rich & REGULAR with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

Ep 205: Expat life - How to test the waters and decide if you should dive in

9 snips

Mar 17, 2025

Explore the compelling reasons behind the expat trend, from financial independence to political factors. Discover practical tips for testing life abroad with short stays and the Digital Nomad Visa. Learn about semi-permanent residency options and the complexities of transitioning to new citizenship. The discussion delves into the emotional and financial challenges of living a split life, emphasizing careful planning. Finally, rethink immigration as a fluid choice influenced by personal identity and adaptability in a globalized world.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Plan B Thinking

"Plan B" thinking is rising, with many seeking alternative living arrangements.
This is driven by factors like financial independence, remote work, and political uncertainty.

ADVICE

Test the Waters

Test expat life with short stays in various countries before committing fully.
Utilize tourist visas and slow travel hacks to experience different cultures.

ADVICE

Digital Nomad Visas

Digital Nomad Visas (DNVs) allow remote work abroad without full residency.
Countries offering DNVs often have income requirements.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

This week, we dive headfirst into the very timely topic of expating. Is it just a fantasy fueled by tough times or is there something deeper driving this urge to GTFO?

In this episode, we're exploring the layers of this question. We break down the different flavors of expating, from slow travel hacks that let you vibe abroad for a few months with zero paperwork (hello, Schengen Zone!) to the allure of Digital Nomad Visas for those of us who can work from anywhere with Wi-Fi and a decent latte. We even get into the semi-permanent options and, for the truly committed, buying your way into citizenship.

Ultimately, this episode isn't about escapism. It's about options, feasibility, and the very real trade-offs you need to consider when contemplating a life lived beyond your current borders.

We discuss:

The rise of "Plan B" thinking in the FIRE community and beyond
Tourist stays and slow travel: Easy ways to get your feet wet abroad
Digital Nomad Visas (DNVs): Working remotely from paradise (with a minimum income requirement, naturally)
Extended visas and residency pathways: Semi-permanent solutions for a longer stay
Naturalization and citizenship: The full commitment, from marriage to ancestry to buying your way in
The "Split Life" Model: Six months here, six months there (the best of both worlds?)
The real costs and considerations: Taxes, paperwork, culture shock, currency risks, and that annoying "ideological accent" you didn't even know you had.
Our rule of thumb for financial feasibility: Is it really worth it?

And if you know someone who's made the leap (or is seriously contemplating it), drop us a comment below! We're always looking for folks to interview for future episodes, especially if they have interesting stories or maybe even went back home after a few years.

Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life.

Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by Forbes

If you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow