I personally recommend a few countries and regions that I have investigated as potential landing spots — Asia Edition
- Malaysia
The work visa in Malaysia is relatively easy to obtain and not very costly, especially since Johor Bahru is very close to Singapore. If you have friends in Singapore, Johor Bahru is quite recommended. From my personal experience, the cost of living in Johor Bahru is similar to that of Shenzhen, perhaps slightly more expensive, but still manageable.
For families with children, Penang is a good option, as there are many international schools that are very friendly to Chinese people and Mandarin speakers. Speaking Chinese in Malaysia is almost seamless, and the overall costs in Malaysia are not high. Although there are some differences between cities, it is generally considered to be low-cost.
If you have a higher budget, living in Kuala Lumpur can be quite comfortable. I consulted some friends in Malaysia, and generally, the monthly cost can be controlled around $2,000. If you have children in school, $3,000 can cover most expenses, and the living conditions are still quite good.
The biggest issue in Malaysia might be safety, but as long as you don't wander around at night, avoid bars, and stay away from risky residential areas, the risks are relatively low.
- Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is actually my top recommendation. If you don't require a very refined lifestyle, the cost of living is similar to that of China's second-tier cities. If you prefer a more refined lifestyle, the cost of living is comparable to Shanghai. Currently, the main ways to stay in Vietnam are through tourist visas and work visas, with the former having more restrictions and the latter being slightly more expensive.
For families with children, international schools in Vietnam are also quite good, available in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. I wouldn't strongly recommend small cities in Vietnam mainly due to poor infrastructure; I personally think cities with airports are acceptable.
Vietnam has very good safety, arguably the safest country in Southeast Asia besides Singapore. Recently, Vietnam has also implemented a series of strict measures, especially against prohibited items, which have become quite rare, contributing to social stability.
However, the biggest issue in Vietnam is the language barrier. Generally, Vietnamese people have poor English and Chinese skills, so if you don't speak Vietnamese, it might be a bit challenging. However, in the past two years, with Vietnam's development, the spread of English has become noticeable. A monthly budget of around $2,000 can allow for a decent living in Ho Chi Minh City, while $3,000 would provide a better quality of life. A family expenditure of $5,000 a month is sufficient for living comfortably.
- Thailand
Thailand has a significant divide; those who love Thailand really love it, and living there can be quite pleasant. However, if you don't like it, it might be hard to live there for a long time. From the perspective of living costs, Thailand is not very expensive. Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai are good options, with consumption levels similar to China's second-tier cities. The most important thing is that in Thailand, you can enjoy a more comfortable living space and services at a lower price. For about $5,000 a month, living in a villa and hiring a maid is not difficult.
If you live more frugally and are not in Bangkok, the costs in Chiang Mai and coastal tourist cities can be even lower, with around $2,000 allowing for a comfortable living. There are also many international schools in Thailand, and the overall education system is quite good, although learning Thai can feel a bit unnecessary.
In the past two years, Thailand has also tightened its foreign exchange controls, and exchanging USDT may gradually become risky, which is a bit troublesome. Additionally, the visa for digital nomads allows for only 180 days of residence per year, but I'm not sure if I remember that correctly.
English proficiency in Thailand is quite good, and you can communicate in English in major cities. However, the heat in Thailand is intense; I personally feel it is hotter than in Vietnam and Malaysia.
- Japan
I placed Japan later on the list because the costs are relatively high, mainly in terms of living expenses and visa costs. There are many ways to stay in Japan, but they mainly revolve around work visas or management. Compared to the first three countries, obtaining permanent residency in Japan is relatively easier, and it is a developed country.
If you can sort out the visa issue in Japan and don't need to live in Tokyo all the time, I think the costs can be quite low. The cost of living in Tokyo is roughly equivalent to mid-to-high-end living in Shanghai, and about $3,000 can allow for a decent life in Japan. If you want to live better, $5,000 is also sufficient, considering Japan's average income is just over $2,000.
Japan's education system is top-notch in Asia, with both international and public schools being good options. Especially with a work visa, public schools are quite good, and the younger the child, the less impact they will feel. If you are not living in a bustling area, a monthly budget of $3,000 should be enough, with Osaka and Nagoya being good choices.
However, the main trouble in Japan also lies in the language barrier. Although English is relatively well-spoken, the spoken English of Japanese friends can be a bit hard to understand, and the prevalence of Chinese is even less. Nevertheless, life in Japan is quite comfortable and leisurely, and the safety is also good.
Of course, for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, the biggest issue in Japan is taxes, and converting USDT into banks is not very friendly. Most OTCs recommend holding cash.
- Singapore
Singapore has only one drawback: it is expensive. Aside from that, everything in Singapore is great, but the high cost is the most troublesome aspect. A budget of $3,000 in Singapore can barely allow for survival, with poor living conditions and limited food options, and hardly any entertainment. Personally, I estimate that for a single person, at least $5,000 in living expenses is needed to live somewhat healthily.
The work visa in Singapore is probably the easiest, simplest, and most straightforward to obtain. It can be completed in as little as three days, or seven days at most. Once you have the work visa, you can open a bank account. The EP bank card will not be canceled, meaning that even if you lose your Singapore identity one day, you can still use the bank card. It seems that only EP holders can do this, while those below EP cannot.
I have always suggested that those struggling with capital entry and exit in China can apply for Singapore's EP, but it is not necessary to live in Singapore. With SingPass, capital entry and exit are not an issue. A budget of $10,000 can generally ensure peace of mind. Of course, if you are willing to do this for your children's education, Singapore should be the best choice in Asia, bar none.
Overall, I personally think Johor Bahru offers the best cost-performance ratio, Ho Chi Minh City provides the best comfort, and Japan and Singapore are the top choices for family relocation.
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