the advice and tools she includes are helpful for anyone even quietly contemplating a similar leap.
An empowering, highly readable guide to starting a bold new chapter.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews