In a region long known for its sunshine, sandy beaches, and superb year-round weather, a move to Southeast Asia has always managed to charm, and suit the fancy of many expats, who have come over to live on its exotic shores. However, the many countries in the region are not made alike, with each having its own distinctive flavor, culture, language, and people that distinguish them amongst a busy and bustling neighborhood, nestled in the humid heart of the Asian continent.
So which nations do I think work best for prospective expats looking to settle into a life set in the beautiful tropics of one of the fastest developing regions on the planet? In no particular order, here is my top 5 recommendations to help you get to where you want to be…
MALAYSIA
| Best For: | Expats of All Shapes and Sizes |
| Ease of Establishing Residency: | 6/10 |
| Language Barrier for English Natives: | Very Little to None |
| Affordability of Housing: | 7/10 for renting, 4/10 for purchasing |
| Affordability of Costs of Living: | 9/10 |
I must admit, it would be remiss for me to not disclose I am a little bit biased when it comes to recommending Malaysia, as it does happen to be my personal favorite country to live and work in on the planet! That said, just like every country on this list, Malaysia has it’s own special quirks that really do stand out for various reasons, and might appeal to some aspiring expats more than others. With that out of the way, here is why this pearl on the Strait of Malacca might just be the best option for you to call home with your move to Southeast Asia.
For starters, other than Singapore, Malaysia is what I would argue to be the most modern country on this list, with an amazing variety of first-world amenities, infrastructure, and medicine – this country is honestly even more advanced than most places in the United States or Western Europe. And yet, unlike it’s tiny neighbor to the south, Malaysia offers everything that Singapore offers, on everything from cultural, linguistic, and culinary similarities, to just about everything else, but for 1/6 the price.
But it would be impossible to say that Malaysia is just another Singapore, as its huge size, spanning both its peninsular side, as well as its Sarawak side, which takes up most of the northern part of the island of Borneo (shared with Brunei and Indonesia as well), gives it a kind of topographic and natural diversity that its southern neighbor just simply lacks as a result of being far smaller.
In the same country, one can explore huge, modern mega-cities like Kuala Lumpur, walk through the old colonial streets of Penang, swim in crystalline blue water that would make any Thailander weep, in places like Langkawi and the Perhentian Islands, or ride motos through the cloud forest of the Cameron Highlands – and all that is just on the peninsula side!
And yet, what Malaysia might be best known for is it’s amazing food culture, where you can get unbelievably sinful eats from all over the globe, for next to nothing. I can honestly say that I’ve never been anywhere better when it comes to good food, and the best Indian, Thai, Chinese, and yes even Western meals I’ve ever had, all came from this amazing country, easily the culinary capital of the world.
So what would it take to move here? Well, if you have a job offer prior to visiting, it is quite easy to obtain a work permit, however if you have a bit in savings, or are looking to retire somewhere modern, safe, and extremely affordable, then there are also more long-term options such as the MM2H (Malaysia My 2nd Home) Visa, which can give you 10 years residency at a time, and is renewable as well (this visa is currently suspended due to COVID-19, but look to see this brought back soon)!
No matter what walk of life or interest you might have, Malaysia has it all, and I cannot recommend it enough to expats wanting to move to Southeast Asia!
THAILAND
| Best For: | Digital Nomads searching for the party lifestyle |
| Ease of Establishing Residency: | 6/10 |
| Language Barrier for English Natives: | Medium to Very Little |
| Affordability of Housing: | 6/10 for renting, 7/10 for purchasing |
| Affordability of Costs of Living: | 7/10 |
If your idea of a good time is a ice, cold beer or sweet milk tea in hand, while looking out at the sandy beaches that stretch out towards crazy shaped rock formations that jut out from the waves in the horizon, than Thailand might just be calling your name.
Thailand has a little bit for quite literally everyone interested in a move to Southeast Asia, from young backpackers trying to find themselves on the party road to Pai, to digital nomads enjoying a large community comprised of people just like them in Chiang Mai. There is even something for adventurous folks looking for a little bit of naughty fun on the edge in Pattaya, to families looking to have a home away from home in upscale modern Phuket and Bangkok.
No matter what walk of life you’re in, or interests you might have, Thailand definitely delivers on all of the above – after all, it’s not called the Land of Smiles for nothing! This also translates to its ease of immigration as well, which the Thai government has helped to foster with their offering of many different opportunities to qualify, including but not limited to the Thai Elite Visa, various language programs, investment incentives, and many more, to help you on your way towards a move to Southeast Asia.
That said, it would be remiss to not say that even in tropical paradise there are some challenges to consider, like the fact that Thailand has slowly become a bit more expensive over the years (though its still vastly cheaper than most of the West), due in part towards the vast amounts of tourism the country has seen arrive at breakneck speed.
As such, this has played a role in some of the lesser desired facets that high tourism brings to places, such as slightly higher crime rates, and a local population that in my opinion seem a little expat/tourist weary at times.
Though I personally am not the biggest fan of Thailand for my own lifestyle desires, I do think it would definitely fit the bill for plenty of expats looking to move to Southeast Asia for an exotic beach-holiday lifestyle, in a culture and country that is used to foreigners, and has the infrastructure to mostly back it all up.
CAMBODIA
| Best For: | Opportunist Business Purveyors, Upstart English Teachers |
| Ease of Establishing Residency: | 8/10 |
| Language Barrier for English Natives: | Medium High to Little |
| Affordability of Housing: | 6/10 for renting, 6/10 for purchasing |
| Affordability of Costs of Living: | 6/10 |
A little bit more rustic and old-school when it comes to Southeast Asian offerings, the rapidly developing Cambodia is also an option that can offer a lot of potential for the open-minded expat, willing to deal with all the good, bad, and ugly that living in a poorer country can provide.
By far the easiest country on this list to immigrate to (though that may not stay that way forever!), Cambodia is culturally closest to Thailand on this list, and as such a steady stream of expats have begun to trickle over the borders from old Siam, as Thailand has started tightening its immigration requirements. As such, it’s gained quite the reputation as one of the best places to consider for an easy move to Southeast Asia.
All it would take for you to live in Cambodia, with what essentially equates to temporary residency, is an EB Visa, which one can easily obtain once getting feet on the ground in the country, and obtaining a job of some kind from a Cambodian employer. This visa lasts for 1 year, costs around $250 USD, and can be renewed indefinitely. In fact, everything is actually pegged to the US Dollar in the country, as it functions as the main local currency (used in tandem with the Cambodian Riel), which though convenient does make things cost a little bit more than in neighboring countries, like Vietnam and Malaysia for example.
That said, for aspiring English teachers, even those without a college degree, choosing this option is easily the best way to get your foot in the door towards a move to Southeast Asia, although it is highly recommended you obtain a TEFL or CELTA certificate before undergoing teaching programs! This is something that can be done in person, or even online from anywhere – this is actually what I did before I lived in Cambodia, and made my own move to Southeast Asia!
As far as the lifestyle one can expect, Cambodia offers a laid-back attitude towards everything in life, which translates to a slower, more relaxed pace, and a better work-life balance on the whole – exactly what you would expect with a move to Southeast Asia. The country also has a rapidly expanding network of western-influenced cafes and restaurants in places like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, which sometimes reminds me of certain areas of the kinds of offerings and flavors one could experience in cities as varied as Seattle, Paris, Mexico City, Bangkok, among others.
And let’s not forget the amazing sites one can see in the Khmer Kingdom, from the impossibly majestic Angkor Wat, to the bio-luminescent plankton right off the beaches of Koh Rong Samloem.
Though the country definitely can be more rough around the edges the other mentions on this list, it has made great progress since the 1980’s genocide that killed nearly a quarter of the population, and the development all over the country has been massive (some would argue at the detriment to certain cities like Sihanoukville, which I would have to on that note certainly agree!). But if you are the truly adventurous type, looking to make a name for yourself with a move to Southeast Asia’s hard-core heartland, then Cambodia is waiting for you.
INDONESIA
| Best For: | Digital Nomads looking for relaxing, chill lifestyle, Yoga Teachers and Laidback Surfers |
| Ease of Establishing Residency: | 6/10 |
| Language Barrier for English Natives: | Medium to Very Little |
| Affordability of Housing: | 6/10 for renting in Bali, 8/10 for renting elsewhere, 5/10 for purchasing in Bali, 7/10 for elsewhere |
| Affordability of Costs of Living: | 6/10 |
In what might just be the most picturesque place on the planet, lay the opportunities to live extremely well as an expat, with options ranging from high-class resort life, to a more laid-back, rustic look out at your new, exotic world. Of course, I am speaking of Indonesia, which is by far the largest nation on this list, not just in physical size, but also in population, which makes it the fourth biggest on Earth!
As such, with a country this massive, stretching from the Strait of Malacca, all the way to the Australian/Papua New Guinean coast, there are for sure going to be differences in culture, attitudes, and price when it comes to choosing Indonesia as a new home. For most expats, the usual spot tends to be the beautiful island of Bali, where foreigners have been immigrating to in droves for years, to enjoy the peaceful, hippie life of Ubud, the surfer’s paradise of Canggu, or the amazing tranquil beaches of Uluwatu.
However, with such high-demand does come an uptick in overall prices, with the average cost of living at an overall higher standard than most places in Southeast Asia, although still comparable with prices one could find in Cambodia, as opposed to Singapore. However, if one was willing to get out from the tourist mecca that is Bali, and decide to put up roots a little bit off the beaten path in one of Indonesia’s 17,507 other islands, a similar kind of paradise can be had for pennies.
In fact, expats wanting to get even more from their well earned money, would do well to look into islands like Java, Lombok, Borneo, Sumatra, or for the truly adventurous expats, perhaps even Raja Ampat, in Indonesia’s far east. And of course, if you’re a city slicker just looking for some tropical flavor, there is always the capital of Jakarta, which comprises one of the largest mega-cities on Earth.
When it comes to a move to Southeast Asia, Indonesia should definitely be near the top of anyone’s list, for its unbelievable, indescribable natural beauty, its warm, friendly people, as well as its amazing culture and food. Immigrating here is quite simple as well, with many expats having done so over the years, and though the requirements and paperwork are bit more stringent than in places like Cambodia, the reward for your effort is a life, in one of the loveliest places in the world.
SINGAPORE
| Best For: | Wealthier Expats with Job Offer, High-Net Worth Individuals |
| Ease of Establishing Residency: | 8/10 |
| Language Barrier for English Natives: | Very Little to None |
| Affordability of Housing: | 3/10 for renting, 2/10 for purchasing |
| Affordability of Costs of Living: | 3/10 |
Now, I couldn’t write this list without adding the country that most people have at the top of their head’s when they think of Southeast Asia, and that of course, is the tiny but mighty Singapore. Similar in culture to the surrounding Malaysia and Indonesia, this city-state is best suited for expats who are looking to live in the lap of luxury, and are willing to pay a pretty penny for it as well!
What distinguishes Singapore from the other nations on this list is of course its overall price to live there, which can easily rival more expensive places on the continent like Dubai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, when it comes to the costs of living, as opposed to its neighbors in its direct geographic neighborhood. However, what you get for that high price is the privilege of living in one of the most safe, modern, and clean places on Earth, in a business and tax friendly environment that encourages capitalism to the max.
Sometimes referred to as a ‘fine city’ or ‘Disneyland with the death-penalty’, Singapore’s view on crime is no joking matter, and as such it does sometimes feel like simple freedoms that one never thinks about, like chewing gum or drinking on the train, can suddenly feel taken for granted when spending time in the Lion City.
That said, though the laws and surveillance can be rather extreme, I definitely will say it accomplished the goals that the government of Singapore set out to achieve – an extremely clean city, that is so safe, you could leave your door unlocked at night.
However, where Singapore really shines I would argue is it’s food culture, where the rich attitudes of the locals and expats alike finally slip, and everyone from every walk of life descends onto the city-states many food courts. It just so happens that one of Singapore’s cultural beliefs is that good food shouldn’t cost much, and an amazingly delicious meal from any number of world cuisines can be had for as little as $5-7 USD.
Lastly, if one if looking to immigrate to Singapore, it is very easy to obtain residency, granted one has a job offer prior to arrival from a company willing to hire you. Banking in the country, as well as obtaining housing are all very easy and streamlined processes too, once you obtain the proper paperwork from your company. Ultimately, for all your troubles, you will be able to get to truly live on the edge of tomorrow, on the cusp of the freest economy in the world, and at the heart of Southeast Asia.
What do you think about these places? Have you gone to any of the countries on this list? What are your experiences with life as an expat in Southeast Asia? Why did you move to Southeast Asia? Let us know in the comments section below!
No matter which direction you go, no matter which path you choose, you honestly can’t go wrong with a move to Southeast Asia – a move in the right direction, for any adventure-savvy expat, looking to strike out on their own, and embrace their beautiful world.