Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: The secret isn't a massive bank account; it’s geo-arbitrage. We sold 99% of our belongings in Canada to unlock our "nest egg" and moved to regions where the Canadian dollar stretches twice as far. By embracing "slow travel"—staying in one place for a month or more—you can negotiate better rates on villas and apartments, eat like a local, and significantly lower your daily "burn rate."

Answer: In 2026, a comfortable nomadic life for a couple in Bali costs roughly $4,000 CAD per month. This isn't "backpacking"; it covers a private villa with a pool, daily massages, private drivers for island tours, and world-class dining. Compared to the high cost of property taxes, utilities, and insurance in cities like Victoria, your quality of life actually increases while your expenses drop.

Answer: It starts with a "ruthless purge" and some imagination. We spent months sorting through a lifetime of possessions, keeping only what fit into our two small backpacks. We listed everything on Facebook Marketplace, and whatever didn't  sell was donated.  We transitioned our investments into low-maintenance ETFs and used local apps to handle logistics on the ground. Deciding to leave is the hardest part; the actual logistics are much easier than you think once you aren't tethered to a jobs, utilities, rent and/or mortgage.

Answer: Absolutely. Countries like Indonesia (Bali), Thailand, and Malaysia offer some of the best value for Canadians in 2026. You get access to modern healthcare, reliable high-speed internet, and a culture that is incredibly welcoming to everyone, especially seniors (or in our case "near seniors!). By staying 30 to 60 days in each spot, you avoid "tourist burnout" and actually get to know the community, all while spending significantly less than you would at home.

Answer: 

• The Pros: Incredible freedom, improved health from a tropical diet, cultural enrichment, and far less stress.
• The Cons: You will probably face "Bali Belly," or the equivalent at least once, the humidity can be relentless, and navigating foreign bureaucracies (like visas) can be a headache. It’s a "Technicolor" life—full of vibrant highs and perhaps, very occasionally in our case, an occasional low.  No more than back home, though 

Answer: During our first year, we are usinge specialized Expat/Nomad health insurance that covers us globally, which is somewhat affordable compared to private plans in North America, but still, for Canadians accustomed to quality "free" healthcare, it's still a bit of a shock to the system. We will review our needs for year two.  

For mail, we’ve gone completely paperless. Any paper correspondence that can't be digitised goes to a "virtual mailbox" service in Canada that scans it, shreds it, and emails us a PDF.

Answer: As a gay couple, we have happily escaped adding even more babies to the planet, but we do love our nieces and nephews. We’ve decided that the best gift we can give them is the story of two uncles who actually lived. We are currently on a mission to spend their inheritance on delicious satay, sunset cocktails, and memories. There isn't much money, anyway, and they are young, they have time to learn from us, follow our example, and save a few bucks for their own retirement adventures. 

Answer: Not at all. I travel with a simple Lenovo Chromebook, Alain has a MacBook Air (which I am a bit jealous of, partly because it's only half the weight of my Chromebook).  We each have an Android cellphone and tablet, a couple of universal power adapters and an unruly mess of cables.  The goal is to be light and mobile. If it doesn't fit in a backpack or the cloud, we don't need it. 

Answer: We have felt safer on the streets of Bangkok, Ubud and Kuala Lumpur than in our own quaint little town of Victoria, BC. The culture here has a deep, built-in respect for "elders." As long as you use common sense, look out for holes in the sidewalk, stay hydrated, and use reputable transport apps like Grab, it is incredibly safe. 

Answer: We miss our friends greatly, and a Motts Clamato-based Caesar occasionally, but the "Technicolor" life we’re living now is the cure for any blues. We plan to return to Canada for a short while in 2027, but for now, the world is our home and the horizon is our favourite view.  Also, in this age of wonderful tech, we can video chat our friends and watch the CBC news whenever we want.