By: Frayed Passport
If you’re constantly counting down to your next vacation, it might be a sign that you’re meant for more than just occasional travel.
Living in another country means you don’t have to cram everything into a two-week itinerary. You can explore at your own pace, find amazing spots beyond the tourist zones, and experience what life is like in another culture. Moving abroad means every day can feel like a vacation if you plan it that way.
You Can Work From Anywhere
Let’s talk about work. Unless you’re independently wealthy, you probably need to keep some income flowing—and if you’re relocating to another country, you may need to prove steady income or a minimum amount of savings, depending on the type of visa you’re going for. The good news? The way people work has completely changed, so you don’t necessarily need to find a job located in your dream destination.
More and more jobs have remote and hybrid options, which means you can swap your cubicle for a beachside coworking space or a mountain-view café. Digital nomad visas are popping up all over the world, making it easier than ever to legally work while living abroad.
You Can Learn a New Language or Get Fluent in One You Love
Ever dreamed of ordering food in flawless French or negotiating a market deal in Spanish? Moving abroad is an incredibly effective way to pick up a new language.
When you live somewhere long-term, you have to learn. You’ll start recognizing words on street signs, understanding casual conversations at the store, and maybe even thinking in another language before you know it. Plus, locals love it when you make an effort—it’s a great way to connect with people and feel at home in a new country.
Travel Becomes Cheaper and Easier Than You Think
One of the biggest myths about long-term travel? That it’s expensive. In reality, living abroad can actually cost less than staying home.
In many places, rent, food, and transportation are significantly cheaper than in major U.S. cities. Plus, when you live somewhere new, you’re already there—no need for long-haul flights to see a new place.
Imagine setting up in Thailand, where a beachfront apartment can cost less than a tiny studio in New York.
- How Much Can Geoarbitrage Help Your Finances? Read These 6 Powerful Examples
- 5 Best Ways to Travel the World for Cheap: It’s Easier Than You Think!
You Don’t Have to Move Overseas to Get Something Different
Maybe the idea of dealing with visas, foreign banking, and other international moving details feels a little overwhelming. But guess what? If you’re from the U.S. (which most of our readers are), you know this place is massive, and our territories are so far-flung that they can give you the “living abroad” experience without the international red tape.
Puerto Rico, for example, is a very popular vacation locale for Americans, and if you want to move there, you could benefit from its Act 60 tax credits for eligible residents—meaning you could enjoy financial perks and island life without ever needing a passport. It’s a great option if you want a big change without completely uprooting everything you know.
You Can Escape the Routine…and Maybe Even Find Yourself in the Process
Life has a way of falling into a routine. Same job, same commute, same weekends spent talking about how one day you’ll take that dream trip.
Moving abroad shakes all of that up. It forces you out of your comfort zone, challenges you to adapt, and shows you what you’re really capable of. You might find that you develop a totally different perspective on life—one that prioritizes experiences over possessions, relationships over routine, and adventure over “someday.”
The Memories Will Last Forever, Even If You Move Back
Not everyone who moves abroad stays permanently—and that’s okay. Even if you only do it for a year or two, the experiences you gain will stick with you for life.
You’ll have stories that you can tell forever. You’ll build friendships with people from all over the world. You’ll look back and think, Wow, I really did that!
And maybe you’ll realize you never want to go back to the way things were.
Frayed Passport is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also may share links to other affiliates and sponsors in articles across our website. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.