International Living Postcards–Sunday Edition

Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006
Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Dear International Living Reader,

How long have you been dreaming?

How many weeks…months…years…have you imagined a new beginning for yourself? A new life of adventure…of fun…of challenges in exotic locales…

A chance to start over…to pursue the day dreams you’ve set aside for so long…to reinvent yourself…

To find out just how romantic, exciting, interesting, and inspiring life can be…when you allow yourself to consider the possibilities beyond U.S. borders.

It’s a big world…that grows more accessible with every new technological advancement. Grab your laptop and your international cell phone…and you’re mobile…ready to go where the road leads you.

If you’ve had these thoughts yourself…but put them aside month after month…year after year…because you’re afraid…

Afraid it’ll be difficult, complicated, frustrating, lonely…

Afraid your friends and family are right when they tell you you’re crazy to consider these kooky International Living ideas…

Or afraid…maybe…that you’ll succeed. That you’ll actually transplant yourself (and your partner, your spouse, your family, your business…) to a new home and a new life in Paradise…

Yikes.

Then what?

Every one of those fears is reasonable and founded…but not one of them should hold you back.

Here’s my personal challenge to you this 15th day of this New Year 2006:

Do it now.

Make this the year.

Each day is a chance for a new start…and I’ve been reminded recently that you never know which day will be the last.

Don’t let another year slip by as you dream and imagine and wonder. No amount of research and planning is enough, yet, at some point, it’s all too much.

Let’s consider the hurdles.

First, the options. Many. How do you decide where to think about relocating…retiring…starting over…starting a new business…buying a piece of real estate? We consider the possibilities in these Postcards daily, of course. But here’s another resource that might kick-start your thinking: The Live Overseas Kit, http://www.ilbookstore.com/product.php?productid=16140&cat=103&page=1

Next, the logistics. The administration of preparing for and managing a move to another country can crush you. But don’t let it. Arm yourself with practical know-how. Here: The Expatriate’s Tax Bible, http://www.ilbookstore.com/product.php?productid=16146&cat=62&page=1 and How to Prepare For a Move Overseas, http://www.internationalliving.com/free_reports

Third, paying the bills. How could you earn a living in your adopted country of residence? Of primary concern to some, we address this question (and offer dozens of possible answers) in The Work Overseas Kit. Details here: http://www.ilbookstore.com/product.php?productid=16173&cat=3&page=1

Or…maybe your concern isn’t earning money…but investing the money you have. Again, the opportunities are almost too many to process. Should you speculate on beachfront property? Build a portfolio of rentals? Renovate and flip historic homes? Diversify markets…currencies…types of buys? I trust one man, more than any other, to answer these kinds of questions: Lief Simon, my husband…and also our resident property guru…and contributing editor of the Global Real Estate Investor’s Kit: http://www.ilbookstore.com/product.php?productid=16164&cat=108&page=1

Or perhaps real estate investing doesn’t interest you. You like business. Like the idea of starting one of your own…in whatever foreign paradise eventually calls your name. In this case, watch this space for the imminent launch of a new addition to our line of publications scheduled for launch later this year: International Entrepreneur.

Finally, now what?

You’re at home in the Shangri-la of your choosing. The sun is shining…the waves are crashing…you’re lovin’ life from the vantage point of your new front porch with a view of the Pacific…or the Caribbean…or…well…you fill in the blank.

But, hey, you can’t sit on your new front porch all day long…for the rest of your life. What are you and those loved ones you’ve managed to drag along with you on this adventure abroad going to do now?

Learn a new language. Volunteer in the local community. Take salsa lessons. Study the guitar. Write. Paint. Travel.

Stay in touch with us. We love to hear from readers on the road…some of whom have joined the ranks of our most valued and regular contributing editors.

Whatever you think you’d like to do, I say again: Do it now.

Kathleen Peddicord
Publisher, International Living

P.S. We won’t let you off the hook. We’ll be back every day reminding you of your renewed and ever-expanding chances to live the life you’ve always dreamed of living. Where would you like to go? How would you like to spend your time? Your money? In this New Year 2006, we’re planning an ever-greater number of resources to help you find your way to the Paradise with your name on it. The adventure starts here. Make it start today. Do it now.