Find Your Own Paradise in Panama
“Welcome to Paradise.” That’s the sign outside the door to Mitzi and Bill Martain’s home near the little village of Santa Fe, in the mountains of Panama’s Veraguas province.
Expat Advice
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Read about and learn from real-life experiences our expats have had in their new home countries, from health care to taxes, earning an income overseas to buying real estate…and much more.
Expat Advice Archives
Spend Quality Time With the Grandkids Overseas
It’s like being inside an aquarium,” my grandchildren kept saying, as we made our way back to shore from their first diving trip in the Caribbean. I had been ecstatic about introducing them to my favorite activity since we moved to Belize.
My Accidental Retirement to Art-Filled Chiang Mai
By 6 a.m., the vendors are already setting up on my little lane in Chiang Mai, the university city of nearly 1 million people in northern Thailand that I call home. Fruit stalls and coffee stands, with waffles and egg breakfasts, line the lane; I can eat outside on little stools or take what I want back to my condo.
Affordable Beach Living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
“The town is overflowing with charm and beauty,” says Jack Bramy, who has found his ideal retirement spot in Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast. “It’s everywhere, from tiny local bistros to the narrow cobblestone streets climbing up the hillsides."
Enjoying Jungle-Fringed Shores in Ojochal, Costa Rica
“Although I don’t live at the beach, I am close enough that I can go whenever the mood takes me. Just knowing it’s always there is amazing,” Pennie says. “I love the surf, as long as it isn’t too rough. Getting past the breakers and watching the waves roll in...so peaceful.”
Olón: Tranquil Living on the Ecuadorian Coast
“I woke up this morning and saw 30 or more horses grazing in the bamboo forest across the street from our home,” says Roger Wergin. “How’s that for a tranquil retirement view?” Roger and his wife Cyndy feel they made the right decision when they bought a lot and built their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in a gated community.
Cut Your Healthcare Costs up to 70% in Panama’s Best Hospitals
When I first arrived in Panama in 1990, I was surprised at the level of comfort and convenience that I found in everything from shops and supermarkets to telecommunications services. That was in 1990—things are even better now.
Malaysia’s Johor Bahru Offers First-World City Living for $1,900 a Month
You probably won’t be in the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru for more than a few days before you’ll be treated to some kind of festival. This multicultural metropolis seems to have celebrations practically every week of the year.
The 5 Best Areas to Live in Medellín—Colombia’s Top Retirement Haven: Part One
When you ask expats why they chose Medellín, Colombia’s City of Flowers, the first answer is almost always the weather. I have to agree. Daytime highs in the low to mid-80s F and evenings in the mid-60s F mean you never need to wear more than a light jacket to be comfortable. Our apartment doesn’t have a thermostat; I just open or close the windows to regulate the temperature. Having great weather means you can be outside all the time to enjoy the city. And Medellín has something for everyone.
The 5 Best Areas to Live in Medellín—Colombia’s Top Retirement Haven: Part Two
Traveling south from El Poblado on either Poblado Avenue or Las Vegas Avenue, you can´t tell where El Poblado ends and Envigado begins. Often referred to as “Medellín´s suburb,” Envigado is an increasingly popular option for expats looking for El Poblado’s ambience but with a lower cost of living.