Here are a few tidbits from other expat sites.
June 24, 2010
Here’s a well expressed piece on the ways that family can try to pull you around.
The author writes:
“A year and a half ago, I moved with my husband and three kids to Argentina. I love it. Every single day. I wake up every morning thankful that I set fear and uncertainty aside and made this move.”
However, her parents and other family keep demanding she come “home.”
Read the article here.
June 10, 2010
“Americans, I have some bad news for you:
“You have the worst quality of life in the developed world – by a wide margin.
“If you had any idea of how people really lived in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many parts of Asia, you’d be rioting in the streets calling for a better life. In fact, the average Australian or Singaporean taxi driver has a much better standard of living than the typical American white-collar worker.”
So writes Lance Freeman in Escape from America magazine. This is an extremely well written article, biting, incisive and a bit scary. Whether you agree or not, it’s definitely worth a read. Click here to read the whole thing.
June 5, 2010
American retirees still flowing into Merida, Mexico, according to a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor. “As safe as Seattle” is how one new resident describes it. Read the article.
April 13, 2010
Mexico seems really determined to woo US retirees. On the heels of the IL report a few days ago about the meeting in Yucatan, here’s another IL story about a zoning change in Colima that will pave the way for retirement and assisted living facilities in the small state on the Pacific Coast.
“In late March the small state of Colima, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, changed its zoning laws to include retirement and assisted living facilities. This minor amendment in a small Mexican state is just one of many separate events that, together, may well change the face of U.S. retirement. ” Read more. . .
March 23, 2010
Mexico had a pavilion at the March 9-13 Berlin Tourism Fair, indicating that Europeans are increasingly interested in travel destinations in Mexico. More at Boomers Abroad.
March 15, 2010
NomadicMatt, who runs a fabulous travel site, recently posted a list of the 10 best places to teach English as a second language.
- Korea
- Japan
- Middle East
- Thailand
- China
- Mexico
- Central Asia
- Prague
- Argentina
Read the entire post here.
March 8, 2010
Today is International Women’s Day. According to an article at the America’s Society website, Latin America now has a higher percentage of women in government than most of the rest of the world. Who knew? Read the article here.
March 3, 2010
Women — Want to Win an Amazon Kindle e-Reader? Join Expat Women website.
From Expat Women:
Want to Win an Amazon Kindle for You and Your Friend?
Yes? Fabulous! Here is how to enter the competition…
Firstly, if you are not already an ExpatWomen.com member, please join up. Secondly, if you are already a member (or you have just become a member), please proceed to tell as many friends as you can to join ExpatWomen.com and to answer “Friend” in the “How Did You Hear About Us?” box.
On 30 April at 5pm New York time, we will compile a list of every new member who was referred by a “Friend” and then ask someone independent of ExpatWomen.com to randomly select a winning number that will match one of the new member numbers who were referred by a “Friend”.
The winning member will be emailed from contactus@expatwomen.com and asked who referred them. If they do not reply within seven calendar days they will be emailed again. If they do not reply within a further seven calendar days they will forfeit their chance to win and a new winner will be randomly selected. This process will continue until we have a winner who responds to the winning notification email with the name of their referring friend, so that we can be sure that we actually have a winner (and their referring friend) to claim these great prizes!
The winning member and their (one only) referrer (who must also be a current member of ExpatWomen.com) will each win an Amazon Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6″ display diagonal E Ink® edition, 8″ x 5.3″ x 0.36″) valued on Amazon.com at 1 March 2010 @ US$259. Judges decision will be final.”
March 1, 2010
From the Expat Exchange: How U.S. Expatriates Can Avoid the 13 Most Common Expat Tax Traps.
“While the expat experience can be an exciting an exhilarating adventure, there is no greater frustration and disappointment than having the IRS ruin your experience by auditing your tax return while away, calculating additional taxes due, penalizing and charging you interest during the process, and even perhaps suggesting jail time for your mistakes.” Read more
February 21, 2010
Here’s an amusing blog highlighting funny and embarassing stories of expats trying to communicate in the local language at Up Your Bottom!
February 19, 2010
From a charming blog by an unemployed parent:
If I can’t find something locally we will have to move. If we are going to move, why limit ourselves? Why not do what some other unemployed Americans are doing? Look abroad! After all, story after story on outsourcing tells us that is where the jobs are going and some studies indicate that the chances of landing a job are far better overseas.
The blog is called The Boxcar Kids after the wonderful 1920’s era children’s book series of the same name.
February 16, 2010
Inspired Overseas Living is offering a free E-Book, Personalizing Your Overseas Living Space. Co-author Sarah Novak writes:
“Are you tired of your overseas house not feeling like a home? Are you confused about where to start? This brand new, 22 page e-book will guide you through managing the transformation from start to finish. The e-book is a collaboration between myself, and Mindy Jeppesen, a Professional Organizer and fellow expat.”
January 28, 2010
Are you one of the Americans struggling to save for retirement who President Barack Obama mentioned in his State of the Union address? GlobalPost has put together a slideshow of some of the best places to settle down when you need to make your dollar last. We favored countries that not only have low costs of living but also offer beautiful, relaxing settings; access to good medical care; and a range of activities to keep you busy.
January 25, 2010
Jennifer Lyn King provides a super list, on her blog The View through My Lens:
“We have lived in Prague, Czech Republic, for six months now, and I thought I would write out a list of the top ten things we feel we can’t live without, as US expats living in a non-English-speaking country.”
January 15, 2010
From Going Global, Nick Hodges shares some financial strategy information with expats and would-be expats. In 7 Life-Changing Financial Decisions U.S. Expats Must Consider to Protect Their Assets and Investments, he states:
“The many moving parts of an U.S. Expatriate’s financial world must be brought together under one qualified tax and financial advisor.”
December 28, 2009
As 2009 draws to a close, Expat Exchange is featuring several accounts of Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s and other seasonal celebrations. Here are a few descriptions of New Year celebrations.
“Many of my neighbors have street celebrations. Residents of a city block will fire up a bonfire on the corner with music, canned or live. There is a kettle of cinnamon tea spiked with whatever is proferred and fireworks at midnight.”
Read more from Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
“It is an important family holiday with lots of traditional food eaten, greeting cards exchanged, and visits to the local temple or shrine.”
Read more from Kyoto, Japan
“It’s just another day for the Chinese. For Expats they have celebrations at the Bars/Restaurants on “Bar Street” here in Dongguan, just like in the West.”
Read more from Dongguang, China.
December 8, 2009
“If you’re interested in the ideas we explore every day in these Postcards…if you want a new adventure, a fresh start, and you’re wondering if you can find it overseas…and you’re hoping that 2010 could be the year it happens for you…listen up:
You need to get off your behind and do something about it.” Read more
November 25, 2009
Huffington Post is definitely not an expat site, but I just found an interesting article there about US expats stranded overseas because of health care issues. Apparently, health care is not only driving US citizens overseas, but is keeping them there as well. Private Health Care is Stranding US Expats Overseas
November 18, 2009
Donna Marsh, a British/US dual citizen, has written a very nice comparison of American and English views of their respective health care systems for Mobility Magazine. Read Health Care and Culture: A Look at the British and American Systems.
November 15, 2009
Emmanuelle Archer advises against taking an entry-level job in your new country, for three very good reasons. Read the post
November 2, 2009
“Ecuador’s Northern Andres is where you’ll find one of the world’s best-value places. . . Imbabura province, where Cotacachi, Otavalo, and Ibarra are located, is prosperous compared with other regions of Ecuador. The towns are clean and orderly, and city governments have invested in infrastructure improvements to keep tourists (and residents) happy.” Read more
October 28, 2009
Well, it’s not an expat site, but thanks to the Universal Site Directory for featuring Future Expats Forum in its Lifestyles section.
October 25, 2009
Running from? Running toward? Just running? NomadicMatt has written a nice post for those misunderstood nomads.
“. . . there is this perception out there that anyone who travels for a long time and isn’t interested in settling down or getting a conventional job, must be running away from something. Traveling is something everyone should do and gap years and short trips are acceptable. But for those who make being a nomad a way of life or people who just linger a bit too long before they make that final stretch home, we are accused of running away. Our life must be so bad or something so traumatic happened to us that we leave, wander, and never stop must be the reason behind our travels. People assume that we are simply running away from our problems- running away from ‘the real world.’ ” Read more
October 24, 2009
“Per capita GDP is not a measure of true wealth. A measure of true wealth is affordable access to healthy food and water that is locally produced, a sense of community spirit and respect for one’s neighbors, and a lack of unnecessary government regulation and taxes. By these measures, the developing world nations are among the wealthiest on Earth.” Read more
October 22, 2009
Thanks to Boomers Abroad for reprinting the article, Health Care: Is it Driving US Citizens to Move Overseas?
October 16, 2009
It’s not exactly an expat site, but Forbes.com just published its list of The Ten Best Retirement Havens. They name countries, not cities, so there’s a lot of room within each recommendation. Their introduction states:
“Forbes cannot promise retirees “paradise on $30 a day.” Quite the opposite. We promise seniors wishing to move out of the U.S. that they will not find paradise anywhere. Each country is unique–with assets and liabilities–and the key to successful retirement as an ex-pat is carefully matching your own personal priorities and finances to the country that has caught your eye.
“To help matters along, Forbes has compiled its own list of the 10 best retirement havens, based on a wide variety of criteria ranging from safety to retiree-friendly visa requirements to decent medical care.” Read more
Golfing in Portugal. . . who knew?
“Weather, golf, beach and accessibility are the major drivers of Europe’s internal tourism and second home market. In fact, for both Spain and Portugal, golf is a bigger driver than beach. I understand this. I visit Portugal’s Algarve most years but I have never stepped foot on one of her beaches. I come here like many millions to golf. ” Read more
October 13, 2009
Continuing with our discussion of health care, International Living wrote today:
“Already, 10 U.S. and Canadian companies have expressed an interest in building facilities to cater to Americans seeking to take advantage of low medical expenses, he says.
“This is all good news for those of us who live in Mexico and for anyone thinking about relocating or retiring there.
“Anticipating the approval of both U.S. private insurance and Medicare/Medicaid programs in Mexico, real estate developers are getting in on the act, too. Many of them are creating special communities that cater to the health needs of foreign retirees, including assisted living centers. Read more“
October 12, 2009
How does the UK National Health Service stack up against US medical insurance? A US citizen, who lived in the UK for years, speaks out.
“When I lived in the UK, I railed against the NHS (the National Health Service). I cursed every delay, every perceived inconvenience, every way it differed from the care I had received in the US. But I moved to the UK only a few months after graduating from university and, until then, I had been covered on my parents’ very generous insurance so I had experienced American healthcare only as a dependent. I was judging my British experience from a lofty and privileged position of someone who’d always had gold-plated insurance. And I was naive, because I’d never had to pay for it, never had to worry it wouldn’t be there, never really had to deal with the paperwork. I never really understood what I was comparing the NHS to at all.”
October 7, 2009
Report From International Living’s Live and Invest Overseas Seminar
“Las Vegas is down on its luck these days. Tourism is off, hotels are operating at reduced capacity, and there’s plenty of elbowroom at the craps tables.
But some of us are feeling pretty lucky. No, we didn’t win big in the casinos. But we struck it rich in another way. We’ve obtained some heavy-duty insider information that, if used right, will pay off. Big time.” Read more. . .
Boomers Abroad celebrates Five-Month Anniversary
“Boomers Abroad, Niche portal, Online Community and Social Network was founded in direct response to hundreds of conversations with baby boomers from the USA & Canada who were seeking out a new life, exciting destinations, a better weather and a dream home. At Boomer Abroad Online Community we strive to fill the information gap and educate and update Baby Boomers on the news, trends and opportunities in Latin America & The Caribbean.
“We are very excited and so proud of what Boomers Abroad Online Community & Social Network has become. We can’t believe that 5 months have already gone since we launched in April 15. Read more. . .
October 2, 2009
Expat Abroad
Comparing Costs of Health Care Treatments in America, Britain and France
Why Expats Fail to Make a Go of a New Life Abroad
The chance to change our lives is a thrilling challenge, and the act of making a go of it abroad can lead to all sorts of new opportunities; however, for some people becoming an expatriate and an international citizen is not all it’s cracked up to be. Read more
October 1, 2009
Beautiful Beaches, No Crime, Free Health Care:
Is This the Best Country in World?By Suzan Haskins
It’s time for your geography and sociology quiz.
What country just may be the ideal tourist attraction…with a varied terrain that includes rugged mountains, bucolic farmland, and 3,570 miles of some of the world’s most beautiful beaches…some with uninterrupted sandy shores of more than 13 miles? Read more
6 Reasons Living on the Road is a Good Option in a Down Economy
By Jennifer Miller
“If the economy isn’t the only thing depressed around your place, may I suggest that major life change may be just what you need? Why not jump ship on the whole sad mess and reinvent yourself by living and working on the road? It can be the point where dreams meet reality in lean economic times. Read on for six compelling reasons to join the gypsies and have the best of both worlds in ANY economy!” Read more
When You Arrive: How to Hit the Ground Running Without Getting Your Face Smashed
By Robin Pascoe
Summary: Robin Pascoe shares an excerpt from her book “A Broad Abroad: The Expat Wife’s Guide to Successful Living Abroad”. She offers advice for new expat spouses. Read more