A Roadmap for Your Hero’s Journey

Raise your hand if you watched Bill Moyers’ interview series with Joseph Campbell in the 80s, The Power of Myth. It may be 40 years old, but the subject matter, which explores the universality of myths and how they affect the choices we make, is timeless.

A world-renowned scholar, Campbell’s seminal concept of the “hero’s journey” influenced countless writers and filmmakers… including George Lucas, who consulted Campbell on Star Wars.

One of Campbell’s most popular quotes, “follow your bliss,” has come to grace many a yoga t-shirt. Coined in the 70s, Campbell was calling us to embark on our own hero’s journey, or to let our inner voice guide us toward true fulfillment.

That journey is never easy… Look how long it took Luke Skywalker to master the Force. So here at IL, our mission is to give you a roadmap. Each month, we bring you practical guidance for going overseas… and finding your bliss.

Once a year, we go all-in with our Global Retirement Index. In this issue, we reveal the top spots in Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia for 2025.

The overall winner is a country that leap-frogged over the competition this year, thanks to outstanding benefits for retirees and an increasingly high quality of life. There are few—if any—comforts Americans have to sacrifice to live here—and live luxuriously—for less than $3,000 a month.

We welcomed the largest crowd EVER at our Ultimate Go-Overseas Bootcamp in Las Vegas this October. It’s always gratifying to see someone come in with one country in mind for retirement… and come away with another idea entirely. Read our feature story to learn why Uruguay was many attendees’ wildcard winner.

France is a far easier option for overseas living than many imagine. We recap why two under-the-radar French towns we reported on this year—with easy access to Spain—are beloved by expats. And Tuula Rampont takes us to Provence for a Christmas market you’ll never forget…

There’s much, much more packed into this issue. Including one tip you shouldn’t miss: How to lock-in a super cheap, long-term car rental in Europe.