Finally, Plan your Dream Life Abroad with
Guidance from the Clever Expat!

Achieve your expat dreams abroad… even if you don’t know where to begin!

Many people share the goal to retire abroad, but only a few succeed. Sorting through all of the retirement choices is difficult enough, but when you add your dream of living part of the year or full-time abroad, retirement planning becomes even more challenging.  

Could this be you? A true story:

I was recently in a Spanish consulate office in the United States to pick up my visa. I wasn’t alone. There was another couple there and a single lady, all of retirement age when I arrived. They were having a conversation about their experiences and plans after getting their visas.

The couple said that they had spent $15,000 to have their goods shipped to their Spanish destination. They planned to buy a home when they arrived. The other lady said that she had moved to Miami to be closer to the consulate. She said she planned to perhaps buy a home, but she was going to hire a full-time driver in Spain. She wasn’t sure what her final shipping costs would be, but she also expected between $15,000 and $20,000 to transport her items to her new home. 

None of them spoke Spanish. All of them had made significant life changes to become expat retirees.

When the visa official arrived to complete the visa process, the couple received their visas and passports and left. Then the remaining lady started a conversation with the visa official. “I brought my paperwork that the consulate requested.” (She had a large bundle of papers, along with a box of additional documents.) The official stated bluntly, “You need to mail those documents in. That’s what the directions said in our communication. I can’t take your documents.”

The woman was shocked. “But I have the documents right here. I can’t give them to you?” “No, you have to mail them in,” stated the official. “But I moved to Miami specifically to take care of tasks like this in person!” She was clearly surprised that the official was not going to budge. “The directions in the letter we sent to you were clear,” said the official. “Mail the documents in.”

The woman, defeated and clearly unhappy, left the office.

Learn how to avoid this type of stress… keep reading!

If you’re like most future expats, you need an expat roadmap to get started. With a roadmap, you can successfully navigate a number of crucial questions: 

  • How do you choose a place to live? 
  • How do you plan a life now that work has ended or is reduced? 
  • What are the things that will make you happy as an expat? 
  • What are you hoping to experience in another country? 
  • How will you determine how much money you will need to live? 

Each of these questions indicates a topic that often creates a stumbling block for people who want to want to become expats. Your answers (or lack of answers) can either derail your expat planning process. In the worst cases, your answers can stop your dreams in their tracks. It’s heartbreaking when people have to change their goals of living in another country because they can’t figure out all of the details. 

A little about my story

When I first moved to Spain from 2013-2015, I was in a completely different place in my life. (Here’s a link to my story.) When I returned to Spain in 2021, the world had changed, and so had Spain. The experience took me by surprise. I thought I knew what to expect, but I was wrong. 

Navigating healthcare, paperwork, and financial matters was almost impossible without help.

I mean, I had already done this once. I foolishly thought that my previous experience was sufficient. I knew people already, I had experienced many of the processes before, spoke some Spanish, and I knew the area pretty well. Over and over again, I learned that I was less prepared than I thought. I needed a lot of help to complete all of the steps to set up a life in Spain, from telephones to internet to healthcare.

However, with perseverance, patience, and a whole lot of language learning, I have been able to overcome many of the challenges and learned what other expats have faced. There are some common factors in every expat’s story as they look for retirement abroad.

  • Finances. Crafting a new spending and financial plan for another country takes time and experience.
  • Healthcare. Staying healthy in body and mind is important as you get older. Navigating a new health system requires different expectations and some new skills.
  • Paperwork. From passports to bank statements to healthcare letters, the paperwork requirements seem endless!
  • Arriving smarter. Building a new community and connecting with locals is a difficult challenge, but not impossible.

    Looking back on my first year living in Spain, I learned so much. Not every “lesson” was pleasant, and there were many hard decisions as I became more successful as an expat. I’ve also been able to help others learn about being an expat through personal conversations, my travel blog, and connections through friends.

    The CleverExpat.com website began with a meetup group in mind, but has grown to so much more. If you’re looking for reliable sources of information to make the transition to living as an expat, you’ve come to the right place!

    Discover the Clever Expat’s Course Selection

    The Clever Expat offers comprehensive courses that will pave the way for your successful expat journey.

    Our engaging and interactive online courses cater to individuals interested in living abroad, whether it be on a full-time or part-time basis. With a focus on key areas such as finances, healthcare, and expat paperwork, we address the essential components of international living.

    Each 90-minute session serves as a guided exploration of essential topics and tools. The goal is to empower you to plan and make informed decisions about your future.

    Embark on this transformative experience with us and unlock the secrets to becoming a clever expat!

    How do the courses work?

    If you are like most adult learners, you attend a course and then revisit it days, weeks, or months later to review the topics as you think about changes you want to make. The Clever Expat courses are a deep dive into living abroad.

    There are two types of courses: LIVE and EMAIL

    LIVE in-person classes are like attending a regular class, but you’re doing it from your computer or phone. You can see and hear your teacher and classmates, and you can participate in discussions and activities just like you would in a real classroom. This can be a great way to get personalized instruction and interact with other students.

    EMAIL courses are more flexible than online in-person classes because you can complete the work at your own pace. You’ll receive course materials and assignments via email, and you’ll communicate with your instructor through email as well. This can be a good option if you have a busy schedule or if you prefer to learn independently.

    So, which type of class is right for you? It depends on your individual learning style and preferences. If you like to learn in a group setting and you want the opportunity to interact with a teacher and other students, then an online in-person class may be a good choice for you. If you prefer to learn at your own pace and you don’t mind working independently, then an email course may be a better option.

    When will the LIVE sessions be held?

    LIVE online courses offer a unique learning experience that combines the benefits of traditional in-person classes with the flexibility and accessibility of online learning.

    • Each session will be held on a Saturday, from 10:00AM to 11:30AM Eastern Time.
    • All sessions will be recorded, and the recordings will be available for class members for one week (or longer if special arrangements are made with the instructor).
    • Sessions will be conducted via a state-of-the-art videoconferencing system.

    How do EMAIL courses work?

    EMAIL course materials are delivered over a five-day period, beginning on the day of enrollment. In addition to video links, each email will include a variety of resources to complete at your own pace.

    • Topic explanations reflecting the essential concepts and insights from current expat experiences.
    • Downloadable worksheets and resource pages, delivered right to your email.
    • Emails can be read and activities can be completed whenever it’s convenient, as many times as needed

    Our LIVE Event Courses

    LIVE Event
    Where to Start as an Expat

    Where do I start thinking about life as a full- or part-time expat?

    Course Objectives

    • Explore different locations with different economies
    • Identify why certain countries appeal to you
    • Plan a successful preview trip
    • Define your residency goals (part-time, full-time, periodic long trips or “slow travel”)
    • Learn a new language effectively with language learning tools to prepare for your move

    90-minute LIVE Event
    $97

    $49

    Click here to learn more!

    LIVE Event
    Financially Preparing for an Expat Life

    How do I structure my finances for a successful expat life?

    Course Objectives

    • Compare cost-of-living characteristics in your dream location
    • Develop an expat budget
    • Plan for unexpected expat costs
    • Expat considerations for taxes

    90-minute LIVE Event
    $97

    $49

    Click here to learn more!

    LIVE Event
    Expat Healthcare

    How do I stay healthy as an expat?

    Course Objectives

    • Consider your healthcare insurance options
    • Find information about personal safety and protection
    • Support your mental health as an expat
    • Learn from expats already in the area

    90-minute LIVE Event
    $97

    $49

    Click here to learn more!

    LIVE Event
    Getting Settled in a New Country

    How do I make friends and meet others as an expat?

    Course Objectives

    • Make friends as an expat
    • Find existing expat communities
    • Identify and avoid bad advice
    • Connect with locals in meaningful ways
    • Start in-person language training

    90-minute LIVE Event
    $97

    $49

    Click here to learn more!

    LIVE Event
    Your Possessions as an Expat

    How do I structure my finances for a successful expat life?

    Course Objectives

    • Decide what to keep, sell, give away, store or donate
    • Develop a strategy: Garage sales to estate sales and everything in between
    • Identify long-term strategies for living in a smaller space
    • Develop a replacement strategy in your new home
    • Consider options for renting out your home long-term (AirBnB, home-sharing, rental)

    90-minute LIVE Event
    $97

    $49

    Click here to learn more!

    LIVE Event
    Preparing Visa Paperwork

    What do I need to know to get a visa?

    Course Objectives

    • Determine whether you need a visa or not
    • Discover where to find visa requirements
    • Get help completing
      your visa paperwork
    • Prevent paperwork delays

    90-minute LIVE Event
    $97

    $49

    Click here to learn more!

    Our Email Courses

    EMAIL Course
    Your First Month as an Expat

    Once I arrive, what still needs to be done?

    Course Objectives

    • Continue with your visa paperwork
    • Establish banking and homefinding
    • Confirm your your residency
    • Obtain government-issued identification
    • Consider transportation around your new home
    • Identify emergency services

    One-week course emailed directly to you.

    $35

    $14.95

    Coming soon!

    EMAIL Course
    Expat Job Hunting

    How do I find a job as an expat?

    Course Objectives

    • Define your objective for a job (social connections, language practice, income)
    • Clarify your work style: Part-time, full-time, and distance
      work
    • Identify your skills and aptitudes
    • Understand the local job search structure
    • Evaluate visas, paperwork, and expat challenges

    One-week course emailed directly to you.

    $35

    $14.95

    Coming soon!

    EMAIL Course
    Learning a new language

    What will it take to learn a new language?

    Course Objectives

    • Find a learning resource

    • Develop good study habits

    • Address the big 4: Reading, writing, speaking, and listening

    • Plan your learning: What to learn first based on your expectations

    • Find conversation partners

    One-week course emailed directly to you.

    $35

    $14.95

    Coming soon!

    EMAIL Course
    Designing your Preview Trip

    What should I look for in my preview trip?

    Course Objectives

    • Explore living conditions and daily life
    • Gather information about residence locations and services
    • Advance your knowledge of the new environment
    • Reduce moving stress by understanding what’s available in your new home
    • Make connections before the move
    • Consolidate expectations about the new home

    One-week course emailed directly to you.

    $35

    FREE!

    Coming soon!

    What Others are Saying

    People have already learned through the Clever Expat meetups and online resources. After attending, participants feel much more confident in their knowledge and pursuit of the dreams to live abroad.

    Most frequently, participants indicate that they were able to save money and focus their efforts to make retiring abroad a success!

    Excellent materials and an engaging instructor!

    Dr. Wells provides excellent materials that clearly and thoroughly explain topics. Dr. Wells is an engaging instructor and the expat guide is an essential resource. 

    Maurice F.
    Traveler

    Save time, avoid barriers, and increase confidence

    Dr. Christopher Wells provides expert insights into the expat transition process. The information helps to save time, avoid barriers, and increase confidence prior to my expat journey. 

    John C. 
    Future Expat, World Traveler

    Always prepared; Kind and patient group leader

    Dr. Wells is always prepared. He is also a kind and patient group leader/manager. Our group is international, so people are logging in from multiple locations and time zones. We are very fortunate to have him leading the way for us!

    Jennifer C.
    Future Expat, Current Traveler

    Engaging, effective, and passionate

    Dr. Wells’ experience as a teacher and trainer – as well as an expat – shines brightly through as he guides us through discussions of each session’s topic. He’s engaging, effective, and passionate about the expat journey and helping us to plan then experience our best possible journey. 

    Adrienne H.
    Future Expat

    Don’t wait! Look at what past learners have to say after connecting with the Clever Expat!

    • This topic came at the perfect time for me. I literally had a mental ‘crisis’ about moving last night, and this discussion helped calm me down. 
    • I love that there are other expats to connect with before and after your relocation so you don’t have to do this alone!
    • Combined with the well-presented info and thought exercises during the presentation, as well as the above-and-beyond resources available on the website, I appreciate every time someone simply reminds me that this is possible! I’d like to think I’m beyond needing it, but nope – pep talks keep my motivation steady towards the goal of expat/remote work life!
    • I like that that there is plenty of time provided for people to chat as after complete topics.
    • You have broadened my view of moving to another country! I was in fairytale land before viewing this meetup. Dr. Wells, you have given a lot of information I haven’t considered.
    • Thank you very much, you have shared excellent ideas & I’m impressed you have actually DONE IT and made your expat life a reality!
    • One of the key ingredients for this group is Dr. Wells’ enthusiasm and willingness to entertain conversation.
    • I like the introspective questions that are part of the discussions. I like that relevant information and stories!
    • Hearing from other people, getting tips, the always excellent moderating skills of Dr. Wells.
    • The Visa information was extremely useful and easy to put into practice for my own expat journey. 
    • I really appreciated the discussion of the research necessary before making any decisions. Key lesson: Don’t wing it.
    • Yes! This was fantastic. Just what I was looking for.
    • Dr. Wells, I feel so very lucky to have met you. You have helped me so much in this journey and I can’t thank you enough. Doing my best to pay it forward!

    100% Satisfaction Guarantee for 30 Days following the course

    Choosing an expat lifestyle can be a difficult decision. We’ve designed this course to make those decisions simpler, and you more successful as you pursue your dreams.

    However, we also know that not every course is for every person, and you may not find the value that you expected.

    That’s why we are offering a no-questions-asked refund policy. If you are not satisfied with the materials, the presentations, or the overall experience, contact Clever Expat for a 100% refund for up to 30 days following the last course session. It’s that simple.

    I’m glad you’re here!

    I developed this course based on my years of experience as an expat and world traveler. Retiring abroad is a very realistic goal for many people, and I have spent years developing tools and teaching others how to live overseas. Whether your move is for work, personal reasons, or retirement, living abroad is a powerful opportunity to live your own dream.

    I admit that I am very proud of this course and so thankful for the community that supports me. I hope you will join me and the others who are on the journey to retirement abroad! 

    See you in class!

    Dr. Christopher Wells
    The Clever Expat

    Dr. Christopher Wells

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