Lands of Opportunities in a Great Big World Of Wonder

 

Editor-photo“The world is getting smaller.” It’s a stock phrase of talking heads, tech bloggers, and lazy journalists.

Okay, all right. I accept they’re talking about the internet and communication. But I still think it’s worth pointing out the planet’s not shrinking. It’s still a great big world. One that people have been moving around since apes walked upright.

For millennia people traipsed, sailed, and climbed their way all over our earth. Why? Adventure, sure. But mainly they were looking for opportunities to have a better life. Tribes poured out of the Asian steppe to settle in the ruins of Rome, Old World migrants clutching one-way tickets boarded ships for the U.S., and wagon trains rolled west…

Where to these days? In the November issue of International Living we’re looking to new lands of opportunity. Take the Colombian city of Medellín where Lauren Brown found she could afford little luxuries. Or the verdant valleys outside Ecuador’s capital of Quito, where Wendy DeChambeau found a “best of both worlds” lifestyle for as little as $1,400 a month.

Read about the foothills of Veraguas, Panama, with the spirit of a 19th-century pioneer, where you could live a comfortable, rural life for just $1,500 a month. Lots sell for as little as $15,000 and it’s a much safer place than the Old West.

Southeast Asia presents a rich mosaic of opportunities to live well and play out your dreams. John Grady left Hawaii with his camera to fund a fun-filled life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. And you’ll see why the thousands of expats in Chiang Mai, Thailand, never run out of things to do…

In Nicaragua expats say they feel freedom like never before. It’s also one of the most business-friendly countries on our beat…and we’ll be discussing that country’s hottest destinations.

You’ll discover opportunities to reinvent family life overseas, and, while Rome may have fallen, you can still live well in the heart of that empire—where we’ve found the best Roman-town escapes…

Gun Laws in Three Expat Destinations

Gun Laws in Three Expat Destinations

Expat-Matters
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Whatever your personal opinion on gun ownership in the United States, there’s no denying that millions of U.S. residents feel a great fondness for their firearms. So it should come as no surprise that many aspiring expats want to bring their guns with them to their new home. While it’s possible in some places, be prepared for a lot more red tape and tighter controls than you typically face in the States. Bear in mind that gun laws are liable to change, so you need to do your due diligence if you plan to import or buy a gun overseas.

Latin American Havens With Great Retiree Benefits

Latin American Havens With Great Retiree Benefits

Living the Good Life
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For many people looking to retire overseas, selecting the right country from the many options available can seem daunting. Fortunately, some countries actively encourage expat retirees to relocate there. They offer excellent retirement benefits that can help you truly enjoy these destinations’ great value. To help narrow your choice, here are the three top countries for retirement benefits on the IL beat.

In Santa Fe, Panama, $1,500 a Month is “More Than Plenty”

In Santa Fe, Panama, $1,500 a Month is “More Than Plenty”

Expat-Matters
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From our porch we can see down to the river, where we have our own little private beach and swimming hole,” says Albuquerque native Bob Caragol of his and his wife Irma’s new home. “We just fell in love with the area. There’s no crime and no pollution, and my asthma symptoms improved immediately.” Their story is typical of expats living in the scenic mountain town of Santa Fe, located in Veraguas province in west-central Panama.

Your Choice of Nicaraguan Retreats from $1,200 a Month (Part One)

Your Choice of Nicaraguan Retreats from $1,200 a Month (Part One)

Beach Living
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"Where else could we find this life?” says expat Monica Sedgwick of the one she and her husband James have created in Nicaragua. “We’re living in paradise, paying $200 a month for a three-bedroom apartment with a super view of the bay.” And they’re not the only expats to have discovered the wonderfully affordable lifestyle this retirement haven has to offer.

Ireland and Italy: Two Perspectives on Crisis Europe

Ireland and Italy: Two Perspectives on Crisis Europe

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European real estate is on sale…at least in a few select locales. You know the story by now. In the early and mid-2000s, Europe’s real estate markets embarked on a massive tear. It became a gold rush. A mad frenzy. Values rose and rose…until everything stopped. Credit dried up. The market imploded and real estate owners found themselves deeply underwater.