I’ve always known these things about myself. However, it wasn’t until 3 years ago when I first left the United States that I truly felt “at home”. That’s an incredibly strange concept to most Americans. When asked where I live, my answer for years has been wherever I happen to be standing at that moment when asked.

Over the past 13 months as I’ve transitioned to the self-employed, working stiff, expat nomad that I am now, the never ending question from friends and loved ones is, “Why go? Why? Why?” And they don’t like my answer.

If you’re a nomad/explorer at heart, you don’t need to the excuse of economic collapse, the growing police state, civil unrest, or any of those other factors that Sovereign Man covers.

The real answer is simply, “Because it’s there.” And that, folks, is a much more unsettling answer to most people than any of the economic and political answers you could give.

Having spent the last 5 years in Central America, I have many latino friends-like-family.  I am one of USA’s poor people, having been homeless many times after struggling with unemployment.  Finally on SSDI because of recurring depression (kind of comes with this scenerio)… I found ways to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid/Silly/Sexy…)  and to live minimalistically so that I could prioritize the use of my monthly income to save and travel.  I even entered into a bartering situation with a so-called-friend for a small lot on the corner of her land in Costa Rica.  This lot was for me to build a rustic off-grid home and natural food garden … I did the work – the other party had other plans and never made any of the promised legal paperwork — I lost my dream to another ‘needy’ – inexperienced in survival ways richer than me American….   darn.  

We just have to think about other people. Are our decisions helping or hurting someone else?  What is help?  …. I experienced many start up organic/permiculture communities in Central America and they can work — please choose wisely, learn how to communicate.  Figure out how and who to trust.  There are MANY hard luck stories such as mine – the haves just seem to keep taking from the havenots maybe because we have skills and want to help others and they have perhaps learned too well the way the system works and just continue to use it…it likely seems right to them.

Just something else to think about.

I have been reading Simon’s info off and on for years – I do mostly agree with him.  I feel kind of left out, often, because I just don’t have money – I have never seen the $50 an acre for land in Central America the locals have figured out that Americans generally will pay whatever you ask so they start with $100,000 prices.   And too many expats that I know just see dollar signs when they first arrive in a new country and add ‘realestate agent’ to their business cards – that is another thing to watch out for b/c they will often over charge you as well.  There are good people out there use them, praise them, keep them honest, help each other…maybe I’m a pollyanna…all we have is each other.   I often say that if God wanted us to be completely alone there are plenty of planets and he/she whatever could have given us each one.  

Sorry about the long post – I just haven’t heard many people like me respond – it might help?

How is this going for you?

Great Idea BTW. Let me know if you wanna join forces. 

I think I am repeating myself!!  Yet, I think this is a different kind of expat, that doesn’t quite fit into any of your seven categories.

(I am a “TCK” – an American born and raised in Africa – followed by many years as an adult living in various European countries.  I would love to live abroad forever, doesn’t matter much where – because I feel that abroad is where I belong, and where I am most “me”.  My feelings as described above, are common with TCKs…)

My name is Etain – I am a 40 year-old South African female living in London. I currently work as a PA in a construction company. I am single and am looking to change my life, and am a regular reader of your blog – I recently signed up for all the updates. Something about what you write rings true to me, as I have lived in the US, and find that between the US and the UK, it seems as though most people have lost their way. In July 2013 I plan to move to South East Asia, and admittedly, am absolutely terrified. What will await me there, a 43 year-old woman who wants to escape the vacuous and meaningless existence that seems so prevalent in the Western world? I am still going ahead with it, and plan to find some way of earning money; be it writing, blogging, teaching English, anything. I guess the reason I am contacting you is to ask your thoughts on people who have found themselves in my situation; how they overcame their fear and took the plunge. Additionally if you have any stories from people who have made this move before, I would welcome direction as to where I can find them/read their stories.

I also wanted to say thank you for your tireless efforts in helping others find a better way of life – it is out there.

Kind regards,

Etain

No, I wouldn't miss any of the “creature comforts” discussed above, as an expat. Have always been a fiercely independent pioneer, and always will be.

But that has not stopped me from focusing my energy and effort into building an internet based income stream. I have to give credit where credit is due and say that the Lord has helped me a great deal (though some of you may not even believe in God). One gentlemen offered to buy me a laptop in exchange for computer work. That's how I got my laptop. Then another gentleman who had known of my homelessness decided to risk using me as a web developer as soon as he found out that I got a laptop. I've had more or less steady income as a web developer for months but am not quite where I want to be income wise so I remain in the U.S. until I increase my income and it's stability and diversify by going into affiliate site building, perhaps Adsense, and other such things (I can't depend on just a few clients for web development).

I guess what I am saying is that even if you start out dirt poor and even homeless like me…you CAN work toward something better if you want. But do the right thing. Don't cheat or lie or anything of the sort. God will bless you and look out for you if you trust Him.

Teach yourself what you need to know to succeed online. Build an internet income stream that is not dependent on any local economy. Just as I have done and God willing, will be doing more of in the coming months.

You do need to have an average intelligence but if you are not computer literate you can teach yourself to be so. An online business of some sort is the way to go if you ask me. There is none like it for Americans wanting to get out and be independent on the world stage.

Carlos

So, tell me about the weather – any difference year round? Tell me about insect issues, if any. Nasty critters (centipedes or scorpions)? Water safety for a crazy snorkeler like me (sharks)? How bad is the humidity? What are the temperature extremes (coldest night and hottest noon)?

Whether I get the contract or not, I plan to move to somewhere in the South Pacific… or get some kind of boat to live on and wander around. So tell me everything you can about life in the Marshall Islands… or anywhere else in the warm portions of the Pacific Ocean.

I would add three categories to those mentioned here:
1. Pilgrim – Those who honestly and truly seek enlightenment and spiritual growth. Note that this is separate from those seeking to follow the latest cover story on a vacuous magazine or movie.

2. Merchant – Those who merchandise their localized experiences, knowledge, contacts, skills, capabilities, network, etc. to those who seek to emulate them or their experiences or their locations). This can range from a tour guide to a fixer to the full range of “consultant” services, black to white.

3. Correspondent – Those who are on a mission to observe, comment, post, tweet, write, photograph, video, record and otherwise capture the sights, sounds and experiences of wherever they are and whoever they are with. It is their calling, if not mission, to deliver their message back to those who remain and/or those who seek to live vicariously through them. A very few do this professionally while most do it out of obligation, passion or cultural tradition (such as the stereotypical Japanese tourist who snaps a million shots of everything, no matter how trivial, and shares them back home with their friends, family and neighborhood).

* * *

You could probably also make a case for a pure parasite category, which can be a seperate and distinct type of person from the criminal on the run and other variations previously mentioned.

I too am poor and dream of escape. I dont care what I have to do – I'm going…somewhere. Doing my research and hope to have a location independent lifestyle where I am able to live/work on the cheap wherever I go. (I have a BA and ESL training – so that will help)

What I would love to see (which may or may not already exist) is a forum where people who are actually planning to expatriate can get together and even join forces. I dont feel comfortable “going” alone at this point – but I will.

Anybody?

Jackie

thanks

I assume “Simon” is part of the NR (New Rich, 4HWW) and who have their cake and eat it too.

Catevela, I also, dream and wish there could be a program for us. But, as we learn in life it takes $$$ to get anywhere and learn anything.

So here Secret SIMON a question,

HOW can an average american, with no cash, $25,000 in unpaid debt, jobless, and just foreclosed upon travel the world and become part of this coveted lifestyle?

or, is this just another dream seperates us form the wealthy?

Simon, again respectfully speaking, what would you, seriously, recommend we do to achieve this level of success we can just dream of today?

Respectfully Submitted,
John B.
Hemet, CA – USA
j92545@gmail.com

To date, and in every subject that has received feedback, and not only on this site, I have yet to see anyone say, basically, “I am poor”. The conversation always seems to be about how people with some real sizeable capital can find some better place to live, or some better way to “park” their cash away from opression, etc.

But, is there any hope at all for those of us (there must be more than just me!) who used to be middle class but who have already been impoverished by the current economic system? Can someone with hardly any savings still do something to improve their lot in life?

Of course you can find misogynists anywhere, but the sort of sad geezer who's failed to attract (or keep) a mate in his own country but thinks he's hot shit because he's relatively rich in a poor country makes me want to puke. If you're the kind of man who thinks of women as a resource to be bought (eg, “[Country] has loads of hot women who LOVE American men”), then good riddance!

I'm so thankful that I'm financially independent enough to have sex/relationships because I want to and not because it beats working in a sweatshop!

There are those of us who are sea gypsies, retiring and buying a boat (usually sail) and traveling, doing volunteer work along the way. We want to have a personal hand in “doing good” (NOT being saints, just friendly. We were successful in what we call our “previous lives”. Now we want to enjoy ourselves and others by helping (not giving money, either personally or through foreign aid). We try to bring useful skills and information, doing through friendship what politicians can not do through money giving. Showing that people, from wherever, can be friends with almost anyone.

What we have found is that we, as friends, can do more good things than any amount of foreign aid money that we might send.

We have visited over 30 countries in the past 10 years of sailing, and found friendly people everywhere. There are a few countries we have been warned to avoid, and with reason. Have even visited a few “avoid countries”, but have to be a bit careful. What we do not want to be known as is an ATM for locals who just want a handout. We teach sufficency. It is a valuable gift.

We also have the fun along the way of meeting and befriending marvelous people from cultures we ha only read about in National Geographic.

Its a rewarding way to spend our life until age catches up with us.

Scott Adam

Captain, Yachtmaster, S/V Quest

Presently Phuket, Thailand