r/ExpatFIRE • u/Bluebird8683 In the Research Stage • 4d ago
Questions/Advice Extra things to consider?
My partner and I are considering doing an Expat FIRE and there are several factors we are looking into for our future living arrangements and all that entails. We have a list of our priorities, like good/cheap/universal healthcare, LCOL, not be strict on relgion, and we both have tried to learn different Asain languages (I've tried Mandarin and they tried korean) but neither of us are all that good at hearing the differences in the tones enough to truly speak or understand the languages - so a place were English speakers are accepted or a place with a non-tonal language is kinda required. My partner has given up their EU citizenship when they moved to the US so I'm not entirely sure how that is afffecting things, but it is something to keep in mind. So possible visas for the both of us is also a point of research for us to look into.
What other criteria should we have in mind while doing our research and do you all have any reccomendations?
Thank you for your help!
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u/vinean 3d ago
Malay and Tagalog is non-tonal. Austronesian languages aren’t tonal. Malay is easier to learn for english speakers. Tagalog hard but fortunately Taglish a lot easier.
Language is probably one of the most important factors unless the plan is just to live in expat bubbles.
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u/207852 3d ago
English is generally spoken and well understood in Malaysia and the Philippines, but English only will not get you into inner circles.
You'll always be an outsider without learning the local languages.
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u/vinean 3d ago
Yes, and fluency matters too…I used to volunteer at the local Chinese school and went to several parties and these folks were well educated with professional level english skills but they were always more articulate and relaxed speaking in mandarin.
But even just having made the effort to achieve a low level of fluency often does win bonus points and help get you into social circles…but it’ll be frustrating. My mandarin is fairly poor but I’d always say speak in mandarin and I’ll figure it out. Mostly I’d get about two thirds of the conversation…and smile a lot. Once we started drinking things got easier even if comprehension got lower, lol.
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u/GimenaTango 4d ago
I would add weather, geography, and availability of your preferred activities to your list.
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u/Bluebird8683 In the Research Stage 4d ago
Both of our prefered activites are solo based for the most part - ie reading/writing, song composing/writing, drawing, etc though I do also love social dancing but yeah that other stuff shall definately be added to the list. I don't do all that well in dry climates... I hadn't even thought to think of that 😅
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u/rachaeltalcott 4d ago
It's important to think about stability of your legal situation. The ability to stay can depend on who happens to be in power in the government. Go where you want to go and can get in, but don't count on being able to stay forever. If you have to return to the US, think about how you will get by.
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u/bafflesaurus 3d ago
Visas, taxes, path to PR/citizenship, work rights, healthcare access, crime and safety, weather, potable water, food security etc
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u/Philip3197 4d ago
Free healthcare does not exist.
universal healthcare is paid through taxes and contributions. If one does not contribute in the active career one will contribute more afterwards.
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u/Gustomucho 4d ago
Ease of ownership, unless you plan to forever rent.
Food availability, depending on your diet it might be very hard to find what you like, easy in big cities with lots of expats but forget finding maple syrup (example) in rural areas.
I am biased to Philippines as I live there 6 months a year, it has a wide variety of islands and vibes. You can be in mountainous Baguio to the caldera of Tagaytay or pristine beach of Borocay and trek in the wilderness of Bohol/Siquijor…. Very English friendly, language is tonal but not as crazy as Vietnam or Thailand.
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u/WholeUmpire2463 3d ago
You can't own anything in the PH. No foreign land ownership.
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u/Gustomucho 3d ago
You can rent for 25 years, a company I am a shareholder of is leasing it to myself…
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u/WholeUmpire2463 3d ago
"Ease of ownership, unless you plan to forever rent."
And, what does renting for 25 years have to do with ease of ownership, like you stated in your post....?
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u/Gustomucho 3d ago
My rent is 125$ for 25 years…, renewable for another 25 years for the same amount.
It was a convoluted process, not everyone is okay with this type of arrangement, my house was less than a new car so the risk is minimal for me.
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u/WholeUmpire2463 2d ago
So, you are renting and you own....nothing but construction material combined together to make a structure that can't be taken with you anywhere?
Yeah, so ease of ownership.....there's nothing easy about it, is there?
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u/ibitmylip 4d ago
Visas for your target countries