Moving abroad is one of the most exciting decisions you can make. It is also one of those things that look simple on paper but suddenly get complicated once you actually do them.
I learned very quickly that the hardest part of living abroad is not the language, the culture, or even finding housing. The biggest challenge is maintaining the basic infrastructure of your life in the United States while you are physically somewhere else.
Things like receiving mail, verifying your identity with banks, accessing U.S. financial services, and transferring money internationally suddenly become much harder once you are outside the country.
Over the years I have built a small stack of tools that make living abroad dramatically easier. These are not theoretical recommendations. These are services I use daily while living outside the United States.
If you are planning to move abroad as an American, these are the tools I strongly recommend setting up before you leave. I can vouch for each of them since leaving the US in 2010. These are a collection of affiliate links I collected in a Note over the years and kept because at the time I added them, they all included benefits for the new customer moreso than me as the referrer, such as $50 for a Wise funding to the new customer, etc., but I don't recall all of the specifics.
1. U.S. Digital Mailbox
My solution has been US Global Mailbox:
One of the first things you realize when living abroad is that you still need a U.S. mailing address for all kinds of things.
Banks need it. Credit cards need it. Government agencies need it. Even basic identity verification sometimes requires a U.S. address.
They provide a real street address in the United States where your mail is received. Everything gets scanned, so you can open it online from anywhere in the world.
If it's something you need shipped, they can do that as well.
I use it for things like:
- receiving bank letters and tax documents
- scanning important mail
- forwarding packages internationally
- maintaining a stable U.S. address for financial accounts
Once you live abroad, you quickly realize how valuable this is.
2. A Permanent U.S. Phone Number
My solution has been Google Voice.
I have had the same U.S. phone number for decades, and it works anywhere in the world.
Two-factor authentication is everywhere now. Banks, credit cards, and many websites require SMS verification.
If you lose access to your U.S. phone number, you can suddenly find yourself locked out of accounts.
Equally important, once Americans leave the US and start to socialize, they realize that the US is about the only country in the world where WhatsApp isn't the main messaging tool.
With a Google Voice number, you don't have to worry about changing your WhatsApp number every time you move to a new country...it's just always your same number
I regularly use it to:
- receive verification texts from banks
- make calls to U.S. numbers
- receive voicemail
- keep a permanent U.S. phone identity
It is one of those things you set up once and then rely on constantly.
3. A Bank Account With Global ATM Fee Reimbursement
For years, I have used Charles Schwab Investor Checking.
One mistake many Americans make when moving abroad is keeping a U.S. bank account.
Most banks charge international ATM fees and currency conversion fees. Those costs add up quickly.
The reasons are simple:
- They reimburse ATM fees worldwide.
- I have used ATMs in multiple countries, and Schwab simply refunds the ATM charges at the end of the month.
- It also has no foreign transaction fees and excellent security protections.
- It's an interest-bearing checking account...so get paid for keeping your money there.
For expats, it is one of the most practical bank accounts you can have.
4. A Credit Card Without Foreign Transaction Fees
I use the Chase United Credit Card.
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| Source: Doctor of Credit |
Many Americans do not realize that their credit cards charge an extra 3 percent fee every time they buy something internationally.
If you live abroad, that becomes very expensive.
The main reasons are simple.
- No foreign transaction fees and...
- I found that Star Alliance airlines were the most convenient for me in terms of destinations, especially flying internationally every trip with Malia dog in the cabin
- Lounge access included, 2 checked bag benefits, and any many others
It also helps maintain a U.S. credit history while living overseas and earns travel rewards.
5. A Multi-Currency Account
For years, I have used Wise.
Living abroad means dealing with multiple currencies.
Wise allows you to hold balances in different currencies and send money internationally with much lower fees than traditional banks.
I use it constantly to transfer money between countries and to convert currencies at reasonable exchange rates.
6. Lower Cost International Money Transfers
While Wise is the best option, sometimes it's worth trying a lower-fee alternative. Note that there are times when, depending on the amount being sent, there are delays and the need to fill out a PDF they send.
WorldRemit is a fast and simple international transfer service used in many countries.
Advantages include:
• fast global transfers
• low fees
• mobile wallet support in many regions
It is fast, relatively inexpensive, and works in many countries.
7. A Local Digital Wallet for Latin America
I use the Mercado Pago digital bank account.
If you spend time in Latin America, you will quickly notice that mobile wallets are used everywhere.
The reality is that while a foreign credit card is accepted everywhere in countries like Chile and Brazil, online shopping can sometimes be an issue.
But MercadoPago is a huge benefit because you can link your US credit card, such as the Chase United Credit Card, set it as your default card, and then when you use MercadoPago, you are using a local bank but actually paying with your international credit card.
It functions almost like a digital bank and is commonly used for paying bills, sending money locally, and receiving payments.
Mercado Pago is a part of MercadoLibre, which is the Latin American equivalent to Amazon for shopping, as well as real estate rentals, purchases, etc.
8. A VPN for Security and Access
I use Deeper Network VPN
Once you live abroad, you will discover that many U.S. websites block international traffic.
Streaming platforms, financial services, and even some news websites restrict access based on where you are connecting from.
For that reason, I always use a VPN.
Two options I recommend are:
- My ultimate recommendation:
- This is a small device that you plug into the router at your Airbnb or apartment, and it serves as a router.
- You simply select the country/region you want.
- Best benefit: you never need to even ask for the AirBnb wifi passport, you just plug your tiny router in and connect to your personal router
- It's a FREE VPN, you only purchase the router one-time
- With a simple code, you can set a router permanently in the US by internet standards
- You'll need your own router to program, but note that StrongVPN offers a list of recommended routers to purchase that are capable of working together
9. Global Mobile Data With eSIM
Switching SIM cards every time you travel between countries can get annoying quickly.
That is why I often use HolaFly eSIM.
You can activate data before you even land in a new country.
It is one of the easiest ways to stay connected while traveling internationally.
10. U.S. Tax Filing Support
Many Americans do not realize this, but even if you live abroad,, you still have to file U.S. taxes.
That is simply part of being a U.S. citizen.
For tax filing I recommend H&R Block, which has services designed specifically for Americans living overseas.
Final Thoughts
Living abroad becomes much easier once you build the right infrastructure around your life.
These are the tools I personally rely on to keep my financial, communication, and administrative connections to the United States working smoothly.
Setting these up before leaving the U.S. can save you a huge amount of frustration once you are overseas.
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