Welcome to our Newsletter - Continental Drift
And our weekly newsletter, "Continental Drift."
Hello!
As an early subscriber to Orvia/Vivre, I want to personally welcome you to our new platform. We’ll get to why we call it a “platform” versus just another Golden Visa or Expat blog or news site in the coming months. For now, let’s just have some fun…and talk about the possibility of moving to, and living in, Europe as an American.
My own journey from Colorado to Salzburg, Austria started in January 2023. Oddly, in my bedroom closet. My wife and I were contemplating a move…a fresh start…a new beginning…after an incredibly stressful decade as a software company CEO.
“What about Salzburg, Austria?” I said, half jokingly. My wife responded with a wry smile and something to the effect of, “are you out of your f’ing mind?”
Six months later, we found ourselves dropping our luggage on the floor of our new apartment. In Salzburg, Austria.
Distance Driven Declutter
Two kids, and one large dog, a dramatically minimized inventory of material belongings, and a few dozen Duolingo German lessons under our belts. That was it. No military post to report to. No job waiting for either of us to start.
Just a vision of a different life. And a really well-documented project plan executed to completion.
Oh, sure, in time we’ll get to the details, setbacks, tears, fights, doubts and second-guessing that occurred in between. It was there that I documented the nearly three hundred unique steps and mini-projects, from idea to being handed the keys. And a whole lot of mistakes and lessons learned.
After we settled, still dazed by the surreality of living in a new country for the first time, I experienced a midlife crisis (as if moving to Europe wasn’t enough). I responded by writing and publishing…my first fictional thriller.
Looking back, I’ll be honest: writing a book is harder than moving to Europe. From a process perspective, they have a lot in common. Both require a vision. Creativity. Patience. But in the end, they’re both stories. And while the fictional book is finished, our moving to Europe story isn’t. Because my family and I are still writing it—in the adventure we live here, every day.
Which is also why our fledgling team is here today, launching Orvia/Vivre. I imagine it’s why you’re here, too—to take the dream of moving to and building a life in Europe, and make it your story. Whether the dream is serious, or you just want to dream about the dream. It’s all good. We’ll support you either way.
Housekeeping
We’ll only take up space in your inbox once per week, with this subscriber newsletter, called Continental Drift. But you’ll find new content and resources on our website frequently. So check back often.
And one final ask:
If you enjoy the stories and the resources we’re producing, please share them with your friends. So ultimately we can write our stories together, Orvia/Vivre-style. (Which, by the way, is pronounced: or-VEE-uh VEE-v, loosely translated as “To begin anew, and to live fully.”) And be sure to follow us on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and Bluesky.
Until next week. Begin Anew! And Live Fully!
—L.A. Fatzinger
Salzburg, Austria / 4 June 2025
Featured Story
A lifeline for discovery: why Europe is luring American researchers and scientists - Orvia/Vivre Subscriber-Only Content - 4 June 2025
European countries are actively seeking to attract American researchers and scientists facing challenges in the U.S., such as budget cuts and political instability in funding. Initiatives like the European Commission's "Choose Europe for Science" aim to provide financial support, streamlined immigration processes, and longer contracts for researchers willing to relocate to Europe. As a result, many American scientists view moving to Europe as a promising opportunity for stable funding and a supportive research environment.
In other News
Schwarzenegger surprises Vienna metro users with climate message - Radio France Internationale (France) - June 4, 2025
He surprised Vienna public transport users yestereday by delivering a climate message, hailing riders as "climate action heroes" during an announcement broadcast throughout the system. The Austrian bodybuilder, actor, and politician was in Vienna for a climate conference he organizes, calling for action that improves people's lives while avoiding political criticism.
Fewer Finnish children starting school with smartphones - Helsinki Times (Finland) - June 3, 2025
Recent data indicates that fewer Finnish parents are buying smartphones for their children starting school, with only 36 percent of seven-year-olds receiving a device, down from over 70 percent the previous year. This change reflects a growing awareness of the risks associated with early smartphone use, as parents now tend to view age nine as the appropriate time for a first smartphone.
Why Dual Citizenship Is The New American Dream - Newsweek (United States) - May 25, 2025
Surveys indicate that many view dual citizenship as a practical solution to navigate rising living costs and dissatisfaction with domestic conditions. The trend highlights a significant shift in the perception of the American Dream, moving towards a global perspective rather than one solely tied to the U.S.
Coming Next Week…
Above The Crowd - European towns no one (in America) has on their summer travel radar.
Greece / Crete - Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Greece's big tech moment, and incentives it’s offering to foreigners to launch new businesses.
Listing of the Week - Unique properties in the countries Americans are most likely to move to on the European continent.
Editor/Commentator L.A. Fatzinger
Research/Technical Delilah Necrason