“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Though Eleanor Roosevelt wasn’t talking specifically about a retirement overseas, she could well have been.
While it’s true that in the right places abroad you can lower your cost of living, improve your quality of life, enjoy sunny skies year-round, and stop worrying you’ll outlive your nest egg…perhaps the biggest benefit, expats report again and again, is the opportunity to enjoy a richer life experience.
As Mike Herron says of his move to Cuenca, Ecuador, “While the reduced cost of living is welcome, it isn’t the most important part of our new lives. I made more money before, but I’m richer now in so many other ways.” Read Mike’s story here.
When it comes to rich experiences, you really can dream big. You might think a retirement on a sailboat is the prerogative of the very wealthy. But, as we show you in this month’s feature story, that’s not necessarily the case. You could cruise the sapphire waters of the Caribbean, the Pacific, or the Mediterranean…and do it for less than it costs you to stay home.
Most folks assume a retirement in Europe’s culture-rich corners is a prohibitively expensive endeavor, but don’t be so sure. Tricia A. Mitchell uncovers the allure of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, where you can enjoy its wild beaches, ancient history, vibrant festivals, and a home with a sea view from $115,000. Go here to read her full article. And part-time expat Carol Barron pulls back the curtain and shares her insider tips for spending a few months at a time in Nice, Barcelona, and Florence—on the same modest budget she maintains when she’s in Florida.
If living “rich” is all about experience, Cambodia offers a wealth of rewards. Derek Howell pays just $355 a month for his apartment in Phnom Penh—but that’s not the best reason to retire there, he contends. “The whole point of traveling and living overseas is to see something unexpected and experience a totally different culture.” He’s doing both—savoring the art, music, and history of his new overseas home—and doing it, conveniently, for pennies on the dollar. His full story can be found here.
As IL’s Roving Latin America Editor, I have the privilege of traveling to some of the most beautiful places in the world. But because I’m interviewing expats about their lives…checking out real estate deals…and jotting down prices for produce in...
Over a hundred islands—many of them tiny islets—form the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Caribbean Panama. The crystalline waters rival those of the Bahamas, with hues ranging from baby blue to bright turquoise to a sheer turtle green...
For a taste of the exotic—and world-class coffee—head to Ban Huay Hom, a tiny village nestled deep in the lofty mountains of northwest Thailand. It’s a scenic hour’s drive on winding, paved roads from Mae Sariang, near the Myanmar border...
Information technology (IT) services change, software changes, and hardware goes through drastic revisions and shifts in mere months. It makes investing in technology both exciting and difficult, by forcing you to stay connected to the latest shifts and developments in the market.,,
If the earth truly had corners, you could say that Vilcabamba, Ecuador, landed in one of the farthest. It has a distinct aura all its own. The place itself is a bit like something out of a Tolkien-meets-Thoreau text...
With tranquil villages hugging the Adriatic Sea, rugged islands, lush olive groves, and spectacular mountain vistas, Croatia’s central Dalmatia region is undeniably alluring. This land has been attracting people for millennia, including the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Venetians...
Byron and Kelly Harker had traveled inter-nationally for many years. But one country ticked all the boxes as a retirement destination for the Canadian couple. “We’ve always loved France,” says Kelly, “and when we had a chance to move to Europe in...
Derek Howell had long pondered options for his retirement and couldn't help feeling that he'd missed out by not traveling overseas. At first he dismissed his globetrotting urges as options only for the wealthy...until he began searching for flights around the world...
Ellen Malloy’s tenure as a publicist for an opera company in Chicago placed her at the heart of cultural experiences that had her mingling with artists like Luciano Pavarotti or going to the Steppenwolf Theater. “My work was my social life,” she says. “Chicago is known for its ballet, opera, museums, and theaters. I came from institutional art, very pro-fessional, working with some of the finest artists around the world."...
Panama is famous for its kind and welcoming culture. But like any new city, it helps to know how things work. Whether you want to see the sights, or soak up the culture, some insider knowledge always helps. Using your smartphone, in a smart way...