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Logistics of Living Abroad Indefinitely
08-21-2009, 05:10 PM
I am a U.S. citizen and I am planning on living abroad indefinitely. I am self-employed and am looking for any advice on people who have experience doing this.
-How do I handle health insurance? I figure buying the standard travel insurance for the serious emergencies would be enough since healthcare is so inexpensive abroad. But what happens when I am back in the U.S. for short visits?
-Are there any tax benefits for living abroad even though all my income is earned from customers mostly living in the U.S.? I suppose I can ask my accountant this but any information is welcome.
-How did you make friends? I have many ideas about how to make a good group of friends but would like your personal experience.
-Is there anything important regarding the logistics of doing this that I should know that is not so obvious?
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Logistics of Living Abroad Indefinitely
08-21-2009, 05:20 PM
Where you headed to?
1. Pay as you go. I think to get health insurance in a country you have to have documents. You could also get travelers insurance but that's more major accidents/surgeries.
2. Other than writing off regular business exemptions, I don't think so.
3. Good question. It can be a lonely existence outside of your social network. I meet people in university cafeterias and bars. Couchsurfing is worth a shot too.
4. Have someone at home that can send you things every 6 months, like books. Also filing taxes abroad will be interesting for me come april.
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Logistics of Living Abroad Indefinitely
08-21-2009, 07:38 PM
What I am most worried about are the short visits to the U.S. to visit friends and family where I won't be covered (travel insurance does not work when in the US). Maybe someone knows about some temporary health insurance that is available for 2 weeks periods?
It's a good tip about having someone to mail me stuff and I think my Dad would gladly do that.
I am almost positive that my first destination will be South Africa where I would live there for 5 months.
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Logistics of Living Abroad Indefinitely
08-21-2009, 10:16 PM
I've been in Brazil since April, and plan to be outside the US for a while - indefinitely?
1. I don't have health insurance. I only had insurance when I was employed by another co. When I was self-employed I never got it.
I figure I'm young and don't really need it, so I pay as I go.
2. No idea.
3. I actually ended up making some really close friends via couchsurfing and jiu jitsu (all foreigners incidentally) so we have a nice group here.
4. Yes, my family is in US, so they can send me stuff as needed. I also ask friends that come down to carry some stuff for me.
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Logistics of Living Abroad Indefinitely
08-22-2009, 02:50 AM
JMB-
Congratulations man! You're going to live the 4-hour workweek life (even if you're working more than 4)!
I myself am also planning to live abroad indefinitely starting in January (Argentina probably) but I'm going to Medellin in 2 weeks to scout.
Why else are you so positive about Colombia besides the proximity to the US? I'm curious because I want to choose the best location for spending serious time, not just a vacation.
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Logistics of Living Abroad Indefinitely
08-22-2009, 09:21 PM
Thanks for the tips elguapo, kona, and thegmanifesto.
I heard a lot about that book but never bothered reading it. From what I heard about it seems like I am already doing a lot of what he wrote but it may be worth reading to see what I may have missed.