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

Chiriquí, Panama: Your Perfect Climate Awaits

Chiriquí, Panama: Your Perfect Climate Awaits

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June 15, 2016

There are plenty of valid reasons to rent a home before you buy when you relocate overseas. For those who choose to live in Panama’s Western-most province, Chiriquí, one major reason is to check out the weather in various locations to find what suits you best. Despite being a small country in the middle of the tropics, you’ll find Panama has a variety of climate zones and even within the province there are variations in temperature, rainfall, wind, and cloud cover.

Appreciating the Beauty in Our Back Yard in Costa Rica

Appreciating the Beauty in Our Back Yard in Costa Rica

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June 3, 2016

There are many reasons my wife Jen and I love living in Costa Rica. We enjoy the slower pace compared to the busy lives we led in the U.S. We enjoy the pleasant temperatures provided by living in the mountains of the Central Valley. But mostly, we love the abundance of nature and wildlife that exists all around us. I enjoy taking a hike each morning. I usually do one of three hikes I have found that take me through coffee farms, over rivers, and up into the mountains that surround Poas Volcano, near where I live.

Quiet Beach Town Living on Panama’s Pacific Coast

Quiet Beach Town Living on Panama’s Pacific Coast

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May 30, 2016

Santa Catalina is one of those out-of-the-way beach towns with its own quiet charm. As you walk through town along one of the two narrow streets you pass young men with their surfboards under their arms, headed for the break. Kids on bicycles roll past, avoiding a dog or two. The bus from Santiago arrives and a few backpackers get off, hoisting their loads as they're passed down from the top of the bus.

Living an Affordable Beach Lifestyle in Placencia, Belize

Living an Affordable Beach Lifestyle in Placencia, Belize

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May 29, 2016

With 17 miles of continuous golden-sand beaches, a low key, laidback Caribbean lifestyle, a small population, and plenty of top notch restaurants and funky beach bars, it’s not surprising that expats are pulling up stakes to move to Belize’s Placencia peninsula… In February of 2014 Laura and Dave Diffendal left Cleveland, Ohio, for Placencia Village...

Captivating Mountain Views in Cerro Azul, Panama

Captivating Mountain Views in Cerro Azul, Panama

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May 29, 2016

To sit on a porch in the tiny mountain town of Cerro Azul is to experience true serenity. That's how I feel as I relax in an old Adirondack-style chair, gazing at hillsides carpeted in green. A single pick-up truck is the only vehicle that trundles past. Though I don't know him, the driver gives me a friendly wave. Earlier in the day I took a mini-hike to a hilltop mirador (lookout point) and caught far-off glimpses of both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Now I sit sipping my coffee and watching a pretty blue tanager swoop around the garden.

Retirees Sail the Caribbean for 8 Years On a $1,000-Per-Month Budget

Retirees Sail the Caribbean for 8 Years On a $1,000-Per-Month Budget

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May 25, 2016

Gary and Julie discovered that learning how to sail, buying a sailboat, and cruising from island to island isn’t as difficult – or expensive - as they once believed. In fact, they wound up spending eight full years sailing the Caribbean on their own boat, without any major problems, and spent only $1,000 a month to do it.

Freewheelin’ in Ecuador and the Income Still Flows

Freewheelin’ in Ecuador and the Income Still Flows

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May 23, 2016

It seemed to be a magical evening on the beach. My wife, Susan, and I decided to find a place to sit in the sand to watch the sunset. As we settled in, a couple of friendly dogs that probably belonged to local surfers, joined us. Soon people were coming from everywhere to find their little piece of real estate to watch what was turning out to be a beautiful sunset in Montanita, Ecuador during our first full week of a three-month visit to this amazing country.

The 3 Best Places to Live in Malaysia

The 3 Best Places to Live in Malaysia

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May 4, 2016

Kuala Lumpur is a big thriving city of about 1.6 million people. Expats living there have all of the conveniences of the Western world mixed with a Malaysian flair. There is a good public transportation system consisting of buses and trains, but taxis are common throughout as well. It isn't just the capital of Malaysia; it is the largest city, too. There are thousands of restaurants serving up everything from local noodle dishes to Australian steaks and burgers.