Chapter 1

Previewing the Living-Overseas Lifestyle

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding what it means to live abroad

Overcoming fear and setbacks

Weighing the pros and cons of changing countries

Determining whether an international move aligns with your goals

Living abroad is a life-changing experience that offers endless possibilities. It's an opportunity to design your life down to the details, choose your location, and become part of a new culture and community. Whether you see yourself adopting a relaxed coastal lifestyle, landing a job in a foreign city, or retiring in a quiet European village, the future you imagine is possible. But how do you know if moving abroad is the right choice for you?

This chapter explores what it means to expatriate from your home country and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. I fill you in on the different types of overseas lifestyles and how to overcome the fear of making such a big life change. This chapter can help you decide whether you want to commit to your goal of moving abroad or whether it's not for you.

Defining What Living Overseas Means

"Wherever you are, there you are." - Confucius

An early step in deciding whether to move abroad is considering if a temporary or permanent move is right for you. Moving abroad can be a chapter in your life, after which you return to your home country. Or it can mean emigrating somewhere with the intent to acquire permanent residency or citizenship. In either case, you have an opportunity to adapt to a different culture and language while you're there.

Some people leave their home countries out of necessity, such as in the case of economic hardship, political turmoil, or security concerns. Others move for career and educational opportunities or to unite with family members. If you have the luxury of choosing to live in another country for lifestyle reasons, you're in luck and in for an adventure.

You can find many paths to living an overseas lifestyle: work abroad, study abroad, retire abroad, or travel slowly as a digital nomad. You can apply for temporary residency, permanent residency, citizenship, or simply pass through places as a perpetual tourist who has a passport from your home country. See Chapter 2 to find out the different means of living in other countries.

Whatever you choose, millions of people live a lifestyle that you dream about - and you can do it, too!

Reaping the Benefits of Living Abroad

From pursuing a life in your perfect climate to expanding your worldview through cultural immersion, choosing a new country to call home can come with many benefits. Your motivation for moving likely comes from a combination of factors. The following sections explore the most popular reasons for people to move abroad.

Lowering your cost of living

One of the driving factors behind why folks decide to move to another country is to lower their overall living expenses. The average cost of living in the top 50 U.S. cities in 2024 is more than $4,000 per month (about $50,000 per year).

If you're from a high-income, developed country, you can often save money in all areas of your life by living abroad.

At the time I write this, many U.S. citizens pay upwards of $700 per month on a car payment and spend $20 to $30 on lunch at a restaurant. But prices are more affordable in many countries. In Bali, Indonesia, you can rent a moped for $6 per day (about $180 per month) and enjoy a heaping plate of nasi goreng (fried rice) for $2.

When considering housing prices, the average rental price in Chicago, Illinois in 2024 was $1,848 monthly. In Medellín, Colombia, however, you can find a 1-bedroom apartment for $500 per month or a room to rent from $200 to $300 per month.

If you want to live comfortably on a modest pension or save money while bootstrapping your new business, moving to a more affordable place helps. If this prospect sounds exciting to you, make sure to read Chapter 3. It tells you how to calculate your approximate cost of living in another country.

The cost and quality of healthcare are other reasons people move abroad. The average U.S. retiree spends $165,000 on healthcare in retirement, but that's not the case everywhere. As a legal resident or citizen of another country, you can access its public healthcare system. Learn more about healthcare and insurance in Chapters 7 and 9.

Leveling up your quality of life

What does quality of life mean to you? Whether you envision shopping for fresh produce at a Tuscan market, waking up to the sound of howler monkeys in Costa Rica, or walking on the beaches of Mexico each day, you can find the lifestyle that you dream of available somewhere.

For me, quality of life means living somewhere I can get around in without needing a car; having access to fresh, organic food; and being in a community where I feel welcome.

For you, it could mean finding quality, affordable healthcare; living in a more peaceful environment; or living in a warm climate year-round.

Reducing your taxes

Moving to a new country can save you a lot of money in taxes, depending on where you're from (and where you're going). You can potentially change your tax rate by changing your tax residence, also known as a tax domicile. You may also qualify for income tax credits, extra write-offs, and other perks. Many countries have tax treaties to help prevent double taxation. Others offer retirement visas where foreigners can live without being taxed on their pensions. Find more about taxes in Chapters 4 and 5.

Enjoying new experiences

Traveling presents the opportunity to see and do new things. And when you live long-term in a foreign country, you have more time to explore near and far.

Growing up in Florida, I was 15 years old when I saw snow for the first time. Another 15 years later, I found myself drifting through fresh powder on the Japanese ski slopes of Niseko, Japan.

What are you looking forward to that you can experience only in a different country? Whether you dream of trekking Machu Picchu or the Himalayas, living abroad can put you closer to reaching your goals.

Broadening your worldview

Living as an outsider in a new place can feel awkward and uncomfortable at first. Soon, however, you start to see the world in a different way. Studies show that travel increases compassion and empathy, and living abroad can open your mind in ways you've never experienced before. You figure out how to step outside your comfort zone, overcome challenges, and develop a stronger sense of independence and self-reliance.

Expanding your community

Whether you want to make new friends, fall in love, or find a new business partner, moving to a new country provides plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Chapter 11 provides ways to get to know local people, connect with fellow expats, and expand your network.

Acquiring new skills

You can expect to pick up a slew of new life skills if you move to a new nation. A few examples include:

• Communication: You can learn a new language, get better at reading body language, and decipher foreign food labels at the grocery store.
• Cultural awareness: You become more accepting and knowledgeable of customs and cultural norms and gain a new perspective on life.
• Financial planning: You gain experience budgeting for your move, haggling at local markets, negotiating the terms of your rental property, and planning your taxes across borders.
• Life skills: You figure out how to navigate public transport links, pay bills from a foreign bank account, and convert currencies and time zones in seconds.
• Personal development: You develop soft skills such as patience, resilience, adaptability, and a flexible mindset.
• Relationships: You get the opportunity to strengthen relationships at home and build a new support network.

Enjoying better healthcare

Depending on where you're from, your country may have a fabulous universal healthcare system. Or perhaps getting good care is expensive or hard to find. When you move abroad, however, you can opt into a better healthcare system that has more affordable care and insurance options. Chapter 7 gives you the low-down on healthcare overseas.

Uncovering new job opportunities

You can find many exciting options to work overseas. You can apply for a working holiday visa in some countries (if you're below age 30-35), you can work remotely as a digital nomad, or you can apply for a job abroad and obtain a work permit. See Chapter 2 for ways that you can work abroad and Chapter 11 for volunteer opportunities.

For guidance on finding jobs overseas, check out the book Global Career: How to Work Anywhere and Travel Forever, by Michael Swigunski, New Nomad Publishing (2018).

WHY WE MOVED ABROAD

I asked Traveling with Kristin podcast listeners and YouTube subscribers why they moved abroad and how the experience changed their lives. Here are some of their responses:

Claudia, Canada: "I moved abroad because I was newly married, and we felt ready to conquer the world and chart our own life...