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Enjoying a Better Quality of Life the Easy Way

Quality of Life feels like something you have to work at in the States. You have to step away from the mainstream—consciously and aggressively decide to slow down, to do less, to eat better, and exercise more…

But in many places around the world a better quality of life comes naturally. You literally step into it the moment you arrive. Perfect-weather towns where everything is a stroll away—no car required. Fresh, locally sourced fruit, vegetables, and meat—no additives or growth hormones. Life is lived at a slower, more human pace, and money worries are a thing of the past with lower costs for everything from food to utilities.

Living in these places you can expect to drop a few jean sizes, feel better, breath deeper, and be happier.

Don’t take my word for it. There’s lots of talk in this issue about a high quality of life. We reveal the top five overseas havens for easy healthy living. Places where expats report shedding the pounds and reducing—even eliminating—the need for medications.

A move to the heart of Sicily’s wine country saved Benjamin and Nadine from the fast-paced stresses of life in California. And Stuart and Elizabeth love cycling the back roads of France’s Loire Valley and exploring the region’s castles.

IL Correspondent Linda Card explores a Panamanian surf town where life is lived on the water (and in it…this is a prime spot for divers and snorkelers).

If you want the ocean, then azure waters surround the small island of Koh Tao in the gulf of Thailand where Tim Severino has created an income that allows him to enjoy paradise each and every day. Or wake up to a Caribbean breeze in Belize, just like 66-year-old Steve Gustat, who opened a restaurant with a stunning view over Corozal Bay. That’s not all in your issue this month…take an African adventure down the Cape Peninsula, discover Asia’s well-endowed landscapes, the “Venice of the North,” and get the inside track on flying for free…

Dig Out That Old Autograph—Sports Memorabilia is Booming

Dig Out That Old Autograph—Sports Memorabilia is Booming

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Being taken to your first big baseball or football game as a kid is an experience you never forget: the thronging crowds, the festive atmosphere…and, of course, the thrill of seeing your heroes in action. Maybe you took home a souvenir that day: a baseball card, a jersey, a ticket, or a game-day program. Or maybe you were one of the lucky few who got an autograph after the game. If so, you could have a lot more than memories to show for your day out many years ago. Now is the time to dig that souvenir out of the closet. The market for sports memorabilia is booming. And that souvenir from yesteryear, gathering dust in the closet, could also have been accruing a lot of value over the same time-span.

Florida Investigator to Caribbean Restaurateur

Florida Investigator to Caribbean Restaurateur

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Before moving to Belize, 66-year-old Steve Gustat, from Tampa, Florida, hadn’t even considered opening a restaurant. “I had no experience in the restaurant business,” he says of his decision to open the Blue Iguana, the popular restaurant he now operates with his Belizean partner, Shantel, in Corozal, in northern Belize near the Mexican border. “But that has not been a problem. Business principles are the same in any business.”

Work Less, Earn Big From Anywhere in the World

Work Less, Earn Big From Anywhere in the World

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What if you had the freedom to enjoy the good life anywhere in the world you want to be… and get paid while you’re there? We’ll show you how—with 48 hours of hands-on guid-ance—you can gain the freedom and flexibility to be your own boss…play when you feel like it, work when you want…and turn a skill you already have into a portable income of $600, $1,000, even $5,000 a month…

Best Places for a Lock-and-Leave Condo

Best Places for a Lock-and-Leave Condo

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Peace of mind. Less hassle. That’s what it’s all about. A lock-and-leave condo is perfect if you want to leave behind harsh North American winters and escape to a snowbird getaway. Or perhaps you’ve found your dream spot and got a great deal on a property, but you’ll be renting it out until you can move down in a few years. No matter what your situation, the lock-and-leave condo is ideal.

Find Your American Dream Abroad

Find Your American Dream Abroad

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If you’ve watched in disbelief as the American Dream you grew up believing in has seemingly evaporated into thin air, do not despair. Your dream of a comfortable, prosperous retirement is alive and well. It may just be waiting somewhere you never thought to look. That was the case for my wife Diane and me. And it turned out better than we ever could have hoped. We’re just two of the millions of North American retirees who have made their dreams of a comfortable, active, and engaging retirement come true, in one of the many locations around the globe that offer a better lifestyle at a much lower cost of living. And there’s no reason why you can’t do it, too.