Keep in touch by phone
Most expats will find that they need to maintain some presence in their country of origin, and often do this by setting up a “virtual” home-country address via a mail forwarding service.
Lee Harrison
Bringing the Appliances
Many countries have expat-friendly immigration policies, which include the ability to import your household effects duty-free. This makes it feasible to bring your American-made appliances, which are generally of better quality and lower cost than their counterparts elsewhere in the world. Here in Uruguay for example, clothes dryers are almost unheard-of, and dishwashers and washing machines are small and expensive.
The Honduran mainland–a mixed-bag of Caribbean beachfront, cloud forest retreats, and lush valley hideaways
Obediently, we raise our hands as the guard at the door frisks us. Once again, we stand out as visitors, as we have no pistol to hand over.
Adios Central America…hello Caribbean
The twin-turboprop, Czech-made Let aircraft skimmed just above brilliant turquoise waters as we made our final approach to Roatan.
Does Corruption affect the expat?
In this morning’s local paper, the 2006 corruption index from Transparency International was front page news, mostly because Ecuador was once again ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the Americas, with only Haiti rated worse.
Ten entrepreneurs making it big in Ecuador
Ecuador is working hard to attract foreign investment. It has liberalized investment regulations, and, today, foreign investors are treated as Ecuadorian citizens in all regards. Profits and capital can be repatriated without restriction. Good labor isn’t hard to find. Nor are good private sector partners if you know where to look.
White-sand beachfront lots for less than $20,000…in Brazil’s beautiful, tropical state of Ceara
: Brazil is a vast country, one that would take years to cover properly. Picking a starting point was difficult. We asked Roving Latin America Editor Lee Harrison to begin his coverage (which will continue over time) in the state of Ceará because of its diversity, beauty, beaches, and weather
Best buys in Uruguay’s Ciudad Vieja for 2007
Last month, Lief Simon wrote about the top four property markets to watch in 2007. One market that Lief referred to as a "best case" was Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja. This month, Lee Harrison, our Roving Latin America Editor, takes a closer look at particular opportunities in this neighborhood right now.
From the walled city of Cartagena to the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean coast-this Colombian property market is on the moveby
The city of Cartagena is situated at the top of South America on the Caribbean. East of Colombia's border with Panama, and 293 miles from Panama City, as the crow flies. It's a two-and-a-half hour nonstop flight from Miami.
Sharks, clean air, Carnival, and properties for less than $80,000 on Brazil’s north coast
Picture it: you hit the beach early, but many of your fellow city-dwellers are already there, jogging, walking, and enjoying the shimmering, clear morning. The aerobics instructor begins stretching for her first beachside class of the day on the firm, fine sand, just as the giant, yellow ball of the sun separates itself from the Atlantic horizon. The early-bird vendors set up their stands and start preparing the fresh fruits and juices that the beachgoers are accustomed to.