Moving to Rome can feel exciting, chaotic, isolating, and overwhelming, sometimes all in the same week.

In this episode of Rome Unfiltered, I (Walter) sit down with Kristen to talk about one of the hardest parts of expat life that people rarely discuss openly: building a real support system abroad.

How long does it take before Rome starts feeling like home? What happens after the “honeymoon phase” wears off? And how do expat families move from feeling isolated to feeling connected?

Together, we talk honestly about the loneliness phase many expats experience, the pressure of starting over socially as an adult, the sometimes too real 'Stages of being an Expat', and the small moments that slowly change everything. From school pickup conversations and WhatsApp groups to neighborhood coffee bars, sports activities, and unexpected fri ...