Move Overseas—and Watch the Crisis From Afar
I’m in the U.S. this month for my annual visit, and everyone here is apprehensive. There’s a lot to worry about.
Lee Harrison
Brazil’s Most Enticing Beachfront Buys—Where Property Starts at $32,500
I stood at the highest point on the island of Itamaracá and looked out over thousands of acres of lush, tropical forest.
For a property buyer, the best news is often bad news
There’s good news about bad news…especially when it applies to the international property market. Bad news and negative stereotypes often change the perceived value of an item whose intrinsic (or naturally inherent) value is basically strong.
A colonial home with 17 bedrooms and two courtyards for $85,000 in Uruguay’s heartland
Colonial homes for less than $50,000…dinner out with wine for less than $25 dollars…low taxes, honest people, and safe, sycamore-lined streets. That’s what you’ll find when you leave the beaches and venture into Uruguay’s interior. Gone are the jet-set crowds, the highrises, and the hot investment property markets. But in their place you’ll find a wholesome lifestyle, low cost of living, and a side of Uruguay that’s a polar opposite to the famous seaside resorts.
Don’t make my $36,900 mistake
How many times have you read these words? “…these opportunities won’t last long. If you want to take advantage of this incredible deal, you must act now!”
To Rent or to Buy: It’s Time to Change the Rules
There’s an old adage among those of us who write about retiring overseas that says “rent before you buy.” What it means is that once you’ve gone through the diligent process of selecting an overseas destination, you should rent first before buying a home.
Beachfront lots for less than $18,000 on Brazil’s Northeast coast
Hundreds of miles of dazzling, white-sand beaches surround the city of Fortaleza in the Northeast of Brazil. Its clear, tropical ocean waters maintain a year-round temperature of 80˚ F. Serving as the glimmering centerpiece for the state of Ceará, this capital city of almost three million people is now the number one tourist destination in Brazil. Fortaleza boasts its own beautiful in-city beaches, sizzling nightlife, and great restaurants.
A second home in the Caribbean for $60,000
“Colombia? Are you crazy? They hate Americans, and if you ever have to fly into Bogotá, the murder rate is one in 100.” “Are you ignoring the government warnings? I’ll be reporting you to the proper authorities in the State Department!”
Save dollars on your phone calls home
Many expats save big money on their overseas phone bills by using a broadband phone. Like PC dialers, which we discussed in this column last month, broadband phones use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. But otherwise, they’re a different animal.
Talk for free, wherever you are
When living overseas, one of the most costly items can be your long-distance telephone bill as you talk to friends and family back home. This month we’ll look at one low-cost solution, Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, using a PC dialer. Next month, we’ll cover broadband phones.