Expat in Romania - Eric Melchor (US): We came here because we wanted to get away from the gun violence in the States
We're inviting our readers to share their stories and tell the world what Romania means to them. Eric Melchor, a Texas expat living in Bucharest with his Romanian wife and their two kids, has decided to join our campaign and fill in the…
Irina Marica · Journalist
· Updated · 4 min read
We're inviting our readers to share their stories and tell the world what Romania means to them. Eric Melchor, a Texas expat living in Bucharest with his Romanian wife and their two kids, has decided to join our campaign and fill in the questionnaire here. Below is his Romanian story.
Born in Houston, Texas, Eric Melchor first traveled to Romania 12 years ago for a work assignment. During the one year spent here, he discovered the country a bit and fell in love with a Romanian woman. The couple stayed in touch even after Eric moved back to Houston and eventually moved together in the US and got married. Ten years and two children later, they decided to move to Bucharest for mainly one big reason: safety.
"We came here because we wanted to get away from the gun violence in the States (anyone over the age of 18 can carry a gun in Texas)," Eric told Romania-insider.com.
Today, both Eric Melchor and his wife work remote for companies based abroad. Plus, Eric hosts a fun podcast where he interviews European startup founders.
As for his life in Bucharest, Eric says he likes the city's proximity to the mountains and seaside, the cost of living, and, of course, the safe feeling one has knowing individuals can't carry guns in Romania. On the other hand, he is not so happy with the way people drive.
Read more in the interview below.
What is your name, and where are you from, originally?
Eric Melchor - Houston, Texas.
How long have you been in Romania, and what brought you here? What is your main activity here?
Almost two years. My wife is Romanian. We came here because we wanted to get away from the gun violence in the States (anyone over the age of 18 can carry a gun in Texas).
Both me and my wife work remote for companies based in the Netherlands and Australia. I also host a fun podcast where I interview European startup founders and have featured many Romanian startups.
Please describe your first encounter with Romania.
In 2010. I did a one year assignment at a media company - Initiative. I worked alongside 4 other expats from the UK.
