Costly Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Move Abroad

Moving overseas soon? Before you trust Numbeo or a Google search, watch this. I’ll show you the real costs expats pay—from neighborhood premiums to hidden housing fees—plus a 12-point checklist you can screenshot.

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Quick Info:
• City averages are useless—budget by neighborhood
• Add lifestyle: gym, organics, cosmetics, sports, transport, insurance
• Visa reality: 6–12 months rent upfront is common for non-residents
• Housing surprises: agency fee, key money, guarantor, appliances, furniture
• Safety net: test a 30-day trial budget or add a 25% buffer

00:00 Why your spreadsheet is wrong
01:05 Who I am + what to expect
01:36 Mistake 1: Internet cost of living ≠ your life
04:12 Solutions: district search, 2 budgets, visa math, 25% buffer
06:20 Mistake 2: Housing cost iceberg
09:05 Solutions: 4–6 months move-in fund, setup list, lease traps
11:20 Screenshot checklist + next steps

🌍 Consulting to Help You Move Abroad (3 options to fit your needs): https://tinyurl.com/3yxnprfc
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Recommended Tools
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🐶 Are you interested in being (or finding) a petsitter? I recommend Trusted Housesitters. I’ve use them on multiple occasions with wonderful results.
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📶 If you’re traveling or moving to a new country, I highly recommend choosing Express VPN. It’s the VPN service that I use. https://go.expressvpn.com/c/6174670/1...

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My Coaches!
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🌺 My Amazing Writing (and Accountability) Coach Christopher Downing—https://www.coach.me/ChristopherDowning

🌺 My Phenomenal YouTube Coach Alexa Saarenoja—    / @alexasaarenoja  


⏰ Thanks for watching, and please don't forget to subscribe. 🖤

If you’re interested in a longer “origin story” of Why I Chose Portugal? You can find that here!    • Can You Move to Portugal Alone at 56? I Di...  

Find me ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Substack—https://expatonabudget.substack.com
Website—https://expatonabudget.com

Original Music by: Lucian Meisler—https://lucianmeisler.com/

➡️ Some links are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy—without any extra cost to you

***Disclaimer: My YouTube videos are based on personal experience and are for informational purposes only. I am not a lawyer. Please seek professional advice before making decisions about moving abroad. I am not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.