If you are still in the planning stages of leaving the United States to begin your new life abroad, there are probably endless questions to intimidate and confuse you. A lifestyle overseas will change a lot more than just the way you file your taxes, so it’s important to understand the challenges and opportunities that may await you.
So, You’re an American Who Wants to Go Abroad? What About Your Taxes?
Becoming an American expat or perpetual traveler can be disorienting and enlightening. You’ll experience a wide range of lifestyles if you keep yourself open. Don’t expect the privilege of being able to go about most of your day in an isolated bubble.
Your presence will bring about lots of interaction and attention in some places. In the third world, the more you live like a local and skip the luxury items you might find at home, the further your dollar will go.
On the other hand, moving from the developing world to somewhere relatively wealthy can be very relaxing and liberating. But you may also feel like there is stronger pressure to conform to their far more established cultural identity. Everyone’s cup of tea is different, so if you’ve never traveled you may not know where your ideal destination lies.
The most widely shared quality among cultural differences is that they can be managed. Be real about your concerns. Laugh about your overcorrections, and take credit for those strokes of quick thinking and luck that helped your adventures turn out more memorable (wherever you go in the world).