Dear Reader,
The All-Too-Familiar First Step
For anyone dreaming of a life abroad, the first impulse is almost universal: opening a browser and typing “cost of living in…” This is the conventional—and most limiting—first step.
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Let me challenge you to erase that search query from the page for now. This is a common reflex but it sets you up to miss the entire point of this life-altering decision. The goal isn't just to move; it's to make a "transformational move"—one that allows you to truly thrive and opens you up to new experiences and encounters.
By leading with economics, you frame your future from a perspective of lack and fear. The real work of planning a move abroad isn’t about finding the cheapest place to exist; it’s about designing a life where you can flourish. This is a new framework for planning your move, one that prioritizes personal transformation above all.
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Four Takeaways to Reframe Your Move Abroad
By shifting your perspective away from the numbers, you can begin to plan a move that is sustainable, fulfilling, and aligned with your deepest values. Here are four key takeaways to guide your process.
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Want to listen to an analysis of my theory?
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Takeaway 1: Move Beyond the Numbers to See the Possibilities
Instead of leading with cost, LEAD WITH YOUR VISION.
Prioritizing "cost of living" in your initial research immediately narrows your scope. It causes you to filter out countless locations before you’ve even had a chance to consider if they might be the perfect fit for the life you want to build. This approach frames the move from a mindset of scarcity rather than one of growth and opportunity. By leading with cost, you risk overlooking the places and experiences that could genuinely transform your life.
By placing cost of living at the top of your search you are ruling out a lot of places, opportunities and you are missing the point of the entire endeavor.
Takeaway 2: Get Selfish About Your Ideal Life
Your real first step is radical self-reflection!
I am urging you to be “absolutely selfish” in defining what you truly want, moving beyond the generic, “Americanized view of what a dream life looks like” and digging into the specific, personal details of your ideal existence. Start by listing your go-to, ordinary responses for what an ideal life entails, then“erase the page, turn the page on those answers and… go even deeper.”
Ask what your ideal day-to-day environment looks like, who fills your social network, and which daily routines and unique experiences would make you feel truly alive. This is about designing a life from the ground up, not simply finding a cheaper place to live the same life; now is the time to “really be absolutely selfish”. Ask, what does my ideal life really look like?
Takeaway 3: Choose Transformation, Not Just a Lower Price Tag
A successful move is a transformational one.
The ultimate goal of moving abroad should be a "transformational move" that allows you to thrive, access new opportunities, and have the experiences you’ve always wanted. In contrast, a move based purely on financial calculations is often unsustainable. It can lead to dissatisfaction and an eventual return home after just a few years. A truly successful move is one that aligns with your core values and creates a life you won't want to leave.
When you shift your perspective away from cost of living... you are now placing value of yourself and value for the life that you want to live above all.
Takeaway 4: Separate Your Income from Your Location
Don't let your current income limit your future options.
For retirees on a fixed income, lead with your vision and set cost of living aside at first to explore countries that match your desired lifestyle. When you later factor in budget, your list of possible homes will likely expand in surprising and exciting ways.
For pre-retirees who can still generate income, you should know that technology has democratized the ability to earn income regardless of location, allowing you to choose a destination based on lifestyle fit and then create the income stream to support it. Technology “doesn’t care your color, your religion your disability,” giving you the power to operate from a “point of strength,” not fear.
Your budget is the one variable you can control so don’t lead with it. Lead with the “priceless” elements of your vision, and then build the financial plan to support that life.
Planning a move abroad is a profound exercise in life design, not just financial optimization. Your search shouldn't begin with spreadsheets and cost calculators, but with deep, honest self-reflection.
By flipping the script, you are starting with a clear vision for your ideal life instead of a fixation on cost, thereby opening yourself up to a world of possibilities that align with who you are and who you want to become. This is how you reclaim control over your future. You're in control! You have options so look at all of them before decided from a limited pool of countries!
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"If you set the budget aside for just a moment, what would your ideal life abroad truly look like?"
Arnitha Webb
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Ciao,
