Expat Advice

International Living’s expat network is your key to a new life in a new country. Get real, honest advice from people just like you. Discover the tips, tricks, shortcuts, and strategies you can use to cut through red tape and improve your life overseas right away.

Read about and learn from real-life experiences our expats have had in their new home countries, from health care to taxes, earning an income overseas to buying real estate…and much more.

Expat Advice Archives

The Top Five Overseas Havens for Effortless Healthy Living: Part One

By International Living |

April 22, 2016

When people tell you why they want to retire abroad, a few big reasons crop up again and again: the lower cost of living…escaping the worst of the North American winter…finding a more adventurous life…access to excellent, affordable healthcare. But there are other benefits to embracing a life abroad—benefits most people don’t even think of. Many expats are pleasantly surprised to discover that you can also find a healthier lifestyle overseas—without even trying.

The Top Five Overseas Havens for Effortless Healthy Living: Part Two

By International Living |

April 22, 2016

“We have dropped an incredible amount of weight,” says expat Armand Brodeur, who lives with his wife Joyclyn in Las Tablas, Panama. “And we’re not even eating as healthy as we ought to.” The Brodeur’s story is not unique. They’re just two of the many expats who come to Panama and lose weight without even trying. “I didn’t realize I was losing weight” is a constant refrain here. The outdoors beckon…there are produce stalls, fish markets, pristine beaches, and rainforest parks to visit. In much of the country, walking is the preferred method of transportation. So much so, that many expats here don’t even have cars. Imagine the effect on your waistline…

Blue Zones Around the World

By International Living |

April 22, 2016

Some places around the world really stand out in terms of the healthy lifestyle they have to offer. So much so, that National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner has even discovered special spots—Blue Zones—renowned for the longevity of their populations. In these Blue Zones you’ll ﬁnd plenty of people living past 100. What is their secret to long life?

Living The Island Life on Koh Tao, Thailand

By Ashleigh Mills |

April 22, 2016

The small island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand is one of those places that people never want to leave. With azure bays, secluded coves, great restaurants, and a friendly community vibe, it’s no surprise that Australian Tim Severino stayed and made it home.

The Time Has Come For Gold, Saudi Arabia’s New Trick, and Much More

By International Living |

March 19, 2016

Cybercrime is booming. Which means the business of providing cybersecurity is booming, too. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated all the time. In the last year, the number of records exposed in data breaches soared nearly 100%, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

A Retirement Less Ordinary in Caribbean Bocas del Toro

By Linda Card |

March 19, 2016

"From our front porch, we watch dolphins play, and howler monkeys cavort in the trees all the way around the house,” says Mary Heckrotte. “Sloths ease along tree limbs. Parrots, toucans, and hundreds of other colorful birds flit past or nibble seeds in bushes growing right next to the porch. We never tire of watching them. We live in a nature-lovers’ paradise!”

Beachside Living on Mexico’s Riviera Maya

By Donald Murray |

March 19, 2016

Marty and Michelle Kramer know that the road to paradise is not always direct. They’re okay with that. As they will tell you, what counts is being happy where you end up. They found the right fit for their retirement dreams in the bright and breezy beach town of Playa del Carmen, on Mexico’s famed Riviera Maya.

Puerto Morelos: The Perfect Match

By Donald Murray |

March 19, 2016

In 1999, the 50-year-old Valorie Gallagher fell in love while vacationing along Mexico’s Riviera Maya. She’d been looking for her perfect match for years, and once they met, she instantly knew that her life would never be the same. This wasn’t the typical affair of the heart, however. Valorie had fallen head-over-heels in love with one of the lesser-known jewels of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the fishing village of Puerto Morelos. And 17 years later, she’s still in love with it.

An Ideal Beach Lifestyle in Tulúm, Mexico

By Jason Holland |

March 19, 2016

“What would we do in Wisconsin in retirement?” says Lance Koehler, reflecting on his new life in beachside Tulúm. “Go to the mall, shovel snow. Here I love the warm weather, the sun, and going to the beach.” Lance and his wife Jeanette have found more than their place in the sun. They’ve also found their place in the local expat community.

Bringing Your Pets to Europe—Now Easy

By Dawn R Starr |

March 19, 2016

Bringing pets to the European Union (EU) from the U.S. or Canada is much easier than it once was. For dogs and cats, especially, the days of long quarantines are gone, paperwork is standardized, and—once within the EU—a “pet passport” valid throughout the EU can be issued.