Relocating Abroad via FIRE | Pros, Cons, and 3 Things to Know to Avoid Failure
Relocating abroad is attracting attention as a life plan option after achieving FIRE.
Articles filled with attractive phrases like "A carefree second life on a southern island" or "Luxury living in Southeast Asia where prices are low" line the internet, and reading them makes one feel excited.
However, having lived in Thailand for over 7 years, I have met several people who gave up on their dream relocation and returned to Japan, and I have had my own struggles, so I have doubts about information that only highlights the positive aspects.
Starting a second life in a country other than Japan has not only charms and benefits but also, of course, disadvantages.
In this article, I will introduce the merits and demerits of relocating abroad, especially to Southeast Asia, and based on that, explain three points to know to avoid regret after moving.
The Merits of Relocating Abroad After Achieving FIRE
Although Southeast Asia has an image of being developing, capitals and major cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are more developed than regional cities in Japan, so there are few inconveniences in daily life.
In the case of capital cities, there are many Japanese people working locally, making it easy to expand networks among Japanese people.
This can be said for any country or city in the world, not just Southeast Asia. Among these factors, I list the following three as merits.
- Housing and living costs can be reduced
- Warm climate throughout the year with few natural disasters
- New networks are formed and perspectives are broadened
Let's talk about each of these.
Housing and living costs can be reduced
The merit of relocating to Southeast Asia is the ability to reduce housing-related expenses and living costs such as food and utilities.
In the case of Bangkok, Thailand, where I live, the typical cost of living for an average life without luxury or excessive saving is said to be about 150,000 yen per month.
Rent varies greatly depending on the area, but if you don't insist on being near a station, you can live in a property with a pool and gym for around 50,000 yen, and utilities and communication costs are very cheap compared to Japan.
Regarding food costs, local meals can be eaten from about 250 yen per meal, so unless you are insistent on eating Japanese food every meal, it is possible to keep costs low.
Warm climate throughout the year with few natural disasters
Japan has severe temperature differences throughout the year, and some regions experience life-threatening heat or cold, especially in summer and winter. Also, disasters like typhoons, floods, and earthquakes occur in various regions of Japan every year.
On the other hand, Southeast Asia has a warm climate throughout the year, making it comfortable to live in unless you are someone who dislikes heat.
While there are heavy rains and floods during the rainy season, the fact that disasters do not visit all year round like in Japan is also a merit of relocating to Southeast Asia.
Since there are no four seasons and you can wear the same clothes year-round, there is no tedious seasonal wardrobe change, and in the long run, the cost of clothing can also be reduced.
New networks are formed and perspectives are broadened
Living abroad away from Japanese communities leads to encounters with categories of people you have never met before.
This includes local people in the relocation destination, people who have moved there from all over the world, and Japanese people stationed there as expatriates.
Interacting with people who are abroad for various reasons leads to broadening your own horizons, and there is a possibility of finding new business opportunities from there.
The Demerits of Relocating Abroad After Achieving FIRE
Relocating abroad has many charms, but of course, there are also demerits.
The three demerits I feel are as follows.
- There is a language barrier
- Depending on exchange rates, costs may exceed the planned amount
- You become estranged from family and friends in Japan
Like the merits, I will explain these as well.
There is a language barrier
The first demerit of relocating abroad is the "language barrier."
In cities with many foreign residents, many people understand English, so you may not struggle that much with surface-level communication.
However, there are at least a few moments in various scenes, such as when signing a contract, making inquiries by phone, or building deep human relationships, when you feel, "I wish I could speak my native language.
" Furthermore, in Thailand, English is basically not understood at police stations, post offices, and government-related facilities, making important procedures quite a struggle.
Depending on exchange rates, costs may exceed the planned amount
With the weak yen being a concern lately, the exchange rate becomes a particular demerit.
Taking Thailand as an example, about 7 years ago when I moved, the price of 1 Baht was around 3 to 3.3 yen. However, as of January 2025, the price of 1 Baht is fluctuating around 4.5 yen.
If I had planned to relocate abroad via FIRE and left 7 years ago, I would be suffering quite a bit in the current weak yen situation.
It is impossible to predict exchange rates a few years ahead, but it is necessary to assume such risks and create a financial plan with plenty of margin.
You become estranged from family and friends in Japan
It is obvious, but understand that moving abroad will decrease opportunities to see family and friends in Japan.
If you are concerned about family health, you should carefully consider the timing of your relocation. Regarding friends, it is unlikely that relationships with close friends will be severed due to moving abroad.
On the other hand, though I can't say it too loudly, it might be a merit to be able to peacefully cut off human relationships that you found a bit troublesome.
3 Things to Know to Avoid Failure in Relocating Abroad
Lastly, I have summarized three things to know (or do) to avoid feeling "I failed" or "I regret it" after moving abroad.
Understand that common sense in Japan is unconventional in the rest of the world
Different countries have different cultures, and common sense and values also differ. Those who have never lived in a country other than Japan especially need to understand this.
It is natural that Japanese is not understood abroad, and of course, friends and family are not nearby.
In most cases, it is difficult to respond to problems or troubles in the same way as when you are in Japan.
Understanding that and having a mindset of "enjoying adversity and trouble" will become important in life abroad.
Create a financial plan with plenty of margin
As mentioned in the demerits, the weak yen situation continues, and it is unknown how long this will last.
Also, it is unclear whether the yen exchange rate will return to what it once was. Keep in mind that there is a non-zero possibility that the yen's depreciation will accelerate further, and create a financial plan with margin.
Please refer to the following article for the costs necessary for relocating abroad after FIRE.
Conduct a short-term trial relocation
Seeing is believing. Personally, I believe a trial relocation is something you must do before moving.
Even in a country where you have a good impression from visiting as a tourist, it is a different story when it comes to actually living there.
By renting an apartment or condominium that offers short-term leases and living while imagining actual daily life, it becomes easier to visualize life on the ground.
Naturally, you can feel the demerits of living abroad firsthand, so it will become easier to judge whether relocating abroad really suits you.
If your schedule allows for flexibility, I recommend trying to live there for about a month. Doing so will make it easier to visualize monthly living expenses and will be helpful for creating a financial plan.
Summary
In this article, I introduced the merits and demerits of relocating abroad after achieving FIRE.
Relocating abroad tends to be preceded by a glittering good image, but it is important to understand the demerits and reconsider whether it is realistic for you.
Everything tends to end once a goal is achieved, but life continues even after achieving FIRE and realizing relocation abroad.
Instead of just "I want to FIRE" or "I relocated abroad," I want you to create a life plan you won't regret while imagining what kind of future awaits beyond that.
Author: Yuki Ishida
Writer based in Thailand
In 2017, I fulfilled my long-cherished desire to move to Thailand and have been working as a sales and career consultant at a Japanese staffing company there.
I began my activities as a writer in 2019 and mainly share information useful for living in Thailand and moving abroad through both domestic and international media. Based on my own experience of relocating overseas, I strive to provide realistic information to help those planning to move abroad avoid regrets, and I write with this motto every day.
The media I have contributed to so far are not limited to Thailand-related topics, but also cover a wide range including domestic and international travel, local governments, food manufacturers, and educational institutions.
