The Advantages of Moving Abroad and Working Remotely – WPCAST018

In this episode, we discuss our thoughts and experiences on living abroad and working remotely.

The Changelog

• Last podcast recording for Doug in the US, next recording will be in person in Bangkok
• David released Easy Opt-Ins for Mailchimp
• David met Philip Arthur Moore in Bangkok

The Core

Archetypes

• Digital Nomad: travels frequently, spends a few days to weeks in each location
• Semi-Nomad: spends a few months, maybe even years in a location
  • Balance between getting work done and seeing new places
  • We both consider ourselves semi-nomads
• Expat: lives in one place for years, settled down, invested in the location

Benefits

• Meeting interesting people, connecting and networking, making friends
• Adventure and travel
• Opportunities for hiring
• Tax savings
  • Income tax (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for US taxpayers)
  • Setting up overseas corporations
• Lower lifestyle overhead, which allows for more convenience

Drawbacks

• No in-person contact with clients
• Inconvenient call times with Skype (depending on time zones)
• Missing out on industry events (WordCamps, Pressnomics)
• Can be difficult if you have a family and kids
• Obtaining visas and going on visa runs
• Missing out on some conveniences, i.e. ordering on Amazon

Top Places

• Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Bali, Indonesia
• Medellin, Colombia
• Berlin, Germany
• Barcelona, Spain

Tips & Tricks

• ScheduleOnce – for scheduling, syncs with Google Calendar
• Minaal bag – recently back in stock in the US