🍁 The day before Thanksgiving… a little note from Atlantic Expats 🍁
For many of us arriving from Europe, this week feels both familiar and foreign: a mix of quiet streets, full grocery stores, and a holiday we didn’t grow up with… yet somehow end up loving.
Tomorrow, families all over the U.S. will gather around tables filled with food, stories, and gratitude.
And today — the day before — is the real heart of it all: the preparation, the warmth, the anticipation, the feeling of belonging somewhere.
To all my European families who have made Hampton Roads their home: whether this is your first Thanksgiving or your fifth, may you feel welcomed, included, and wrapped in the gentle chaos of this beautiful American tradition.
And if you’re still settling in, still finding your rhythm, or still figuring out where to buy cranberry sauce… you’re not alone.
Atlantic Expats was built exactly for these moments.
To guide, support, explain, translate, reassure… and help you create new traditions without losing the old ones.
From my heart to yours:
May tomorrow bring connection, warmth, and a reminder that even far from home, you’re never without a community.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve 🧡
Ann
For many of us arriving from Europe, this week feels both familiar and foreign: a mix of quiet streets, full grocery stores, and a holiday we didn’t grow up with… yet somehow end up loving.
Tomorrow, families all over the U.S. will gather around tables filled with food, stories, and gratitude.
And today — the day before — is the real heart of it all: the preparation, the warmth, the anticipation, the feeling of belonging somewhere.
To all my European families who have made Hampton Roads their home: whether this is your first Thanksgiving or your fifth, may you feel welcomed, included, and wrapped in the gentle chaos of this beautiful American tradition.
And if you’re still settling in, still finding your rhythm, or still figuring out where to buy cranberry sauce… you’re not alone.
Atlantic Expats was built exactly for these moments.
To guide, support, explain, translate, reassure… and help you create new traditions without losing the old ones.
From my heart to yours:
May tomorrow bring connection, warmth, and a reminder that even far from home, you’re never without a community.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve 🧡
Ann
If you’re looking for someone who doesn’t give up easily… you just found her 😉
Atlantic Expats — fighting for your home away from home, one lease at a time!
#AtlanticExpats #RelocationLife #ExpatSupport #HamptonRoads #WeDontGiveUp #LeaseWarrior #EuropeanExpatsUSA
Atlantic Expats — fighting for your home away from home, one lease at a time!
#AtlanticExpats #RelocationLife #ExpatSupport #HamptonRoads #WeDontGiveUp #LeaseWarrior #EuropeanExpatsUSA
This is also part of the job: finding those moments to recharge after a tough day.
Today I got a bit of an earful (guess some folks aren’t used to all the questions I ask to get things right!), so I came down to the beach to calm my nervous system.
It’s a reminder that we all need a bit of ocean air sometimes to bring ourselves back to center. 🌊✨
#atlanticexpats #telocationwithheart
Today I got a bit of an earful (guess some folks aren’t used to all the questions I ask to get things right!), so I came down to the beach to calm my nervous system.
It’s a reminder that we all need a bit of ocean air sometimes to bring ourselves back to center. 🌊✨
#atlanticexpats #telocationwithheart
🔹 ACH Transfer (Automated Clearing House)
Think of ACH as the U.S. version of a domestic bank-to-bank transfer, but slower.
How it works:
Your bank sends money through a national clearing system. No manual approval—just the ACH network doing its thing.
Good to know:
• Usually free or very low cost
• Takes 1–3 business days
• Ideal for rent, utilities, direct deposits, recurring payments
• Used only within the U.S.
🔹 Wire Transfer
Wires are the U.S. fast lane—direct, immediate, and verified.
How it works:
One bank sends funds directly to another bank. No waiting for batches or clearing.
Good to know:
• Fast (same day, sometimes within hours)
• Used for international transfers, house deposits, time-sensitive payments
• Often comes with a fee (sometimes $20–$50+)
• Irreversible once sent — double-check details!
Think of ACH as the U.S. version of a domestic bank-to-bank transfer, but slower.
How it works:
Your bank sends money through a national clearing system. No manual approval—just the ACH network doing its thing.
Good to know:
• Usually free or very low cost
• Takes 1–3 business days
• Ideal for rent, utilities, direct deposits, recurring payments
• Used only within the U.S.
🔹 Wire Transfer
Wires are the U.S. fast lane—direct, immediate, and verified.
How it works:
One bank sends funds directly to another bank. No waiting for batches or clearing.
Good to know:
• Fast (same day, sometimes within hours)
• Used for international transfers, house deposits, time-sensitive payments
• Often comes with a fee (sometimes $20–$50+)
• Irreversible once sent — double-check details!
Lease day at Atlantic Expats
Today I’m diving into one of those documents that can feel overwhelming: the lease.
And honestly? This is one of my favorite parts of what I do. I have been doing similar work for a very long tome during my military career.
When you work with us, you don’t have to stress about the fine print, the clauses, the timelines, or the little details that carry big weight. I take care of all of that for you — with precision, care, and your best interest at heart — so you can focus on the exciting part of your move.
You settle in. I handle the paperwork.
That’s the beauty of working with a relocation specialist who knows the local market, understands your needs, and treats every file as if it were for family.
Back to my lease… ✍️💼
But first, coffee. ☕✨
#atlanticexpats #expatlife #europeansintheusa #relocationmadeeasy #natofamilies #relocation #expat
Today I’m diving into one of those documents that can feel overwhelming: the lease.
And honestly? This is one of my favorite parts of what I do. I have been doing similar work for a very long tome during my military career.
When you work with us, you don’t have to stress about the fine print, the clauses, the timelines, or the little details that carry big weight. I take care of all of that for you — with precision, care, and your best interest at heart — so you can focus on the exciting part of your move.
You settle in. I handle the paperwork.
That’s the beauty of working with a relocation specialist who knows the local market, understands your needs, and treats every file as if it were for family.
Back to my lease… ✍️💼
But first, coffee. ☕✨
#atlanticexpats #expatlife #europeansintheusa #relocationmadeeasy #natofamilies #relocation #expat
Kindness at the heart of everything we do
Every once in a while, a client will look at me and ask (sometimes with a bit of amazement) “Why are you so kind?”
It’s one of those moments that feels a bit funny and a bit humbling at the same time. It makes me pause and realize that what might feel natural to me (just genuinely caring about the people I work with) is something a little special and maybe a little rare.
For me, kindness and authenticity are at the heart of what I do. I love helping people, especially those navigating a big move or a new chapter in their lives. It’s not just about business, but it’s about making sure people feel supported, respected, and at home. And yes, sometimes that kindness stands out enough that people ask about it 😉
In fact, I’m sharing this photo of myself with a client who has become a friend I adore. It often happens that the people I help end up becoming more than just clients, they become part of my Atlantic Expats family. For privacy, I’ve hidden her face, but I wanted to share this little piece of our story to show that kindness and genuine connection are what make this work so special.
So if you’ve ever wondered, “Why is Ann so kind?”—the simple answer is that this is what I love doing. It’s how we create a community, not just a business, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to do it.
And I hope you are smiling 🙂
Every once in a while, a client will look at me and ask (sometimes with a bit of amazement) “Why are you so kind?”
It’s one of those moments that feels a bit funny and a bit humbling at the same time. It makes me pause and realize that what might feel natural to me (just genuinely caring about the people I work with) is something a little special and maybe a little rare.
For me, kindness and authenticity are at the heart of what I do. I love helping people, especially those navigating a big move or a new chapter in their lives. It’s not just about business, but it’s about making sure people feel supported, respected, and at home. And yes, sometimes that kindness stands out enough that people ask about it 😉
In fact, I’m sharing this photo of myself with a client who has become a friend I adore. It often happens that the people I help end up becoming more than just clients, they become part of my Atlantic Expats family. For privacy, I’ve hidden her face, but I wanted to share this little piece of our story to show that kindness and genuine connection are what make this work so special.
So if you’ve ever wondered, “Why is Ann so kind?”—the simple answer is that this is what I love doing. It’s how we create a community, not just a business, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to do it.
And I hope you are smiling 🙂
