Also most American expats still have bills to pay in the US. Most of us keep our homes there too which require a mortgage payment and taxes.

And the big kicker that I mentioned above - Uncle Sam will take about 35% of that income in the form of federal taxes because even if you live abroad you still pay taxes. And if you are from a State that collects income tax and still have a home there - you will be paying tax to the State as well above and beyond the federal 35%.

So that figure is wittled away pretty quick therefore that 60K is not as good as it looks.