Inside This Issue...Chiang Mai: Southeast Asia’s Best “Bangfor- Your-Buck” Destination; Buy a Beach Pied á Terre in Elegant Normandy; How Ecuador Improved Our Health; Discover Belize’s Forgotten District; Four of Europe’s Most Romantic Train Journeys…and much more
Affectionately nicknamed the “Rose of the North,” Chiang Mai is Thailand’s charmer; a laidback, yet vibrant, university city famous for its many Buddhist temples, culture and good food. The warm climate, low costs and excellent, modern infrastructure have attracted expats in big numbers, and that includes thousands of retirees from all over the world.
Romania acceded to the European Union back in 2007… just in time for the global financial crisis to bite it in the neck. GDP growth, which at a robust 6% to 7% during the previous few years had been among the highest on the continent, promptly collapsed. The economy contracted by a whopping 6.5% in 2009 and remained in the red the following year. It’s been in a state of tentative recovery ever since.
With the cost of living rising in the U.S., Walter and his wife Nancy began looking at their overseas options. Mexico and the tranquil lakeside town of Ajijic stood out after the couple’s first visit. “The fact that we could retire comfortably financially, afford to pay our own health care, and have sufficient funds to visit our children and grandchildren back in the U.S. was a major factor in deciding to make the move,” says Walter.
Whatever you dream about, come with that in mind. And dream big. Because at our Fast Track Your Retirement Overseas Conference in Las Vegas, we’ll pinpoint for you on a map the places where you can turn your dream into reality…for a small fraction of what you’d pay at home.
For decades the Iron Curtain divided Europe in two. Folks in the U.S. and Western Europe were afforded only glimpses of life in the Eastern Bloc. The political situation severely restricted travel. And half of Europe became an uncharted and unknown land. Then the Berlin Wall fell and a dozen or so nations opened up, embracing new freedoms. Visitors were welcomed and discovered a history going back thousands of years, regions of untouched natural beauty, and a seriously low cost of living.
The best deals and the biggest opportunities in real estate today are not to be found within U.S. borders. Take U.S. coastlines... Sure, America has some gorgeous beaches... and stunning seaside properties. But there’s a severely limited supply, especially of Grade A, beachfront real estate... and a burgeoning demand, especially among Baby Boomers. Even if your budget isn’t small, you’ll have trouble finding a seaside getaway on either U.S. coast that could be called a bargain.
Wondering if you can afford to retire in Italy? Well, you can. Although the popular areas of Rome, Florence, and Milan are admittedly expensive, not all regions are as unaffordable as you might expect. In rural areas and small towns, plenty of homes are available for less than $150,000. Often a lot less… Escape to Italy will provide you with all the information you will need to turn your dreams of moving overseas into reality.
France has all the ingredients that we at International Living look for: a good climate, unspoiled countryside, top-notch culture, excellent health care, affordable real estate , colorful traditions and history, and, of course, the glitter and sophistication of Paris. It’s not surprising that France is the world’s favorite destination, receiving in excess of 82 million overseas visitors each year. Escape to France will provide you with all the information you will need to turn your dreams of moving overseas into reality.
If you have ever wanted to rebel against a hectic lifestyle and slow down to enjoy life, Italy should be top of your list of considerations. In this special report, you’ll discover four of the most fitting places to do just that. The message from Italian living is clear: Slow down, stop rushing, and enjoy the simple virtues of life. And you can do that very easily in Italy with its romantic cities, timeless hill towns, snowy mountains, idyllic islands, and a rivetingly beautiful coastline.