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The definitive guide for anyone dreaming of a move to paradise.
Whether motivated by a desire for adventure, or the need to make the most of a diminished nest egg, more and more Americans are considering an overseas retirement. Drawing on her more than three decades of experience helping people relocate happily and successfully, Kathleen Peddicord shows how living in an unconventional retirement destination can cost less than a traditional home in Florida or Arizona. Peddicord addresses all of the essential issues, including:
? Death
• Taxes
• Health Care
• Bank Accounts
Whether readers are interested in relatively unknown havens like Nicaragua, well-traveled areas in Italy, or need some help deciding, How to Retire Overseas is the ultimate guide to making retirement dreams come true.
Introduction xi
Section I Ten Steps You Can Take Now at Home 1
Step 1 Know Yourself 1
Step 2 Budget Your New Life Overseas 10
Step 3 Take Out a Map 19
Step 4 Research Residency Options 23
Step 5 Get Good Tax Advice 27
Step 6 Shop for Health Insurance 33
Step 7 Learn the Local Real Estate Market (for Both Sales and Rentals) 41
Step 8 Figure Out What to Do with All Your Stuff 50
Step 9 Set Up a Virtual Home Office 56
Step 10 Consider Part-Time Retirement Overseas 61
Section II Looking for Something Specific 63
Cheap Living 63
Luxury Living on a Budget 73
Retire to the Beach 77
Escape to the Mountains 79
Top Choices with School-Aged Children 82
Entrepreneurs Welcome 87
Best Health Care 92
Great Weather 95
No Language Barrier 97
Part-Time Retirement Overseas 99
Easy Access to Home 99
Tax-Friendly Jurisdiction 101
Established Expat Community 104
Fully Wired Location 107
Special Benefits for Foreign Retirees 109
Section III The World's Fourteen Top Retirement Havens 117
Argentina 118
Belize 125
Croatia 130
Dominican Republic 136
Ecuador 140
France 146
Ireland 153
Italy 157
Malaysia 161
Mexico 168
Nicaragua 173
Panama 181
Thailand 188
Uruguay 194
Section IV Settling In 201
Renting, Renovating, or Building Your New Home 201
Setting Up: Furnishing Your Home and Finding Household Help 213
Establishing an Administrative Infrastructure: Opening Bank Accounts, Arranging Utilities, Paying Bills, and Filing Tax Returns 218
Getting Around: Owning a Vehicle and Obtaining a Driver's License 224
Becoming Part of Your New Community: Learning the Language and Making Friends 229
How to Make the Most of Your New Life 236
Section V Overcoming Challenges and Cultural Differences 239
Margarita Madness 239
The Language Barrier 243
The Hassle Factor 245
Managing Your Expectations 248
The Mañana Factor 251
Handling Panic 253
Frequently Asked (and Not So Crazy) Questions 258
Conclusion: The Two Most Valuable Things I've Learned as an American Abroad 265
Appendix: Estimated Monthly Costs of Living by Country (U.S. Dollars) 271
Index 277
shouston64
Posted Thu Mar 18 00:00:00 EDT 2010
The best book on moving overseas that I've seen. The why, what, where, and how to get you started on your international adventure from someone who has actually done it and more than once. Even if you've never considered the idea of retiring overseas this book will give you ideas to consider for your retirement.
I especially liked the synopses for Ms. Peddicord's top 14 recommended countries. They are general, but give you enough information to help you sort through the options.
I'm retiring next year and I feel like I just moved light years ahead with my planning.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
The definitive guide for anyone dreaming of a move to paradise.
Whether motivated by a desire for adventure, or the need to make the most of a diminished nest egg, more and more Americans are considering an overseas retirement. Drawing on her more than three decades of experience helping people relocate happily and successfully, Kathleen Peddicord shows how living in an unconventional retirement destination ...