Beautiful panoramic landscape with mountains and lake, inspiring travel destinations
Ready to Make Your Move Abroad?
Hey there! So, picture this: three years ago, I was sitting in my cramped London flat, scrolling through those perfect "digital nomad life" posts on Instagram. You know the ones – laptop on the beach, caption about "living the dream." What they don't show you? The two weeks I spent trying to get internet that didn't cut out every time someone used the microwave next door. We're a bunch of expats who've actually done this stuff – the good, the bad, and the "why didn't anyone warn me about THAT" moments. No fluff, no "just follow your dreams" nonsense. Just honest stories from people who've figured out how to make this whole living abroad thing actually work.

Popular Expat Destinations

Bali rice terraces and beach

Canggu, Bali

Indonesia
$1,200/month
28°C
Loading...
Lisbon colorful streets and tram

Lisbon

Portugal
$1,800/month
18°C
Loading...
Bangkok street food and skyline

Bangkok

Thailand
$1,100/month
32°C
Loading...
Da Nang beach and dragon bridge

Da Nang

Vietnam
$900/month
26°C
Loading...
Valencia City of Arts and Sciences futuristic architecture

Valencia

Spain
$1,200/month
22°C
Loading...
REC.ON Spain ecovillage at twilight

REC.ON Ecovillage

Andalusia, Spain
$800/month
20°C
Loading...
MedellĂ­n city view with mountains in the background

MedellĂ­n

Colombia
$1,000/month
24°C
Loading...
Tbilisi old town with traditional architecture and modern buildings

Tbilisi

Georgia
$700/month
18°C
Loading...

Latest Destination Guides

Old Tbilisi with ancient fortress and modern architecture

The Ultimate Expat Guide to Georgia

Andrew
Andrew

Everything you need to know about moving to Georgia, from visa options to cost of living and digital nomad resources.

Georgia Europe Digital Nomad
Colorful colonial buildings in Cartagena, Colombia

The Ultimate Expat Guide to Colombia

Sofia
Sofia

Everything you need to know about moving to Colombia, from visa options to cost of living and safety.

Colombia South America Digital Nomad

About YoNomad

Look, I'll be straight with you – we started YoNomad after I spent three months trying to get a simple Portuguese tax number. Three months! Turns out the "comprehensive guide" I followed was written by someone who'd clearly never set foot in a Portuguese tax office. Meanwhile, my friend Sofia was dealing with her Bali WiFi dying every single time she had a client call (spoiler alert: it wasn't the WiFi, it was the power grid, but nobody tells you that stuff).

Here's what I've learned after four years of this: every single expat has stood in some government office clutching a folder of documents, wondering if they brought the right ones. We've all had that mini heart attack when the ATM eats your card in a country where you don't speak the language. And yes, we've all found ourselves googling "how to make friends as an adult in Lisbon" at 2 AM on a Tuesday. That's exactly why our advice actually works – because we've been there, done that, and learned from every embarrassing mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know your cost numbers are actually realistic?

Oh man, this question hits close to home! I used to read those "live in Thailand for $500/month" articles and think I was doing something wrong when my monthly expenses were double that. Turns out those writers were either living like monks or just making stuff up.

Here's how we actually do this:

  1. We track our real expenses - I mean everything. That €4.50 coffee in Lisbon (because yes, even the "cheap" places add up), the random €23 fee the bank charged me for... honestly, I still don't know what that was for
  2. We bug our expat friends constantly - "Hey Sarah, what did you pay for rent this month?" Real people, real receipts, not some outdated blog post from 2019
  3. We update when stuff changes - And boy, does it change fast. That "affordable" neighborhood in Lisbon I recommended last year? Yeah, it's not so affordable anymore thanks to every other digital nomad discovering it

Plus, we break it down by how you actually want to live. Because there's a world of difference between "I'll eat street food and sleep in a hostel dorm" money and "I want my own place with decent WiFi and a coffee machine that doesn't sound like it's dying" money.

Ugh, visa research is like falling down the world's most boring rabbit hole! I once spent an entire weekend reading Portuguese immigration law (in Portuguese, because apparently I hate myself), only to find out I was looking at the wrong visa category entirely. Fun times.

Here's what I wish someone had told me before I wasted three weeks of my life:

  • Start with the basics: how long? Three months of exploring? Tourist visa. Planning to work remotely for a year? Look into digital nomad visas. Want to actually move there? That's residency permit territory
  • Be honest about what you're actually doing - Just traveling around? Working remotely? Starting a business? Each has totally different requirements, and mixing them up is how you end up with a rejected application
  • Your passport matters more than you think - Some nationalities basically get the red carpet treatment, others... well, let's just say it's not fair, but it's reality
  • Money talks - Most visas want proof you won't end up sleeping on park benches. Know the minimum amounts before you start, because "I'll figure it out" isn't an acceptable answer

The good news? Our country guides break down every single option with real stories from people who've actually gone through the process. Including all the stuff the embassy websites conveniently forget to mention. And when things get really messy? We know immigration lawyers who won't just take your money and disappear.

Oh man, I learned this the hard way when I tried to work from a "paradise" beach town with 2 Mbps internet. Here's what actually matters:

  • Internet that doesn't make you cry - Speed is one thing, but reliability is everything. I test this stuff personally and include backup options
  • Time zones matter more than you think - Working European hours from Thailand? Prepare for some very early mornings
  • Visa reality check - Can you actually stay long enough to settle in, or will you be doing visa runs every 30 days?
  • Bang for your buck - Sometimes paying more for a better setup saves you money (and sanity) in the long run
  • Find your people - Working alone in paradise sounds romantic until you realize you haven't had a real conversation in weeks
  • Weather affects productivity - I'm way less motivated when it's 35°C and humid. Know yourself

Each of our guides has a whole section just for remote workers - where to live, where to work, and where to find other people who understand why you're excited about fiber internet.

I totally get it - apartment hunting in your own country is stressful enough! Here's the strategy that's worked for me and tons of other expats:

  • Don't commit before you see it - Book an Airbnb for 2-4 weeks first. Trust me, neighborhoods feel completely different in person
  • Ditch the international sites - Every country has local platforms with way better deals. I'll tell you exactly which ones to use
  • Join the Facebook groups - Expat housing groups are gold mines for direct-from-owner deals and insider tips
  • Get a local agent (it's often free!) - In many places, landlords pay the agent fees, so you get help for nothing
  • Ask around - Some of the best apartments never get listed. Coffee shop owners, coworking managers - they know everything

Each country guide has the specific websites, typical scams to avoid, and what's actually negotiable in that market. Plus the legal stuff you need to know - because nobody wants to lose their deposit over fine print they couldn't read.

Healthcare abroad was my biggest worry too! But honestly, I've had better and cheaper care in some countries than back home. Here's how to not stress about it:

  • International insurance - The expensive but worry-free option. Works everywhere, covers everything, but you'll pay for the peace of mind
  • Local private insurance - Usually way cheaper and often better service. Just tied to one country
  • Public healthcare - Some countries let residents use their public system. Portugal's is amazing once you're in
  • Pay-as-you-go - In places like Thailand, a doctor visit costs less than a nice dinner. Sometimes this makes the most sense

Every guide breaks down what healthcare is actually like in that country - which hospitals speak English, how much a typical visit costs, and how to get your prescriptions. Plus emergency numbers and what to do if things go really wrong.

Essential Expat Resources

Still Have Questions?

We're constantly adding new tools and guides based on what you guys actually ask us about. If there's something missing or you're stuck on a specific challenge, let us know! Most of our best resources came from someone saying "I wish there was a guide for..."

Check Out All Resources

Our Partners