What Kind Of Person Becomes An Expat?

Have you ever wondered whether being an expat could be right for you? Some people wouldn’t think of leaving their home country—and would prefer to stay there for the rest of their lives—but others have the qualities and mindset that make them perfect candidates for an expat life. 

I am a Canadian living in Panama, but my curiosity and eagerness to explore the world have led me to visit over 100 countries and live in nine, including Australia, Singapore, and the UAE. Even though this long journey has had its challenges—and occasional homesickness—I’ve grown a lot as a human being and a businessman. Indeed, this experience has given me a ton of boots-on-the-ground knowledge to become an expat consultant and help others relocate abroad successfully. 

In this article, I’ll discuss nine qualities that make someone a potential expat, from a burning desire for freedom to financial savviness and a vision for the future. How many of these nine signs resonate with you? Let’s find out together!

9. CURIOSITY ABOUT THE WORLD

Curiosity is fundamental to an expat’s journey. In places like the US, Canada, and Europe, we’re often led to believe that our home countries exemplify the pinnacle of success while the rest of the world is dismissed as somewhat unworthy. But is that really the case?

Potential expats go beyond the simple mythology of their homeland, aiming to discover and immerse themselves in new cultures. Have you ever felt curious about a foreign friend’s country, traditions, and language? If you’ve got a foreign spouse, you know about this firsthand. That’s my case, as my wife is from China!

As a potential expat, all these cultural exchanges encourage you to travel the world and deeply explore new people and places. Rather than seeing cultural differences as barriers, you consider them opportunities to grow. I won’t deny that you may experience culture shock from time to time, but that’s part of the journey—and it will help you explore the edges of your comfort zone. 

Imagine taking tango classes in Argentina, eating asado in Uruguay, or celebrating the Chinese New Year in Singapore. These opportunities expose you to different worldviews, traditions, and ways of life.

8. INDEPENDENCE

Moving abroad is never easy. Imagine leaving your house, friends, and family. If you’ve lived in the same country for years, starting fresh in a new country without a built-in support network can be quite a challenge.

Picture all your daily tasks, from grocery shopping to ordering at a restaurant, in a new language. Figuring out these situations might take some time, but feeling uncomfortable is okay. That means you’re growing and doing your best to adapt to a new environment. Key traits to navigate these situations include resourcefulness, self-reliance, and problem-solving skills—all of which you already have if you’ve previously built a business! 

You'll likely excel in this environment if you’re a critical thinker who can adapt and solve problems independently. Chances are you won’t figure it all out in the first sitting, but your problem-solving skills and willingness to learn will be excellent tools to adapt to a new country.

Resilience and flexibility are what set successful expats apart; It's about embracing change, adapting fast, and finding growth in every challenge along the way

7. RESILIENCE

Expat life can be rewarding, but it’s rarely a fairytale. A new country often comes with new challenges, like a completely different culture, lots of red tape, and language barriers. Getting accustomed to a new country’s government and rules might be difficult, but if you explore the local language and culture in advance, like I did, you’ll be off to a better start than most expats. 

The ability to handle challenges and bounce back separates successful expats from those who give up early and return home. As the saying goes, “Nothing lasts forever,” and the same applies here. If you’re patient and kind to yourself while adapting to your new home country, you’ll experience a successful move sooner rather than later. 

If you thrive despite setbacks, you're likely built for the expat life. Resilience is not about avoiding difficulties but making progress due to the lessons they teach you. 

6. FLEXIBILITY

Living abroad always involves many twists and turns, but flexibility will help you navigate them gracefully. In a new country, you’ll probably need to adjust to new cultural norms, change how you work, or even rethink your daily habits. 

Maybe the climate is entirely different from that of your home country, the concept of punctuality is more relaxed than you’re used to, or the local food is unlike anything you’ve tried before. These changes might shake up your world, but if you embrace them, you’ll adapt and grow as a person. 

If you see new situations as opportunities to thrive in new environments, expat life might be for you. Flexibility and resilience are key to adapting to your new surroundings, so prepare to think on your feet and be open to finding beauty in the unfamiliar. 

5. A DESIRE FOR FREEDOM

A burning desire for freedom might be the strongest motivator for many expats. Chances are you know someone who, tired of their 9-to-5 job, decided to become a digital nomad to explore the world—and that might even apply to you!

Let’s face it: not everyone wants the white picket fence and a corporate job. Some of us prefer a more globetrotter lifestyle that allows us to travel the world and, most importantly, live on our own terms. If you seek more personal, financial, and geographic freedom, the expat lifestyle might be the right choice for you. 

Imagine working from your laptop in a low-expense country like Paraguay or the Philippines while continuing to earn like you used to back home. This is called “geographic arbitrage.” A laptop and an internet connection are all you need to make a living, and you can freely live in a country where your money goes further than it did where you came from. 

4. FINANCIAL SAVVINESS

Financial savviness is closely related to a desire for freedom. Over the last few years, the cost of living in major Western countries has skyrocketed. However, with the rise of remote work, many people are taking the opportunity to live abroad at a lower cost.

If you plan your finances carefully while dreaming of saving more and paying low or no taxes, becoming an expat might be the right choice. Imagine making the same amount of money but having more disposable income. Moreover, in some countries like Nicaragua and Paraguay, you can pair lower living expenses with territorial taxation, meaning that foreign-earned income is not subject to taxes. 

Successful expats tend to be resourceful, adaptable, and disciplined with their money. You don’t need to be wealthy, as many expats find that by relocating to lower-cost regions, they can live more comfortably than they did back home. It’s all about leveraging your resources to create a better quality of life while remaining financially secure. 

Successful expats bet on themselves; they take calculated risks and move purposefully. It’s not just about escape; it’s about building a life with long-term vision and unstoppable intent

3. RISK TOLERANCE

Becoming an expat and moving abroad is not for the faint of heart. It’s for those willing to take calculated risks. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to leave everything behind without knowing where you’re going. The point is that you can plan all you want, but some risks are unavoidable. 

You might wonder whether you’ll like your new country, how smooth the visa process will be, what the food and people will be like, and many other questions. It’s completely natural to feel this way. What sets expats apart from others is their adaptability to unfamiliar situations. Successful expats thrive in new environments, even if there are a lot of unknowns. 

Come to think of it, every reward in life comes with some level of risk. Some prefer not to risk anything by staying in their home country, but you might be willing to risk it all by moving abroad. The question is, are you ready to bet on yourself? If so, being an expat might be for you! To ensure your success and minimize risks, contact a qualified expat consultant to walk you through the process. 

2. A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Expats take the saying “Seize the moment” with a grain of salt. If you’ve got a family, chances are you want the best for your kids, spouse, and loved ones. That’s why one of the most defining traits of successful expats is their long-term vision. 

Successful expats don’t move just for the sake of moving. They’re after a better lifestyle, offering their kids more opportunities, or even building a Plan-B to protect against political or economic instability. Expats typically have a clear reason why they want to relocate. For instance, I established myself in Panama, where I pay little to no taxes, enjoy a relatively affordable cost of living, and can easily travel around the world. Additionally, one of my children has Brazilian citizenship, while another has Chilean citizenship, which will help them secure more opportunities in the future. 

This long-term vision helps expats stay grounded during hard times and gives them a sense of purpose. Without a guiding vision, it’s easy to feel lost in a new environment. If your “why” is strong enough, you’ll be more likely to secure a successful life abroad. 

Expats don’t thrive alone, and they grow through connection. Community-minded individuals know that building freedom is easier (and better) when the right people surround you

1. COMMUNITY-MINDED

Independence is crucial, but let’s not forget that your network is your net worth. Having contacts is always a must, as no one thrives alone forever. Expats tend to seek out like-minded people who share their journey. 

Being community-minded means being open to forming connections, sharing experiences, and learning from others, especially those who’ve walked the path you want to walk. The global expat community is full of people eager to offer advice and inspiration. If you love building new relationships, you’ll thrive as an expat. 

CONCLUSION: ARE YOU READY?

If you resonate with these qualities, the expat life could be your next great adventure. The world is full of opportunities, so why not take the leap? Moving abroad has its challenges, but the rewards can be massive. Reflect on how you are as a person, and you might discover that the expat lifestyle is the right fit for you!

If you found value in this article and are serious about building a successful offshore plan, you'll find even more information in my free newsletter and receive a copy of my ‘Plan-B Residencies and Instant Citizenship’ special report.