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.  

Living the Good Life Archives

Feeling at Home and Happier Than Ever in Beach-Town Costa Rica

Feeling at Home and Happier Than Ever in Beach-Town Costa Rica

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July 14, 2016

Graham Cooper first became an expat when he moved from his native England to Toronto, Canada in 1972, to pursue what would be a long and prosperous career in mechanical engineering. When he became eligible for retirement after 30 years with the same employer at the age of 55, he didn’t hesitate. “I figured, why would I work any longer if I can retire now,” Graham reflects. “My company offered me a nice retirement package including my pension and health benefits until I die, so I took it and planned to pursue my passion for travel.”

The American Dream Was Killing Us…So We Moved to Costa Rica

The American Dream Was Killing Us…So We Moved to Costa Rica

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July 13, 2016

My lifestyle has changed significantly since moving to Central America three years ago. One reason my wife Jen and I moved here was because the American Dream was killing us. We both had successful careers and no children; this meant we had a lot of disposable income. We had the large house (occupied only by two people and a dog), two cars, and all the possessions we could want. We had all the things that define “making it” in the U.S.

Visiting the “Dynamic Duo” of Costa Rica’s Central Valley

Visiting the “Dynamic Duo” of Costa Rica’s Central Valley

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July 9, 2016

There are many places in Costa Rica’s Central Valley where you can experience what the country is all about, maybe too many. When my wife and I have friends visit, we often have a hard time deciding what to show them. That being said, we always save one day for what I call the dynamic-duo of the Central Valley—Poas Volcano and La Paz Water Gardens. These two iconic destinations are close enough to each other to visit in the same day and they provide a wonderful experience.

City Living, White-Sand Beaches and Low Costs in Cebu City, Philippines

City Living, White-Sand Beaches and Low Costs in Cebu City, Philippines

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July 8, 2016

Sailing into the sunset to start a new life in a tropical paradise is the stuff of many retirees' dreams. However, sometimes the fear that they'll also be leaving behind First World amenities holds them back. But there's a place where you can forget those worries...Cebu City, on the island of Cebu in the Philippines, is that place.

Enjoying a Slower, More Fulfilled Life on This Affordable Caribbean Island

Enjoying a Slower, More Fulfilled Life on This Affordable Caribbean Island

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July 5, 2016

Diana Moore and Tim Nutley are thrilled to be living on a Caribbean island. “Our lifestyle now is ‘chillaxed’, as people here say. We are no longer working long hours and then trying to get everything done on the weekend,” says Diana. “We like living here for simple reasons. The atmosphere is awesome. No one is in a hurry. There are no automobiles here. We get around on bikes. So there’s no polluted air or road rage.”

Enjoying a Simpler Life in Costa Rica’s “Hidden” Valley

Enjoying a Simpler Life in Costa Rica’s “Hidden” Valley

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June 23, 2016

For Steve and Nancy Riley…it’s paradise. They live on a little over 12 acres of land on a hillside, with panoramic views of the surrounding forest and farmland thanks to the elevation of 4,300 feet. A former coffee plantation, they’ve transformed their property into a botanical garden with walking trails and thousands of tropical plants like heliconias, bromeliads, 550 different species of orchids, and more. It’s Nancy’s vision and passion, and with a helper, she works hours a day in the garden.

Why Living in Costa Rica’s Central Valley is Good for Your Health

Why Living in Costa Rica’s Central Valley is Good for Your Health

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June 18, 2016

Three years and 45 pounds ago, I moved to Costa Rica with my wife. We left corporate America behind, searching for a healthier and happier life; we found it in the hills of the Central Valley. As the name implies, living in the Central Valley means living in an area surrounded by mountains. The valley includes many popular expat locations such as San Ramon, Atenas, and Grecia. The region also incorporates the country’s largest cities: the capital San José, Alejuela, and Cartago. Nearly three quarters of the country’s population live in the Central Valley.

Coastal Living in Ecuador: Over 900 Miles of Perfection

Coastal Living in Ecuador: Over 900 Miles of Perfection

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June 18, 2016

Much has been written about Ecuador as one of the most ecologically diverse countries on earth, with near-perfect climates to choose from and landscapes including plains, mountains, coastal, and everything in between. For a country about the same size as Wyoming, this is impressive. Choose the weather and terrain you like best, and most likely you can find the ideal spot in Ecuador.