I am mainly interested in living in Mexico, rest of LATAM or SE Asia but possibly open to Eastern Europe or the Balkans. I’m pretty frugal and don’t go out a lot but I do enjoy going on adventures so that’s probably where most of my money would go after food and rent.
After EIGHT MONTHS of absolute hell, HSBC Expat finally released my funds.
Avoid HSBC Expat / Jersey like your life depends on it.
I am dead serious.
This bank will happily onboard you, approve your account, let everything function perfectly normally for months, and then one day suddenly freeze/restrict your accounts and throw you into a never-ending “review process” where you are treated like a criminal while they hold your life savings hostage indefinitely.
That is exactly what happened to me.
I DID NOTHING ILLEGAL.
Every transaction was fully traceable.
Every source of funds was documented.
Every contract existed.
Every payment had an explanation.
I had accountant letters, corporate records, proof of income, proof of wealth, bank statements, everything imaginable.
The funniest part?
I only had around 17 transactions on the account.
Most were directly tied to my employers/ companies I contract for
No shady third parties.
No crypto gambling nonsense.
No random cash activity.
Nothing.
Didn’t matter.
HSBC Expat still turned my life into a complete nightmare for EIGHT MONTHS.
For EIGHT MONTHS:
- my funds were effectively frozen
- I woke up every day not knowing if I’d ever see my money again
- I dealt with endless “compliance reviews”
- I repeatedly submitted the SAME documents
- I waited weeks between responses
- nobody gave timelines
- nobody explained anything properly
- different departments contradicted each other constantly
- every interaction felt disorganized and incompetent
The process basically became:
submit documents → wait 3 weeks → get asked for the same documents again → re-explain transactions already explained → wait another 2 weeks → receive another round of invasive questions → repeat endlessly while your money stays locked.
The level of documentation demanded became absurd and borderline psychotic.
They wanted:
- contracts
- invoices
- accountant confirmations
- source of wealth evidence
- explanations for transactions
- counterparty information
- historical banking records
- business explanations
- supporting corporate documents
At one point they even requested PERSONAL BANK STATEMENTS belonging to the owner of the company I contracted for.
Completely insane.
The people running these reviews in Jersey seem completely detached from reality. The entire operation feels like a bureaucratic black hole run by people who have no coordination internally and no understanding of the damage they cause.
And yes, I’m naming names.
Mark Rabbet, HSBC’s senior review officer, is one of the pettiest clowns I have ever dealt with in my life. He is one of the first people who handles your account review, and he will absolutely drag your case into the ground and put you through living hell. The entire experience dealing with him felt hostile, arrogant, vindictive, and completely devoid of common sense.
He came across as an unbelievably petty, incompetent bureaucrat with far too much power over people’s lives and finances. The combination of arrogance, incompetence, and complete lack of urgency is exactly the kind of thing that destroys people mentally during these endless HSBC “reviews.”
When somebody has the ability to effectively freeze your financial life for months while hiding behind vague compliance language, and then handles the process in the most disorganized and antagonistic way possible, it genuinely becomes life-destroying.
Meanwhile your life savings are sitting frozen while HSBC hides behind generic “compliance” language and refuses to tell you anything useful.
Imagine spending EIGHT MONTHS waking up every single morning thinking:
- Will they close the account today?
- Will they send the money?
- Will this drag on another year?
- Did someone internally lose my documents again?
- Is anybody at HSBC even coordinating this case?
After months of getting nowhere, I had no choice but to hire offshore Jersey lawyers and begin formal legal escalation.
That introduced another layer of insanity involving:
- legal letters
- Appleby (HSBC’s external counsel)
- extension requests
- procedural delays
- ombudsman complaints
- endless chasing
- more waiting
- more silence
I spent over £20,000 in legal fees just to recover MY OWN MONEY.
And the Jersey Ombudsman?
Completely useless.
They basically hide behind “banks have regulatory obligations” while customers are left financially tortured for months with zero meaningful protection.
Even after HSBC FINALLY agreed to close the accounts and release the funds after EIGHT MONTHS, the nightmare STILL was not over.
The outgoing transfers became another disaster involving:
- internal holds
- additional fraud reviews
- failed transfer attempts
- more chasing after the accounts were supposedly already closed
You genuinely cannot make this level of incompetence up.
And the worst part?
After I originally posted about this on Reddit, more than 10 people privately contacted me describing almost identical experiences with HSBC Expat/Jersey.
I personally spoke to:
- someone from Dubai with around $3M frozen
- someone from Belgium with around $1M frozen
- someone from Romania with around $2M frozen
Others told me their “reviews” dragged on for:
- 15 months
- 2 years
- even longer
The stories all sounded terrifyingly similar:
everything works normally at first → sudden restriction → endless compliance review → repeated document requests → delayed responses → massive stress while huge amounts of money remain inaccessible.
At this point I genuinely do not believe these are isolated incidents.
My advice to anyone considering HSBC Expat/Jersey:
DO NOT BANK THERE.
Especially if you plan on holding large balances.
Because the moment their “review team” targets your account, your entire financial life can get thrown into chaos for months or years while nobody gives you clear answers and everybody passes responsibility to somebody else.
My advice:
- stay far away from HSBC Expat/Jersey
- never rely on them as your only bank
- maintain backup banking relationships
- keep records for EVERYTHING
- if compliance gets involved, prepare for war
- get legal counsel early if things start dragging on
I genuinely would not wish this experience on my worst enemy.
If anyone is currently dealing with HSBC Expat/Jersey freezing or restricting funds, feel free to message me. I’ll try to help based on what I learned during this nightmare because almost nobody understands how brutal this process becomes until it happens to them.
Hi everyone,
I’ve made the decision to leave the US for good. I can’t take the stress, the politics, or the lack of basic humanity here anymore. Everything requires a fucking bachelors degree and I can't find a job despite finally getting my GED (I have severe mental health issues and had to drop out of High School). I’m done. I’m looking for practical advice on relocating to a developed country with a better quality of life.
I’m a bit confused by all the negativity and gatekeeping I see on this sub. Not everyone has a STEM degree or married a foreigner, but we still deserve a chance at a better life. I’m a friendly, open-minded person with some experience in retail and food service. I’m confident that Japan needs people to run their restaurants or stores.
I have some questions
I’m not asking for a handout, just a fair shot. Surely there’s a process for me who just wants to live peacefully and figure things out while they are young. Everyone makes it sound impossible, but it can’t be that hard if you’re determined. I'm willing to show up with my can-do spirit, that should be enough.
Thanks for any real advice. Please do not comment if you have nothing nice to say.
After years abroad, one thing I’ve noticed is that many successful relocations don’t look dramatic at all.
They usually happen through patience, flexibility, realistic expectations, financial planning, and gradual adaptation
Not necessarily through huge wealth or “fearless” personalities. I think social media sometimes creates the impression that moving abroad requires a dramatic escape, becoming ultra wealthy, or completely reinventing yourself overnight
However many long-term successful expats I’ve met simply approached the process strategically. First by testing locations first, then by understanding residency systems, reducing lifestyle overhead, creating income flexibility, and by giving themselves time to integrate gradually
The financial side obviously matters, however I’ve found adaptability tends to matter just as much long-term. Especially once the honeymoon phase wears off and normal life begins again in a different country.
Trying to think about this honestly instead of just running the math and picking the lower number.
Background: I'm a Polish citizen (originally from Belarus), based in Warsaw, on B2B with the 12% lump-sum tax (ryczałt). Combined with ZUS it lands somewhere around 18–22% of gross gone, depending on the year and the social security tier. Net income I keep is unusually high for a tech salary in Europe.
Spain's Beckham Law caps tax at 24% on local employment income up to 600k for six years for people moving to Spain who haven't been Spanish tax residents in the last five. As a Polish citizen I have free movement, so the visa side doesn't apply — only the tax side does. Add Spanish employer social security on top and headline cost goes from ~20% all-in to roughly 30%+ all-in. On a 80–100k income, that's 8–12k a year less in my pocket.
For people who actually made a move like this (or considered it and decided not to) — how did you frame the trade-off? Sun and Mediterranean food vs an extra ten thousand a year is not a math question, it's a values question.
Also curious if anyone has done it the other way — moved off Spain to Poland purely for the tax — and how that worked out socially.
Dubai’s wealthy expat appeal is being disturbed by regional conflict and missile risk, pushing some to leave. Italy and Singapore are emerging alternatives due to stability and tax/wealth regimes. But both have trade-offs, so many may still return to Dubai if/when this is over.
I am a US employee of a delaware-registered C-Corp, using Gusto to pay payroll. I don't have foreign tax obligations despite being based in Europe. I want to avoid paying unncessary US state taxes (since I'm not based there). How do I use Gusto, Rippling, etc to do this?
Not sure if this is the right sub, but I’m looking for realistic opinions from people who’ve lived abroad or started businesses in Latin America.
Basically, within the next 2 years I should have around $300,000 CAD saved. My goal is to move to Cartagena, Colombia and start a tourism-related business. I already have a few friends/connections in the city, and my initial goal would just be to make around $1,000 USD/month consistently, then hopefully scale that to around $3,000 USD/month over time.
I can go two different routes:
Long term, I’d like to live off the tourism business exclusively for the next 20 years or so. I also expect to receive a significant inheritance later in life, so retirement/security isn’t my biggest concern — I’m more focused on building a lifestyle and something I actually enjoy.
I know tourism can be seasonal and unstable, so I’m trying to figure out:
Would appreciate honest opinions, especially from people familiar with Cartagena specifically.
I used Chatgpt to structure my thoughts.
My wife [33F] and I [33M] are considering leaving the US on a trial basis (1 year+) to give a real shot to something we’ve considered for a while: leave the American hustle culture, politics, and lack of consumer protections for somewhere at least somewhat more civilized, where work doesn’t feel like everything, politics aren’t cartoonishly extreme, and simple pleasures in life haven’t been crushed by commodification.
Some facts about us:
-1 child (6mo), 1 cat
-VHCOL, ~2.5m NW, $800k+ annual HHI in tech and insurance
-US / EU dual citizenship via France, wife is US / UK
-I speak proficient French and Spanish, intermediate Italian, wife speaks English only
Why we want to switch things up:
-We are both very burnt out of our corporate jobs and while we love our city, the money we’re making is really just giving us a lifestyle we don’t need.
-We want to spend more time with our son and have better work-life balance in a place where that is part of the culture (vs fighting against it)
-We want to see if a lifestyle change (incl potential part time work) and living in a new place is something we’re truly interested in, while we still have just one young kid (risk/complexity will only increase from here). If we were ever to try this in earnest, now is probably the time.
-We can probably afford it; we could likely budget $100k-$200k to float us for a year if we didn’t get jobs, but my wife is already at the offer stage for fairly flexible 6-figure USD remote job
What we want to do:
-Move to a city likely where English is commonly spoken enough for my wife to be able to get by (eg, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin but open to suggestions)
-She takes this job and I find something in my field (and/or part time work to bridge), but generally we work less than we do now and subsidize from a predetermined portion of savings as needed while the rest of our nest egg continues to grow
-We spend more time with our son, take small trips, try to live at a slightly slower pace as a family
Why this could be a bad idea:
-Opportunity cost: we’re both doing great in our careers at the right time in our lives, and it could be hard to return to the same level if we leave for too long. My wife would have an easier time, but tech is a brutal market right now.
-Rose-colored glasses: we’ve spent a lot of time all over Europe, but maybe we’re romanticizing this. Even with our resources, this move will be complex and stressful, especially with a child. We’ll miss family and it will take a while for us to make friends and adjust. Life is still life outside of the US.
-Something happens: we lose our jobs, there’s some sort of political or health crisis in the world, etc and we are not in as stable a place to weather it
What we value:
-Culture with a good balance of work and life
-Walkable cities that are close to nature or at least excellent parks
-High quality of life (eg, well-regulated food industry, cheap high-quality healthcare, social services)
-Travel and proximity to other cultures
-Ideally some ExPat community
-Ideally decent weather but I know this is harder for our target locations
I would love any candid advice on what else we should be considering, blind spots (I’m sure there are plenty), locations that could be a good fit, opinions on this decision, etc. - thanks!
Edit: Thanks all for the candid advice - largely a mixed bag of for, against, and neutral which actually makes it more useful IMO.
Going to DR next week and super excited about doing some exploring and research about living there. Does anyone here have tips about life in Dominican Republic ; best cities not too far from bigger towns and resort living style.
We as a family are thinking of moving to Albania or Bulgaria but are worried a bit about integration and language learning. Has anyone moved to Albania or Bulgaria? How was your experience? What is the cost of life?
31, single, no kids. Current NW is $845k USD. Like $200k of that is in retirement accounts and inaccessible until 58 possibly longer if they change the rules. My FIRE number would be around $1.6M USD to be very comfortable in Asia. (Not sure if this is total overkill, but I would like to rent a fairly nice apartment and not have to worry too much, I am naturally very frugal, but don’t want to be once I FIRE)
I’ve spent the last year on a break travelling Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam. I think my ultimate goal for FIRE would be to get the Gold card Visa for Taiwan or possibly the DTV Visa for Thailand as a home base and then travel to other countries if I feel like it. 90 days tourist visas possible in Korea and Japan.
I’m really torn between sticking it out and working or quitting, getting a teaching job like TEFL etc to pay the bills and fairly low hours and sort of coastFIRING my way to my FIRE number. I should reach it by early 40s thanks to compound interest and can get there faster if I continue investing.
I’m at a point where I want to move and spend my 30s where I actually want to be. Can anyone provide any insight or advice with my plans? Especially people who’ve made the move to Taiwan as that’s my number one place. Although I am concerned about China invading.
If I was to teach I would probably move to China to start. I earn about $90k USD currently, I could study and interview prep and earn a lot more but honestly I’m so burnt out, lazy, dopamine fried that even if I did land a high paying job like this I’d just be even unhappier and would probably get fired.
I’m in my mid-30s, have a decent nest egg, and want to move abroad, but the options are paralyzing. Every time I open a list I see thousands of cities and I end up with analysis paralysis.
I’m trying to know how people narrow it down and still feel completely safe about it?
Me (48F) and hubby (53M) 4 kids aged 8 - 16. We live in Hong Kong, originally from Europe. We have a monthly income of USD 20K from investments that include property and financial instruments. We also both work, because we actually enjoy it. All this time, we have always rented our residence. However, I feel restless and unhappy about this. A part of me would like to own our own place. The apartment we currently rent is lovely: airy, spacious and light, lots of space, friendly community, great amenities. I am disliking the insecurity of renting, and would like to offer a home base for my kids so that they can always come back here, if they want to. Yet the thought of ploughing a substantial amount of our income-generating investments into a house is a daunting prospect. The costs of owning a house are not insubstantial - monthly management fees, maintenance. I'm embarrassed to admit that i feel lost and sad and occasionally resentful about this because I realise we have it really good. Has anyone faced a similar situation or can anyone share any ideas to consider in this sutuation?
Currently at 200k split between: 401k, 457, Roth IRA, Regular brokerage account
Most of it is in: VGT, SCHG, VOO, Bitcoin, some SMH and individual stocks
Current salary is 85k a year and receive 2.5% annual raises but have very low living expenses (under 1k a month/live with parents), and am committed to maxing out a 401k 24.5k, 457b 24.5k, and Roth IRA 7.5k every year.
Will add more to brokerage in future if able.
Also would receive a 1.5k or 2.5k per month pension starting at age 52 depending on if I work for 10 more years or 17 more years.
I can expect some inheritance someday (father has a house and his 401k) but that wouldn't be until much further down the line and it would be split 3 ways with siblings. But I shouldn't count on this.
Wont have kids and wont need to pass my funds as inheritance
Looking forward to FIRE in south east Asia, have spent lots of time there over the years and have family in Thailand/Cambodia. Would also be open to spending time in other SE Asian countries.
I'm a FRUGAL person and not into spending or luxury.
Any pointers? What are my likely numbers I can reach if I do this for the next 10-17 years?
The earlier I FIRE, the better. My dream would be no later than mid 40s. All advice is welcome!
Hello, and thanks in advance for any advice.
I own several parcels of land in a country where most people invest in land, apartments, or gold rather than the stock market. I’m trying to decide whether it makes sense to keep holding or sell and move the money into US equities.
Land A
Current estimated value: ~$200k–335k according to realtors
Could reach ~$400k if construction starts in the surrounding 1x1 km area
Investors holding $3B worth of land in the 1x1km area are waiting for municipality approvals, which are expected this year, but politicians keep delaying things with legal/administrative excuses
Maybe ~$600k if parcel shareholders make a deal with a developer
Potentially ~$1M after construction is completed (4 x 110m² flats), with ~5–6% net rental yield
Land B
Current value: ~$100k–175k
Similar upside potential to A
Residential zoning process is earlier stage, so timeline is longer
Land C
Current value: ~$200k–400k
Most illiquid of the three
Thesis depends on nearby industrial zone expansion
Could be worth ~$650k–750k if eventually bought by the government at current dollar values
But that could happen in 5–10 years… or maybe never
Right now I could probably sell everything and put around $600k into the S&P 500. No more zoning headaches, politics, waiting, or illiquidity.
On the other hand, maybe I’d be selling land low and buying stocks high.
Another possibility is waiting for lower interest rates, then selling B and C while continuing to hold A for development. But I have no idea when rates will actually come down. In this country, rates are often lowered before elections, and the next major election is in 2028.
My current spending is only around $12k/year, but I’m being too frugal. For example, renting a modern apartment in a good area in countries I like would already cost me around $1k/month. I’ll probably also have a wife and kid eventually.
So I’m not sure whether $600k invested in index funds is really enough for a 50+ year horizon. A 4% withdrawal rate would only give me ~$2k/month.
I’m also nomadic right now and haven’t settled on a long-term lifestyle yet. I’ll probably eventually settle somewhere in a cheaper major EU city.
Long term, I also wish to own a house with huge trees in the backyard xD
Other details:
Land tax: ~0.3% annually
Capital gains tax on land sales: 0%
I’m a tax resident in a territorial tax country
Curious what others would do in this situation
Hey everyone,
Trying to figure out if buying property abroad is actually worth it or just another expat fantasy.
Quick background: I'm French, originally from Tahiti, grew up in Bali. Spent years moving around. Like a lot of you, I've been seriously thinking about buying somewhere — Bali, Portugal, Mexico, Thailand — to have a base while still moving. But every time I dig in, the info is a complete mess. One source says foreigners can buy, another says they can't. One person says you need a PT PMA, another says you don't. Lawyers disagree, notaries disagree, Reddit threads disagree.
So I want to hear from people who actually went through it.
If you've bought (or seriously tried to buy) property abroad:
Drop your stories — the bad ones especially. I'd rather learn from your mistakes than make my own 🙏
Can you share your experience? Like where have you gone to, what you wish you had known before, how have you structured your investments and withdrawls?
I'm asking as my gf is Brazilian, we both speak Portuguese and thi,king of FIREing there (im 36yo from sputh europe and reached my FIRE number).
Hello -
What have people found to be the best health insurance plans? We are 55 (F) and 56 (M). Likely 10 months out f the year in Taiwan (we qualify for their excellent national coverage) and part of the year in the US, with at least a trip or two in the middle to other countries. Westy
Hey! I got a job offer in Buenos Aires and I wanted to ask what it’s really like living there at the moment. I’ve heard that the cost of living has become really expensive recently, some people even compare it to LA. Is that actually true?:)
Do you think you can live comfortably there with a salary of around 3.5k? And overall, would you say it’s really worth moving there, or does it end up feeling pretty similar to places like Barcelona or Spain in general?
I’d really love to hear your honest opinion :)