This is the post where I reveal some of our expat-living secrets that have helped us make a cushie adjustment to living internationally. Most of these extras obviously aren’t necessary for life fulfillment, but they do make every day life a little sweeter 🙂 SOOO many people have asked me about these tricks of the trade, so without further ado, here is the much-anticipated scoop!
It all begins with this really really really fun gadget.
A Roku digital network media player
BUT…there’s a catch.
If you live internationally, you can’t access many of these programs., unless you have a VPN.
“What in the world is a VPN?!”
I’ll answer that in a minute. First, you need to know one thing:
Your computer has an address, and when you visit websites throughout the world, they KNOW where you live.
Okay, that kind of sounds freaky. Truthfully, they don’t know exactly where you live…but they at least know the general area you are connecting from, and they certainly know if you aren’t in the US.
Here are some of the small annoyances that have ‘kind of buggged’ as we’ve been using our computers in Mexico:
-When searching on Google the default search page is in Spanish, and the results favor Spanish
-We see ads in Spanish on Yahoo email, Facebook, etc
-We can’t watch Hulu (it’s blocked to international users)
– We can’t access our US Netflix queue (admittedly Netflix just opened here in MX recently, but their selection is VERY limited, and very different)
-We can’t listen to Pandora (kind of a staple, since we don’t own any good music. After all, why would we have bought music, when we could listen to Pandora for free?)
So, how does a VPN change that?
For a average user like me, a VPN makes my computer looks like it’s in America.
Simple as that!
I can now browse the internet and watch uninterrupted Netflix and Hulu from Mexico, Guatemala, Germany France…heck…even Bali (yes, I’ll have to test that out, someday)!
But not all VPN’s are worth dropping money on. I tried out two different VPN services which I wasn’t pleased with, and then I thankfully landed on Strongvpn.com. They are angels (literally, I think), with customer service that any business could learn from. They are now my go-to for VPN’s, and I couldn’t recommend them more “strongly”! For $55 a year, your computer can look American…
BUT…there’s another catch.
You see, I’m good at finding catches. Or, I should say catches are good at finding me.
A VPN only works on ONE device at a time (ouch–in our house my husband and I are both using computers at the same time!). Also, it’s pretty near impossible to set up a VPN on a network media device like the above-mentioned Roku.
So, I scoured the internet for another solution. I found none.
What I really wanted was a internet router with the ability to have my VPN on it. I was told that is nearly impossible, and takes a LOT of technical genius (I fall short) to custom-configure. I really wanted a router with a VPN on it, so that every device in the house would think it was in the US (iTouch, Nook Color, Kindle Fire, laptops, network media players, etc).
I finally told a Customer Service rep at Strongvpn what I was looking for, and he remarkably knew where to refer me.
Sabai Technology has the perfect solution!
Sabai builds custom modems with your VPN preconfigured on it…making a VPN as easy as plugging in a router to your modem. Easy, reliable, and fast! And their customer service is equally as awesome!
If a company has a great product but terrible customer service…I am not sold. However, Sabai has gone above and beyond the call of duty for me on several occasions in the past year. I’m such a big fan that I wrote a thank you letter to them, and now they use a photo of my husband and me on their homepage.
For real.
Yeah, it’s kind of embarrassing.
I’ve never met the Sabai crew, except for on Customer Service chat, but I am a big big fan. Believe me, Sabai Technology is worth a visit!
So, now we lead a cushie expat life watching Netflix, listening to Pandora, browsing the internet in English, and overall, acting like regular Americans…
Just sent this one to my husband, who takes care of all our techie needs. Thanks for sharing the info.
You’re welcome! Happy webbing!!
I’m the husband. Thanks for some very good info. But, hey! Your picture is on the Sabai website.
Erik, who are you the husband of? I admit I am confused!
Sabai asked to do a spotlight on us last Fall on their blog, and then they edited our photo and put it on their homepage this winter. At least it is a photo I like! Haha!
Nevermind…just remembered Rebeca’s comment, and realized you were her husband! Haha!!
I think I’ll by both of these soon. If I use the links will you get affiliate money. If so I’ll make sure to do that when I buy!
Awesome! And yes…thanks for clicking on our links. I figured if I’m spreading the word…I might as well get a reward for it! (although truthfully I’d share the info, anyways!)
So using that custom modem will let you use your VPN with Roku? I just bought a Roku and am moving to Merida in the Spring, and really want to use it down there.
Yes! Any device that is in the house that is connecting to the internet will connect through that VPN router signal. You will loooooove it!!
I am a bit confused…we are moving to beijing next month.
Do I need both products, the Roku media player and the Strongvpn. Are they easy to set up. My husband nor myself are to computer savy….
Any help would be appreciated!
Terrie D.
No worries about being confused about my blog post on vpn’s and network media players—I should have been more specific (I think I need to edit this post).
Yes–in order to watch the Roku (which has Netflix and many other features), your internet connection will need to look like it is in the US. This is achieved by purchasing a StrongVPN router, which plugs into whatever modem you have in Beijing! The Roku allows you to hook up to nearly any TV so you can watch things through the TV. However, if you want to watch things through your computer, you could simply set up a VPN on your computer only. But you won’t have the flexibility of a Roku with channel choices that go beyond just HuluPlus, Netflix, AmazonVideo, and listening to Pandora. We’re big fans!
So, just to review:
Roku-to watch programs and movies through your TV instead of your computer. Roku connects through a wi-fi connection, and that wi-fi connection will need to look like it is in the US
StrongVPN-You can purchase a VPN to make your computer look like it is in the US
Sabai Router – Sells a router that uses the above Strong VPN that you purchased, and makes your entire network of wi-fi-connected devices look like they are in the US.
Hopefully that makes better sense? Perhaps clear as mud!
Hello!
I thank you very much for these tips.
I live in Acapulco.
Can you tell me who can I contact at sabai in order to get the modem needed to install the vpn through telmex?
Thank you in advance!
Best Regards!
ESTEBAN