Eastward — Relocate to Southeast Asia

The case for relocating

Why thousands of Americans are making the move

Southeast Asia offers a compelling alternative to the rising costs and relentless pace of American life — without sacrificing comfort, connection, or opportunity.

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Dramatically lower cost of living
A comfortable life in Chiang Mai or Da Nang often costs less than $1,800/month, including rent, food, transport, and healthcare.
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World-class, affordable healthcare
Thailand especially is known for its modern private hospitals. A doctor's visit without insurance often costs $10–30.
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Central hub for travel
Positioned at the heart of Asia, you're a short flight from Japan, Bali, Sri Lanka, India, and dozens of other destinations.
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Thriving expat communities
Bangkok, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City all have well-established networks of remote workers, retirees, and entrepreneurs.

Where do you belong?

Two countries. Two ways of living.

🇹🇭 Southeast Asia

Thailand

Budget: $1,500–$2,500/mo Tourist Visa: 30 days LTR Visa available

Thailand has been the gold standard for expat living for decades. Infrastructure is mature, English is widely spoken in cities, and the "Land of Smiles" reputation is earned. Whether you want the urban pulse of Bangkok or the mountain calm of Chiang Mai, Thailand has a city shaped exactly to your pace.

Explore Thailand visas →

🇻🇳 Southeast Asia

Vietnam

Budget: $1,000–$1,800/mo E-visa: $25–$50 / 90 days Fastest-growing expat hub

Vietnam is having a moment. A rapidly modernizing economy, electric street food culture, and some of the world's most dramatic landscapes from Halong Bay to the Mekong Delta. It's cheaper than Thailand and growing in expat infrastructure fast. For remote workers and entrepreneurs, this is the one to watch.

Explore Vietnam visas →

By the numbers

Monthly cost breakdown

Based on a comfortable lifestyle for a single adult. Costs vary by city — Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City run higher; Chiang Mai and Da Nang are significantly cheaper.

Expense	🇺🇸 U.S. Average	🇹🇭 Thailand	🇻🇳 Vietnam
1-BR Apartment (city center)	$1,700	$450–$700	$350–$550
Monthly groceries	$400	$150–$250	$100–$180
Restaurant meal (mid-range)	$20–$40	$5–$15	$3–$10
Health insurance (private)	$500+	$80–$150	$60–$120
Monthly transport	$400	$40–$80	$30–$60
Utilities (incl. fast internet)	$200	$60–$100	$40–$80
Comfortable total (est.)	$4,000+	$1,400–$2,000	$1,000–$1,600

* Estimates based on 2025 data. Costs in tourist-heavy areas or premium neighborhoods will be higher. Lifestyle choices — nightlife, travel, luxury dining — impact totals significantly.

Legal pathways

Visas & residency options

Both countries offer multiple visa pathways depending on whether you're retiring, working remotely, investing, or just exploring. Here are the most common routes for Americans.

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Thailand Visa Options

Tourist / TR

Tourist Visa

30-day single-entry visa, extendable by 30 days at a local immigration office. Good for testing the waters before committing.

Non-Immigrant O-A

Retirement Visa

For those 50+. Requires proof of $27,000 in a Thai bank account or a pension of ~$2,000/month. Renewable annually with ease.

LTR Visa

Long-Term Resident (10 years)

Thailand's newest visa for high-income earners, retirees with $80k+ in assets, or remote workers earning $80k+/year. 10-year renewable, work permitted.

Thailand Elite

Privilege Visa (5–20 years)

Paid membership program starting at $15,000 USD for a 5-year visa. Offers airport privileges, concierge services, and hassle-free long-term stay.

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Vietnam Visa Options

E-Visa

90-Day E-Visa (Multiple Entry)

Americans can get a 90-day e-visa easily online. No embassy visit needed. Single entry costs $25, multiple entry costs $50. Renewable without leaving.

Business / Investor

DN / DT Visa (1–5 years)

For those establishing a business or investing in Vietnam. A company registration or documented investment opens the door to long-stay visas.

Temporary Residence Card

TRC (1–3 years)

Once you have a valid visa category, a Temporary Residence Card allows you to stay without regular visa renewals. Valid for 1–3 years depending on visa type.

Note

No Retirement Visa (Yet)

Vietnam doesn't have a dedicated retiree visa — most long-term expats use business visas, work permits through an employer, or stay on rolling 90-day e-visas.

Find your city

Where in the world do you want to wake up?

Each city has its own character. A few key stops to consider.

🇹🇭 Thailand

Bangkok

Massive, electric, and endlessly surprising. The city has world-class malls alongside ancient temples — often on the same block.

Nightlife Food scene Transport hub

🇹🇭 Thailand

Chiang Mai

The original expat haven. Cool mountain air, a huge digital nomad community, and one of the lowest costs of living in all of Southeast Asia.

Nomad hub Low cost Mountains

🇻🇳 Vietnam

Hanoi

Vietnam's ancient capital. Layered history, a slower pace than the south, and an incredible street food culture that locals are fiercely proud of.

Culture History Street food

🇻🇳 Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam's economic engine. Fast-moving, entrepreneurial, and with a younger expat crowd. The startup scene is booming and the nightlife doesn't quit.

Business Startups Expat scene

Work with me

Choose your path to Southeast Asia

Every package is built around your specific situation — your income, your timeline, your goals. No generic checklists.

Start here

Discovery Call

$ 97

One-time · 60 minutes

Not sure where to begin? We'll map out your situation, your timeline, and which country and visa path makes the most sense for you.

60-minute video call (Zoom)
Pre-call questionnaire to personalize the session
Country & city recommendation for your lifestyle
Visa pathway overview
Recording + written summary sent after

Book a Call

Relocation Starter

$ 497

One-time · Best for first-timers

Everything you need to make a confident first move — from visa paperwork to finding your first apartment.

Two 60-minute strategy calls
Personalized relocation roadmap (PDF)
Visa application walkthrough for your chosen country
Neighborhood guide for your target city
Housing search strategy + vetted Facebook groups
Banking & finances setup checklist
30 days of email support

Get Started

⭐ Most Complete

Recommended

Full Relocation Package

$ 997

One-time · End-to-end support

Hands-on support from your first question to your first week on the ground. The most popular choice for people serious about making the move.

Four 60-minute calls over 8 weeks
Full visa application support (forms, documents, timeline)
Custom city & neighborhood match report
Housing shortlist with vetted contacts
Health insurance comparison & recommendations
U.S. tax & banking setup for expats guide
Cost of living budget built for your income
Expat community introductions in your city
60 days of WhatsApp/email support

Book Now

Group & VIP

Workshop + VIP Day

$ 297

Workshop from $297 · VIP from $1,997

Join a live group workshop or book a private VIP day for intensive one-on-one planning — ideal for couples or anyone wanting to move fast.

Group Workshop: 3-hour live Zoom session
Thailand vs. Vietnam deep dive
Visa Q&A with the group
Replay recording included
VIP Day: 4 hours, 1-on-1, your agenda
Full relocation plan built in real time
90 days follow-up support included

See Dates & Book

🔒 Secure checkout via Stripe. All calls booked through Calendly. Questions before booking? Send a message →

How to begin

Your relocation roadmap

Most people overthink the logistics. Here's the straight path from curious to actually there.

Visit first (really)

Take a 3–6 week trip on a tourist visa before committing. Spend time in 2–3 cities, rent a local apartment on Airbnb or Facebook groups, and get a feel for daily life — not resort life.

Sort your income

The most successful expats have income that travels with them: remote work, freelancing, Social Security, a pension, or investment income. Confirm your monthly income is stable before you go.

Choose your visa path

Decide early whether you're going long-term or testing the waters. For Vietnam, start with the 90-day e-visa. For Thailand, the LTR or Thailand Elite visa is the cleanest long-term solution.

Handle your U.S. affairs

File taxes as a U.S. citizen abroad (the FEIE can exclude $126,500 in 2024 income). Set up a Charles Schwab checking account — it reimburses all ATM fees globally. Inform Social Security if applicable.

Get international health insurance

Companies like Cigna Global, AXA, or SafetyWing offer expat health plans. Thailand and Vietnam both have excellent private hospitals that accept these plans directly.

Join the community

Before you move, connect with expat groups on Facebook, Reddit (r/digitalnomad, r/ThailandTourism, r/VietNam), and Internations. These communities answer every question you haven't thought to ask yet.

Your next chapter
begins east of here

Why thousands of Americans are making the move