Attractioneers

As more and more expats leave the United States behind in favor of countries where the cost of living is less, people naturally have questions. These range from “is it dangerous abroad?” to “can I still have modern amenities?”. And as more travelers are finding out every year, with the advent of Internet around the world has come the ability to live anywhere you want in the world and still have access to all the creature comforts of the Western world.

Those who have chosen a lifestyle of absolute freedom as expats rather than be subjugated to the hamster wheel of 40 hour work weeks live abroad in countries where the cost of living is a fraction of what it is in the U.S., while at the same time retaining their Western salary. You can live in France or Italy where you have access to universal health care and a cost of living that is only around 20% of the United States, which means you you can be putting 80% of your salary every year back into the bank, thus allowing you an early retirement.

The Internet has allowed individuals around the world to work anywhere they want rather than being tied down to a physical location. When you have access to the Internet you can work anywhere you want. This flexibility gives expats the freedom to live in countries around the world where the cost of living is a fraction of what it is in their home country, and while it might cost you $30,000 a year to cover a middle-of-the-road existence in the U.K. or the U.S., you can move to a country like Italy where the cost of living is only $10,000 a year.

The most successful travelers abroad are those who live like a local as a resident of their host country, speaking the local language and following the rules and regulations of that country. For example, if a country like Bulgaria allows a 14 year old teenager to legally drink beer views them as an adult, not a minor, that is a rule that is meant to be respected by you as an expat, not challenged. Remember, you are a guest in the host country, and just as much as you expect foreigners to respect the rules of your country when they visit, and you need to do the same when you are living abroad as an expat.

At the end of the day remember that you have the freedom to go anywhere you want on Planet Earth. We are all of us human beings sharing One Planet as One People, and no singular government has the right to dictate to you where you can or cannot live. As an expat you can go where you want, when you want, and pick the countries that have the best policies, economies, tax rates and medical benefits for you and your family.

Adventures are only part of what you can expect living as a full time traveler abroad. There are so many opportunities in the world that it’s hard to find just one, which is why you should explore them all through living abroad.