👋 Welcome

Start Here — Find Your Path

New to Two Sheep Abroad? Here's how to find exactly what you need — whether you're just curious about the money, comparing destinations, or ready to make it happen.

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We're Clara & Fran — a Canadian couple splitting our time between Toronto and Kuala Lumpur
We retired early, sold our Toronto condo, and built a life between two countries. Everything on this site comes from that experience — the financial research we did, the mistakes we made, the things we wish someone had told us. All 30 guides are written specifically for Canadians: CPP, OAS, RRSP, TFSA, OHIP — the Canadian-specific stuff that generic expat guides ignore. Find us on Instagram @twosheepabroad.
Path 1 · If you're asking…
"What happens to my CPP, OAS, RRSP, and TFSA if I leave?"
Start with the financial and tax questions. This is where most Canadians begin — and where the Canada-specific details matter most.
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CPP & OAS
Can I collect CPP while living abroad?
Yes — but the withholding rate depends on where you move. 15% vs 25%, treaty countries, Form NR5.
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2
TFSA
What happens to my TFSA when I leave Canada?
You can keep it — but contributing as a non-resident triggers a 1%/month penalty. Contribution room freezes.
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3
RRSP & RRIF
What happens to my RRSP and RRIF when I leave?
Converting to a RRIF before departing can save $60K+ over 20 years. The full guide with withdrawal tables.
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4
Non-residency
How to become a non-resident of Canada for tax purposes
The CRA looks at ties, not days. What to sever, what forms to file, what changes.
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All topics
The Complete Canadian Guide to Retiring Abroad
Everything in one place — CPP, OAS, RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, OHIP, departure tax, CRA residency.
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Path 2 · If you're asking…
"Where should I actually go? What does it cost?"
You've accepted the idea — now you want to know where your Canadian pension goes furthest and what life actually looks like in different places.
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Rankings
Best countries to retire on CPP and OAS in 2026
Three tiers — where average pensions fully cover it, where you need a top-up, where you need savings.
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2
Real costs
What does $2,000/month actually buy in Malaysia vs Portugal?
Same week costs $149 in Penang vs $398 in Porto. The detailed, specific breakdown.
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3
Southeast Asia
Best cities in Southeast Asia to retire on a Canadian pension
8 cities ranked: Penang #1, Chiang Mai #2, KL #3. Scored on cost, healthcare, expat community.
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4
Budget reality
The hidden costs of retiring abroad nobody tells you about
Flights home, CPA fees, currency risk, visa renewals. The real annual hidden cost: $10–25K.
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All destinations
Compare all 20 retirement destinations
Full country guides — visa, tax treaty, costs, healthcare, and our honest verdict on each.
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Path 3 · If you're asking…
"How do I actually make this work day to day?"
You've chosen a destination. Now you need the practical stuff — banking, health insurance, money transfers, your Canadian home, and your driver's licence.
1
Healthcare
The Canadian retiree's guide to international health insurance
OHIP stops when you leave. What to get instead, what it costs, how pre-existing conditions work.
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2
Money transfers
How to transfer money from Canada to your retirement destination
Switching from your bank to Wise saves $700–$900/year. The services, costs, and timing strategy.
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3
Your Canadian home
Sell, rent, or keep your Canadian home?
The PRE shelters the full gain tax-free if you sell as a resident. Renting nets ~$700/month after costs.
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4
Banking
How to open a bank account abroad as a Canadian retiree
Country-by-country requirements — Malaysia easy, Portugal needs NIF first, Colombia needs Cédula.
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Path 4 · If you're asking…
"But will I be happy? Will I be lonely? Is it actually worth it?"
The questions no spreadsheet answers. Three years in, here's what we actually think.
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🐑 Most personal
What we wish we'd known — 3 years in KL
The first months are harder than expected. The family distance hits differently. And yes — we'd do it again.
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2
Social life
Is retiring abroad lonely? What Canadians actually experience
Some are lonelier abroad. Others find richer social lives. Who struggles, who thrives, and why.
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3
Before you commit
The retirement abroad trial run
A two-week holiday can't tell you what it's like to live somewhere. A two-month trial run can.
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4
The big question
Retiring abroad vs staying in Canada — the real comparison
A comfortable Toronto retirement costs $7,000/month. CPP and OAS provide $2,800. The full honest picture.
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All 30 guides

See everything — browse the full blog

30 in-depth guides organised by topic. Financial planning, destination deep dives, practical how-tos, and the honest human side.

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