Five countries · one family decision
Find the Southeast Asian country that fits your actual life
Compare five places families often shortlist — with school fees, visa requirements and the journey home included. Beaches are lovely. A workable Tuesday morning matters more.
Before you compare countries
Three questions to answer before choosing a country
Start with school
School location and fees often shape the city, neighbourhood and monthly budget more than anything else. Shortlist schools before falling in love with a postcode.
Check the visa options for everyone
A visa that works for one remote-working parent may not cover the whole family. Check dependant options, work rights, renewals and possible tax-residence implications early.
Build a realistic family budget
Solo-traveller budgets leave out many of the costs parents need to plan for. Our ranges include international school because it is often one of the largest family expenses.
The quick comparison
Compare the five destinations at a glance
Figures last verified: Aug 2026
| Destination | Family cost per month | Grade | Journey from London | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | £2,000–£4,600/moincl. international school | Family grade A− | ~11½–12½ hrsnon-stop to Bangkok6–7 hours ahead | Moderate |
| Malaysia | £2,000–£4,700/moincl. international school | Family grade A | ~13–14 hrsnon-stop to Kuala Lumpur7–8 hours ahead | High |
| Vietnam | £2,000–£4,700/moincl. international school | Family grade B+ | ~11¾–13 hrsnon-stop to Hanoi or HCMC6–7 hours ahead | Lower |
| Indonesia (Bali) | £3,100–£5,500/moincl. international school | Family grade B+ | ~16–19 hrsusually 1 stop7–8 hours ahead | Moderate–high in Bali hubs |
| The Philippines | £1,600–£4,000/moincl. international school | Family grade B | ~15–18 hrsnon-stop or 1 stop to Manila7–8 hours ahead | Very high |
Costs are indicative ranges for a family of four with one or two children in international school. Display-currency conversions use ECB reference rates from 31 Aug 2026. They are planning figures, not quotes; transfer-provider rates and charges differ.Journey examples use London because GBP is selected. They are indicative ranges from that representative gateway; your home airport, route, connection and travel date can change them. Time differences are current and may move with daylight-saving changes.
Country by country
A first look at each destination
Use these summaries to decide which detailed country guides to read first.
- Family grade A−
Thailand
The established choice — deepest expat-family infrastructure in the region, but the visa system is a genuine maze and Bangkok/Phuket costs climb fast.
Bangkok · Chiang Mai · PhuketRead the family guide - Family grade A
Malaysia
The value pick — excellent English, strong British-style schools at a fraction of KL-vs-Singapore prices, and Penang is a genuine family hub. MM2H's cost jump is the catch.
Kuala Lumpur · Penang · Johor BahruRead the family guide - Family grade B+
Vietnam
The most affordable comfortable life in the region, and Da Nang is a rising family favourite — but the visa picture is the weakest of the five and English is less common.
Ho Chi Minh City · Da Nang · HanoiRead the family guide - Family grade B+
Indonesia (Bali)
A ready-made international family community and a lifestyle that sells itself — but journeys can be long or multi-leg, costs are rising in Canggu, and visa categories need current-code checks and careful planning.
Sanur · Ubud · CangguRead the family guide - Family grade B
The Philippines
The English-speaking wildcard — English is widely used, family culture is a major strength and daily costs can be low, but expat-family infrastructure is thinner and some long-haul journeys involve a stop.
Manila · Cebu · DumagueteRead the family guide
From comparison to a decision
Keep all five destinations on the same fair framework
The Family Move Planner includes a dedicated decision brief for Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bali and Indonesia, and the Philippines—plus one workbook for comparing your family's evidence and costs.
£39one-time digital purchase
Common questions
Choosing a destination: the practical questions
Which Southeast Asian country is best for a family?
There is no universal winner. Malaysia currently has the strongest all-round SettleHappy grade, while Thailand offers the deepest established expat-family infrastructure. Vietnam, Indonesia (Bali) and the Philippines can be better fits when lifestyle, language or budget priorities outweigh particular visa, travel or infrastructure trade-offs.
Do your monthly figures include international school?
Yes. They describe a comfortable monthly budget for a family of four with one or two children in international school. The lower end generally reflects one child, a more affordable city and a mid-tier school; the upper end reflects two children, a premium city or a higher-fee school.
Why are the cost ranges so wide?
Because school fees, housing and city choice vary sharply. A single tidy average would hide the decision that matters most. The range is deliberately broad and should be treated as a planning starting point, not a quote.
Are the family grades objective?
They are consistent editorial assessments, not scientific measurements. Every destination is judged using the same seven family factors, with cost, schools, visas and healthcare treated as the most important. The full method is published on the How we score page.
Why do you call the Bali page Indonesia (Bali)?
Bali is a province of Indonesia, not a country. Our lifestyle, school and cost coverage focuses on Bali, while visa, immigration and tax information is correctly attributed to Indonesia.
Should we choose a country before choosing a school or visa?
Usually not. Check the visa options, shortlist realistic schools, build the resulting budget and then compare cities. A destination only belongs on the shortlist if all four parts work together.