It doesn’t matter where they came from or what they did back home—teacher, entrepreneur, dentist, secretary, taxi driver, journalist—the happiest expats we meet overseas have one thing in common: They brought their sense of adventure with them.

I’m not talking dare-devil tendencies. I mean, simply, that they went overseas ready to try new things, to be confounded, to be impressed, to be surprised…

I bring this up because you should know: Living overseas works best when you’re pulled there and not just pushed. If your motivation for going abroad is entirely economic, brace yourself for disappointment. There’s no question: In the right places overseas, you can live better for less. But understand…none of these places looks, feels, or acts exactly like the U.S. That can be a good thing, mind you. They are rich with cultural treasures…full of spectacular landscapes and friendly neighbors…destinations positively teeming with possibility. But it’s up to you to embrace it.

Fortunately, people find all kinds of creative ways to do so, as you’ll see in this month’s issue. From a serial house-sitter in Central America plunging into life abroad rent-free…to a couple who traded the frenetic pace of corporate life for gentler living in their own Italian B&B…to another “giving back” with community-focused projects in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. See below for all the articles in your December 2012 issue. If you’d prefer to read your issue in PDF format, click here.

Run Your Own B&B Overseas

Run Your Own B&B Overseas

By

Own your own four-bedroom B&B in the middle of one of the most beautiful spots in Ecuador. At 8,000 feet, you’re surrounded by mountains. And the climate is ideal year-round—no need for heat or air conditioning—and there’s a large open patio and summer kitchen. The colonial town of Cotacachi, known for its leatherwork, is just 10 minutes away. Otavalo (pictured), a larger town famous for its Saturday open-air market filled with indigenous handicrafts, is just five minutes down the road. The country’s capital, Quito, is just a two-hour drive.