Resources
The boring tools that keep a move from becoming chaos.
Health insurance, banking, phones, housing, mail, and admin are not exciting. They are the things that break a move when you leave them vague. Some links may be affiliate links; we only list things we would compare for our own move.
Health insurance
Compare before you moveCigna Global
Cigna Global is the premium comparison point for families who expect to live abroad long-term and want a configurable international health plan rather than short-trip travel insurance.
SafetyWing
SafetyWing is built around nomads and remote workers. It is easier to start than traditional expat insurance, but families should read the limitations carefully before relying on it as a long-term health plan.
Genki
Genki is a useful comparison point in the nomad insurance category. It may fit mobile adults better than families who need robust routine care, maternity, or pediatric planning.
Money and banking
Move money across bordersWise
Useful for moving money between US accounts and overseas expenses without getting wrecked by bank wire fees. Before relying on it, check supported countries, transfer limits, debit-card rules, and whether your destination bank plays nicely with Wise.
Remitly
Worth comparing if you need to send money to family, contractors, or local accounts while abroad. Check destination coverage, delivery speed, recipient pickup options, limits, and exchange-rate spread before using it for a move.
Revolut
Useful as a travel-friendly spending and multi-currency account, but do not treat it as your only bank. Verify availability for US customers, account protections, ATM limits, card replacement rules, and destination-country support.
Phone and connectivity
Stay online from day oneAiralo
Useful for landing with data before you have a local SIM. Check whether the eSIM supports your exact phone, destination, hotspot needs, and whether it is data-only or includes calls and SMS for verification codes.
Holafly
Worth comparing when you want a simple unlimited-data eSIM for the first days abroad. Read the fair-use limits, hotspot restrictions, speed throttling, and refund rules before counting on it for family logistics.
Nomad
Useful for regional eSIM plans if you are scouting multiple countries before choosing where to settle. Verify coverage maps, expiration windows, data rollover, and whether customer support is fast enough if activation fails.
Housing and stays
Land somewhere firstAirbnb
Useful for a first month while you learn neighborhoods, commute times, grocery access, and noise levels before signing a lease. Check monthly discounts, cancellation terms, kid-friendly setup, washer/kitchen details, and whether the host allows longer stays.
Agoda
Strong for Asia hotel and serviced-apartment inventory when you need a short landing pad. Compare total price after taxes, cancellation terms, family room rules, location, reviews, and whether the property is realistic for remote work.
Booking.com
Useful for flexible short stays during scouting trips or arrival week. Check free-cancellation dates, apartment amenities, child policies, deposits, and whether the listing has enough recent reviews to trust it.
Admin and compliance
Keep life running back homeTraveling Mailbox
Useful if you need US mail scanned while abroad instead of depending on family to open envelopes. Verify address type, bank/IRS compatibility, scan fees, check deposit options, forwarding costs, and state-specific rules.
Anytime Mailbox
Worth comparing for virtual mailbox coverage and local address options before leaving the US. Check whether the address works for banks, government mail, business filings, package forwarding, and how quickly scans are processed.
Expat tax services
US citizens usually still have tax obligations while abroad. Before hiring anyone, verify their experience with FEIE, foreign tax credits, FBAR/FATCA, state residency, business income, and family-specific filing issues.
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