I'm an American working remotely in Italy. I knew moving would be hard, but I never considered one stressful hidden cost.

Moving abroad is often painted as a romantic leap — a bold woman, a plane ticket, and an "Under the Tuscan Sun"-esque dream. And sure, it can be that. But many not-so-glamorous spreadsheets, late-night money panics, and small acts of courage go into making that dream even remotely possible. I'm a …