Help me with my SE Asia Retirement Strategy
Posted by spaghetti_taco@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 68 comments
I promise I've done months of research and financial planning on this. I've talked to my financial advisor, I've got multiple spreadsheets where I've been calculating costs. I've watched dozens of youtube websites and read dozens of blogs on cost of living. I'm making very concrete plans to retire. I'm currently 42 but plan to work until 45 before retiring. Not that it is necessary financially, just for other reasons not worth going in to.
So I'll be retiring with investments (well north of >1M USD) so I will be able to easily sustain a $4k/mo budget indefinitely, which is way above my estimated target budget requirements. My plan is to just move between countries on tourist visas. My plan is: Japan (very expensive, relatively, I know), Vietnam, Bali, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, etc. Seems like most offer at least 90 day visas and some even allow you extend. I understand in some places you can use an agent to help with visa extensions if needed.
From what I can tell I should easily be able to stay in short term rentals very easily on this budget. Does this seem like a reasonable plan? Am I totally crazy? Despite all the planning it just seems too good to be true. I'm recently single and no kids. My budget includes yearly trips back to the US to see friends and family.
Has anyone who has followed a similar path have any advice?
talkthai@reddit
Having retired at 42 and living in SE the last 18 years, I chuckle reading almost every reply. Loads of opinions but largely complete nonsense. I have lived in Japan, PH, Malaysia, and Thailand. Japan isn’t a retirement destination, but that aside, makes for an awesome place to spend time in and quite inexpensive considering the quality. You can live quite comfortably in most of the countries you mentioned on a fraction of that budget. Many spend more due to they 1) try to recreate their life in the west or 2) spend their time drinking and womanizing and puking cash. You can’t think in terms of your home currency and value (Ala a tourist mindset), but need to adapt a local mindset in terms of value.
Just as an fyi, my net worth has increased around 650k since I retired in SE Asia. Much the same situation as the you. And I’m generally very conservative. I can’t say whether you’ll like it or not of course, but no issues at all cash flow or location wise… assuming you create a budget and have some discipline. I would recommend developing so heathy lifestyle habits and focus on that in retirement regardless of when you do. Good luck!
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Really appreciate your reply. I was trying to be VERY conservative with my budget. My ideal lifestyle is extremely minimal. I don't need expensive things (done enough of that already, probably like you).
Would you be willing to share your regular monthly budget and a general sense of your lifestyle? Do you have any other advice for someone considering a similiar path as you?
I'm a big fan of Japan, so my hope would be to spend at least 90 days, or one tourist visa, there per year. But I'm more than happy in $40 a night business hotels.
talkthai@reddit
My lifestyle are hobbies that I’m passionate about and mostly free or minimal cost. I run, cycle, walk, go to the gym, read, study, hang out with my gal, cook, etc. I’ll also take a 1-2 trips a year within Asia and 1 back to the USA to check in with friends and family. I live in a new but small studio, ride a scooter, don’t drink, don’t smoke, eat at home 99% of the time as quality of cuisine isn’t good enough for my tastes in PH.
I don’t really have a budget to be honest, I can spend 3x more than I do and still not be able spend savings in my lifetime. That said, in terms of basic monthly expenses in PH it’s around 1200US for my girl and I. I let her manage that and she ends up saving a hundred or two most months. If I doubled it, really would just be a waste of money, I wouldn’t change anything and very comfortable as is. She is as low maintenance as I am, which is in part why we get along. Of course someone single, dating, etc they need to figure out budget wise based on the kind of girl one is interested in (mine is based on shared interests/lifestyle).
That doesn’t include whatever travel budget I want to set aside annually.
Most of the people I know are pretty reckless financially… a fair number have eventual issues. Like I said, living like they are on permanent vacation, puking cash on bars, booze, and/or girls, making poor financial decisions like buying vs rent, not doing what they can to maintain health and fitness (many have a fair number of lifestyle related illnesses), hook up with a girls and have zero common sense handing them money, paying for deadbeat family, etc. Basically you need to be in control of your time, self, and cash at all times… or someone else will.
Education oneself in terms of personal finance and be conservative but invested. There is absolutely no reason you cant generate higher returns annually vs what you need to live on.
Re Japan, it’s my favorite place. I usually spend a month there most years. Can’t say I’ve seen too many 40 dollar a night places in Tokyo, but ya with good timing and 60-70/night very happy (I like APA personally). Food is off the charts and inexpensive, and I just live the same lifestyle there as I would do anywhere.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
This is really encouraging. Your lifestyle seems like exactly what I would do. No interest in partying or going crazy. Simple life, pursue hobbies, etc.
Did you end up getting permanent residency? My plan was just to bounce around on visas.
talkthai@reddit
I bounce for the most part. Retirement visa Thailand, tourist visa PH. PH makes for an easy home base visa if you can tolerate the downsides. Just renew tourist visa every couple months is very painless. The budget goes up if based in Thailand to 2k/mon. Thailand is not nearly as convenient but the country is 10x better in terms of food, culture, things to do, etc. Given I’m pretty chill, nice place to workout, visa ease, easy and cheap, regional travel PH has been fine for me. If you’re slightly more adventurous, Cambodia and Vietnam are solid choices. I would recommend spending a few weeks in each place to see how you like the basics. Food, shopping, apartments, noice, safety, costs, people, transportation, visa related, etc.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
You're really living the dream. This is more or less the game plan I came up with. I've definitely looked into Cambodia and Malaysia as well, and I will definitely check them out.
Have you ever thought about eastern europe or maybe central/south america?
talkthai@reddit
I personally like SE area due to climate, diversity, cost of living, etc. I was thought of Europe, but reality is after all these years here I’m comfortable and set lifestyle wise. When I want a change in scenery, I just take a month and go visit somewhere I want vs relocate. Good luck on your eventual move!
RexManning1@reddit
As a resident of Thailand, no way I would pull the plug with only $1M invested and I don’t even have rent to pay. The populous cities are becoming more expensive with high rents and as the countries here change from developing to developed, you can expect COL to outpace inflation. Foreigners cannot get loans for things like cars, so if you want a new BMW, you gotta pay that $100k cash. Even a decent new car will cost you at least $30k cash.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Can you give me an idea of what your expenses are like? I got on airbnb for example in several cities and even then prices are like $350-600 for places that look clean, modern and are in nice areas typically near the beach.
I also don't plan on ever owning a car again. For my budgeting I just included an estimate on grab rides (train, etc) or possibly just buying or renting a scooter.
onmood@reddit
I think people that say they can not live with 4000$/month in a low cost living area, probably want basically luxuries. Last year I did some slow travel in Asia(Japan/Thailand) 2 different trips of 1 month, and I spend around 3K/4K excluding flight tickets(that would be cheaper if you are already in Asia probably few extra hundred per trip).
Being single with that budget the only hard would be get a luxuries(100K car that this guy suggested while you didn't want it) or being traveling all year between countries with short stays(depending on the location, lifestyle will be easier or harder).
I will suggest something different maybe you can try travel the first months(1/2 months per location), and after decide for a place as your base. Always good to have a place that you can return in case you like to chill a little bit in my opinion. With that, each year you can travel doing some budget calculations the amount of months that you can. Maybe some years would be 2 months others 6.
RexManning1@reddit
Not every country that has a lower COL has every area in the country lower. There are areas in TH with higher COL than US metros now. Millionaires (what OP claims to be) who come here from the west don’t want to live cheap. They want a similar lifestyle assuming it will be lower cost. However, a similar lifestyle is often higher cost.
OP will get tired of moving around and want to settle and when he does, the cheap travel will go right out the window. He will find a partner and that costs more money. He will want to engage with the other retired expats playing sport, going out to eat and drink, etc. Health insurance/Health care while aging costs even more. You can’t compare travel with a long stay. It’s nowhere near the same.
Can you live on $4k a month in the country, yes. Can you live the way you want on $4k in some places in the country, no. I’ve seen it time and time again with westerners coming here thinking about a cheap life. The only ones living cheap are the ones who never had much to begin with.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
I missed your reply originally, and wanted to thank you. What you said makes total sense. My income and cost of living in the US is wildly out of wack. I'm a single guy in the middle of Austin, TX in a $1M 4 bed 3.5 bath house. This is so far beyond what I need it's crazy. The happiest I've been in the last decade was living in a one bedroom apartment when I was single. I'm honestly really simple person and not only do I not need much, I don't want much. I just want a simple life with a safe, clean place.
Again, I hear you, and thank you for that perspective. I won't claim that I'm immune to expense creep and your point is well taken. Thank you again.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for the info! This was my plan exactly and I should have said it in the original post. I would start on tourist visas and bounce around but I hope at some point I'll fall in love with some place and settle down. Is that what you did? Did you figure out how to get some long term visa or just do visa runs? I would definitely like to be able to get longer term leases somewhere to reduce my living cost, too.
Would you be willing to share just a really basic breakdown of your expenses at $3-4k/mo? Rent, food, transport, etc? And maybe share where you settled? And where you're at, did you find that you needed a car? Are you single, too?
If you could do it all over again, any other advice?
Truly, thank you. Hearing feedback from people with real experience has been really amazing.
RexManning1@reddit
You’re going to be limited to Thailand, Philippines, or Malaysia, or Bali. You won’t be able to get a retirement visa in the other Asian nations. You will probably say no to Malaysia because it will require you to fix a deposit of $150k minimum. You will likely say no to Bali because it’s inundated with influencers and no longer low COL.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Ok got it, thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. Bali honestly I have pretty low expectations for exactly the reason you describe. I hear it is just overrun with westerners which isn't what I'm looking for at all.
RexManning1@reddit
You need to think longer term. You should think of this as a short term plan and there’s nothing wrong with that. Once you find a place where you want to settle this will all change.
My expenses are based on two people but, roughly:
$150 electricity $300 home maintenance and repair $600 food $200 entertainment $300 fitness/wellness $640 health, vehicle, personal property insurance
This doesn’t include any rent (I don’t have rent), travel, or extraneous purchases. Where I live even the small condos can cost upwards of 2 grand a month. Sure, there are cheaper areas in the country, but there’s a reason the western expats live here and those with a little bit of scratch love the area where I live.
So back to my original response, can you do it, yes. Will you find that it’s harder than you anticipated based on your desires once you finish your travel, maybe. Again, having done it and having many friends who have done it, I have first hand experience and it’s more than expected.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
So for two people you're spending about $2,200 USD per month? Do you think it's reasonable that a single person, including rent, could live pretty comfortably for $3k/mo?
If cut food, entertainment and fitness/wellnewss (etc) I come up with $1,320 for a single person. So if I added say $1k rent that would leave a buffer of around $700 per month.
Does that seem like a reasonable expectation? I would expect for $1k to rent a single bedroom apartment-style house in a safe area. For me around 30-40 square meters is great.
RexManning1@reddit
Yes it’s doable and short term for sure. Remember, I said as you settle into a place, you’re going to likely want more of the lifestyle you’re used to. It’s just what tends to happen.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Yeah that makes sense. Typically over time I have a tendency to want to spend more and not less. Thanks again.
Catcher_Thelonious@reddit
Tertiary English teacher since 1988 in six different countries, just turned 63 and will likely relocate again in 2025.
You might like to consider becoming certified to teach something. English medium schools and universities all across the world recruit regularly. Working in schools allows you to build relationships with locals and learn more intimately about the culture than a retiree hanging at the coffee shop. It definitely solves the problem of adding meaning and focus to your life.
If you don't want to go the certification route but have solid industry experience, you could look into the Peace Corp, or any host of NGOs looking for people willing to share their knowledge and experience with their local communities.
Good luck!
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Honestly, my back up plan if I got bored or needed money was to find some US based jobs that allowed remote work and work their night shift in a NOC or similar. I've spent years trying to staff overnight shifts and it is always really tough.
I actually dropped out of high school and have no formal education beyond that. I've just been very lucky to be honest. I've only ever looked in Japan but there you need at least an undergraduate degree to teach. Is that true in other places?
But as someone who came up as a technical person I actually love the idea of getting to do some individual contributor (IC) technical work. I have some very advanced technical certifications. Not because I needed them professionally but just because I love learning. I've also found it's the best way to establish trust with a technical team. To be able to demonstrate real technical "chops."
Anyway, again, I truly appreciate all your input and I wish you the best!!!! You're truly living the dream!!
Catcher_Thelonious@reddit
Here's something meaningful you might do for two years. Degree not required. https://www.eslcafe.com/postajob-detail/immerse-overseas-for-two-years
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I missed this one originally. I appreciate your help!!
Catcher_Thelonious@reddit
Thank you.
I believe the only Asian locations where you can teach without a degree are Cambodia and Laos. If you think teaching is something you'd like to do, you could make a plan to finish HS and then an undergrad degree, probably all online. You seem like a sharp guy who could make it happen.
chime888@reddit
WHen I checked this, like you said 4% withdrawn annually is a conservative amount, so your balance should not go down even when you increase future withdrawals for inflation. That is $3333 per month to start out. SHould have no trouble living in such places as the Philiippines, Vietnam, or Cambodia for that amount. You were saying you would have some real estate in the US that you will probably inherit. If that happens, you should be set to move back to the US. While is sounds like it will work, maybe a few month trial visit would be best before you move. I have never lived outside of the USA. It is probably really hard to be away from your people in your home country. Besides, USA people really seem friendlier. I was in the Philippines for vacation of about a month recently, and despite their reputation, I got the impression that people are not really that friendly there.
chime888@reddit
I did not mention crime. At least in the Philippines, you would have to be very careful to avoid being a victim of burglary, robbery, scams, etc . Assault, kidnapping, or murder could happen also. Infrastructure and health care are not so great there either. You will probably need to have cash to pay for any medical care.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Got it, that's something I hadn't really considered. Seems like it's mostly safe but I'm sure there are bad areas. I've been learning about some of the scams as well.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advice. I've spent time in Asia but only ~2 weeks at a time and I've always loved it. I'll have plenty of money to head back to the US if I don't like it in a year or two and a huge buffer to get settled and get back to work. The first year or two I had just budgeted for Airbnb for ~1 month at a time. So no long term commitments and I can just jump on a plane and head back. I'll be retiring with two suitcases and a backpack so it will be easy to get around.
My thought is even if I spent, say, $12k more per year than I budgeted to draw in interest (which seems like a lot!) it would still take me >83 years to spend down just $1M.
Bipolar_Aggression@reddit
$1 million just isn't enough to retire on at 45.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
When you consider my average return on my investments over the last 10 years was 10%, I think it's pretty safe. This also does not calculate in my social security benefits at 62. Which from the ssa.gov website are >$4k/mo based on my historical income.
Bipolar_Aggression@reddit
It is a serious gamble. You will be on a knife edge. Why do this when you can work another 10 years and let your $1 million become $3 million? I understand not wanting to work. I'm the same age as you. I also have a similar amount - bout $1.2 million. It's going to be tough for you.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
How do you think it will be tough? I think I've overestimated expenses significantly. My investment returns should be equal to or greater than my cost of living. And at 62 social security kicks in and would cover my cost of living entirely. I don't expect my investments to decrease at all based on VERY conservative estimates of return.
On even 1M at 4% (which is incredibly low, given historical performance for index funds) that means it's returning $40k/year just in interest.
Otherwise-Growth1920@reddit
Dude the MAXIMUM social security benefit for anyone claiming benefits at 62 right now is a little over 2000 bucks and that’s based on the full 35 years of paying in. Why are you so sure you will be receiving greater than 4000 dollars when you are 62? What makes you think they won’t raise the minimum age requirement? What makes you think they won’t change the rules to “must be a resident of the United States to collect”? It kinda self evident your research consisted mainly of confirmation bias.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
I plan on still being a US resident and traveling on tourist visas. I checked with the ssa.gov website and it said I can receive my benefits in the countries I would visit.
And absolutely not, in all my calculations social security was just "extra."
GlobalTapeHead@reddit
Be careful. That calculation assumes you work until age 62 and it takes into account more years of working wages to determine your benefit (the highest 35 years). If you retire at 45, you will add 17 years of zeros into that calculation.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Yeah I did, thanks. I calculated my salary at a fraction of my salary over the last ~5 years and I'll work at least 3 more. So hopefully it's a rough estimate. But even so, I shouldn't need social security it would just be extra.
Bipolar_Aggression@reddit
Too much here man. Just be careful.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
I'm not sure I follow, can you explain in more detail?
Bipolar_Aggression@reddit
Try to use PortfolioVisualizer.com to get an idea of how your withdrawal rate will affect your principle. Keep in mind inflation over 2 decades.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
This is great! Thank you!!! I tried to factor in inflation by using very conservative returns on my financial products but I really need to use the best numbers I can find, especially on inflation. Thanks again.
Bipolar_Aggression@reddit
That site is expensive now, but it might be worth it for you since this is your life you're planning out!
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the suggestion!!
Otherwise-Growth1920@reddit
If YouTube videos and Blogs is what you used to come up with your cost of living, I 100% guarantee you didn’t overestimate your living expenses and you certainly didn’t overestimate them significantly.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Most blogs and videos I saw said like ~$1500/mo to live in most places. But I looked up actual accomodations, insurance, travel expenses, visa, average food costs, etc. And $4k/mo was still WAY over what I needed to spend.
Can you recommend any resources that you trust with very accurate cost of living in those south east asian countries?
Otherwise-Growth1920@reddit
I have lived in Southeast Asia for over a decade and those numbers are complete nonsense. You aren’t living in safe neighborhood, you aren’t living a short walk to the beach, you aren’t getting quality health insurance, you aren’t eating in quality restaurants on 2000 a month.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
And what about $4k/mo?
Otherwise-Growth1920@reddit
I spend personally 4,000 to 5,000 a month. But this entire conversation is just silly, the number you need to make is what it will cost you to live comfortably back in the U.S. Because when you decide Southeast Asia isn’t for you (and most retires only last about 2 years) you aren’t stuck in country you don’t like, in a part of the world you don’t like and end up a drunken, bitter and angry expat who can’t afford to leave. Because that’s is exactly how the majority of single male retires end up in Southeast Asia.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Ok thank you for your replies and your perspective. You've definitely given me some things to consider. I appreciate it. I can definitely see how people could end up like that.
JRLtheWriter@reddit
Those USD1,500 to 2,000 per month estimates are usually based on living in one place and signing a long-term lease. As soon as you go from renting for a year to renting by a month, your housing costs double, more in popular tourist destinations.
You could absolutely be a perpetual nomad in SE Asia on 4k a month, but yes, you will be on the edge. For instance, you say your portfolio is conservative, that's great for capital preservation but no so great for keeping up with inflation. Will 4k a month still be great ten years from now or 20?
Anyway, why not try it out? Take 3 months, 6 months and live the way you think you want to live and see how it is. That will give you more answers than all these hypotheticals.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Absolutely, inflation is a real concern. That's actually why I went with a conservative estimate of 4%. But the returns are compounding and inflation is not. But your point is well taken, I really need to calculate this all with real built in inflation estimates to make sure.
Oh absolutely, I totally agree with you. If I get there and hate it or the costs are wildly expenses I'll just head back to the US. I won't make any long term commitments for a long time. At first I just want to travel and see which places, if any, I really like.
traveler19395@reddit
go look at FIRE subs. 4% annual withdrawal is considered the safe, sustainable rate by most. your proposal is close to 5%, so considered high risk.
but, having lived the past decade in SE Asia, you can live a very comfortable life on $40k/yr for one person. biggest concern would be if you decide at 60 to move back to US, that $1M may not be enough for how you want to retire there.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Awesome, thanks for the reply. I really appreciate people sharing their real experiences. When you say comfortably, can you give me maybe a run down of what life REALLY looks like at $40k/year? I've done a bunch of research but some replies I've received have said that blogs and youtube videos are, basically, bullshit.
Would you be willing to share your financial situation when you retired? Age, assets, actual rate of return on investments (and type?), expenses? Just rough numbers would be great. Especially where you live/lived would be helpful.
Thanks again - hearing from people with real experience has been really enlightening.
traveler19395@reddit
I'm not retired, and I'm not going to share a lot of details.
I also think your idea to live on tourist visas forever is a bad one. I think almost everyone would get sick of that after a couple years. And you can live more cheaply settling down in one place. But you could start out moving around to figure out where you want to settle down.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Ok thank you, I understand. Appreciate all your input. I hope that eventually I can find a place I really like to settle down.
Otherwise-Growth1920@reddit
lol a million dollars isn’t gonna last you 50 years even if it returns you 5% inflation and taxes are gonna eat you alive. There is literally no way social security is going to pay you greater than 4K a month if you stop working at 45.
HVP2019@reddit
For an average person what you are trying to accomplish will unlikely lead to low stress, relaxing, secure retirement.
Here are my thoughts as an immigrant, as a young “retiree” ( 45-50 years old) as well as someone who has two sets of even older retirees ( parents and in laws 70-85) on two continents.
Typical person who has never lived abroad is not qualified to make up an informed decision if they are doing to be happy living the life you describe. So making such a dramatic plan without knowing for sure you will live living such a nomad life is … unwise.
Such life can be OK for a few years but very unlikely to be practical or doable for 75-80 years old person.
Yet by the time you ARE 75-80 years old it is too late to settle and try to find network of friends, learn languages, start getting familiar with foreign country.
I have lived in my adoptive country for 20 years before we retired here. Over this time I have learned language, I have learned to navigate local healthcare, investment, tax systems. I have established local network of friends, neighbors, relatives. So now I can benefit from all that knowledge and support system to have a low stress retirement.
I enjoy traveling but I have stable home to come back, no matter what, not just today when I am still relatively young but 10-20 + years into the future.
Since I have my own elderly parents and in laws I have very good idea how important it is for more older people to grow old in a country they know well.
I
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Thanks for your input, this is something I've spent a lot of time thinking about as well. My sister plans to care for both of my parents, but I do plan to come back and visit. The other consideration is there will be a large inheritance when my parents pass (not that I should need it) so that provides some additional financial security.
But most of my time now is thinking about how do I find purpose without work? I've spent the last 15 years working in executive leadership. If I go without some place I worry I'll get bored or aimless.
DifferentWindow1436@reddit
Long term expat here. The guy above is absolutely spot on. I've read your comments to these posts. Suggest you take a step back, think about all this. Maybe ease into it. Can you do a 3 month tourist trip to a candidate destination and get a feel for it?
FWIW - $1m - would not be comfortable with that for a long term retirement unless you are one of those super frugal FIRE type people. You think you have X principal and Y return and then the market takes a crap and the FX rates go tits up and mom needs F/T nursing and sister is burnt out and you aren't so sanguine.
But beyond that, you are going to get old in a place. You really need to think about that - particularly when moving to a country with a different language, perhaps less developed than your country. And at 42, I felt like a kid. 52? A lot less so. I guess if you are worried about what to do...spend the first 2 years getting the language down.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
First of all, thank you a ton for sharing your input. I really appreciate it.
This is a really great suggestion, thank you. In my role I believe I could talk to my boss (CEO) and discuss this with him, he's a reasonable guy. Just say, look, I need a sabbatical and let me see how I feel. I have visited asia before as a tourist (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea) but only for a couple weeks. I do worry a lot about what I do without work. I've spent all of my life working and w/o some purpose I feel like I could just waste away my time and frankly, get bored.
What did you do when you retired? How did you find a purpose?
Can you talk more about your personal experience? I conservatively estimated a 4% return (and it's actually closer to 1.5 than 1M) to try and counteract inflation. There are of course inevitably bad years, but also some great years. My products have returned an average of 10% over the last 10 years (which, look, I get, seems too high). I want to be as realistic as I can possibly be.
I hear you, and this is a great point. I actually work in the long term industry (21 years now) so I understand it really well. But look, the world is full of surprises. If I need to come back to the US and begin working and take care of my parents, it's not something I'm concerned with. As I've said elsewhere, I have a good professional network and some very specialized experience. It is what it is.
Absolutely, you're spot on. I've actually spent the last six years learning Japanese which was how I started my trips to Asia, not that it will help much if I'm bouncing around. I've spent time in a few asian countries where I didn't speak the language and the language barriers are very real.
Did you end up in a single location? If so, how do you stay in one spot? Visa runs? Some kind of long term visa?
HVP2019@reddit
I am not talking about your responsibility for your parents.
You obviously believe that it is better when an elderly person has someone ( your elderly parent will have your sister)
So use the same logic: when you will become as old as your parent who will be that person who will help you? And as an old person abroad you will be very lonely and very … clueless. Not a good combination.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Oh I'm sorry, yes, this is what I've spent a lot of time considering. I think financially when I'm unable to travel comfortably anymore I would return to the US.
HVP2019@reddit
Ok, then
auslanderme@reddit
OP you should check out r/ExpatFire
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Oh awesome, thank you for the recommendation.
SamuiBeachLuvr@reddit
Did this at 55 years old 11 years ago to Thailand from the US. Easy to do, no agents needed. Time to enjoy life
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the reply! Would you be willing to share your experience? Especially where you're at and average monthly expenses?
Otherwise-Growth1920@reddit
What is “well north of 1 million USD”. Big difference between 1.4 million and 1.9 million.
spaghetti_taco@reddit (OP)
Let's assume a conservative annual rate of return of $40k/year. This is VERY (VERY) conservative and doesn't take into account social security at 62. From what I can see even $3k/mo in most of these places is a very comfortable lifestyle.