The Athenian historian and general Thucydides said, “The secret to happiness is freedom… And the secret to freedom is courage.” The good news is: Today it’s easy to be courageous when it comes to going overseas—because it’s never been easier to have the freedom to live, earn, or retire anywhere in the world.
There are a lot of things to consider with a move overseas…especially how you’ll fund it. If you aren’t yet claiming your Social Security, or you’re looking to supplement it, in this month’s feature story we delve into the three easy online ways to earn while indulging your wanderlust. Portable technology, and a rising new culture of freelancing, means you can ditch the 9-to-5 grind and go wherever, whenever you want…and get paid to do it. Imagine having the flexibility and freedom to spend a month in Europe…or a few weeks in Ecuador’s Andes…or a year soaking up the sun in the Caribbean.
There are many ways to fund a new life overseas. When Sharon Matola, Sue Hufford, and Donna Wilson moved to Belize back in the 1980s (independently of one another), it’s fair to say facilities were basic—no meat, no milk, and no gasoline. Driven by the desire for a more interesting life outside the U.S., these three pioneering ladies saw opportunities to set up their own businesses—a zoo, a jungle resort, and a vegetable enterprise. You can read their story here.
Not only does living overseas offer adventure and numerous ways to earn money, a lower cost of living means the freedom and financial flexibility to indulge in life’s pleasures. In Thailand, Texas native JD Gruen, who lives on $1,600 a month says: “I’m retired and living well in my Social Security; I can breathe freely and live a better life.” His full story is here.
Also in Asia, Ryan Preston lives in the Cambodian city of Phnom Penh, where he pays $450 a month for his two-bedroom apartment. Not only does he enjoy the affordable, fresh food and a lively social life, but he also has the freedom to satisfy his wanderlust as “Phnom Penh is centrally located for travel to the rest of Southeast Asia.”
These days what you really need is simply the courage to give your overseas dream a try.
As I took a leisurely stroll along one of the tree-lined main streets in the city of Bucaramanga, I kept asking myself, “Why haven’t more expats heard of this place? It’s heavenly.” I’ll admit the name is a little strange. When I told my daughter that I was taking an exploratory trip to check out Bucaramanga (pronounced boo-kara-MAN-ga)...
When I tell friends in the States that my husband and I live part-time in Guanajuato, most of them look at me blankly. Then I ask if they’ve heard of San Miguel de Allende, an hour away, and they usually say yes. Therein lies the difference between the two cities: San Miguel has been popular among U.S...
Imagine digging your toes into the warm sand on a Caribbean beach, lulled by the sound of the waves lapping on shore—and getting paid to do it. That’s right. You’re not on vacation—you’re “at the office.” Perhaps you’d prefer to set your virtual desk amid the vibrant bustle of a European sidewalk café...
Become a Freelance Travel Writer. Photography is not for everyone, though. Maybe you’re more of a words person. If so, travel writing may be right for you. Noreen Kompanik is a freelance travel writer who pays for her international travels by writ-ing about them. “In September 2014, on the invitation of a friend, I attended GEP’s...
Close to two decades ago, when I was not long out of college, I started my real estate investment career. For me, real estate had a lot of benefits that other investment types just couldn’t match. Unlike stocks or bonds, it was an asset that you could touch, see, and enjoy; unlike something like precious metals or jewels...
In 2003, China opened the floodgates for mainland citizens to travel to Hong Kong under the Individual Visit Scheme. It was the first time Chinese residents could travel to Hong Kong by themselves, and they could each bring as much as $5,000 in cash...
Back in the 1980s, Belize was the last frontier. There was only one partially paved road in the entire country. If you found yourself in La Democracia, west of Belize City and just short of the Cayo District, things could be basic. No meat, no milk, no gasoline for miles. It’s an unlikely place and time to find three entrepreneurial women...
I’ve been obsessed with the Incas since my early 20s. Maybe it’s because the Inca civilization is so enigmatic. Or perhaps because I admired how they created such an impressive culture without written language, monetary system, iron, or slaves. I’d pore over photos of Machu Picchu in glossy magazines, imagining...
When you think of Australia, you probably conjure up images of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Opera House, and the Great Barrier Reef. And while all these things are certainly worth seeing, there’s another, lesser-known part of Australia you should also add to your list...
Women in red saris return from morning prayers carrying plates of flowers and tikka powder. I weave past them and dodge rickshaws on the narrow streets. A young man with a bicycle packed with pomegranates makes his way through the crowd, loudly proclaiming he has the best prices. Then the sun hits the golden roof of a temple...