Retirement Abroad, Slow Travel & Building a Smarter Life Overseas
Retire Abroad Smarter
Real costs, real mistakes and real life from an American who retired at 50 and moved to Asia. Start here.
What if retirement wasn't about stopping, but about building a life you actually want?
That question is the whole reason this website exists. If you're thinking about retiring abroad, moving overseas, stretching your retirement budget, or just wondering what life outside the US really looks like, welcome. Pull up a chair. The coffee here is cheaper.
I'm Joe. I retired at 50 to slow travel through Southeast Asia, testing cities and islands as retirement spots, and I've made Cebu in the Philippines my home base, usually with Chai along for the adventure. Along the way I share what works, what costs more than you expect, and the stuff nobody mentions until you've already booked the flight. Usually with a little sarcasm. Occasionally at my own expense.
01Start here: pick your hub
Each hub pulls together every video and written guide on one topic, so you don't have to dig through the archive like it's a bargain bin.
Thailand and Vietnam guides are coming after our trips early next year. I'm doing the research so you don't have to. Someone has to eat all that pho.
02Retirement abroad planning
Budgeting, retirement strategy, housing decisions and avoiding the costly mistakes. If you're early in the process, these are the best places to begin:
- Retirement Blueprint: how to retire in the Philippines, step by step
- Before You Leave: what to handle back home first
- Don't Retire Abroad Until You Fix This (the mindset piece most people skip)
- What I Gave Up to Retire Abroad, and why I'd do it again
03Cost of living, budgets and big decisions
Lower costs are a big part of why people retire abroad, but the real story is the tradeoff between cost, lifestyle, convenience and long-term sustainability. These cover monthly budgets, housing, emergency funds and keeping your money working overseas.
- Watch Cheap vs. Expensive Days in the Philippines: one low-cost day and one splurge day in Cebu, side by side.
- Retire in the Philippines on $2,000 a Month: my real budget breakdown.
- Rent vs. Buy a Condo in the Philippines: fees, ownership rules and pre-sale risks (companion to Don't Buy a Condo in the Philippines Until You Watch This).
- 9 Banking Mistakes That Can Freeze Your Accounts Abroad, plus the printable Retirement Abroad Banking Checklist.
- Foreign Retiree's Guide to Taxes in Japan.
04Culture, safety and things nobody tells you
Every country has its own rules, customs and expectations, and part of being a good guest is learning them. These episodes cover the surprising laws, the everyday hazards and the cultural moments that make living abroad so interesting.
- 8 Even Stranger Laws in the Philippines and the original 8 Strange Laws in the Philippines
- 10 Tiny Things That Will Kill You in the Philippines
- I Wanted to Retire in Japan... Until I Learned This
- Japan: Our Two Week Itinerary for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
05Every written guide on the website
Each guide pairs with a video, includes timestamps so you can jump straight to the good part, and links to everything related.
| Guide | Topic |
|---|---|
| Retirement Blueprint | Philippines, step by step |
| Before You Leave | Philippines, step by step |
| Retire on $2k a Month | Philippines budget |
| Rent vs. Buy a Condo | Philippines housing |
| 9 Banking Mistakes | Money abroad |
| Fix This First | Retirement mindset |
| What I Gave Up | Retirement mindset |
| Taxes in Japan | Japan money |
| Two Week Japan Itinerary | Japan travel |
| Japan Trip AI Planning Template | Japan travel |
06Who this website is for
- People approaching retirement, or already there, who are curious about living abroad
- Financially secure adults who want their money to stretch further without giving up comfort
- Long-term travelers and slow travelers looking for their next base
- Anyone researching international living who wants real numbers instead of brochure photos
- People who want a slower, more intentional life, with a little more adventure in it
Frequently asked questions
Who is Joe from Away with Joe?
Joe is an American who retired at 50 and slow travels through Asia, with Cebu in the Philippines as his home base. He shares real costs, mistakes and daily life for people planning a retirement abroad.
Where should I start if I want to retire abroad?
Start with the Retirement abroad hub for the big picture, then the Philippines or Japan hub for country details. The Retirement Blueprint and Before You Leave guides walk through the Philippines step by step.
Which countries does Away with Joe cover?
Mostly the Philippines and Japan right now, with Thailand and Vietnam guides planned after trips early next year.
How much does it cost to retire in the Philippines?
It depends on your lifestyle and city. Joe's own breakdown is in the guide Retire in the Philippines on $2,000 a Month. Costs change, so use it as a starting point and confirm current prices.
How often are new videos and guides published?
New YouTube episodes come out most weeks, and more of them get a written guide on the website all the time. Subscribe on YouTube to catch them first.
Come Along For It
Where are you thinking about retiring, and what's the one question you want answered first? Drop it in the comments here or on YouTube. I read every one, and your questions shape future episodes.
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I'm sharing my own experience, not financial, legal, tax or immigration advice. Costs, visa rules and services change, so confirm current details before you make big decisions.
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