The Global Expat HubAffordable, Mid-range, Luxury or Retirement: four ways to make the same move.
Every country has all four plans. Each one is a full checklist, a week-by-week timeline and a cost breakdown scaled to that country's prices. Set your tier once and the flights, hotels, rentals, moving and retirement pages show partners that match.
Affordable move
You're moving on savings or a modest income, doing the paperwork yourself, and treating the first year as a test. You'll rent furnished, fly economy, ship almost nothing, and learn the language in group classes.
About 33 weeks from decision to settled.
Mid-range move
You have a steady income or remote job, want the move to be smooth rather than cheap, and will pay for help where it saves weeks. You'll ship some belongings, rent a proper apartment, and use a relocation agent for the hard parts.
About 28 weeks from decision to settled.
Luxury move
Time matters more than money. You'll hire a full-service relocation firm, an immigration lawyer and a buyer's or leasing agent, fly business, ship everything, and land in a home that's ready.
About 20 weeks from decision to settled.
Retirement move
You're moving for good on a pension, savings or both, and the priorities are different: a visa that doesn't depend on a job, healthcare you can rely on as you age, a tax outcome that doesn't shrink your income, and a community you'll actually enjoy. Comfort matters more than speed; certainty matters more than either.
About 48 weeks from decision to settled.
Example: the same move, four ways
| Country | Affordable | Mid-range | Luxury | Retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $11,400 | $22,750 | $65,100 | $33,100 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $9,700 | $19,150 | $54,800 | $27,850 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | $9,200 | $18,200 | $52,200 | $26,450 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | $7,650 | $15,050 | $43,050 | $21,900 |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | $8,350 | $16,800 | $48,150 | $24,400 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $7,250 | $14,600 | $41,750 | $21,200 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $7,800 | $15,500 | $44,450 | $22,550 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | $13,200 | $26,400 | $75,400 | $38,400 |
Estimated first-year setup for one adult, before ongoing rent and living costs. Model estimates; see each plan for what's included.