Living the Good Life

Have you ever dreamed of retiring to a Pacific coast villa complete with a pool and household help…or maybe you fancy running a small resort in the Caribbean…or spending your days in a mountain retreat where the air is crisp and you live amidst expansive, snow-capped peaks…setting up home on your own private island…or alternating between your Paris and London pied-à-terres? But that’s just for the rich and famous… You too can lead a luxurious and carefree life abroad…away from all the doom and gloom of the modern world…in your own private paradise, any where in the world you choose. There are places where you can still own your own beachfront home or French chateau outright …where you can have a household staff ready to cater to all your needs, leaving you time to live your life…where the government doesn’t involve itself in every aspect of your personal life...and won’t even charge you taxes. Read below for stories and advice to find out more about how you can live the good life overseas.   [world_rankings_signup]

Living the Good Life Archives

A Tranquil Life and New Perspective Living in Cuenca

A Tranquil Life and New Perspective Living in Cuenca

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April 30, 2016

It’s been three-and-a-half years since my wife, Rita, and I moved to Cuenca, Ecuador…and in those years we’ve experienced things that would have taken a lifetime to accomplish living back in the U.S. In early 2012, we decided to retire early. Our life in New Mexico was similar to most: hectic, stressful, and costly, with little time for the things we wished we could do. After many discussions about what we wanted to do and where we wanted to do them, we signed up to International Living and began researching.

Escaping Brutal Winters and Relishing a Tropical Beach Life

Escaping Brutal Winters and Relishing a Tropical Beach Life

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April 25, 2016

Weeks with the temperatures below zero. Snow, snow, and more snow. It was a particularly brutal winter two years ago that convinced Jim, 67, and Barb Kohlmetz, 62, that it was time for a change after living in Wisconsin all their lives. Now they jet down to Costa Rica after the Christmas holidays and stay in their home in a quiet beach community on the central Pacific coast until after the spring thaw. As retirees—they were in education for a combined 73 years—they have the flexible schedule perfect for part-time residents.

Laidback Living and Golden Sands on Nicaragua’s Pacific

Laidback Living and Golden Sands on Nicaragua’s Pacific

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April 22, 2016

It may well be the best little beach town in the world... With 22 beaches for you to enjoy and a surge in foreign residents and travelers, San Juan del Sur, on Nicaragua's southern Pacific coast, is perfect for any lover of ocean views, warm waters, and fun in the sun. After eight years of living here full-time, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Even if I'm away for only a few days, I find myself missing it. Many people come here to visit and end up staying or going home to plan their permanent return.

The Quest to Find the Perfect Beach View For My Hammock

The Quest to Find the Perfect Beach View For My Hammock

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April 14, 2016

I’ve enjoyed hammocks all over Central America. It’s a way of life in this region, standard home furnishing, and a pastime enjoyed by all. Truck drivers stuck at customs checkpoints string them under their tractor-trailers. Families on front porches take quick naps—nothing puts a baby (or anyone for that matter) to sleep faster than a gently swinging hammock.

Shall We Sunset? The Best Way to Socialize in a Beach Town

Shall We Sunset? The Best Way to Socialize in a Beach Town

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March 22, 2016

Before moving to Tamarindo, on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast, my husband and I lived in Chicago. We were accustomed to brunch as the key to socializing with friends. If you set a weekly date with someone or made plans to catch up with an old friend, oftentimes you would do it over a weekend brunch. We had to re-learn some of the “rules” to socializing when we moved to our little beach town. When we began to meet people, it struck us as odd that the common invite for social gatherings was to go and watch the sunset together…but we quickly learned why.

This Ecuador Beach Town Has Everything For a Happier Life Overseas

This Ecuador Beach Town Has Everything For a Happier Life Overseas

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March 18, 2016

As an airline employee, Brian Yates traveled to many places during his career. It wasn’t until he hit retirement age, however, that he considered living abroad. After visiting South America three years ago, he realized Ecuador had everything he was looking for—low cost of living, amazing coastal lifestyle, affordable healthcare, political stability,..

“Retirement in Costa Rica is Better Than We Imagined”

“Retirement in Costa Rica is Better Than We Imagined”

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March 14, 2016

“I love that our life is so different than I ever thought it would be,” says Pokey Sherman, 65. “I grew up in Pittsburgh. And my parents retired to Florida. I thought, ‘Is that all there is?’ I think the idea of retirement should be to change your lifestyle.” “It’s a real joy to wake up and come out here and realize what we’ve done,” she adds, referring to their fifth-floor balcony. Their condo is set on a hill overlooking a low-key beach town, verdant forest, the glittering Pacific, surfer-filled waves, and river to the north.

5 Low-Cost Countries Where You Can Live on $1,500 a Month or Less

5 Low-Cost Countries Where You Can Live on $1,500 a Month or Less

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February 24, 2016

By choosing to retire in one of the world’s best bang-for-your-buck destinations, Rob enjoys a lifestyle well beyond his reach if he had stayed in the U.S. Every day he can choose to relax on the beaches around his home in the town of Sihanoukville, on the Cambodian coast, dine on fresh French croissants…rent a sailboat or go fishing on an offshore charter…

Living in Stress-Free Belize on 66% Less Than in the U.S.

Living in Stress-Free Belize on 66% Less Than in the U.S.

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February 19, 2016

If you drop by Dan and Mary Elizabeth Crofts home in Corozal, Belize, you might find Dan indulging in one of his favorite new pastimes…feeding the local iguanas. Mary Elizabeth explains, “We have a family of three that we have named: Greta, Gary, and their son, Genghis. They love bananas and we have a video of Dan feeding them”.