Moving to one of the East and Southeast Asian countries might seem like a dream when observed from afar, but there’s so much to consider and pay attention to before actually taking the leap. Here’s how to live on your own in the Far East and survive long enough to tell the tale.
When moving overseas, there could be many more questions raised than how much money do you need to live on your own or how to move efficiently. Sure, budget, efficiency, and ease are necessary for anyone looking to move out, but going to some places requires a lot of preparation and research.
How to Live on Your Own and Make It in East and Southeast Asia
Out of all the places in the world, you got the chance to make one of SE Asian gems your new home. Before you begin gathering relocation essentials and booking relocation services with an international moving company, there are a few things you need to know.
When you do enough research, you can easily avoid more than just big trouble in Little China – you’ll be able to recognize relocation scams, choose the best packing services from movers, and head overseas without feeling like you’re making a big mistake.
The best way to move to the Far East efficiently and smoothly is by looking into their daily habits and etiquette. People in Asian countries are much different from those in the Western world, especially in the US, and you must be the first to recognize and admit that.
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So You Want to Leave Your Parents and Live in the Far East?
Your parents may not be happy that your first time leaving your childhood home is to go to the other side of the world; as a matter of fact, we’re also curious, what have they done wrong? Anyone asking the question of how can I live on my own with no money has never moved before and is likely to make a few relocation mistakes along the way.
To be the most efficient international mover, you should ask your parents for some financial help and support during the initial phase of settling into a new life and home. We know you want to be independent and need to establish yourself in the world, but international relocation isn’t cheap.
Even if they don’t support you, they’re your parents and love you either way – ask for their help and ease their minds whenever possible. And remember, you can always return home to them if things don’t work out in the East.
How Much Does It Cost to Live on Your Own in Southeast Asian Countries?
In some ways, moving to the Far Eastern countries is a nice answer to “What is the cheapest way to live by yourself?” As expected, most Southeast Asian countries are cheaper than the US, and you could find yourself on the well-off side of town when you go there.
However, overspending and being too ambitious and lax will only bite you on the behind one day, so be cautious of how and where you spend your money. In most Asian countries, flaunting one’s wealth and money is considered rude and inappropriate.
Prepare a budget, check the stats for your destination on Numbeo, and call international moving services to help you with some awesome moving hacks. Here’s one presented in a video – it’s how to calculate your budget and expenses while traveling around SE Asia.
You Might Have Seen Videos and Pictures of People Riding Scooters – Do It but Gain Some Experience First
Many SE Asian countries are known for the substantial amount of scooters on their streets. The traffic in many of these places is havoc and represents the true survival of the fittest. Sure, you might like to get car shipping services from your movers, but if you’re moving out for the first time, just know that driving around in a car won’t be that practical.
Before leaving, get a scooter license and ride around your neighborhood. It may not look cool, but not having a helmet is stupid. We’d rather be stupid-looking than in a cast.
Pay attention to traffic signs and regulations, butdon’t get shocked when some local breaks every rule in the book. With a high volume of traffic and scooters on the street, it’s better if everything’s going smoothly than by the book. Basically, don’t break the rules but do if it’s necessary. Does that help?
Living in Thailand Means Never Talking About Their King. Ever!
Pay close attention; this is crucial – when in Thailand, do not speak of the Thai King. Ever. That’s it. That’s the rule.
OK, well, that’s not exactly it. You’re probably curious to know why the King is a taboo topic among Thai people. With Thailand’s reputation, some foreigners may be surprised that this country has any taboos – but they have a lot.
The laws that forbid people from talking badly about the King are called lese-majeste and they’re strict. Thailand isn’t the only country with a monarchy and this obligation; Cambodia, Malaysia, and Brunei are on that list.
If you say anything that can be perceived as negative, you’ll get in major trouble. If you remember how easily words could get twisted in high school and rumors started spreading out of thin air, this is kind of like that, but with jail time at the end of the tunnel.
Generally, People Aren’t Keen on Discussing Politics and Old Times in Asian Countries
When some people move to another country, they feel as if they were born with a silver spoon and a super-intelligent mind. If you’ve ever stayed in a hostel while traveling, you must remember that one middle-aged American dude who knows everything about every country’s political and economic situation.
Just don’t be that guy. That’s first. Secondly, in some SE Asian countries, mentioning a past or present political situation may be rude. If you’re trying to make friends, that won’t be the way; stay respectful and classy.
You’ll Be Happy to Hear That Living on Your Own Expenses Will Be Easy Because Tips Aren’t Mandatory
If you need more convenient reasons to move to the Far East, you might be happy to hear that you can save money on food and drinks by avoiding tips. It’s true, while in Italy, tips are already included in the final bill, and there’s no way of avoiding them; in Japan, they’re not necessary.
A tip is considered compensation for a person’s hard work, but Japan is a country that’s been built on the principle that one’s job is paid well enough and one should appreciate the tasks. Getting added incentive feels almost insulting to them, so it’ll be nice not to try to calculate 20% of a bill every single time.
Don’t Leave or Refuse if Your Friends Offer You a Drink in South Korea
Another essential thing about Asian eating and drinking habits is never refusing drinks in South Korea. When you get hired at a corporate job, your co-workers will take you to a team-building experience at the nearest restaurant.
This isn’t just something you should go to, but it’d help if you were enthusiastic about it. Residents of South Korea immensely enjoy drinking soju and beer together and cooking pork and broths in groups. They also offer to pour drinks to each other as a sign of respect and will often place food on your plate to show that they care about you.
When a co-worker offers to pour you a glass of beer, don’t refuse it, it’s a sign of respect. You can even do the same for someone else, perhaps a senior.
When Eating With the Japanese, Don’t Leave Your Chopsticks to Rest In Your Food
Do you remember when you were a kid, your mom begged you to stop slurping your food? In most Asian countries, slurping is standard. You may be rejected by it at first but will start to slurp with the locals after some time.
Next to that, you’re welcome to eat with chopsticks and scoop rice and broth with a spoon, but whatever you do, don’t lay your cutlery down into the food. This is a sign of bad luck in many Asian countries, especially Japan and China. Instead, you should lay your chopsticks either next to the plate or on it.
Try Not to Create a Mess on the Streets by Pointing With Your Fingers or Using Your Left Hand
Using your hands freely isa double-edged sword in SE Asia and India. Avoid crossing them when talking to someone on the street (or even privately,) and never touch a person’s head. Don’t forget to add this to your relocation to-do list – don’t use your left hand to handle stuff and eat, and don’t use your fingers to point at stuff.
It’ll help explain why lefties have it so hard in Asian countries by taking their eating habits into account. In India, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia, people often eat with their hands – especially the right. Oppositely, they wipe their bottoms after doing the deed with the left. The left hand is considered a “toilet-only” utility, and it’s rude to do anything with it.
Also, pointing with just one finger is very inconsiderate. If you want to try to explain something to someone on the street, use your entire hand for it. Some people use their thumbs to point but avoid pointing fingers altogether and just make gestures with their whole hand.
Life on the Eastern side of the globe is so much more interesting, isn’t it? When you begin your new life there and happen to be left-handed, just do everything with the hand that’s harder to use. It’s not very good advice, but it’ll work for the time being.
Take Off Your Shoes When You Visit a Japanese Friend’s Home
While our moving tips will include packing your shoes, we think good socks are worth mentioning. If you don’t overthink about the socks you have underneath your awesome shoes, you will in Asia, especially Japan. It’ll be embarrassing to put on Sponge Bob socks when visiting a girlfriend, won’t it?
But, oh esteemed blog writer, how will she know I have Sponge Bob socks on? Well, when you visit her place, you’ll have to take your shoes off, Matt. In Japan and most Asian countries, taking off your shoes is mandatory when you go to someone’s house.
Shoes are for the outside world, and socks and slippers are for the inside. It’s hard to imagine why Americans wear shoes indoors in the first place; it’s simply more hygienic and respectful to a person’s house or apartment to be without them.
By the way, your potential partner should get bonus points if they love your Sponge Bob socks. Just saying.
Can I Survive Living on My Own in Japan?
Tokyo is in the top three most expensive cities in Asia, just next to Singapore and Hong Kong. So, buying an apartment here might not be worth it at first. Renting is one of the best benefits of moving internationally – you won’t be bound to a single residence and will discover other areas while you explore the city.
One of your main questions might be, “how much money do I need to live on my own in Tokyo?” While it may not be San Francisco when it comes to financial hardships, it’s one of the most challenging places to find yourself in Asia.
Some interesting facts about living in Tokyo are:
- Don’t be surprised if your apartment seems tiny – they’re all like that, and your storage service use may last a while because of it,
- Richer folk live in apartment complexes and have larger residences, but not excessively,
- No, the bed frame isn’t missing from your apartment – the Japanese don’t typically sleep on regular beds. In tiny spaces, they use mattresses that can sometimes be rolled,
- The toilet in Japanese apartments is always separated from other plumbing; it’s considered more hygienic,
- You’ll often find apartments with combined bathroom elements, like a sink and shower in one.
How Can I Start to Live on My Own? By Saving up and Learning About Your Destination
If you ask international movers, “Is it hard to live on your own financially?” they’ll all have different answers based on where they live. The first challenge will be to survive the harsh contrast of living in Southeast and East Asia compared to the US. As soon as you’re used to etiquette and standards, you’ll have a great adventure wherever you go.
What’s crucial is that you go easy on yourself at first, stay respectful, and ask a local to explain if you don’t understand what’s up. You can also join one of the numerous expat communities that exist abroad and allow them to be your spiritual guides through surviving Asian living conditions and rules.