Publisher’s Roundtable
Welcome! As a member of the International Living Publisher’s Roundtable, you are entitled to full access to every single resource ever produced by International Living—for life. Read on…
Log in to read the full article
Log in to read the full article.
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in this month’s issue—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
Contadora Island is a 20-minute flight from Panama City. It is a watery wonderland straight out of the pages of The Beach. Forget about cars and taxis; everywhere worth visiting is a 10-minute walk away…
Parque Calderón is the touristic and scenic heart of Cuenca, outskirts of Cuenca offers a special view of the city. Instead of looking to the rivers or the mountains, at Fogo you look down into Cuenca itself. Go at sunset and grab a seat on the outdoor patio to watch Cuenca twinkle its way into the night.
Las Terrenas on the Dominican Republic’s Samaná peninsula is a little piece of paradise. Palm trees, warm breezes and stars so bright it feels as though you could pluck them from the sky… I can’t think of a nicer place to have a beach home.
Last year we took a week-long vacation to explore Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. We wanted the beaches, the sun, and the turquoise waters, a break from the rat race and a few days rejuvenating, but most of all—with retirement on the horizon—we wanted to find a new overseas home.
Investing
Most investors don’t see fear or abject pessimism as powerful investing tools. But that’s exactly what they are. To maximize your profits you must invest at rock bottom.
If you want to live with world-class natural beauty without the world-class price tag, come to Mexico’s Baja California Sur. And be sure to bring a camera. This is a desert land of sharp, clear lines. The mountain peaks in the distance gleam a delicate mauve. I drive up a hill and suddenly there is the sea; a vast expanse of blue dotted with rocky, deserted islands.
First Eagle Overseas Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in equities issued by non-U.S. corporations. The fund’s management’s research-driven approach seeks to minimize risk by focusing on undervalued securities.
Here’s a trend you can take to the bank: as consumers in the U.S. and Europe cut back on spending, the source of growth for companies will shift to consumers in fast-growing overseas markets.
Real Estate
Among the sloping fields and rush-covered hills of Ireland’s “Drumlin Country” are thousands of lakes—big and small. In good weather, they glitter like jewels, and on wet days shine bog- black. You can see why the Celts thought of them as gateways to the underworld, although today you’re more likely to see a jet ski or fishing boat than a druid.
It’s the world’s most affordable retirement haven, but that doesn’t mean you can’t splash the cash on top-end luxury in Ecuador.
The drive from La Romana to Las Terrenas brought me back toward Santo Domingo before joining the main highway from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas. Studying the opportunity at Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic is the primary purpose of this scouting trip.
The plans at the Gran Bahia Principe (the new resort I told you about in my last report from the Dominican Republic) call for a self-contained mini-town. Residents here will be able to go to school…get medical treatment…enjoy their leisure activities (like golf and tennis)…dock their boat…get dressed up for fine dining…dress down for cocktails and a snack on the beach…buy groceries in the supermarket…You get the idea.
Today I want to interrupt my on-the- ground reporting from the DR with news about our latest “off market” deal. This opportunity in Uruguay is strong. I wanted to make sure you heard about it at the earliest possible opportunity.
Travel
Parque Calderón is the touristic and scenic heart of Cuenca, outskirts of Cuenca offers a special view of the city. Instead of looking to the rivers or the mountains, at Fogo you look down into Cuenca itself. Go at sunset and grab a seat on the outdoor patio to watch Cuenca twinkle its way into the night.
For many years it was the “Jewel of the Pacific.” Even today, long after the Golden Age of the port city has passed, the brightly-painted hillside houses, cobblestone alleyways, and winding streets of Valparaíso, on Chile’s central coast, are among the country’s most enchanting finds.
For many years it was the “Jewel of the Pacific.” Even today, long after the Golden Age of the port city has passed, the brightly-painted hillside houses, cobblestone alleyways, and winding streets of Valparaíso, on Chile’s central coast, are among the country’s most enchanting finds.
A round-up of the weird and wonderful events taking place around the world over the coming months.
Fireworks explode in the sky above me. Reflected in the Panama Bay, I see fiery skyrockets, tungsten stars, and spidery bursts of pink, purple, and green. It’s the celebration of the Chinese New Year—an event Panama City has adopted as its own and celebrates with gusto.
Working
Malta offers an idyllic Mediterranean climate, extremely low levels of taxation, moderate property prices, reasonable living costs, excellent communications and a picturesque and friendly environment. For these reasons Malta continues to attract foreign nationals seeking to take up residency under the relatively simple procedures available.
The young lady came out of the bar with three mugs of dark beer. She put one in front of IL Real Estate Editor Ronan McMahon, one was for Eoin Bassett—managing editor of this magazine—and one was mine. Ronan ordered a sizzling burger… which the owner assured us was the city’s best. We were discussing our day spent exploring Medellín, Colombia, and how we were going to write about our various discoveries. Within a half-hour, a few expats joined us — Rich, Sarah, Scott, and Dennis. Each has a fascinating story.
Panama offers a range of residency options for the would-be investor. Here is how to secure yours.
Imagine if you could slide out of bed knowing your “work” for the day would be to scuba dive along the Great Barrier Reef … shop for the perfect cup of coffee in Paris … or kayak from island to island in the sleepy San Juans. If you ever dreamed about the romantic life of a travel writer, here’s a very unusual opportunity to actually live it!
Today, married to a pretty Ecuadorian, Henry is one of Quito’s most successful businessmen. For two years he traveled to Ecuador arranging mahogany shipments for a furniture company.
Ecuador
It’s the world’s most affordable retirement haven, but that doesn’t mean you can’t splash the cash on top-end luxury in Ecuador.
When Ernest Hemmingway was asked how he went broke, he replied, “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” It’s the same pattern with hot new beach destinations (only instead of going broke, you could make money…gradually, then suddenly).
Five years into my expat life, I look forward to downsizing. In fact, I recently bought a small, manageable, lock-and-leave property in Guanajuato, in the Colonial Highlands.
Ecuador’s nicest 100-mile stretch of coast used to be difficult to get to. That’s changed with the new highway. One strong opportunity I’ve told you about on this coast is Jama Campay.
This is where you can buy a 1,800-square-foot home perched above…yet only steps from…a white-sand beach. From your lap pool you have views past the beach and breaking waves to the Pacific Ocean.
Look at the right places beyond our borders today, and you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable – even a pampered – retirement. In any one of our top 19 havens for 2012, a lifestyle well beyond your reach in the States could be yours for pennies on the dollar.
Mexico
Last year we took a week-long vacation to explore Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. We wanted the beaches, the sun, and the turquoise waters, a break from the rat race and a few days rejuvenating, but most of all—with retirement on the horizon—we wanted to find a new overseas home.
Jessica has been on the road, exploring the best of Panama’s “close-in” havens. And in your February issue she reveals the places you’ll enjoy stunning natural beauty, yet have the modern amenities of Panama City on your doorstep… Farther north and closer to home, IL Mexico Editor, Glynna Prentice, discovers big discounts on beach-town properties in beautiful Baja California. Lisa Marie Mercer moved to the coastal town of Atlantida, Uruguay, to benefit her health, but she’s staying for the affordability and quality of life. In your issue this month she explains how much she saves on health care and what she likes most about her friendly, convenient new home.
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in this month’s issue—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
When Ernest Hemmingway was asked how he went broke, he replied, “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” It’s the same pattern with hot new beach destinations (only instead of going broke, you could make money…gradually, then suddenly).
If you want to live with world-class natural beauty without the world-class price tag, come to Mexico’s Baja California Sur. And be sure to bring a camera. This is a desert land of sharp, clear lines. The mountain peaks in the distance gleam a delicate mauve. I drive up a hill and suddenly there is the sea; a vast expanse of blue dotted with rocky, deserted islands.
France
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in this month’s issue—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
When Elizabeth Milovidov stood on the cobbles before the thousand-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral and wandered Paris’s narrow stone streets, soaking up the history and elegant architecture, she knew that her heart was lost.
Five years into my expat life, I look forward to downsizing. In fact, I recently bought a small, manageable, lock-and-leave property in Guanajuato, in the Colonial Highlands.
Panama
It’s one of Panama’s newest expat destinations, with all the amenities you could want in an overseas retirement haven. There’s high-speed Internet, inexpensive restaurants, good clinics and hospitals, and a burgeoning expat community. It’s a fast-growing city and the busy domestic airport is being expanded. But the real allure of David, capital of Panama’s Chiriquí province, is its strategic location. David is a hub for the region’s best vacation spots: natural hideaways like the lush green highlands to the north or the many beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean.
In as little as 45 minutes, you can be out of David and in dozens of perfect day-trip destinations—here are three of the best.
Ingrid Senne spends a great deal of time at the beach, doing yoga, or exploring the villages near her new home in Pedasí, Panama—“especially the tiny ones,” she says. Las Tablas, just 15 minutes away, is one of Panama’s best-known rural colonial towns…a place where local traditions thrive and where Carnival season engrosses the entire town.
Here’s a round-up of the events you should be keeping an eye on over the coming months. First up, the Fast Track Panama: Lifestyle and Opportunity Conference which is kicking off this April in Panama City. Panama is, arguably, the one country on our beat that offers something for everyone. Beaches. Big City. Colonial enclaves. Highland retreats. In this diverse place, the sun shines someplace, 365 days a year. You have hundreds of miles of sandy expanse…in the hills, green valleys are spring-like, even in January and August…and Panama City is genuinely cosmopolitan, with one of the world’s largest financial districts.
David, the capital of Chiriqui, is becoming more and more popular as expats discover the delights of living amongst Panama’s successful ranchers.
Jessica has been on the road, exploring the best of Panama’s “close-in” havens. And in your February issue she reveals the places you’ll enjoy stunning natural beauty, yet have the modern amenities of Panama City on your doorstep… Farther north and closer to home, IL Mexico Editor, Glynna Prentice, discovers big discounts on beach-town properties in beautiful Baja California. Lisa Marie Mercer moved to the coastal town of Atlantida, Uruguay, to benefit her health, but she’s staying for the affordability and quality of life. In your issue this month she explains how much she saves on health care and what she likes most about her friendly, convenient new home.
Uruguay
Today I want to interrupt my on-the- ground reporting from the DR with news about our latest “off market” deal. This opportunity in Uruguay is strong. I wanted to make sure you heard about it at the earliest possible opportunity.
Jessica has been on the road, exploring the best of Panama’s “close-in” havens. And in your February issue she reveals the places you’ll enjoy stunning natural beauty, yet have the modern amenities of Panama City on your doorstep… Farther north and closer to home, IL Mexico Editor, Glynna Prentice, discovers big discounts on beach-town properties in beautiful Baja California. Lisa Marie Mercer moved to the coastal town of Atlantida, Uruguay, to benefit her health, but she’s staying for the affordability and quality of life. In your issue this month she explains how much she saves on health care and what she likes most about her friendly, convenient new home.
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in this month’s issue—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
I first went to Uruguay by ferry in 2003 and it was love at first landing. I was living in Argentina, which meant I could make the hour-long crossing of the River Plate from Buenos Aires to historic Colonia.
The idea of moving to Uruguay came out of left field. If it hadn’t been for my health, it would never have happened. But the savings on health care are only one of the benefits of our new life.
Italy
Together-forever partners. Passing fancies. Torrid affairs. Love comes in many guises— and Italy was made for amore. Yet although Florence is a love song to art and culture, it doesn’t fit my idea of a romantic summer getaway.
The couple’s 300-year-old Italian farmhouse is now open for business. ©Melissa Ruttanai
As newlyweds, Ashley and Jason Bartner were beginning a new phase in their lives. Jason was a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York City. Ashley was an aspiring actress. But when they stepped off the plane for their honeymoon in Italy, they had no idea how different life was about to become.
If a small Italian farmhouse with a vineyard sounds sweet, then look to the Abruzzo (pictured), a region of southern central Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea.
Brazil
A round-up of the weird and wonderful events taking place around the world over the coming months.
When Ernest Hemmingway was asked how he went broke, he replied, “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” It’s the same pattern with hot new beach destinations (only instead of going broke, you could make money…gradually, then suddenly).
Here’s a trend you can take to the bank: as consumers in the U.S. and Europe cut back on spending, the source of growth for companies will shift to consumers in fast-growing overseas markets.
Look at the right places beyond our borders today, and you’ll find you have more good choices than ever for a comfortable – even a pampered – retirement. In any one of our top 19 havens for 2012, a lifestyle well beyond your reach in the States could be yours for pennies on the dollar.
Belize
Here’s a round-up of events, trips and excursions to some of the most exotic parts of the world – which you can book a place on.
Once you stroll Belize’s unspoiled beaches and explore the flora and fauna of its rainforests, you may become afflicted with what’s known as the “Belize Factor.” Simply put: you find that once you return home, you have an uncontrollable compulsion to return. Time and again …Perhaps even to stay.
Costa Rica
Here’s a round-up of the events you should be keeping an eye on over the coming months. First up, the Fast Track Panama: Lifestyle and Opportunity Conference which is kicking off this April in Panama City. Panama is, arguably, the one country on our beat that offers something for everyone. Beaches. Big City. Colonial enclaves. Highland retreats. In this diverse place, the sun shines someplace, 365 days a year. You have hundreds of miles of sandy expanse…in the hills, green valleys are spring-like, even in January and August…and Panama City is genuinely cosmopolitan, with one of the world’s largest financial districts.
When Ernest Hemmingway was asked how he went broke, he replied, “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” It’s the same pattern with hot new beach destinations (only instead of going broke, you could make money…gradually, then suddenly).
The Costa Rican beach towns of Quepos and Jacó can feel a bit like Daytona Beach. Themed restaurants, multi-story condos, U.S. chain hotels and resorts…
Lake Arenal in Costa Rica’s lake country is stunningly beautiful. The weather, with year- round temperatures in the 70s, is near perfect.
From the lake (and from the elevated lots at The Preserve, the project I told you about yesterday) the views to the towering Arenal Volcano are jaw dropping.
This is rich pasture and tropical jungle country. You might think you are in Switzerland. The roar of howler monkeys… flamboyant and dramatic…and brightly colored birds tells me I’m not.
Lake Arenal, Costa Rica has been overlooked. I can’t explain why. I can see no good reason. It’s just one of those anomalies.
It’s stunningly beautiful. The weather is near perfect. The community of locals and expats is welcoming and friendly. The road here is good and you don’t want for any modern conveniences or amenities.
I’ve seen situations like this before.
