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Wise for receiving money from abroad — avoid airport exchange

I receive freelance payments via Wise to my Mexican account. The airport exchange rate is terrible — I lost 8% once. Use Wise, Remitly, or your home bank's international transfer for anything over $200.

Mercado de Medellín for fresh food at local prices

I shop at Mercado de Medellín in Roma Sur twice a week. Fresh vegetables, meat, and cheese at a fraction of supermarket prices. Go before 11am for the best selection. Bring cash and a bag.

Facebook groups are the best source for expat-friendly rentals

Found my apartment in Roma Norte through the Facebook group Expats in Mexico City. 1-bed furnished for $800 USD/month, landlord spoke English and accepted Wise transfers. Much easier than local real estate agents.

Apply for OHIP health insurance on day 1 — 3 month wait

Applied for OHIP at a ServiceOntario on Yonge Street the day I arrived. There is a mandatory 3-month waiting period. During that time get private travel insurance — Manulife has newcomer plans.

Koodo for slightly better service than budget brands

On Koodo on Telus network for $45/month with 30GB. Better customer service than Public Mobile if you ever have a problem. Buy in-store at a Koodo kiosk — online deals are the same price.

Expect 2 months deposit plus agency fee upfront

Paid 2 months deposit plus one month agency fee plus VAT. Total upfront was nearly €8,000. Start saving before you arrive. Private landlords on Facebook groups sometimes skip the agency fee.

MEO has the best coverage outside Lisbon

Switched to MEO after NOS dropped signal repeatedly near Setúbal. MEO 20GB for €12.99/month. If you travel around Portugal a lot, MEO network is more reliable outside main cities.

NOS Iris plan is best value for data-heavy users

On NOS Iris 30GB for €14.99/month. Coverage is excellent in Lisbon and Porto but patchy in rural Alentejo. Manage via the NOS app. NIF required for monthly contracts.

The Thai tax system applies to foreigners who stay over 180 days

Thailand taxes residents (defined as 180+ days in the tax year) on income remitted into Thailand. Since a 2024 rule change, all foreign-source income brought into Thailand is potentially taxable — not just income from the same year. Register for a Thai tax ID (TIN) at the Revenue Department if you have taxable income. Digital nomads and remote workers should consult a local tax adviser (fees around 3,000–8,000 THB for a consultation).

Monthly MRT and BTS passes save significant money for daily commuters

If you take the MRT or BTS 40+ times per month, a monthly pass is worth it. BTS Rabbit Gold Pass for unlimited trips on one line is 1,350 THB/month. MRT monthly pass is available for specific route combinations. Single-journey cards are fine for irregular use but daily commuters pay 30–50% more without a pass. Buy at any ticket office — bring your passport for the first purchase.

Get a rechargeable water cooler — Bangkok tap water is not safe to drink

Bangkok tap water is treated but not safe to drink directly. Most condos have a communal water cooler in the lobby or sell 20-litre refill bottles for 10–20 THB. For your unit, a small desktop water dispenser (cooler/hot) costs 1,500–3,000 THB and refill bottles 20 THB each (delivered by most condo shops). Don't rely on 1.5-litre bottles — expensive and generates excessive plastic waste.

Use DDproperty or FazWaz for listings — avoid Facebook groups for long-term

DDproperty and FazWaz are the main reliable listing platforms for Bangkok condos and houses. Facebook groups exist but have a higher proportion of scam listings and unverified agents. Verify any agent's licence number on the website of the Estate Agents Act. Ask for the condo's juristic office contact — a well-managed building with an active juristic committee is worth a slight rent premium.

Buy your SIM at 7-Eleven for the tourist plan — fast and simple

Every 7-Eleven sells AIS and True Move tourist SIMs. They're in a rack near the counter, cost 299–399 THB, and are already activated. Staff just scan the barcode, you show your passport, done in 3 minutes. The plans are identical to airport and operator stores. Good for immediate setup if you can't get to an airport store counter.

Download the RabbitCard app and use it everywhere

The Rabbit Card is a stored-value card that works on BTS Skytrain, some buses, and hundreds of retail partners. Get one at any BTS station for 100 THB (50 THB deposit + 50 THB credit). The Rabbit LINE Pay app links to it for contactless payments and top-ups. Without a card you pay cash single-journey fares that are 10–15 THB more per trip.

The ATM fee situation in Turkey is getting worse — plan accordingly

Turkish ATMs from non-Garanti/İşbank/Ziraat networks now charge 25–50 TL per foreign card withdrawal plus your home bank's foreign transaction fee. Find out which Turkish bank your home card's network (Mastercard/Visa) has a partnership with and stick to those ATMs. For Revolut and Wise cardholders, Garanti BBVA ATMs have consistently been fee-free or lowest-fee.

The new M11 metro from IST Airport to Gayrettepe takes 35 minutes

The M11 metro line opened in 2023 and connects IST Airport to Gayrettepe (connection to M2) in 35 minutes for 42 TL. This is dramatically better than the taxi (250–600 TL depending on traffic and destination). Trains run every 15 minutes from 06:00 to midnight. Buy your Istanbulkart at the airport machines on arrival rather than using single-journey tokens.

Buy a water dispenser — tap water is not safe to drink in Istanbul

Istanbul tap water is treated but the old pipe infrastructure means it picks up contaminants. Virtually all Istanbul residents either use a water dispenser with refillable 19-litre damacana bottles or an under-sink filter. A basic dispenser costs 500–1,000 TL; damacana refills are 20–40 TL each (usually delivered to your door). Damacana services will give you the first bottle free when you subscribe.

Check for aidat (building fees) before signing — they add 1,000–3,000 TL/month

Aidat is the monthly building maintenance fee paid to the site yönetici (building manager). In managed complexes this covers security, cleaning, gym, and pool maintenance. In older buildings it might be 200–400 TL; in new complexes with amenities it can hit 3,000 TL. Always ask what the aidat includes and get the last 3 months of receipts to verify the building is financially healthy.

Data packages expire fast — choose monthly not weekly

Turkish operator data packages have confusing validity windows. Weekly packages look cheap but expire in 7 days regardless of usage — I burned through three in two weeks. Always choose monthly packages even if they seem more expensive upfront. Turkcell's Akıllı Paket and Vodafone's SuperTarife are the most transparent for unlimited options.

Set up a Turkish phone number in week one to unlock everything

You need a Turkish number with your YKN to open bank accounts, register apps, and receive government OTPs. Turkcell, Vodafone TR, and Türk Telekom all have foreigner-friendly SIM setups at airport stores or shopping centres. Bring your passport and YKN — some operators accept passport only for the first 3 months. Without a local number many services won't work.