The Potato of Tears
Almost as soon as my wife Suzan and I moved to the little craft village in Ecuador’s northern Andes Mountains that we now call home, we learned about potatoes. That’s only natural—potatoes evolved in South America.
Dan Prescher
What Only IL Readers Know About Living Overseas
As the costs of healthcare, utilities, taxes, and food continue to rise in North America, the idea of retiring abroad is gaining traction. International Living has been talking about saving money by moving abroad since before the internet…for 36 years, in fact.
My Imperfect Spanish Enriches My Life Abroad
When my wife, Suzan, and I first became serious about moving abroad, one of the first things we did to prepare was take some basic Spanish lessons at the local community college.
There’s Always More to Learn About Panama
With another Fast Track Panama Conference under our belts, I'm amazed once again by the appeal and the staying power of this magical country for U.S. and Canadian expats. I get to come here every year for our Fast Track conference, and I've heard many of our presenters, experts, and expats tell their stories of life in Panama before. But sure enough...with an audience of several hundred folks soaking up the information and opinions about retirement in Panama for the first time...it's almost as if I'm hearing it for the first time myself.
Enjoy Life from Outside the Political “Bar Fight”
When my wife Suzan and I first moved abroad in 2001, it was a time of extraordinary political turmoil in the U.S. Or so we thought at the time. Now, after 15 years of following our homeland’s political hubbub from various beautiful, affordable, and relaxed locations overseas, it seems to us that the U.S. political system is never not in turmoil.
The Key to a Safe Retirement Overseas
As exciting and adventurous as the idea of moving abroad can be, it sometimes packs a little zing of anxiety with it. It’s the anxiety you feel when you wonder how safe you’ll be in a foreign country. It’s a perfectly natural feeling. Safety— for ourselves and our loved ones—is one of our most basic needs. None of the other benefits of living abroad mean much to us if we don’t think we’ll be safe in our new home.
Trust Your Gut to Guide the Way
Take a second right now and pat your stomach. Seriously. Just put your hand on your navel and give your belly a nice little pat. Your hand is resting on the most important tool for telling if a retirement destination is right for you. It’s your gut. And if you’re wondering where to make that move, you’re holding one of the most powerful tools for making the right decision in your hands: your January issue of International Living.
Traveling the Monkey Road in Costa Rica
The year was 1997, and my wife, Suzan, and I had just gotten married in a civil service at the Hotel Don Carlos in San Jose, Costa Rica. She remembers that it was my idea, and I remember that it was hers. But whoever thought of it turned out to be a genius, because it set the travel bar pretty high for the rest of our lives.
Costa Ricans Have Life Figured Out
There’s something about Costa Rica that just makes you think they have the whole lifestyle thing figured out. While every other country in the Western Hemisphere is trying to come up with a snappy marketing slogan to draw investment and tourism, Costa Rica just says “Pura Vida” (“Pure Life”) as they’ve been doing for years. It isn’t even a marketing slogan per se…Costa Ricans actually say it all the time—and they mean it.
A Nomadic Retirement is Easier Than Ever
Back in 2001, my wife and I decided to leave the cold climate of Nebraska behind and embark on an epic adventure to find our perfect retirement destination. We traveled to several different countries in search of our dream home, creating incredible memories in the process and opening our eyes to the immense possibilities that living abroad has to offer. On our travels, we enjoyed new food, new locations, made new friends, and lived the kind of happy, healthy retirement few could dream of just a few short decades ago.