Many people dream of living overseas. It can be rewarding and challenging to be an expat or nomad/wanderer. I’ve managed to live (and work) in nine different countries on three continents. I define living in a country as more than 90 days, the frequent limit of a tourist visa. I’ve been a nomad, (25+ days in a country), in three more.
Downsize, Donate, Replace
If you want to live overseas, you need to accept you will have less and more. Less stuff, more experiences, less packing, more memories. As you plan your move, take a hard look at your stuff. You have more than you need. There are no hard rules about what to keep, but if you haven’t used something in more than 2 years, consider letting go. Softcopy is your friend.
The cloud is your friend. Embrace cloud storage! Thanks to the cloud I have multiple copies of all my photos and important documents. Music and movies can be streamed, assuming you have reliable connectivity and bandwidth. Check this post for tips and tricks.
For the items you are downsizing, consider donating. Foster kids need luggage, twin sheets, and more. Search for local options. Check Donate your used items.
It was hard for me to donate my books and it was painful to re-buy digital versions. No, I have not replaced all of them. Not even a significant portion, but I did find way to get free or discounted books for my Kindle app. Just search on Amazon for free Kindle books. I also use Bookbub.com to find new authors or get notices when my favorites are on sale. The benefit is having my books, music, movies all in my 1.2Kg laptop vs hundreds of pounds of stuff and furniture to hold it.
For quick trips, I make do with just my phone, with a few hundred songs, a few dozen e-books, and a few movies all in 157 grams (5.5 ounces)! For longer trips, if I’m worried about the amount of luggage/gear, I’ll skip the GoPro 9 and my DSLR too. Some trips, like Antarctica below, I overpacked.
Nomad
As a US citizen, I can travel to 185 countries and territories without a travel visa, or with a visa on arrival, tied for 8th best in the world per Henley Passport Index. Being a nomad has limited paperwork. But involves moving often and traveling light. I have lived out of a single suitcase plus a backpack for 4+ months across two continents and four countries. Or a 35L and a 15L backpack for 3 months, including a permanent relocation to a new country.
Digital Nomad
A digital nomad is someone who works online while traveling. Sounds great right? Except when internet service sucks. Or during COVID times when the world shuts down.
Expat
If you’re lucky, you can get a job in different country and your employer will deal with all the logistics for you. If you’re determined, you can do it yourself. If you’re really lucky, you can afford to live in a different country and not work. Many countries have paths to residence or citizenship. And more countries are offering long term 1-5 year digital nomad visas.
Try before you “buy”
If possible, try nomad or expat life before committing to it. You may find, it’s not for you. Online research is a wonderful tool, but it won’t tell you, if you’ll like living far from friends and family.
Perks
Nomads and expats both enjoy some perks of living away from the country they were born in. You may be tax exempt from your home AND local income taxes. (RANDOM FACTOID: If you move to Antarctica (or the moon or ISS) you do have to pay your home country income taxes.) Health care may be much cheaper. Food may be fresher and more exotic. You may learn a new language or two or three. You’re friends and family may start to visit more. You will have the chance to see all the hidden gems that tourists don’t have time to explore. You can embrace slow-travel. Take your time and enjoy it.
Challenges
Rules and regulations on how long you can visit or live in another country may restrict your options or cause expensive “visa runs” (a quick trip out of country to reset the days in country count on your visa). You may be subject to local taxes and fees. You won’t be familiar with all the hidden fees for services. You may not be able to purchase or rent a place without extra costs. Replacing your passport can be hard and expensive. Finding a specific favorite brand may not be possible. Replacing something damaged may be significantly harder. Finding a favorite food or snack may be a lost cause.
The Bottom Line
As a nomad and as an expat, I’ve learned so much more history and culture living in different countries than I ever could in school. I’ve made friends around the world. And the more places I go, the more places I want to go.
CJ
