Nicole Brewer, a 43-year-old American expatriate, has embarked on a decade-long journey living abroad, with no plans to return to the United States. Brewer, who boarded a plane in 2012 with just two suitcases, has made Oman her home and is reveling in the new experiences that come with her international lifestyle. Her recent trip to Bali, Indonesia, cost her $2,630 on flights and hotels, reflecting her adventurous spirit and commitment to exploring the world.
Brewer's decision to live overseas has been driven by her modest cost of living in Korea and Oman, which has enabled her to travel extensively. During her school's winter break in January, more than half of her spending was dedicated to the Bali trip. Brewer has also visited India and the Philippines, countries she might have missed had she stayed in the United States.
"It's been very great. I wouldn't have stayed as long as I had if it wasn't a good life here," Brewer expressed, highlighting her contentment with her life in Oman.
Initially recruited to work for the education department in Korea, Brewer found support that helped her settle into her new surroundings.
"Fortunately at that time, being recruited to work for the education department in Korea, they helped set you up," she said.
Her financial situation reflects both accomplishments and challenges. While Brewer's credit cards are paid off, she still carries approximately $24,600 in student debt from her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. Despite this, she manages a salary of just over $40,000 a year and supplements it with side-hustle income.
In Oman, Brewer's main occupation is teaching English, earning her about $3,400 a month even during school vacations. Her lifestyle is further supported by spending about $70 or $80 weekly on groceries and maintaining investments of around $22,000 across stocks and cryptocurrency. Brewer also owns a condo on the South Side of Chicago, purchased with little money down, which would have strained her mid-$30,000 salary had she remained in the United States.
Brewer's life in Oman is fulfilling and peaceful, a sentiment she often shares when discussing her experiences abroad.
"You have to take the good with the bad. But overall, I do have a peace of mind living here because it's so safe and people are really kind-hearted," Brewer noted.
Despite the distance from family and friends back home, Brewer finds solace in the warm reception she receives from the Omani people.
"They welcome me. They say, 'Oh, hello, sister,' when I get in taxis. They call me sister like I'm one of them because I respect the culture," she remarked.
Cultural adaptation has been part of Brewer's journey. Adjusting to the conservative Omani lifestyle took time, and casual dating remains challenging. However, she consistently feels welcomed by the community.
"Even though it took a while for Brewer to adjust to the conservative Omani lifestyle — and casual dating is still a struggle — she says she consistently feels welcomed by the Omani people," an observation not attributed to anyone specific.
Brewer acknowledges that her experience as an American in Oman has been largely positive, noting minimal encounters with racism.
"I wouldn't say that I deal with much or any racism because I think it's more so, you're American — we take pride in having an American who loves living in Oman," she expressed.
Her aspirations extend beyond Oman. Brewer hopes to save enough to fund a semi-retirement in Portugal in the coming years while continuing to enjoy her life abroad. As an American citizen, she continues to pay income taxes in the U.S., balancing her international lifestyle with responsibilities back home.