About 45 million Americans are now retired… And 5 million of them live overseas.

Like you, these expats know it isn’t just about where to live… It’s about how to live. When you expand your horizons, you can find better weather, low-cost luxury living, serene surroundings, and interesting, new experiences—all the things that create a more fulfilling life.

In our feature story this month, IL Mexico Correspondent Wendy Justice explores the colonial city of Mérida on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where you’ll find elegant Spanish mansions… 16th-century churches… cobblestone streets… and a rich Mayan heritage.

The city’s historic charm, affordability (Wendy says a couple can easily live here on $2,000 a month), and plethora of cultural and natural attractions have lured thousands of expats. “A visit to Mérida,” Wendy writes, “is like stepping back in time.”

The Spanish island of Gran Canaria is where Boston native Jason Kennedy found his perfect place. A chance encounter and his “One Go Round in Life, Make it Count” approach led him here and to setting up his own fitness business. “I decided to go live my dreams and not waste any more time,” Jason says.

Also this month… When Ann Kuffner moved to Mexico in 2018, one of her goals was to learn to speak fluent Spanish. So she enrolled in a week-long language immersion program. Ann shares the unexpected rewards of her experience… and some practical advice for doing it yourself.

If you’ve been looking for ways to diversify your wealth overseas, Ted Baumann and Jeff Opdyke explain the benefits of investing in gold bullion and rare coins… and reveal their sources for acquiring it. Plus, international real estate expert Ronan McMahon shares how to profit from Panama’s coming real estate boom.