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It took me just a few days to realize I wanted to live on one of the world’s most enchanting islands. Cyprus is located at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The island has sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, but it also has hills, mountain...
Always wanted to live in a foreign country but not sure how to go about it? A lot of our correspondents and contributors went on retirement scouting trips before making the big move overseas. It takes time to learn which country, and even what town or city within that country, is your best fit. Below they share their experiences and what valuable lessons they learned:
I would have to say the number one question I get asked when I say I live on a Caribbean island is “that sounds amazing… what’s it like?” For me, it is everything I dreamed my life would be. So I’d like to share what my typical day looks like. I like to start the day in a relaxing way. A long walk along the shorefront starts the day out nicely.
When my husband and I decided to move to Italy, we devised a list of priorities in choosing our new home. For starters, we wanted a small town with few Americans. Our California town of 16,000 people was busy with constant traffic all night. So, we figured that we needed something smaller than 16,000. We also wanted to immerse ourselves in the local culture...
On my way home from the pharmacy one morning last year, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to surprise my husband, Ken, with a visit to his workshop in our newly adopted city of Cuenca. As I arrived, I saw a flurry of black fur in the overgrown grass outside his shop, and emitting a tiny yelp, the most adorable little puppy bounced up to greet me...
This first thing I noticed in my new life as an expat was that I could sleep in and drink coffee until 10 a.m., no longer rushing to take a shower before heading into the tsunami of my overworked, anxiety-filled life in the U.S. It was a taste of freedom I hadn’t experienced in decades. My life was finally my own.
When you think of German food, you probably think of steaks, sausage, and beer. Yes, this is a part of the tradition, but there's so much more. The most interesting thing I've found here is that a lot of the foods below will only be cooked/baked and eaten at certain times of the year...
Big questions for all soon-to-launch expats…Will I enjoy my destination of choice? Will I enjoy it upon arrival?...After several months?...In a few years? All very good questions. Before my husband Jon and I left the States on our extended travel journey, we first considered a long stay in Ecuador. We were excited about the idea of taking our remote jobs on the road...
It’s true that many people visit or move to Cuenca because they are seduced by its UNESCO-recognized colonial center, its year-round pleasant climate, and its relatively low cost of living. But just outside the city limits, Cuenca’s backyard is one of dramatic mountains and stunning Andean páramo vistas, making the area an absolute mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.
Each week for the past number of months I’ve been handing this e-letter over to my senior researcher, Margaret Summerfield, as she journeys through Europe is search of her ideal base… She started in the sunny Algarve; taking in Faro, the region’s capital; the wild party town of Albufeira; and the historic town of Lagos, Read more...: Clash of the Titans: The Algarve v the French Riviera