Expat Travel Blog

Our cost of living data is based on three key sources:

1. Direct experience from our contributors who track their actual expenses while living in each location
2. Crowd-sourced data from verified expats currently living in each destination
3. Local economic indicators that we monitor quarterly for significant changes

We provide expense breakdowns for different lifestyle levels (budget, moderate, and comfortable) and update our figures at least every three months. For the most personalized estimate, we recommend using our interactive cost of living calculator available in each country guide.

Selecting the appropriate visa depends on several factors:

• Duration of stay: Short-term (tourist visas), medium-term (digital nomad visas), or long-term (residency permits)
• Purpose: Work, retirement, investment, family reunification, etc.
• Nationality: Visa requirements vary significantly based on your passport
• Financial situation: Many visas have minimum income or investment requirements

Our country guides include comprehensive visa sections that outline all available options, requirements, application processes, and extension possibilities. For complex situations, we recommend consulting with an immigration specialist, and many of our guides include recommendations for reputable local services.

Digital nomads should evaluate destinations based on:

• Internet infrastructure: Connection speed, reliability, backup options, and coworking spaces
• Time zone compatibility: Overlap with clients or team members in other locations
• Visa situation: Length of stay permitted, specific digital nomad visas, and ease of border runs
• Cost-to-quality ratio: Balance of living expenses versus quality of life and amenities
• Community: Presence of other remote workers, networking opportunities, and support systems
• Climate preferences: Seasonal considerations that might affect your productivity or comfort

Our digital nomad section in each country guide addresses these factors in detail, with specific neighborhood recommendations optimized for remote workers.

Finding suitable accommodation abroad involves several approaches:

• Short-term initial stay: Book 2-4 weeks of temporary accommodation (Airbnb, apart-hotel) to explore neighborhoods in person
• Local platforms: Each country has preferred listing sites that often offer better prices than international platforms
• Facebook groups: Many expat communities have dedicated housing groups with direct-from-owner listings
• Local agents: In many countries, working with a local real estate agent costs you nothing (landlord pays the fee)
• Networking: Local connections often lead to unadvertised opportunities with better terms

Our housing sections include country-specific platforms, typical rental terms, red flags to watch for, and negotiation tips for each market. We also highlight legal considerations for foreigners such as lease requirements and deposit protection laws.

Healthcare approaches for expats generally fall into these categories:

• International health insurance: Comprehensive coverage that works across multiple countries
• Local private insurance: Often more affordable but limited to one country
• Public healthcare systems: Available to residents in many countries, sometimes requiring enrollment
• Self-insurance: Paying out-of-pocket in countries with low healthcare costs

Each of our country guides includes a dedicated healthcare section covering system access, quality of care in different facilities, typical costs for common procedures, and recommendations for expat-friendly providers. We also address prescription medication availability and emergency services information.