Zachary Strebeck. Originally from New Jersey, I lived in the Los Angeles area for over a decade prior to going nomad. Currently I’m in Bangkok, Thailand, but that changes often!

1. Why did you move abroad?
I have never really traveled in my life. I had never left the country, aside from a brief vacation in Costa Rica in 2008. So after law school and reading books like The 4-Hour Workweek and blogs like Tropical MBA, I decided to give the nomadic life a try. After a year and a half, I don’t think I want to go back to a sedentary life!

2. How do you make a living?
My main job is an attorney. I work mainly with game developers, but some of my work involves working with other types of Internet-based businesses. The bulk of my work is in drafting contracts, with trademark and copyright practice, as well. I also do some freelance blogging, mostly for other law firms. I also run two blogs, one on my law firm site (mainly for game developers) and another at A Lawyer Abroad, for bloggers and Internet businesses.

3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
Mainly, I use Facebook to communicate with friends and family. It makes it easy, because I can just post a constant stream of photos and status updates that keep everyone appraised of what I’m doing! Occasionally I do Skype or Facetime calls to catch up “face to face.”

4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in Thailand?
My favorite thing about being in Thailand? The cost of living is amazing. You can’t beat it, especially for someone who is starting their business online. Also, the city of Bangkok is really vibrant and cool. Growing up in a rural area in South Jersey and living for a long time in the outskirts of LA, I’ve never really experienced being in a city. I love it, and it’s probably why I’ve opted for Bangkok rather than the usual Chiang Mai destination. My other destinations (Singapore, Saigon, Tokyo, Chongqing and Kuala Lumpur) are similarly dense and exciting!

5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in Thailand?
The worst thing about being an expat in Thailand is the heat. Being from more seasonal or mild climates, I’m just not used to it. Luckily, I have air conditioning in my apartment, so I can just blast that at will. Outside, I’m pretty much sweating constantly!

6. What do you miss most?
I miss my dog, Sprocket, and my cat, El Guapo, the most. Family and friends back home are missed, as well, but the Internet makes keeping contact pretty easy, as I said before. I definitely don’t miss the ridiculous rents and food prices in Southern California, though!

7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
I use various apps and sites to find people to meet up with when I’m traveling. Just like keeping contact with home, the Internet and mobile devices make it super easy to meet new people. It’s kind of amazing - as a generally introverted person, this makes finding friends and dates much less daunting!

8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
I’ve spent the most time in Thailand, so I’ll go with that. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to putting ice in beer or drinking soda and water out of a bottle with a straw.

9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
Before I left home for Thailand in January 2013, family and friends were concerned about the dangers of being abroad. In particular, this was when there were lots of protests going on in Bangkok – very close to where I was living. However, I’ve found this city to be very safe, especially if you don’t make yourself look like a tourist. I feel safer here than some places I’ve been to in the US, that’s for sure!

10. Is the cost of living higher or lower than the last country you lived in and how has that made a difference in your life?
Absolutely. It has made it possible for me to grow a business from nothing, with no clients, into something that brings in a decent income while still giving me the freedom to travel.

11. What advice would you give other expats?
Don’t be afraid, but don’t be stupid. Learn to avoid getting scammed and how to fit in. Don’t only stay in expat areas – you need to get out of your bubble and experience how the “other half” lives. Meeting locals is a huge help when traveling, especially when you are nomadic, like me.

12. When and why did you start your blog?
I started my blog, A Lawyer Abroad, in November 2014, with the idea that I wanted to do a travel blog. After realizing quickly that the market is saturated, I pivoted in February into more of a legal resource blog for people who blog and run Internet businesses. Taking Christine Gilbert’s Blog Brilliantly course made me realize that, as one of the few digital nomad lawyers, I could help others in a similar situation to understand the legal issues that they face. Hopefully people enjoy the content!

Zachary's blog, A Lawyer Abroad

To find out more about living in Thaiand, refer to our

Guide to Bangkok

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