How to Set Up a Home Base Abroad Without Going Broke
Dreaming of living abroad—but not interested in draining your savings to do it? You’re not alone. More and more people are trading high costs and high stress for sunshine, slower living, and better value overseas. The good news? Setting up a home base abroad doesn’t have to be expensive. With smart planning and a bit of flexibility, you can create your perfect international hub without going broke.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Pick the Right Country (and City!)
Where you go matters. Some countries are just more affordable and welcoming for foreigners setting up a second home or long-term base.
Look for places that offer:
Low cost of living
Visa options for long stays or residency
Stable infrastructure (Wi-Fi, healthcare, banking)
Safety and good expat communities
Budget-friendly favorites:
Mexico (Mazatlan, Mérida, San Cristobal De Las Casas)
Paraguay (easy residency, low taxes)
Georgia (no visa needed for many nationalities, tax perks, low costs)
Portugal (great residency programs and healthcare)
Malaysia (underrated digital nomad hub with top-notch food, medical care and internet)
Uruguay (progressive, calm, and laid-back with solid healthcare)
Italy (South) (look into the 1-euro home programs and smaller towns)
2. Choose Renting Over Buying (At First)
Resist the urge to buy a house right away—especially in a country you haven’t lived in long-term yet. Renting gives you flexibility to explore different neighborhoods, understand the local lifestyle, and avoid costly mistakes.
Tips:
Look for rentals on local Facebook groups or local real estate apps—not international expat sites, which often mark up prices.
Negotiate! Monthly prices are often flexible if you’re staying 3+ months.
Consider furnished apartments to avoid upfront furniture costs.
3. Start Small: You Don’t Need a Mansion
Be realistic about what you actually need. You’re not building a forever home—you’re building a functional, affordable, comfortable base. A one-bedroom apartment near public transport can be perfect.
Bonus: Smaller places are cheaper to cool, clean, and furnish.
4. Avoid Tourist Prices by Living Like a Local
Skip the expat bubbles where everything costs double. If you learn a little local language and shop at local markets, you’ll save a lot. Use public transportation, cook at home, and embrace the lifestyle of the area.
5. Set Up Your Finances Before You Go
This is huge. Bad banking setups can cost you hundreds in fees, lost exchange rates, and blocked cards.
Do this:
Open a no-fee account (like Wise, Revolut, or Charles Schwab)
Use local currency accounts or multi-currency wallets
Avoid keeping large sums in high-inflation countries unless you’re investing strategically
6. Don’t Over-Furnish — Source Local and Secondhand
Whether you're furnishing an apartment or just adding cozy touches, don’t overspend. Shipping furniture from home is rarely worth it.
Check Facebook Marketplace, local resale apps, and even curbside freebies (yes, this works in many countries!). Some towns have incredible thrift shops or flea markets where you can find treasures on a budget.
7. Use Residency Programs to Your Advantage
Countries like Paraguay, Mexico, Portugal, and Georgia offer affordable and relatively easy residency programs. This gives you legal permission to stay, access healthcare, open local bank accounts, and often enjoy other expat perks.
Residency also keeps you from bouncing around on tourist visas, saving you time, money, and legal headaches.
8. Get Connected and Ask for Help
Local expat Facebook groups are goldmines for finding affordable rentals, trusted contacts (like lawyers or landlords), and tips on how to save money. Ask questions. Introduce yourself. People love to help newcomers.
9. Have a Backup Plan (And Budget Cushion)
Even if you’re doing it cheap, moving abroad has upfront costs: deposits, flights, paperwork, appliances, etc.
Make sure you have an emergency fund. Even $1,000–$2,000 set aside can save you from stress and surprise expenses.
10. Monetize Your Move
If you’re working online, great! If not, think about turning your international life into income—freelancing, YouTube, Airbnb hosting, digital products, teaching English, remote customer service... even writing guides like this.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be rich to live well abroad—you just need to be smart. Start small, stay flexible, live local, and keep your overhead low while building a lifestyle that’s yours to define. Your dream life might cost way less than you think.
