expat readiness assessment
FREE READINESS AUDIT • EXPAT READINESS ASSESSMENT (ERA)

Moving Abroad Isn't Just About Money. Are You Actually Ready?

Most people obsess over finding cheap rent, but money isn't why over 65% of expats pack up and head home.

Run your numbers through our data-backed Expat Readiness Assessment (ERA) to uncover your blind spots across 7 critical areas before you book a flight.

Ready to start planning now? 

Explore The Relocation Blueprint ($149)

EVALUATE YOUR READINESS

7-Minute Assessment • Instant Results

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Hello, nice to meet you!

I'm Marco Sison

Founder ExpatEd & Nomadic FIRE | Best-Selling Author | 
Relocation Strategist

After leaving Fortune 50 corporate finance at 41, I spent the last 12 years living full-time overseas. I founded Nomadic FIRE to document the real financial math of living abroad, work that has been featured on HGTV, PBS, and Apple TV.

Most moves fall apart not because someone picked the wrong destination, but because they planned their retirement around vacation memories and outdated internet advice. I built ExpatEd to give retirees the verified data, financial planning tools, and real-world blueprints needed to make an overseas move a calculated success.

Customers served! 50 Clients Relocated
Customers served! 50  YEARS EXPAT EXPERIENCE
Customers served! 50 + countries scouted

OUR 3-STAGE METHOD

Relocating Abroad Takes Three Steps. Most People Start on Step 3.

Browsing real estate listings and panicking over visa rules is the fastest way to burn out before you leave. Here is the verified sequence that keeps your finances and timeline intact.

01

Step 1.
Check Your Readiness & Run the Real Math

Stop guessing whether your savings hold up. Stress-test your budget, healthcare runway, and lifestyle fit before committing.

  • Budget Stress-Test: Protect against real-world price and currency swings (EBAR)
  • Healthcare Bridge: Pre-Medicare coverage strategies
  • Lifestyle Strategy: Slow travel vs. seasonal living vs. full move

Includes: The Expat Readiness Assessment (ERA) + EBAR Budget Stress-Test + The Relocation Blueprint Course ($149)

Start Stage 1: Review the Blueprint

02

Step 2.
Pick the Right Country Using Hard Data

Stop relying on subjective "Top 10" travel blogs. Score and compare destinations against verified on-the-ground metrics.

  • 100-Point City Scoring: The proprietary EDGE Evaluation Matrix
  • Prioritize based on what matters most: costs, healthcare quality, safety, and tax exposure
  • Income Thresholds: Weed out countries where visa rules make them a poor fit

Includes: The EDGE Destination Evaluation Matrix & Country Guides

Pre-Order Stage 2

Best completed after you've finished Stage 1

03

Step 3.
Secure Visas
 & Execute Logistics

Hand off the paperwork and bureaucracy to vetted local legal specialists and plan your arrival.

  • Retirement Visas: Filing with verified in-country specialists
  • Banking & Domicile: Protecting US accounts and money transfers
  • 1-on-1 Strategy Calls: Direct access to vetted local partners

Includes: Vetted Local Visa Partners (Philippines, Thailand, Colombia, Croatia)

View Vetted Visa Partners
STAGE 1 FOUNDATION • SELF-PACED COURSE

Skip the two-year learning curve and the expensive rookie mistakes.

The interactive planning tools, healthcare evaluations, and proven step-by-step action plans you need to test your move before you risk your life savings.


What’s Included:

  • The EBAR Budget Stress-Tester: Get more accurate monthly spending estimates adjusted with real-world local inflation and currency data.
  • The ERA™ Readiness Assessment: Score your personal readiness across 7 research-backed dimensions, from financial preparedness to the hidden risks that derail most moves abroad.
  • The Expat Implementation Manual: Over 30 pages combining the Financial Apps & Tools Guide and the 12-Point Expat Escape Plan for choosing your first destination (over $20 value).

Format: Video masterclass + interactive planning tools + implementation manual

The Relocation Blueprint

$149 (One-time purchase)

  • Lifetime Access
  • Access to Our Private Community
  • Immediate Member Dashboard Access
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
 EXPLORE THE BLUEPRINT ($149) 


Marco interviewed on European TV news after advising European Union project to evaluate cost of living, local healthcare access, and residency feasibility for foreigners.

What They say about marco

”

“Sandra and Marco teach people how to retire early by moving abroad. How to get visas, how to choose housing. Taking their own advice is the ultimate test of their expertise.“

HGTV

House Hunters International

”

“Your crew has done a great job for me. Thank you very much.“

Full-service Philippines retirement visa processing and arrival for an American solo retiree with wheelchair accessibility requirements.

KIM M.

SRRV Retirement Visa Granted

 Client Relocated to the Philippines

”

“Marco showed a great ability to cut through a great deal of information and get to the bottom line. His financial background was very helpful."

David V.

Founder & CEO

Honest Expat Reality: Facts Over Travel Hype

The latest data-driven analysis on real-world cost of living, safety, and quality of life from our YouTube channel.

Search for 'cost of living in Montenegro', and you’ll find plenty of deceptive videos claiming a cheap Mediterranean paradise for $1,200 to $1,500 a month. After spending the last month on the ground running the actual numbers, here’s the short answer: not really. Sure, you can get by on $1,500 if you want to freeze in an unheated flat in a northern mountain village, never eat out, and pray you don't need a doctor. But for people in their 40s, 50s, or 60s looking for a comfortable Western standard of living near the coast, the real budget is closer to $2,000. That accounts for a proper year-round lease, not an off-season contract where the landlord kicks you out in June for a $200-a-night Airbnb guest. In this video, I break down what that $2,000 budget actually covers: long-term apartment leases, real grocery receipts, dining out, car expenses, and out-of-pocket private clinic visits. Then we look at the bigger picture. Using our EDGE Destination Evaluation framework, we audit Montenegro’s private healthcare quality, residency and visa options, daily livability, and personal safety. You get the hard data needed to compare Montenegro against established retirement and expat hubs worldwide before booking a flight or signing a lease. Get the ExpatEd Relocation Blueprint: 👉 https://link.getexpated.com/blueprint 🌎 Have questions about relocating abroad? Join our Expat Insights community for unbiased, real-world data from people who have actually made the move: 🔗 https://link.getexpated.com/expat-insights --------------------------------------------------------- TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The $1,500 Question (The Short Answer) 00:32 Montenegro Cost of Living (The Real $2,000 Math) 04:28 Healthcare Reality Check: Private Clinics vs. Hospitals 06:11 The Expat Community & The Winter Ghost Town Trap 07:54 Safety On the Ground: A Rare 10/10 Score 10:58 The Final EDGE Scorecard (56.25 / Niche Fit) 11:25 Who Should Move Here (And Who Shouldn't) ________________ WATCH NEXT: 🎬 5 Best Cities to Retire in Mexico: https://link.getexpated.com/best-cities-mexico 🎬 Mérida Mexico Cost of Living: https://link.getexpated.com/merida-cost 🎬 Stop Paying Gringo Prices: https://link.getexpated.com/stop-gringo-prices 🎬 Rent vs Buy Abroad (10 Reasons to Rent): https://link.getexpated.com/mexico-rent-vs-buy 🎬 Mérida Mexico Apartment Tours (4 Apartments + Prices): https://link.getexpated.com/merida-apartments ________________ HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR EXPATS MOVING ABROAD: 🏥 International Health Insurance: https://link.getexpated.com/international-insurance 🚗 Book Private Airport Pickup: https://link.getexpated.com/airport-pickup 👉 Subscribe to ExpatEd for data-driven destination audits: https://link.getexpated.com/subscribe ________________ CONNECT ON SOCIALS: • Website: https://getexpated.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcosison • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@expated • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetExpatEd
The Real Cost of Living in Montenegro: Is $1,500 Enough?
Is Mexico actually safe in 2026? We look at the data to separate reality from the news headlines. If you tell your friends you’re moving to Mexico, I guarantee they’ll ask: "But is it safe?" While the news paints the entire country as a "no-go" zone, expats in the Mexico—and the hard data—paints a very different picture. Today, we’re doing a side-by-side breakdown of Mérida and Querétaro. These aren't just vacation spots; they are consistently regarded as the safest cities in Mexico. We’re analyzing recent audited crime statistics to see which one truly offers the best "Safety ROI" for expats and retirees. In this video, you’ll discover: 📊 The Hard Numbers: Why Mérida’s homicide rate (2.0) is 6x lower than the national average. 🏭 Querétaro’s Industrial Engine: How a booming aerospace and tech sector creates a stable, high-security environment. ⚖️ The "US vs. Mexico" Paradox: Why you are statistically safer in the Yucatán than in many "safe" American hubs. 👋 The "Porch Strategy": A simple social hack that turns your neighbors into a more effective security system. ✅ The Final Verdict: Which city wins for infrastructure, climate, and peace of mind in 2026. 🕒Chapters: 00:00 Is Mexico Safe? The Question Everyone Asks 01:21 The Hard Numbers: Mérida vs. Querétaro Statistics 06:55 What Safety Feels Like: Daily Life in Mérida 10:12 Economic Stability: Security in Querétaro 13:22 The Reality Check: Comparing Mexico to the U.S. 14:15 The "Porch Strategy" for Expats 16:05 The Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose? 🌎 Do you have questions about living overseas? Join our Expat Insights Facebook group for real-world, unbiased truth from people who made the move abroad. Click below. Ask questions. Get answers. 🔗 https://link.nomadicfire.com/expat-insights ________________ WATCH NEXT: 🎬5 Best Cities to Retire in Mexico: https://link.getexpated.com/best-cities-in-mexico 🎬Mérida Mexico Cost of Living: https://link.getexpated.com/merida-cost 🎬Stop Paying Gringo Prices: https://link.getexpated.com/stop-gringo-prices 🎬Rent vs Buy in Mexico (10 Reasons to rent): https://link.getexpated.com/mexico-rent-buy 🎬Mérida Mexico Apartment Tours – 4 Apartments + Prices: https://link.getexpated.com/merida-apartments 🎬Mérida Neighborhood Walking Tour: https://link.getexpated.com/merida-tour ________________ HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES FOR EXPATS LIVING IN MEXICO: 🏥International Health Insurance: https://link.nomadicfire.com/international-insurance-quotes 🏥Travel Medical Insurance: https://link.nomadicfire.com/travel-medical-insurance 🔥 Cost of Living Calculation Methodology https://nomadicfire.com/cost-of-living-abroad 🚗Book Private Airport Pickup: https://link.nomadicfire.com/airport-pickup 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated! ________________ 📌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS: https://facebook.com/NomadicFire/ https://twitter.com/Nomadic_FIRE https://linkedin.com/in/marcosison https://instagram.com/getexpated/ ________________ Full disclosure: by utilizing the links provided in the description, you not only support the channel, as we may receive a commission at No Cost to you, but you also unlock exclusive benefits through certain links. Disclaimer: https://nomadicfire.com/disclaimer Hasta Luego from Mexico! 🇲🇽 #MexicoSafety #ExpatLife #RetireInMexico #MeridaMexico #Queretaro #MovingToMexico #ExpatEd #NomadicFIRE
Safest City in Mexico for Expats 2026: Mérida vs. Querétaro (The FINAL Verdict)
Mexico City was once the "Mexico's Go-To Expat Destination," but rising gringo resentment and 600% housing rental price spikes have changed the math on which city offers the best value for expats moving to Mexico. In this ExpatEd briefing, I’m breaking down why CDMX may no longer be your best move and which cities smart expats are choosing for better safety, lower costs, and a higher quality of life for retirement. The ExpatEd Mission: I'm Marco Sison. On this channel, we move beyond the travel vlogs to provide you with the Smarter Strategies and technical education you need to live your best life abroad. Chapters: 00:00 The Mexico City Wake-Up Call 01:15 Mexico City Protests & The "Gringo Go Home" Movement 02:22 The Real Math: 800% Housing Hikes 03:23 5 Best Mexican Cities for Expats 04:30 Querétaro: The Modern Safety & Business Hub 07:32 Mérida: Culture, Safety, and the "Heat Reality" 10:40 San Miguel de Allende: The "Ready-Made" Expat Oasis 13:18 Guanajuato: Authentic Living on a Budget 15:48 Puerto Vallarta: The Seasonal Resort Lifestyle 18:37 ExpatEd Test: Which City Passes Your "Mirror Test"? 🌎 Do you have questions about living overseas? Join our Expat Insights Facebook group for real-world, unbiased truth from people who made the move abroad. Click below. Ask questions. Get answers. 🔗 https://link.nomadicfire.com/expat-insights ________________ WATCH NEXT: 🎬Mérida Mexico Cost of Living: https://link.getexpated.com/merida-cost 🎬Stop Paying Gringo Prices: https://link.getexpated.com/stop-gringo-prices 🎬Rent vs Buy in Mexico (10 Reasons to rent): https://link.getexpated.com/mexico-rent-buy 🎬Mérida Mexico Apartment Tours – 4 Apartments + Prices: https://link.getexpated.com/merida-apartments 🎬Mérida Neighborhood Walking Tour: https://link.getexpated.com/merida-tour ________________ HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES FOR EXPATS LIVING IN MÉRIDA: 🏥International Health Insurance: https://link.nomadicfire.com/international-insurance-quotes 🏥Travel Medical Insurance: https://link.nomadicfire.com/travel-medical-insurance 🔥 Cost of Living Calculation Methodology https://nomadicfire.com/cost-of-living-abroad 🚗Book Private Airport Pickup: https://link.nomadicfire.com/airport-pickup 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated! ________________ 📌 FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS: https://facebook.com/NomadicFire/ https://twitter.com/Nomadic_FIRE https://linkedin.com/in/marcosison https://instagram.com/getexpated/ ________________ Full disclosure: by utilizing the links provided in the description, you not only support the channel, as we may receive a commission at No Cost to you, but you also unlock exclusive benefits through certain links. Disclaimer: https://nomadicfire.com/disclaimer Hasta luego from Mexico! 🇲🇽 #MexicoExpat #RetireInMexico #LivingInMexico #DigitalNomadMexico #ExpatLife
Why Expats Are Leaving Mexico City: 5 Better Places to Retire in Mexico
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A botched move costs tens of thousands. Getting it right costs $149

You don’t need another six months of scrolling expat groups or watching travel vlogs that skip the hard realities. Get the interactive financial tools, healthcare evaluations, and step-by-step roadmaps to protect your retirement savings before you book a one-way ticket.

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