Post: #1

Location Independence Datasheet & Introduction To New Blog

A slowly deflating air mattress lies alone in the bedroom.
Two piles sit in the living room; one to pack, one to trash.

Walked laconically across all that empty space to the window;
a golden sunset peeks between distant thunderclouds.

Beneath the frothing restlessness, anticipation and excitement,
lies a subdued undercurrent of sadness and nostalgia.

The dimming sunset casts a shadow with a sense of finality;
what was home now seems foreign.

Standing at the window as I summon the strength,
for it is not long until I walk into the unknown...


Table of Contents

- Introduction
- My New Blog
- What This Datasheet Isn’t
- Should You Take The Plunge?
- Expatriation Logistics
- Make A Plan To Earn Money Abroad
- Best Business Structures For Expats
- Expat Taxation
- Expat Banking
- Visas
- Health Insurance
- Mail
- Your Possessions
- Telecommunications
- You Need These Apps
- Telling Others Of Your Plan
- Closing Words
- Acknowledgements


Introduction

Becoming an expat is not as easy as it sounds. I encountered challenges and obstacles along the way, but I succeeded and so can you. This guide is intended as the resource I wish I had when I first started this journey.

I originally intended to drop a more detailed datasheet on becoming a location independent expat, but it grew to a 30 page monstrosity. So I repurposed that content into a series of blog posts to complement this datasheet. Over the next few months I will share these blog posts once every few days. I will detail my mistakes and struggles as well as the lessons I learned as I faced each challenge head on.

As the blog matures, I will introduce some affiliate links to relevant products for travelers and expats. I also plan to offer coaching services to prospective expats. Keep in mind I will never promote any product if I don’t believe it is relevant and useful to my target audience. If I see a product that has potential, then I will buy and use it myself before I recommend it.


My New Blog

Without further ado… please welcome the newest blog to take the manosphere by storm!

The Masculine Expat

Take a look, subscribe to it, and add me on twitter at @masculinexpat so you can follow along in my journey.

When you sign up, you will receive an email with my Free Expatriation Checklist that outlines all the steps to execute in what order.

Unlike other expat/travel bloggers who write about meaningless random stuff or brag about how great their lives are, my blog caters to men just like us -- combining masculinity with the quest to become location independent.


What This Datasheet Isn’t

Keep in mind the information here is written from an American point of view, particularly on taxes, but most of it also applies to prospective expats from any country in the world. This sheet does not contain any demographic comparisons of cost of living, abundance of LTR material, and ease of getting laid. You won’t find any intel on best nightclubs or gaming spots in specific locations in this post.

I debated listing the countries I considered, the pros/cons of each, and why I picked the country I’m going to. Although an interesting topic for the forum, I decided to leave it out of this sheet. However, I am writing blog posts showing which countries I looked at and how I decided on one.

Disclaimer: I am neither liable nor responsible for anything that might go wrong in your expatriation. This post is only for informational purposes and is not meant to be used as legal advice with respect to banking, finance, taxes, insurance, and/or visas, etc. For detailed advice on these matters, please consult with an attorney, CPA, or a professional with the appropriate expertise. In short -- if you fuck up, don’t sue me.


Should You Take The Plunge?

This is one of the first questions that you should ask yourself. Whatever your reasons are, you want to make sure you have a plan to accomplish what you set out to do. Relevant quote:

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” -- Benjamin Franklin

The main question is, do you want it bad enough?

If you’re wishy washy about becoming location independent, saying things like “yeah someday it’ll happen, not now, but someday…”, it’s not going to happen.

You have to mark a date on your calendar. If you want it bad enough, then you will take the steps and make the necessary sacrifices to make it happen by that date. Setting a date and marking off your checklist is the only way to make this a reality.


Expatriation Logistics

Becoming an expat is akin to navigating through a logistical minefield:

- Visas
- Finances
- Taxes
- Air travel
- Insurance
- Mail
- Different culture/language
- No local support structure (family, close friends, etc...)

I give an overview of each in this sheet, but will write more detail in my upcoming blog posts over the next few months.


Make A Plan To Earn Money Abroad

Before you dive into the logistics, you need to have a plan to somehow earn money abroad and support yourself. One of the ways you can do so is to start a business or find a remote job.

Your business should be portable, online, and have (relatively) low overhead. If your business is scalable, great!

There’s a thread samsamsam started a while back on location independence ideas. Check it out and see if something sticks with you: /thread-55782.html

Note: Even if you have enough money to support yourself without the need to earn more money, you need to have a plan to invest your money abroad or have enough hobbies to keep yourself busy.


Best Business Structures For Expats

There are several ways you can structure a business.

- Sole proprietorship
- LLC
- Corporation
- Partnership

For location independent expats or freelancers, the first two -- sole proprietorship or LLC -- are the most recommended. Corporation or Partnership structures are more difficult and unwieldy to manage; not ideal for the location independent entrepreneur.

LLC has tax advantages over a sole proprietor, at least above a certain income level, plus the added benefit of protecting your personal assets from a lawsuit. If your business gets sued, your personal finances and assets will be protected.

For more information on this topic, check out this thread: /thread-55694.html


Expat Taxation

If you are not a US citizen, you may skip to the next section, but do your own research on your country’s tax laws pertaining to expats.

As a US citizen, you’ll be subject to worldwide taxation. No matter where you are in the world or which banks you earn money into, you cannot escape the IRS. Nor should you even try.

However, the good news is there are exceptions. You can claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion if you pass either one of the following tests:

- Bona Fide Residency Test
- Physical Presence Test

In the case of a Bona Fide Residency, you pass a residency test in another country and you pay taxes to that other country. You have to file IRS Form 2555, and based on the factors you report to them, the IRS makes a case-by-case determination on whether you qualify.

In a Physical Presence Test, you are physically present in a foreign country or countries for at least 330 days of any 12 consecutive-month period. You also file Form 2555. The physical presence test is more clear-cut than bona fide residency because it isn’t decided by the IRS on a case-by-case basis. If you’re off US soil for 330 days or more, you qualify. Period.

If you are able to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, you can exclude the first $100,000 from income taxation.

Source: Bona Fide Residence and Physical Presence Tests


Expat Banking

As far as ordinary banking, you can either keep your existing bank and credit card accounts, or open new ones in the country you are going to live in.

You should avoid banks that charge ATM fees or international transaction fees. Charles Schwab kicks ass in that regard. Credit cards with rewards programs are especially useful if you fly a lot. Some cards offer cash back on purchases such as groceries, etc...

For specific bank and credit card recommendations, go to this thread: /thread-50942.html

Another thread started by Global Entry you’ll want to read through -- more about frequent flyer perks and rewards programs: /thread-38140.html

Sometimes it’s more convenient to open a new bank account in the country you will live in, especially long term. However, this is getting harder to do for US expats because of FATCA. FATCA requires all foreign banks to report about bank accounts held by US taxpayers. US expats with foreign bank accounts are also required to report if their account balance reaches the $10,000 threshold at any time. Not doing so means extreme fines and possible jail time. You’ve been warned!

Source: IRS: Summary of FATCA Reporting for U.S. Taxpayers

Lastly, don’t forget to set travel notices on your bank accounts before you leave.


Visas

I can’t detail much information about Visas because every country has different immigration rules that are subject to change without warning. Breaking down visa requirements by country is like trying to hit a moving target in the middle of a hurricane.

Although it can be confusing, getting a visa is actually a fairly straightforward process. To cut through the murky waters, follow these steps:

- Narrow down which countries you are going to
- Search google using terms such as “[country] consulate [your city or state]”
- Go to the consulate website and find Visas in their menu
- Look at the list of required documents for each type of visa

The key is to get the longest visa you are eligible for.

Check the expiration date on your passport. If it's going to expire within a year, get a new passport. Many countries want your passport to be valid at least 6 months after your visa ends.

Some countries have 30-day or 90-day visa exemptions for people visiting from other countries, especially those in the G8 (US, UK, Canada, etc). This means if you are visiting a country for less than 30 days, you will not need a visa. When you arrive at your destination, Immigration will stamp a visa exemption on your passport.

Beyond 30 days, you will need to obtain a visa. Check the requirements for the visa you need, and obtain the necessary documents:

- Application form
- Passport
- Flight ticket + return / onward
- Other documents they list on their website, such as bank statements, proof of employment, etc

To get your visa:

- Visit a consulate and apply in person (this is what I did)
- Mail your passport and documents to an embassy
- Get a 30-day visa-on-arrival when you land at your destination airport

Once you get your visa, you’re good to go. Pay attention to the expiration date on the visa, you’ll need to renew, extend, or leave by that date.


Health Insurance

To insure yourself as an expat or a location independent traveler, you have options:

- Self insure (at your own financial risk)
- Buy travel insurance like World Nomad, Medex, etc...
- Buy expat health insurance like IMG Global, Cigna Global, Allianz, BUPA

You can choose your deductible. Setting your deductible high lowers your premiums, and vice versa. Of course if something happened, you have to pay your deductible before insurance coverage kicks in.

The level of your plan depends on your risk tolerance. It isn’t about your health, but protecting your finances if something goes wrong.

Be careful not to confuse travel insurance with expat health insurance. The latter is more comprehensive (e.g. covers motorcycle accidents where the former typically does not).


Mail

When planning to go location independent, you want to take these steps regarding mail:

- Go paperless by choosing online statements as opposed to paper mail
- Digitize your existing records and save them in Dropbox or Google Drive
- Sign up for a mail scanning service

Mail scanning pricing schemes vary wildly and it’s difficult to compare apples to apples. Some providers have extra features such as check depositing services. You’ll have to run the numbers yourself and decide which features are most important to you.

Nevertheless, here are a few mail scanning service providers I’ve looked at (no affiliate links here):

- Earth Class Mail
- Traveling Mailbox
- Scan Mailboxes
- Post Scan Mail
- US Global Mail

There are tons more. Use google.

Once you register, they will give you a Form 1583 to sign and notarize. Then they will give you a new mailing address and you direct your mail there.

Important note: Banks want to have a legal home address on your account. You may need to give them two addresses, one for mail and the other for a home residence.


Your Possessions

The big decision involves whether to put your stuff in storage or to get rid of everything. I say it depends on when you plan to come back, if ever:

- Definitely less than one year? Put your stuff in storage
- More than one year / indefinitely / unsure? Sell everything

Donate what you couldn’t sell, trash the rest, pack your essentials, and you’re off.

The exception here is if you own property and want to rent it out, you could keep all your stuff there.


Telecommunications

As a location independent globe trotter, here are some things you will need to stay on the grid:

- A GSM unlocked phone
- Prepaid SIM card
- Free Messaging & SMS apps
- Tethering capability (optional)

Before you go to your destination country, learn the names of the main providers in said country. Pick one, go there, find an airport kiosk, store, or 7-11, and ask for a SIM card with that provider. If your phone supports it, try to get LTE. LTE is the fastest but they don’t usually advertise. If no LTE or it’s a rip off, then get 4G.

Here is a GREAT resource: Wikia: Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki

Most recent forum thread on travel phones: /thread-52734.html

You can find other threads on the same topic prior to 2015-16, but these are probably outdated.


You Need These Apps

Essential apps:

- Google Maps
- Google Translate
- DropBox or Google Drive
- Uber
- Airbnb
- Skyscanner
- Currency Converter
- Kindle

Messaging apps:

- Skype, Viber, Line, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skout, Badoo, WeChat, QQ Messenger, etc
- Find out which is most popular where you’re going and use that

Banking apps:

- Whatever your banks are, download their mobile apps if available
- Personal Capital (link all your bank accounts to one app for an overview of your finances)
- Use a VPN when you run these apps for added security. See forum thread for VPN choices: /thread-4188.html

Surely there are more, but these are the ones I can't live without.

Another helpful thread on useful travel apps: /thread-48852.html


Telling Others Of Your Plan

I’ll expand on this in my blog, but I’ll leave this here. I told my family and friends about my plan about two months before my departure date. I told them in person. They were shocked, but once they digested the news, asked questions, they became supportive.

I waited until I had two weeks left to inform my boss -- more on that in my first blog post: http://www.masculinexpat.com/quit-job-today/

Pro tip: Do not announce your intentions on sites like Facebook until after you tell your boss. Common sense, but still.


Closing Words

Expatriation is not the end of a path defined by a step-by-step guide. It’s just the beginning.

I’m starting a blog because I’m sure I will have so much more to say beyond this datasheet. I don’t know what the future will bring. Either I blowout and have to return home, or I thrive in a new environment. I am just days away from leaving everything I have ever known.

Scary? Absolutely. But I feel fucking alive! Instead of slowly rotting away in an office cube until a blocked coronary artery kills me dead, I’m going to grab life by the horns and LIVE each day the way I want.

Where is this going to lead? Who the hell knows. Nevertheless, I am pressing on. Join me and follow my blog masculinexpat.com and add my new twitter @masculinexpat.


Acknowledgements

Over the past year or so, I’ve made many new friends off this forum. I am at a loss for words to describe the lasting impact you’ve had on my life. Thank you for your support and friendship.

*getting a bit choked up*

In no particular order...

The Lizard of Oz & AneroidOcean -- For proofreading this datasheet, being all-around great contributors to the forum, and being here via PM when I had questions or needed to talk.

TravelerKai -- For talking some sense into me when I was freaking out about uprooting my life to move overseas. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations about women, life, red pill, exercise, martial arts -- everything. Thank you for that three hour real talk over coffee. Stay in touch bro.

Beyond Borders -- Without him and his advice, I would be lost in executing my location independence plan. Floating-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean lost. I’m very lucky to have met him and to have him as a good friend. Hope to hang out with you in SEA at some point.

Vacancier Permanent -- There’s hardly anyone here who roots harder for your success than VP. He’s one of the first guys I’ve talked to offline from this forum last year. No better guy to introduce me to the world of international “poosy paradise” travel.

Bushido (formerly dreambig) -- Among the first guys I met off the forum. When I told him I wanted to become location independent, he didn’t believe I was serious though he was supportive. Along with some business ideas, he gave me a “proper” kick in the ass that motivated me to go through with it.

Scott Free -- Hasn’t posted much lately but we talk offline. Thank you for the El Nido recommendation and for inspiring me to take the necessary actions to change my life for the better.

262 -- For chronicling his own journey to location independence, and for helping me work out through my questions about international health insurance, mail scanning services, among other expatriation logistics. His thread: /thread-47239.html

YardDog -- The epitome of the good expat life. This fella is killing it. I’m lucky to have met him and to have had several conversations over the past year. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, no matter how retarded or annoying they may have been!

samsamsam -- A level headed guy I hope to meet someday, and as a forum stalwart, he has been extremely helpful in keeping threads on track and posting quality advice to help guys like me.

Isaac Jordan -- For taking the time to review and proof my Free Expatriation Checklist, and for providing valuable feedback on a variety of topics. Introduced me to bitcoin, which just might save my ass if the US dollar ever decides to take a swan dive into the toilet.

Kamaki4, Kdog, Direct Danger, Buakaw, wallywest, DaveR, GlobalMan, 192 -- For offering valuable advice that saved me a ton of time and hassle during my transition to a new country. The information you gave me will without a doubt help me get settled in much quicker than otherwise.

Roosh -- For fighting what you believe in and keeping this forum alive. None of the above would be possible without RVF.

… and dozens of others. Sorry if I didn’t include your name, there’s just too many to list!

You know where to find me whenever you want to meet up!

Post: #2

Good luck on your journey man.

Life isn't about collecting notches; it's about making memories and having good friends.

I'll be following you.

Post: #3

Before you leave one last coffee you and me man. Glad you made it out alive. I'll hopefully be joining you guys out somewhere in the wide world.


It's been good mate! Keep in touch and visit us back here some time.

Cheers!

Post: #4

Nice datasheet. I'm interested in what type of business you'll be doing, I'll try to keep track of your blog, maybe bumping a thread like this once in a while could be a good refresher for us.

Post: #5

We're lucky to have a guy like you on this Forum, CleanSlate. I'm sure I speak for the rest of the gang when I say we're very excited to see how your new venture progresses.

Thank you for the contribution and best of luck moving forward!

Post: #6

Thanks guys for the kind words, and you're welcome to fly over to where I am anytime and we'll hang out. We should be having more of these meetups.

Things are a bit hectic now, but I just sold my car this evening... good to get a nice little cash infusion worth about 4-6 months of rent over there.

And... the packing begins!

Post: #7

You should pick one of these up:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Many-available-U...1755162452

On the first day of your new life, you should be enjoying unlimited drinks in the United Lounge, looking out the window, smiling.

Post: #8

Let me know if you're planning on swinging back via Singapore/Jakarta/Bali etc on your travels

Post: #9

Awesome thread, great information

Post: #10

CS,
First of all, I'm not going to say congrats but instead, well done mate!



Why no congrats?

For the simple reason that I knew and even expected you to reach this level from your very first posts on these forums about 2 years ago after your epic thread on starting over after your divorce. Then, that followed with your first steps into Freedom with that unforgettable and life changing trip to Land of the Sweet Pinays where you've had a life altering taste of true sweetness and femininity. After reading your reports from the Philippines, even tough I had not met you in person, I could see the fire of freedom intensifying inside you. So much so that it was a matter of time in my mind as to when you'd make the transition over the Location Independence Lifestyle.

Just like I had no doubt you'd conquer your first 2 major battles (divorce and quitting your job), I am equally convinced that a man as dedicated and focused as you, can not only succeed but blossom and thrive in this new and exciting chapter of your Journey through Life.

The difference between you and the hordes of guys talking about becoming location independent is that you actually sat down, asked a ton of questions and actually listened to the tips of those who have done it and you made a plan and most importantly, you did the work required to get there. That right there is a very rare and unique trait that not many have but you are blessed with. And that is why I am convinced that you're on the path to killing it my friend!



Where are you headed to? If you do come to China and especially my neck of the hood (Hanghzou/Shanghai) holla at me.

Post: #11

Quote:You should pick one of these up:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Many-available-U...1755162452

On the first day of your new life, you should be enjoying unlimited drinks in the United Lounge, looking out the window, smiling.

Hell, I'll toss you a free one as a thanks for the datasheet.

Post: #12

Congrats on the blog, will be sure to follow.

To be honest though many people overthink the whole "throwing it in to be an expat" thing, and for that reason many people do not take the plunge at all.

For me, when I started my expatriate journey ten years ago, I bought the ticket and I went - that was it, there was very little planning involved, and even to this day I don't plan my life more than a couple weeks in advance.

I do realise that perhaps some people have more commitments at home, property, family commitments etc.

Also it's not as if you are going somewhere disconnected from the physical world, you can sort a lot of stuff from overseas. It's always helpful to have a family member or friend to help you back home, forwarding parcels to you, scanning your mail etc.

Anyway my point is that of course it's good to plan for a big change in life like this, but don't overthink it, it's nice to have some spontaneity in life

Post: #13

Great datasheet. This is my ultimate goal. I left my job about a year and a half ago to pursue my ecommerce business but my ecommerce business ties me down to my current location as well as the states. It's not really something that can be scaled or where I'd be comfortable hiring employees so at the moment I'm tied down. I'm actually in the process of trying to put more of an emphasis on creating digital products, affiliate marketing and my Youtube channel. I'm probably at the point I could make it living in a place with a cheaper cost of living but would like to grow it to say another consistant 2k a month before I'd really be comfortable dropping or selling my current ecom business. Great story, glad you made it happen. I've set a goal of next summer for my deadline to do the same.

Post: #14

(07-01-2016 08:05 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Where are you headed to? If you do come to China and especially my neck of the hood (Hanghzou/Shanghai) holla at me.

I'm headed to Thailand, but I intend to travel and hit up most Asian spots and will definitely let you know when I'm in your neighborhood!

Post: #15

It may be the liquor coursing through my veins, but I have to point out that in the people you're thanking, there's a lot of them that gave you reps real early on (talking close to half of the ones that you thanked at the end, the ones you thanked individually). I happened to be one of them but I have less than half/third the rep of some of the guys that helped you out immensely and they were repping you based on your content mostly. That's a great indication for your future blog content quality, keep it up.

I also am now reading a thread of yours I missed about your Post-Divorce adventures in the Philippines. Glad I found it from checking out your reps after reading this thread.

Looking forward to visiting you at some point in the future to catch up on where you've managed to get from here.

Post: #16

Popping in for a moment...

I did it!

I made it to Thailand on a one way ticket, leaving the West behind hopefully for good. Still getting through the jet lag and logistical stuff, but things are going pretty smoothly so far.

Post: #17

(06-29-2016 09:44 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  Telecommunications

As a location independent globe trotter, here are some things you will need to stay on the grid:

- A GSM unlocked phone
- Prepaid SIM card
- Free Messaging & SMS apps
- Tethering capability (optional)

Before you go to your destination country, learn the names of the main providers in said country. Pick one, go there, find an airport kiosk, store, or 7-11, and ask for a SIM card with that provider. If your phone supports it, try to get LTE. LTE is the fastest but they don’t usually advertise. If no LTE or it’s a rip off, then get 4G.

Here is a GREAT resource: Wikia: Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki

Most recent forum thread on travel phones: /thread-52734.html

You can find other threads on the same topic prior to 2015-16, but these are probably outdated.

Minor comment here -- if trying to bring your pay-as-you-go SIM card from your home country, it probably won't work. My t-mobile sim card doesn't work in thailand (says "no service").

That simplifies my decision. I'll port my old number to Google Voice.

Post: #18

If you figure out how to port your US cell phone number to Google Voice when being abroad let me know. I also use T-mobile and I cant receive the activation SMS/voice call (duh).
I was planning to do it next time I am back in the states but not sure when that's going to be.

(07-11-2016 07:48 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

(06-29-2016 09:44 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  Telecommunications

As a location independent globe trotter, here are some things you will need to stay on the grid:

- A GSM unlocked phone
- Prepaid SIM card
- Free Messaging & SMS apps
- Tethering capability (optional)

Before you go to your destination country, learn the names of the main providers in said country. Pick one, go there, find an airport kiosk, store, or 7-11, and ask for a SIM card with that provider. If your phone supports it, try to get LTE. LTE is the fastest but they don’t usually advertise. If no LTE or it’s a rip off, then get 4G.

Here is a GREAT resource: Wikia: Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki

Most recent forum thread on travel phones: /thread-52734.html

You can find other threads on the same topic prior to 2015-16, but these are probably outdated.

Minor comment here -- if trying to bring your pay-as-you-go SIM card from your home country, it probably won't work. My t-mobile sim card doesn't work in thailand (says "no service").

That simplifies my decision. I'll port my old number to Google Voice.

Post: #19

Great write up and blog, I have no doubt you will attain every success you're after. I look forward to following your progress on the blog, and to hopefully meeting up with you and other members out East when I hit the road again later this year.

(07-12-2016 01:49 AM)Buakaw Wrote:  If you figure out how to port your US cell phone number to Google Voice when being abroad let me know. I also use T-mobile and I cant receive the activation SMS/voice call (duh).
I was planning to do it next time I am back in the states but not sure when that's going to be.

You could mail your sim card back to a friend in the states who has a T-mobile or unlocked phone, they could put it in their phone, you two coordinate what needs to done on each end.

Post: #20

(07-11-2016 05:52 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  Popping in for a moment...

I did it!

I made it to Thailand on a one way ticket, leaving the West behind hopefully for good. Still getting through the jet lag and logistical stuff, but things are going pretty smoothly so far.

Congratulations and if you have arrived in CM and need help with anything let me know.

Post: #21

(07-11-2016 07:48 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  

(06-29-2016 09:44 PM)CleanSlate Wrote:  Telecommunications

As a location independent globe trotter, here are some things you will need to stay on the grid:

- A GSM unlocked phone
- Prepaid SIM card
- Free Messaging & SMS apps
- Tethering capability (optional)

Before you go to your destination country, learn the names of the main providers in said country. Pick one, go there, find an airport kiosk, store, or 7-11, and ask for a SIM card with that provider. If your phone supports it, try to get LTE. LTE is the fastest but they don’t usually advertise. If no LTE or it’s a rip off, then get 4G.

Here is a GREAT resource: Wikia: Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki

Most recent forum thread on travel phones: /thread-52734.html

You can find other threads on the same topic prior to 2015-16, but these are probably outdated.

Minor comment here -- if trying to bring your pay-as-you-go SIM card from your home country, it probably won't work. My t-mobile sim card doesn't work in thailand (says "no service").

That simplifies my decision. I'll port my old number to Google Voice.

Actually, scratch that. My t-mobile sim works here. I just forgot to turn roaming on in my settings. Just gotta be careful with push/fetch because each MB costs money. Still want to switch to google voice for the convenience.

Post: #22

Update - First Month Abroad

Time to update you guys. It's been almost a month since I left the US.

Becoming an expat and making a living abroad is completely and totally different from taking a vacation. I'm talking 180 polar opposite.

It's easy enough to go through the physical motions and buy a one way plane ticket. But nothing will truly prepare you for the emotions you will experience when you actually uproot your life and make your move abroad.

First, as expected, you will go through the honeymoon period. For some, that will last a long time, but for others -- like me -- it will be short lived. My honeymoon period lasted maybe a week or so. I think it's because I've already been to Thailand and spent three weeks here -- so that probably sped up the process.

Once the honeymoon period passed, I was in a strange sort of unsettled limbo for a couple of weeks. Not knowing where to buy shit, how things work in Thailand, and having to make do with what I did have rather than feeling like I am living in a new home.

I would teeter between regretting and rejoicing my decision to expatriate. One minute, I would be grinning from ear to ear saying "this is the BEST thing I've done for myself!" and the next, I'd be sitting on my couch staring at the TV turned off a hair away from having a panic attack: "what the fuck did I just do with my life? And damn it, where can I get that greasy cheeseburger and crispy french fries heaped with salt?!"

The good thing is I have settled into a new exercise routine. Almost every morning, I get up to go swim laps at the condo pool (paging NASA Test Pilot and his 20,000 meter swims on his easy days haha) and hit some weights at the gym. The gym is pretty basic, but it gets the job done. Although I'm still in an Airbnb, I've decided to look for leases in the same building because I really love the pool and doing laps here. Plus having a crew of RVF friends here proved invaluable and helped me settle in quicker.

As for the girls, things seem to be getting harder, especially on tinder and online game. You definitely need game to set yourself apart from the thirsty hordes of farang males and "sexpats". Looking over in the Philippines thread, it seems the same thing is happening there, too. But with good game and maintaining your backbone (not letting others walk all over or eat you alive), you should be alright. I've had four new girls since I got here, including even one SNL pull from a bar which is quite atypical for me. This is definitely unlike my previous bang missions, but at one new girl a week on average -- it is still far, far better than what I could get back in the US.

As for my budget, it's around what I expected it would be. I don't go out every night or hit up high-end places all the time, so it's easy to keep my spending under control. Think I spent about $2,200 this month, but with an apartment lease instead of an Airbnb, I could maybe keep it at $1,800 monthly (excluding business expenses).

Still, I have this nagging antsy feeling that I can't quite explain. It helps to stay productive with work, but some days I'm just trolling the freelance websites for jobs and getting zip. Then I hit up my leads from tinder and find they're all busy. Those days suck hard. Other days are better -- I get real work and stay productive, or spend a day with a girl eating, fucking, and hanging out, or go out with the boys.

So far, I'm giving this a B grade. Maybe it'll get better. Or maybe it'll get worse. Who knows?

Post: #23

(08-08-2016 03:07 AM)CleanSlate Wrote:  So far, I'm giving this a B grade. Maybe it'll get better. Or maybe it'll get worse. Who knows?

One thing you have to consider is that "there is no Thailand now". Once you are there, you're in the green grass on the other side, and there is no "even greener other side". You no longer have the "I'm moving to Thailand" mission that you once had. Now you've actually achieved it -- you no longer have any purpose. The mission is over, so what now?

My recommendation would be to find your next mission as soon as possible.

On food and other amenities -- check out the internet for delivery services. It can be a real irritation-remover until you build a picture of the places you like to eat at and which shops to visit to find certain things.

Post: #24

Gotta say, I think your blog has the potential to blow up, it is very well written and has a very neat presentation.


Out of curiosity, what do you do? Also, why did you pick Thailand?

Post: #25

Traveling abroad is seeking chaos away from the routine of your daily life. Living abroad is seeking routine where everything else around you in daily life is chaotic.

They could not be more different.