If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be writing this from our apartment in Tirana, Albania, I might have laughed. Back then, my wife Taylor and I were firmly planted in California, living a comfortable life that we had worked hard to build. We had thriving careers, a cozy three-bedroom home filled with pets, and deep roots in our communities. Yet something was stirring inside us – a mix of wanderlust, worry about the direction of the U.S., and a yearning for a different kind of life. That stirring eventually led us here, to a new country and a new chapter we never expected.

*Stepping into a new world – the vibrant heart of Tirana, Albania, where our journey as expats truly began.*

California Roots: Different Worlds, Shared Values

I would like to introduce my wife and I to you and give you a quick insight into our lives. So join us on everything that has led to how we came to be where we are today. My name is Brandon Marquez. I grew up in the heart of the state Fresno, California. Raised by my hardworking mother who was tough on me, and equipped me with the tools to take on the world. Life in Fresno taught me the value of hard work and community. In fact, I started my entrepreneurial ventures early on, doing odd jobs since high school to get the extras in life. I grew up with my twin sister, Jacquelyn, who taught me how to share, fight, and stand-up for myself and others.

Meanwhile, down where it never rained in southern California, was where Taylor grew up. In the luxury of sunny Santa Clarita. You could say her childhood was a bit different from mine; Growing up with a celebrity father, she and her family knew what it was to have the finer things in life. Taylor was the only girl among four siblings (with one older and two younger brothers), so she too knew not only how to get her way, but also stand up to (and sometimes overtake) others.

On the surface, our upbringings were worlds apart – small-town Central Valley vs. celebrity-adjacent suburb. But we shared more than we knew. Both of us were raised by loving families who emphasized strength, resilience, and looking beyond ourselves. We both learned early on to care about our communities and to speak up when we saw injustice. Those parallel values set the stage for everything that came next, where these two worlds would clash in the small town of Merced, California.

College Sweethearts: How We Met and Changed Course

Our paths converged in 2011 at UC Merced, and it was all thanks to a mutual friend. Brittany – who is still one of our best friends today – introduced me to Taylor during our Freshman year. I met Brittany on move in day where we immediately became friends. Taylor, on the other hand knew her since third grade, lost touch after fifth grade, and reconnected on Facebook after passing each other on campus! After all that time, they both looked pretty much the same! Brittany one day invited me to a class that she thought I would enjoy, when we happened to pass Taylor. I’ll admit, I was immediately drawn to Taylor’s warmth, quick wit, and slightly out of fashion style. I made the leap and invited her to join us in this class I had no authority inviting her to. We were fast friends, and frenemies. We loved to be around each other, but took shots at each other any chance we got as well. We would hang out as a group any chance we had; In the dorms, in classes, in the dining commons, at parties, you name it. Eventually, we found ourselves working together on campus in dining. And although we tried to ignore our feeling for each other and stay good friends, by 2012, that friendship had blossomed into something more, and we officially started dating. We’ve been inseperable ever since.

Dating through college meant growing up together in many ways. In fact, we even changed our academic paths together. I had entered UC Merced as a biology major, and Taylor was a chemistry major – both of us initially aiming for careers in health or science. But as we explored different classes (and commiserated over tough chemistry labs), we discovered a shared fascination with the human mind and behavior. By junior year, we both made the bold move to switch majors to Cognitive Science. It was a risk – changing majors meant catching up on new requirements – but we supported each other through it. In 2015, we proudly walked across the graduation stage together, each with a Bachelors in Cognitive Science. That decision to follow our curiosity, rather than stick to the original plan, was one of our first lessons in embracing change together. Little did we know how much bigger changes awaited us down the road.

Thriving Careers and a Passion for Change

After college, we dove into the working world and built the careers we had dreamed of. I found my niche in project management, business development, and sales. From managing a team and launching a whole new division at UC Merced’s dining services to climbing the ranks in the corporate world, I thrived on leadership and innovation. By my late twenties, I was leading business development initiatives in the insurance industry and later working as a channel consultant for a major HR software company. I loved strategizing, building partnerships, and knocking down sales targets – all skills that would one day help in our own business venture.

Taylor, meanwhile, absolutely shined in pharmaceutical sales. She started out in a management training program at Enterprise (yes, the car rental company – we both coincidentally cut our teeth in the same program after college!). But soon she transitioned into pharma and found her calling. By 2018 she was a pharmaceutical sales representative educating doctors on new migraine medications, and she quickly earned a reputation as a top performer. Over the next few years she earned promotion after promotion – from rep to territory manager to senior territory manager – launching groundbreaking drugs for diabetes and obesity and consistently exceeding her sales quotas. It wasn’t uncommon for Taylor to finish a year in the top 10% of her nationwide team, earning accolades for her results and leadership. I couldn’t have been prouder watching her light up with purpose, knowing that her work was helping improve patients’ lives.

Despite the long hours and success we both enjoyed, we never let our careers define all of who we were. We were equally passionate about the world around us, and we stayed engaged in our communities and causes. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been politically active and unabashedly progressive. In my spare time, I participated in local social justice organizations and showed up where I felt I was needed. I was always steadfast in my demand for justice for Black and brown communities. I stood side by side with women in their fight defending their right to bodily autonomy. I waved the rainbow flag at Pride events and fought for LGBTQ+ rights. Even at work, I found ways to push for change – I took on an officer role in our company’s diversity & inclusion employee resource group, using that platform to advocate for underrepresented colleagues.

Taylor shared my drive to make a difference. She too is deeply compassionate and believes in equality. Whether it was volunteering at community outreach programs or mentoring younger women in her company, she poured her heart into lifting others up. Our dinner conversations often revolved around news headlines and how we could contribute or take action. We were that couple who treated voting day like a holiday and who would happily spend a weekend afternoon getting everyone who would listen involved in their local elections. Fighting for a better world was (and still is) a core part of our identity as individuals and as a team.

When Home Stops Feeling Like Home

By the early 2020s, as we were hitting our strides professionally, we couldn’t ignore that our country felt like it was at a crossroads. We had always been proud Americans, grateful for the opportunities we’d had. But we didn’t love where America seemed to be heading. The political climate was growing more polarized and, in our view, more hostile to many of the communities and values we cared about. We watched hard-won rights and social progress come under threat. It was disheartening, to say the least. After years of advocacy and hoping for change, we began to feel a gnawing sense of frustration.

It wasn’t one election or one moment that flipped a switch for us – it was a gradual realization. The country we called home was changing in ways that left us anxious for the future. Would our friends and family in marginalized communities be safe and respected in the years to come? Would we feel comfortable raising a family of our own there, given the social currents and rampant division? We grappled with these tough questions over many late-night talks. We still loved the idea of America – the ideals of freedom, diversity, and opportunity – but increasingly, those ideals didn’t match the reality we saw day to day.

At the same time, another feeling had been growing in us: a longing for adventure and a broader horizon. Blame it on those college discussions of cognitive science and culture, or our endless curiosity about the world. We had always talked about traveling more, maybe even living abroad for a while. The U.S. was feeling less like the secure home it had been, and we found ourselves dreaming about what it’d be like to step outside of our American bubble. What started as casual “Maybe we should just move to Europe!” jokes slowly turned into serious conversations. Life is short, the world is wide, and we realized we didn’t want fear or frustration to keep us stuck. Instead of fighting an uphill battle at home, we wondered, maybe it was time to explore life elsewhere and become citizens of the world in the process.

The Leap of Faith: Leaving the U.S. for Albania

Deciding to leave everything we knew was not easy. In fact, it was the hardest decision we’ve ever made. Once we made up our minds, the real work began: we had to actually uproot our lives. There’s no gentle way to do that; it’s a leap of faith with a lot of logistical steps behind it. In our case, it looked like this:

Downsizing our life: We emptied out our comfortable three-bedroom home, painstakingly deciding what to sell, donate, or pack into storage. Years of accumulated stuff and memories turned into a few suitcases of essentials.
Heart-wrenching goodbyes to pets: Perhaps the most painful part was rehoming our two beloved dogs. We found them loving new homes with our family, hoping one day for a reunion. But saying goodbye broke our hearts. Thankfully, our two cats were a bit more adaptable they made the journey with us (meowing through every step of the move).
Tying up loose ends: We left our jobs, said goodbye to coworkers and friends, and hugged our families over and over. There were tearful farewells and many promises to keep in touch.
One-way ticket abroad: Finally, we booked one-way tickets to a country neither of us had ever set foot in before. No exploratory trip, no scouting mission; just a stack of research and a gut feeling that we were doing the right thing.

Why Albania, of all places? We get that question a lot. The short answer is that something about this country called to us. We’d researched a handful of potential destinations: Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, and others popular with American expats, but Albania stood out as an under-the-radar gem. The cost of living was attractive, the landscapes looked stunning, and the more we learned about the culture and history, the more intrigued we became. Albania also offered a straightforward path for us as Americans to stay for an extended time, which removed a lot of the red tape stress. In the end, we wanted an adventure and a place we could imagine settling into for at least a few years. Tirana checked those boxes. So, with equal parts excitement and nerves, we leapt.

A leap of faith into the unknown – sunset over the Ionian Sea in Ksamil, Albania, symbolizing the close of one chapter and the dawn of another.

Landing in Albania felt surreal. I remember stepping off the plane in Tirana with my heart in my throat, wondering, “Did we really just do this?” We arrived with nine suitcases, two cat carriers, a rambunctious toddler, and an absurd amount of butterflies in our stomachs. But from the moment we exited the airport, little signs told us we might have made the right choice. A friendly airport worker (who spoke no English), helped us not only with our bags and getting us through customs, but also finding our pre-booked taxi (and a second one for the additional luggage) and even made sure we were safely situated all while refusing a tip (which we still gave him). Then both our drivers greeted us with a warm “Mirë se erdhët!” (Welcome!). These were the first of many kind Albanians who would help us find our footing. The air was crisp, the mountains in the distance were beautiful, and despite our exhaustion, we felt an unexpected calm. This was where we were meant to be, at least for now.

A New Life in Albania: Embracing Tirana and Beyond

Settling into life in Tirana has been a whirlwind of new experiences. The city immediately surprised us with its blend of old-world charm and new energy. Tirana is vibrant – from the colorful Ottoman-era buildings and Italianate architecture, to the bustling cafes on every corner where locals sip espresso for hours. We found an apartment in a lively neighborhood near the city center, and it didn’t take long for us to fall into a happy routine. Mornings now often start with a walk to the local bakery for fresh byrek (a savory pastry) and macchiatos that put Starbucks to shame. In the evenings, we join the xhiro (evening stroll) along the tree-lined streets, feeling ourselves become part of the community as we exchange smiles and broken Albanian phrases with neighbors.

*Tirana transforms at dusk – a blend of modern lights and historic charm as seen from one of our favorite vantage points in the city.*

Of course, there have been challenges. Moving to a country where you barely speak the language (we knew how to say “hello” and “thank you” in Albanian at first, and that’s about it) means learning by doing. Whether it was deciphering utility bills, figuring out where to buy cat food, or navigating the infamous Albanian drivers as we learned to cross busy streets, each day brought a new lesson in patience and humility. But every challenge was balanced by an unexpectedly positive encounter. The expat community here is small but tight-knit; folks we barely knew became our lifelines, offering tips on everything from residency papers to where to find the best tacos in town. And Albanians themselves are incredibly welcoming. Neighbors have shown up at our door with homemade raki and plates of baklava, determined to make us feel at home in their country.

On weekends, we’ve taken the opportunity to explore beyond the capital and truly soak in why Albania is called “the hidden gem of the Balkans.” A quick day trip west took us to Durrës, a coastal city where ancient Roman amphitheater ruins sit just steps away from modern beachfront cafes. We strolled the seaside promenade in Durrës hand in hand, marveling at how the Adriatic Sea before us was the same one that kisses Italy’s shores across the way. In one small park by the water, we even stumbled upon a striking piece of public art – a giant modern sculpture that looked like a mythical sea creature rising from the sand – a reminder of how art and life intertwine here in everyday spaces.

*Coastal creativity – an eye-catching art installation on the beach in Durrës, where history and modern life meet by the Adriatic Sea.*

Further south, we discovered the breathtaking beaches of the Albanian Riviera. Ksamil, in particular, took our breath away with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sand islands just off the coast. Floating in the warm Ionian Sea, we had to pinch ourselves that this was now part of our life. We weren’t tourists on a one-week holiday; we were new residents of this country, free to explore every corner at our own pace. From the ancient stone towns of Berat and Gjirokastër, to the lively nights in the capital, we’ve embraced it all. Each adventure has cemented the feeling that we made the right choice in leaping abroad. We’ve learned to slow down and enjoy life more here. This means long dinners, afternoon siestas, saying “op, po, po” (“yes, yes, yes”) with a smile to every invitation. In Albania, we found a place that values family, community, and enjoying the little things, just as we always have.

And speaking of family, this journey has only strengthened ours. The three of us have become an even stronger unit through the ups and downs of relocating. Every triumph here – no matter how small – feels shared. Whether it’s the first time we successfully haggled in Albanian at the fresh produce market, or the night we drove up mount Dajti to watch the sunset over Tirana’s skyline, we celebrate it together. We’ve created new traditions, like a Friday pizza night at our favorite neighborhood spot and video calls with family back home. We even found a cozy restaurant where Taylor, our son Zavier, and I take painting classes and karaoke (rediscovering a hobbies we love) and even join a local semi-final viewing party for the countries soccer team. And there is literally ALWAYS something happening in the square by our home (which they build and tear down within a matter of hours). Our life now is different in so many ways, but at its core it’s us, just in a new place.

From Expat to Entrepreneur: Helping Others Find Their Soft Landing

If you had asked me back in California what I’d be doing a year later, I would never have guessed “starting a business in Albania” – yet here we are. As we settled into life abroad, we realized that our journey could inspire and inform others. So many people back home had reached out with curiosity and courage, saying things like, “We’ve been thinking about leaving the U.S. too, but we have no idea where to start.” We started to think, why not take everything we’ve learned (the research, the planning, the hiccups and victories) and use it to help others make their own soft landing abroad?

That idea blossomed into our new business: Soft Landing by Elsewhere Co.. The concept is simple: provide guidance and support to anyone looking to relocate to a new country, the way we just did. We know how overwhelming it can be to figure out visas, housing, banking, pet transportation, language barriers ; all while managing the emotions of such a huge life change. We’ve been there, done that. Now, through Elsewhere Co., we’re building a service we wish we had during our move. Taylor, with her savvy business skills and knack for building relationships, is a powerhouse at networking and coordinating the nitty-gritty details for our clients. My background in project management and sales means I focus on creating step-by-step relocation plans and cheering on our clients through each milestone. Together, we’re pouring our hearts into making sure others don’t have to leap quite as blindly as we did.

Our new calling – Soft Landing by Elsewhere Co. – helping fellow travelers turn daunting moves into doable plans.

What makes Soft Landing special is that it’s personal. It’s not a huge faceless relocation firm; it’s us – two people who passionately believe in the life-changing power of a fresh start. We’ve partnered with local experts and expat communities in various countries, starting with Albania, to give folks an honest peek at what life abroad is really like and a roadmap to get there. Every time we help someone navigate a confusing immigration form or celebrate with them when they finally step off the plane to their new home, it feels like a victory for all of us. It feels like we’re spreading a bit of the freedom and fulfillment that we’ve been so fortunate to find.

The Journey Isn’t Easy, But It’s Possible – And Worth It

As I write this, reflecting on our journey from college sweethearts in California to global citizens halfway around the world, I feel a swell of emotions. Pride in how far we’ve come, gratitude for the support we had, and above all, hope. Hope that our story might inspire someone else. Uprooting your life is no simple thing. We won’t sugarcoat it: there were moments of doubt and nights we lay awake asking ourselves, “Are we crazy for doing this?” But every challenge we faced has been met with rewards we couldn’t have imagined. A deeper self-reliance, broader perspectives, and the thrill of discovering a new home and community.

If you’ve read this far and you’re considering your own leap (whether it’s moving abroad or some other life change) we want you to know it’s possible. More than that, it can lead to something beautiful and freeing. You don’t have to be extraordinary or ultra-rich or completely fearless to do what we did. (Trust me, we’re pretty ordinary, we budget carefully, and we definitely had our fears!) What it takes is a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, a solid plan (we can help with that part!), and the belief that you deserve a life that aligns with your values and dreams.

We’re proof that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side – it’s green where you water it. For us, that meant watering it in new soil, in a little country called Albania that we now call home. Wherever you are and whatever you aspire to, remember that the world is so much bigger than the one neighborhood or nation you’ve known. Our journey from Fresno and Santa Clarita to Tirana taught us that home is ultimately where you decide to build it. The journey isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. And if you need a helping hand along the way, well, you know where to find us. And we’re making sure there’s a soft landing for you too.

From College Sweethearts to Global Citizens: Our Soft Landing in Albania