Living Abroad

While living abroad may not be your first thought for retirement, more and more Americans of every age group are taking advantage of the lower cost of living in certain countries.  Not every country makes sense, but several do have the right combination of elements to make them a great choice.  And you'd be surprised which they are. 

Living abroad is an excellent way to stretch your retirement savings, in some cases the equivalent of doubling your retirement resources.  But it obviously has to work for you on all levels:  general cost of living, cost of real estate, legal and tax issues, level of security and personal safety, available medical services, workable distance from the U.S. (or wherever 'home' is for you), and on and on.  My most important goal is to create a comfort level for you to seriously investigate living abroad as a retirement option.

No, it's not for everyone.  But for those with a slightly greater spirit of adventure, it can be an ideal solution.  (In fact, the stories of people even opting for early retirement abroad are plentiful ...)

To jumpstart your investigation process, I'd like to point you towards a valuable resource:  a publishing company called International Living.  International Living has been providing up-to-date details on living, traveling and investing abroad for over 25 years.  Its information is all based on hands-on, feet-on-the-ground reporting by expatriates who are living the life they're proposing.  Nothing theoretical.  No hype.  No glossing over the little challenges that are to be expected when dealing in a different culture.

Is living abroad affordable?

Well, a recent ad for one of International Living's many publications says:

"Discover 6 countries where you can live or retire in comfort and style on $1,200 per month, including a nice home, groceries, utilities, country club dues, even entertainment and travel. (Our findings may surprise you.)"

How can International Living be useful to you?  First check out the International Living website, and sign up for some of their free enjoyable newsletters (their postcards are GREAT!) to start getting a feel for the range of options open to you.  Maybe subscribe to their monthly publication that covers locations all over the world.  Then, if you find a country or region that interests you, look into buying some of their in-depth publications.  And before you move or invest anywhere, be sure to attend one of their conferences on that location. 

Here, for example, is part of an email sent out on September 17, 2007, and entitled "I Found Your 'Home in the Sun' -- and it's Less Than $100,000!" which promotes one of their publications:

Do sign up for our free twice-weekly newsletter below, to keep up-to-date on more and more information and resources regarding the option of living abroad.  I'll announce each new part of this growing website as it rolls out!