International Living

In this special 30-minute video presentation, titled A Lifestyle For Everyone In Colombia, International Living Editor Suzan Haskins introduces you to the ins and outs of life in Colombia. She’s spent time in Colombia over the last several years and introduces you to the country she believes will soon rival all others on the expat “retirement trail.” You’ll discover why she believes this and learn about all the benefits Colombia has to offer, from low real estate prices and an overall low cost of living to its acclaimed healthcare system.

In over 30 years as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I have never seen the IRS take a more aggressive approach to invading the financial privacy of American citizens, at a personal, institutional and international government level. The U.S. government needs help to reduce the growing deficit and the IRS has been pressed to do its part. Add to this the successful collection of over $5 billion in back taxes, penalties, and interest from the 2009, 2011, and 2012 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Programs and it’s no surprise that the IRS has become more aggressive.

Every cliché you've heard about living large on little…about settling into the lap of luxury on even a retiree’s budget…is true in Ecuador. This is one of the world's most affordable places to live. Take $400 out of the ATM Monday morning…and your expenses are covered for the week. Looking to start a business? Raise a family in a more family-oriented, down-to-earth environment? Ecuador may be the perfect place for you.

Tinkling with bronze wind chimes and fragrant with jasmine, Thailand lies at the heart of Southeast Asia. Low cost, warm, friendly—this country has it all. But if you have a spirit of adventure, its appeal becomes enormous. You’ll find large communities of expats of all ages in Bangkok, in and around the highland city of Chiang Mai in the north, and particularly in seaside settlements such as Pattaya and Phuket. Most expats in Thailand are living a very nice lifestyle, indeed. One of the most exotic and diverse places on earth, Thailand is a country whose ethos seems to be combining pleasure with harmony. And whether you’re thinking of investing in a permanent home, a vacation home, or if you just want to enjoy an amazing break, it offers both value for money and a more-than-civilized lifestyle.

In 2014, International Living ranked Panama the number one place in the world to retire for so many reasons. Panama is not only the most sophisticated offshore haven in the Americas but it also has the best retiree benefits in the world. It also offers true First-World living at a fraction of the cost of back home, along with a huge variety of affordable real estate, and top-class health care. And that’s just the beginning… In Escape to Panama you’ll find 300 pages of property listings, details on cost of living, health care, banking, taxes, residence requirements, and maps…plus contacts to help you buy, rent, start a business, retire, and travel in this glorious country, if you’re seriously interested in Panama, this is the resource for you.