6-Country Starter Checklist: What to Check Before You Fall in Love with a Country
Before you move for the aesthetic, move for alignment.
Don't Pick a Country Just for the Photos..
Before you pack your bags, make sure the country you choose fits your real life-not just your instagram feed.
Tick the boxes below as you research each country — your top matches will appear below.
Boundless Opportunities
How to Use This Move Abroad Checklist
Relocating abroad requires more than inspiration — it requires preparation.
This 6-Country Move Abroad Checklist helps you compare the UAE, Singapore, Portugal, the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Indonesia side-by-side across four critical areas:
• Cost of living
• Visa and residency pathways
• Lifestyle alignment
• Your first 90-day plan
Tick the boxes as you research each country.
Your top 1–2 matches will update automatically below.
The goal isn’t to “feel” your way into a decision.
It’s to build clarity before you commit.
Tick the boxes as you research each country — your top matches will appear below.
Money & Cost of Living
UAE / Singapore = higher, Portugal = medium, DR/Belize/Indonesia = generally lower (it depends on area and lifestyle).
| Checklist item. | UAE | Singapore | Portugal | Dominican Rep. | Belize | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I know a realistic monthly budget for this country (rent, food, transport, basics). | ||||||
| I understand whether this country is high, medium or low cost for my income. | ||||||
| I’ve seen real housing listings (not just hotel/Airbnb prices). | ||||||
| I know roughly what healthcare will cost me there. |
Visas & Legals
Different options may exist for remote workers, employees, entrepreneurs, and retirees.
| Checklist item. | UAE | Singapore | Portugal | Dominican Rep. | Belize | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I know at least one visa/residency path I could realistically use in this country. | ||||||
| I have a rough idea of how long that visa process takes. | ||||||
| I know what proof of income/savings I’d need. | ||||||
| I understand if I can work remotely, locally, or only be a visitor there. |
Lifestyle Fit
Fast-paced city: UAE, Singapore · European café/balance: Portugal · Tropical/slower: Dominican Rep., Belize, Indonesia.
| Checklist item. | UAE | Singapore | Portugal | Dominican Rep. | Belize | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The climate (hot, mild, tropical) is something I can actually live with, not just vacation in. | ||||||
| I’m comfortable with the language situation (English vs local language). | ||||||
| The pace of life (fast-paced city vs slower beach/country) fits what I want right now. | ||||||
| There is some form of expat or international community I can plug into. |
Practical First 90 Days
| Checklist item. | UAE | Singapore | Portugal | Dominican Rep. | Belize | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I have a rough idea where I’d stay for the first month (neighborhood/area). | ||||||
| I know how I’d earn money during those 90 days (job, remote work, savings). | ||||||
| I have a backup plan if the first choice doesn’t work (Plan B country or timeline). | ||||||
| I know which Global Living Guide ebook(s) to get for more detail. |
Your top candidates
Tick boxes above to see your results update automatically.
Email me my results
Get your top 2 matches + your readiness score sent to your inbox.
You Don’t Need More Tabs. You Need a Clear Plan.
You’ve just seen how much clarity is required before choosing where to move.
Most people don’t get stuck because of motivation. They get stuck because they’re comparing 6 countries with half-answers and hoping the “right one” will feel obvious.
Relocating isn’t about vibes.
It’s about:
- Understanding real monthly costs.
- Knowing your visa pathway
- Choosing the right city — not just the right country
- Having a realistic 90-day plan
The right country for your life is the one that aligns with your income, goals, lifestyle, and timing.
And that’s exactly what Global Living Guide helps you figure out.