Advice on moving to Asia loooking for connections

Posted by TigerAdorable1447@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 8 comments

Hey everyone — I’m planning a move into the digital nomad lifestyle and I’m looking for real insight from people who’ve actually lived abroad in Asia. If you’ve spent time in places like Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, or Korea, I’d love to learn from your experience. I want to make smart decisions, not tourist decisions — so here are the things I’m trying to understand: 1. Which Asian countries were the easiest for long-term living — visas, housing, day-to-day life, and cost of living? 2. Which cities had the strongest nomad communities and the easiest place to build friendships or networks? 3. What income streams helped you stay truly mobile (remote work, freelancing, sales, online business, etc.)? 4. What do you wish you knew before choosing your first country in Asia? 5. What mistakes should someone avoid in their first 3–6 months living abroad? A bit about me: I’m entrepreneurial, fitness-focused, and building a remote career that lets me live and work anywhere. I’m looking for the honest, practical advice that goes beyond travel hype. If you’re open to sharing your experience or connecting 1-on-1, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance — excited to learn from people who’ve already done it.

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ImaginaryAd8129@reddit

i’ve bounced around a few spots in SE Asia and here’s the lowdown without the usual tourist fluff. Thailand (Chiang Mai especially) is classic for nomads because visas are relatively straightforward if you play the multiple-entry game, plus housing is cheap and flexible. Bali’s great for community but visa stuff can get pricey if you overstay or want long-term. Vietnam is evolving fast, Ho Chi Minh has a tight expat scene but visas can be trickier and housing less stable long term. For building real connections, coworking spaces and fitness clubs helped me way more than bars, they tend to attract like-minded people. Income-wise, remote work with a steady paycheck or freelancing client base is the easiest way to keep mobile. Sales or commission-heavy gigs get complicated unless you’re tied to a region. Biggest surprise: internet quality varies wildly even in digital hubs, so test spots before committing. Mistakes? Don’t underestimate the culture shift, especially bureaucratic stuff like registrations and local rules. Also, having some local language basics saves headaches. If you want a quick way to weigh which places fit your priorities, try wheredoimoveto.com’s international discover feature, helped me narrow options based on lifestyle rather than hype. Good luck out there!

benclubc@reddit

German, M, 38, lived in UAE, Cyprus, Australia long-term, and now in Thailand since 2022 with long-term visa (Bangkok).

1) "Easiest" I would say Thailand, since the DTV visa has been established. Malaysia has the MM2S, also a good but, however, KL is a bit less attractive as you like strong communities. Vietnam great for cost, hard for visa. So, Thailand #1. Bali is quite hyped, some love it, some hate it. I'm in between.
2) Best community vibes I experienced: Canggu, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
3) Freelancing for EU/US companies, keep your job and leave (and be ok with working nights if your employer is US-based, I know many ppl who do that). If you have relevant skills, online biz can work.
4) The first country doesn't matter as much. If you're young, and mobile, don't rent sth in a new city for a year, keep your remote job, stay there for a month. If you like it, keep going. If not, try another place for a month. Once you decided this is the place, get your long-term visa. Don't rush.
5) Don't lease anything quick, don't buy furniture or anything big, don't apply for a costly visa. Have 2-3 countries + cities ready to visit, emerge yourself in there, join plenty of events, communities etc. - once you see what the vibe, ppl, amenities, culture etc. is like, make an honest assessment if you want to stay for 1y+. Network a lot, be open and helpful. You will find what suits you quicker than you think.

The fact that you are asking yourself those question now BEFORE you leave, and not after you land, puts you ahead of 80% of the people I see landing here every day already.

Best of luck!

TigerAdorable1447@reddit (OP)

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DifferentWindow1436@reddit

You might want to ask on a digital nomad sub, where people move around. Japan and Korea both have digital nomad visas now, but they aren't long term. Both countries are exciting but there is a massive language barrier and neither is really low cost.

You might also want to put Malaysia on your list.

Does Thailand or Vietnam have plans of these ? Or any other country in the world ?

I am not a digital nomad and not very familiar with the programs across the region. I am sure Thailand had a program as it seems pretty popular as a destination. I believe the programs in Japan and Korea are newish and they allow for 6 months (you can look it up easily) and you need to show proof of income.

p3chapai@reddit

Asia is a huge continent so it would be hard to give you any general advice that is true for all countries. Visa rules and legal frameworks are also vastly different. Although, if you're planning on a "digital nomad" lifestyle then lower CoL countries in southeast Asia are probably a good bet. There's communities in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.

I live in Japan, and I unless you have the money and plan to set up a company here, you would have to find employment for your visa. It's also expensive in terms of CoL and taxes are comparatively high.

Mindless_Pie_7472@reddit

1) Not Pakistan

2) Not Pakistan

3) Nothing, I starved to death

4) To not go to Pakistan

5) Don't go to Pakistan