Many folks take a glimpse at my lifestyle here and assume I’m swimming in cash.  The truth of it is, it’s cheaper to live abroad than you might imagine!  It is far cheaper to live here than it is to travel, and if you look at rental costs versus the price of hotels, you can see why.

I realize living abroad is not for everyone, but for those interested, I wanted to share some actual figures and costs that you would experience while living here.

One of the main reasons that I chose Thailand is that I’ve been here before.  I knew that it was cheap, with friendly locals, and easy enough to travel around.

What I didn’t consider and wouldn’t have known until living here…

• How affordable it is to live here
• What great food you can have on a regular basis
• The incredible amount of international friends I would make
• The valuable experience running a business abroad
• Other work and volunteer opportunities that would present themselves

As Tim Ferriss denotes in his book The Four Hour Workweek, it is much better to live in a country where you can leverage the dollar.  The simple fact is that my money is worth three times as much here than it is in the U.S. This has enabled me to live a near-luxury lifestyle while working in very small amounts.  You can also add on a job that gives you security, visa, and more cash (and lets you save while experiencing another country).  I’ve been doing this with teaching, and loving it.

Anyway, I’ve been living a pretty kick-ass lifestyle for roughly $800 a month. Here’s a breakdown of my expenses so you can see for yourself how this would work for you…

Budget: One Month

$ 200 USD            Rent

$   30 USD            Utilities and Internet

$ 400 USD           Food & Entertainment

$ 70 USD              Motorbike Rental & Gas

$ 100 USD            Border Runs / Visa / Travel

________________________________________

$ 800 USD            Total

Let’s just suffice it to say that never in my life have I had the luxury to spend double my rent on food and entertainment.  For the record, YES, I have Downsized My Life…. But I find it exceedingly worth it.  And, all the while, I’m managing to save money (which, honestly, is something I Really struggled with living in the U.S.)

So, just for fun, let’s take a look at what it would cost to do a two week vacation here….

Budget: Two Week Vacation

$1,300 USD         Roundtrip Airfare

$ 450 USD            Hotel

$ 300 USD            Food

$ 200 USD            Travel / Taxies/ Transport

$ 300 USD            Tours & Entertainment

________________________________________

$2,550 USD         Total

My point is this:  For what it would cost to come here for two weeks, you could live here for THREE Months.  Seriously!  It is something to consider, not just for financial reasons, but more for what you learn by actually Living in a Foreign country.  The life experiences, cultural experiences, and friendships you can make are nothing short of life changing. Here are some photos so you can see what you can get for your money here….

Incredible Views

Most of the views around here are stunning, but I must say that mine is inspiring.  I love just waking up and looking at the huge mountain outside my sliding glass door.

View from my balcony - 2 minute drive to the beach!

Amazing Food

Most meals cost between $1-3 USD.  If you go to a very high end restaurant and order wine, expect it to be about $30 USD.  My favorite part about living here is that the food is fresh from the market and made on the spot.  I’m sure my diet is much healthier eating this way!

Green curry served in a coconut!

Fantastic Recreation

What has kept me here is the amazing amount of recreational activities.  Krabi is known for its world-class climbing and diving.  If you are in to either of these sports, you’ll love it here!  You can also go trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about anything else.

Diving in Koh Ha

Diving is cheap here, about $120 US for a day.  The courses are very inexpensive, so if you are looking to do several dives, you are better off adding a certification to your list.

My friend Lucy going for it!

Climbing for a half day is about $20 US.  If you have your own gear, its free, but I’d recommend hiring a guide so you can find the best sites easily.  Railay is pretty much the mecca of climbing and there is enough here for me to do for the rest of my life.

Making Friends From All Over the World

If you are worried about leaving your home because you are afraid of making new friends, don’t be!!  The best gift so far is the friendships that I’ve made.  Living abroad attracts the fun-loving, adventurous type.  I’ve made a ton of lifelong friends that I will be able to visit all around the world.

Monsoon face painting party - people from Australia, Finland, Sweden, England, Scotland, United Arab Emeriates & USA

The cost of getting your life back?  Priceless.

One thing I hadn’t anticipated was how completely freeing it would be to live here.  I’ve never really felt so relaxed, had this much fun, or enjoyed my time anywhere else as much as I have here.  While I realize that it is just one small place, I wanted to share some of these experiences with you in hopes that no matter where you go or end up, that you can feel the same amount of freedom and joy that I have here.

One of the best sunsets I've ever seen in my life!

Like I said before, living abroad isn’t for everyone.  But for those of you that are interested, I hope this has been  helpful and inspiring for you!!

Questions??  Comments??  Readers, please share your experiences of living abroad!!

“It’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee, a sort of wager on my part.  And though you may call me a dreamer or a fool or any other thing, I believe that anything is possible.”

-Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

When I was younger, I didn’t know what to believe, or who to believe.  My mother and father had very different opinions and I did not grow up with a particular religion or faith to rely upon.  As I got older I became more confused by life, expectations, and societal norms.  But, after much trial and error, I learned the most valuable lesson:  to rely upon my intuition and move forward on Faith.

In this article, I am going to convey the steps that I have found that have led me to rely more upon my intuition and faith.  I am sharing this with you because my life has moved forward in miraculous ways that I completely attribute to this process.  In this process, we begin by overcoming logic, then increase trust  in our intuition and feelings.  Next, we take action and move forward (despite our fears!), and trust in the process while it is unfolding.  You have always been taken care of, and you always will be!

Strengthening your ability to trust in yourself and increasing your faith will move you to new levels; turning the impossible into the possible.

Overcoming Logic

Overcoming logic can be very tricky for us because there is nothing concrete or tangible about intuition and faith.  You cannot see them, test them, or measure them.  They are an invisible force which defies our logic and rational mind.  Most of the time when we have an impulse or are drawn towards something, it is our intuition guiding us toward our next step in life.  We may have a ‘gut feeling’ or sense that we should go somewhere, talk to someone, or move into a new interest or field.  While these sensations cannot be seen, they can be felt.  It then becomes more important for us to rely on our feelings than our thoughts.

Trusting Our Intuition and Feelings

While this process may seem scary, I have had the most amazing outcomes when I have trusted my feelings-and I have seen the results! When I have been prompted to move forward in a particular area of my life, and followed through with it, good things happened.  And, when I haven’t, bad things happened.  As simple as that sounds, you would think it would make it easier to trust our instincts and stop relying on Logic.  But, growing up the way we have in our society, we are taught to stay inside the safety of a system with predictable results.  This mode has little to no risk, and fairly guaranteed results.  The challenge with moving forward on instinct is that often times, our results are not guaranteed, the resources are not currently available, and we have no reason whatsoever to know it will work.  We now are going into a situation where the risk is extremely high, and the results are not guaranteed At All.  We are Going on Faith.

Taking Action and Moving Forward (Despite Your Fears!)

When I decided to go Location Independent with my business, there were no guarantees.  I had the signs, the intuition, and all of the promptings to do so.  But, I was scared!  I had no idea what was in store for me, how I would live in another country while running my business, or how I would be taken care of.  When I downsized all of my belongings, packed up and flew on a one-way ticket to Bangkok, I was going entirely on faith.

You may find yourself in situations where you ‘know’ you should move forward but you are oscillating back and forth about all of the “How to’s”.  What I recommend is to take action and move forward, despite your fears!  Try to break down the whole process into small steps and just focus on what is right in front of you.  Getting into gear and taking action will help you to see the next step, whereas not doing anything just keeps you stuck in your head.  One example I use with my clients is this:  a man can lay at the bottom of a mountain and go up and down the mountain several thousand times in his head.  But, at the end of the day, he is still at the bottom of the mountain!  It is better to just take the first step, and then see the next one, moving slowly forward and gaining higher ground as you go.  Just sort out what the first step is, do it, and then do the next one.  It really is just as simple as that!

Trusting In The Process

Sometimes in order to move ahead, we need to renew our faith and trust that we will be taken care of.  We begin to doubt and worry when we don’t see immediate results.  When we have taken this risk and put our trust in faith, we often times want to rush the process and see instantaneous results.

The only way to continue to move forward is to have patience and trust in the process.

We live in an abundant Universe that wants to provide for us.  And, if you are honest with yourself, I am sure you can look back at any point in your life and see the evidence that You Have Always Been Taken Care Of.  The right people, circumstances, and opportunities came through for you with absolute perfect timing.  In essence, there was never really any need to get so worked up and worried about your life.  Everything works out, and as we move forward and trust in the process, we can begin to relax.  A relaxed state brings in a higher consciousness where we can tap into our intuition and feelings even more.  By spending quiet time in whatever ways help bring you peace (nature, meditation, resting) you are allowing the answers, or the next steps to come in.  And slowly, over time, you can overcome logic, increase your intuition, trusting and taking action more quickly and letting the miracles unfold… one after another, time and time again.

“I realize the odds, and science, are against me.  But science is not the total answer; this I know, this I have learned in my lifetime.  And that leaves me with the belief that miracles, no matter how inexplicable or unbelievable, are real and can occur without regard to the natural order of things.  So once again, just as I do every day, I begin… in the hope that the miracle that has come to dominate my life will once again prevail.

And maybe, just maybe, it will.”

-Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Discussions & Comments:  Share an experience you’ve had where you went out on faith and were rewarded by the outcome!

Many people would love the opportunity to run their business from anywhere in the world. I must admit, I am happy every day that I have this amazing opportunity to operate my business abroad. I spent about two years establishing my business & lifestyle consulting practice and getting my systems in place. I always had the idea in my head to become a location independent professional (LIP) and with some help, I was able to go global much sooner than I thought.

I hope that by sharing this article I can help demystify some of the nuances that go along with being Location Independent. What is it really like? What are some of the concerns? What are some of the things I wish I would have known before I got started? And, how can you set your life and your business up to go LIP?

What is it really like to be Location Independent?

While it may be glamorous to fantasize about Location Independence and the freedom that goes with it, it’s also a little bit like living in an alternate reality. The freedom is amazing, and the opportunity to travel and see the world is incredible. As you move towards your new lifestyle, keep in mind that you will be changing not just where you live but how you live, how you do business, and how you conduct your personal relationships.

What are some of the concerns of an LIP?

What to Pack
Of course you know I am going to say to go as light as possible. I have been living abroad for the past six months and all I brought was a backpack and a laptop. The first real step is to downsize your life and your belongings…

Downsize your Stuff
Use Pareto’s Principle to start eliminating everything you don’t need (give yourself at least 3 months to do this). From The 4 Hour Workweek: “What is the 20% of my belongings that I use 80% of the time? Eliminate the other 80% in clothing, magazines, books, and all else. Be ruthless—you can always repurchase things you can’t live without. Which belongings create stress in my life?…” Sell what you don’t need on sites like Craigslist and eBay, and it might help finance your plane ticket outta here!

Internet Connections—Our Lifeline
When you are a working digital nomad, internet is the top priority on the road. Keep in mind when you are traveling in foreign countries, internet connectivity might not be what you are used to. Because internet is the lifeline of most of our businesses, it is really important to sort out where you can work. I would recommend starting your travel journeys at hotels or guesthouses that have wifi or DSL in the room, and then wander the city with your laptop to test the wifi speed at different internet cafes and other places to stay.

Border Runs
One very important facet of Location Independent life in many parts of the world is border runs. Most countries give you a stamp that allows you to stay only for a very limited time, and it will be important for you to learn how long you can stay in each place with different kinds of visas. Do some research to find out about the country you would like to live and find out roughly how much it costs to get your visa and how you can extend it. Remember: visa laws are always changing. (The best resource if you’re interested in spending some time in Thailand is ThaiVisa.com)

Other considerations

• Time Differences: What is the time difference between your clients and your new country? How will this affect your communication?
• Connection Speeds: Is there somewhere you can get high speed internet? Can you do your work without it? Do you want to set up a residence so you can ensure your internet connection?
• Setting a Schedule: How will living abroad change your current routine? What hours are you likely to keep so you can still be available for your clients?
• Know Your Numbers: What is your estimated cost of living? Have you set up your business to have predictive income? What are your plans to grow your business while abroad?

Some things I wish I’d known before I got started

Settling In
One of my biggest epiphanies came a couple of months after becoming Location Independent. Originally, I had planned on spending a few months in each destination bouncing around Asia. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks: I don’t ever have to go home. EVER!

While this may seem obvious, it is a very strange realization. It’s like summer vacation that will never end. I realized in that moment that I could spend a year or more in each place that I love. I don’t have to be on a schedule and I don’t necessarily need a return ticket.

With this in mind, I found it is actually far more productive to settle into a location in order to get to know an area and be more productive. This is totally opposite of what I thought originally and it has taken a bit of time to break free of the “traveler mentality” and move more towards living somewhere.

First off, it is cheaper to live somewhere. My friends and colleagues are amazed that I can live very well in Thailand for under $700 USD per month. This covers my bungalow, internet, energy bill, food and entertainment. Consider planning on a longer stay in your destinations. This will help you to feel more settled and establish deeper personal relationships with people you meet.

To Buy or Not to Buy
If you choose to settle into an area the question arises: to buy or not to buy? Do you invest in furnishings? Do you buy furniture, television, sheets, bedding, etc? How long do you want to stay? How settled do you need to feel in order to be productive?

My conclusion was to find something that is furnished, in order to stay a minimalist and still be mobile. You may decide the same, keeping in mind that you are still living the Location Independent Lifestyle and you don’t want to get too bogged down with stuff. I have only purchased the basics: a hot water boiler, tea pot, bowl, fork & spoon. This has been enough for me to have basic provisions for breakfast and snacks and yet keep the possessions down to a minimum.

Personal Relationships
Whether you are traveling or settling into an area, relationships are inevitable. There are some great people you can meet from the backpacker crowds, but the longer you stay, the more locals you get to know. The locals will be a combination of natives and expatriates (a citizen who has left his or her own country to live in another). Once you get in with the locals, your world will become much more entertaining and full. The community that I have found in Ao Nang has been an amazing mix of international friends that I know I will have for life. And I didn’t know a soul before coming here. If you are going it alone, check out this article: Traveling Solo, Going it Alone.

How to set you and your business up to go LIP

There are several steps you will need to accomplish before you convert your lifestyle and business to Location Independence. Check out our comprehensive list of How To Go Location Independent.

If you need help, we are happy to move you along and get you global. Some things to keep in mind business wise are:

• Transitioning your clients online and meeting via webcam
• Creating monthly packages with automated billing
• Building online communities and increasing your market
• Having content rich blogs that explain “How To’s” to your niche market (see Notes From Chris Guillebeau’s 279 DAYS TO OVERNIGHT SUCCESS)
• And building information products to increase your readership and income

It is my hope that this article has inspired you to follow your passion and get your gears turning on how to go global. Please contact us if you have any questions or need any support in the process!!

Read other posts from the Location Independent Group Writing Project