I've Lived Abroad for 4 Years. I'd Never Do This Again.

After 4 years living abroad, these are the mistakes I'd never repeat, so you can avoid them before you move. 🎟️ Members get early access, video postcards and live Q&As: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRSEWJMttNogWPjterXc-eA/join Disclosure: This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and doesn’t cost you anything extra. RESOURCES FOR YOUR TRAVEL ABROAD Online Spanish Lessons - The BEST method I have found to learn Spanish. This will get you started speaking Spanish very quickly. I have been a member for years. Very cheap monthly rates or even cheaper lifetime membership. https://www.skool.com/qroo/about?ref=360f21f8f5d24343bf1501e2920b355c Live Translations Earbuds - https://link.amazon/B05N8JfGI One on One Language Lessons - https://preply.com/en/?pref=MjU4MzM5MA==&id=1790285705.263267&ep=w1 A VPN acts like a private shield around your internet connection, keeping your personal information safe from hackers and snoops — and lets you access your favorite American streaming services like Netflix no matter where in the world you are. **Most well-known VPNs - NordVPN - https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=612&aff_id=151589&url_id=14830 ExpressVPN - https://www.expressvpn.com/retireabroad (4 Extra Months Free with Retire Abroad Deal) SurfShark VPN : https://get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer_id=926&aff_id=47473 AIRTAGs to track your luggage - https://link.amazon/B07DeFo4a Travel health insurance abroad acts like a safety net for your medical costs overseas — covering everything from a doctor's visit to a hospital stay so you're never stuck with a massive bill in a foreign country. **Both Travel & Health Insurance Options SafetyWing - https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26553367&utm_source=26553367&utm_medium=Ambassador Genki - https://genki.world/products/traveler?with=retireabroadafter60 Aura works like a 24/7 watchdog for your personal information — monitoring your bank accounts, credit, and identity so you're alerted the moment anyone tries to steal your identity or commit fraud in your name. Aura - https://aurainc.sjv.io/c/7252871/899264/12398 Have phone service the moment you land and no need to swap SIM cards. Stay connected in 170+ countries and unlimited eSIM plans give you instant data the moment you land — no roaming fees, no contracts, no hassle. https://airalo.pxf.io/c/7252871/3869553/15608 Code: UNLIMITED4YOU Details: Save 15% on your first Airalo Unlimited eSIM Valid: 4/21/2026 - 9/30/2026 Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation. Five years ago, I packed up my life in the US thinking cheap rent and warm weather were all that mattered. I was wrong. The biggest mistakes you can make when you retire abroad have almost nothing to do with money. In this video, I share the five things I’d do completely differently if I were starting over today, including the residency process I started in Ecuador that cost me about $1,000 before I realized I didn’t want to live there. Lesson four is the one that matters most: get it wrong, and no amount of money saved will fix it. In this video: Why I’d never commit to a country I hadn’t lived in (Portugal, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador) Why vacationing, living abroad, and retiring abroad are three different things The healthcare questions to ask before you move, from a former hospital CEO Why who you’ll spend your life with matters more than what you’ll spend How a “non-negotiables” list can save you from the wrong country 0:00 Personal retirement journey 0:26 Avoiding hasty commitment 3:17 The importance of exploration 4:17 Prioritizing healthcare 5:36 The necessity of social life 7:12 Setting personal standards