If you want to create a life where you can live, work, and thrive anywhere in the world, you’ve come to the right place.
Millions of Americans move abroad every year. We don’t have any hard and fast numbers – the US government doesn’t track expats – but all indications are the number is rapidly increasing.
Many more millions want to do meaningful work, but don’t want to be tied down to a single geographic place in order to do it. It’s never been easier to unplug from the corporate cubicle. You can do it by starting your own location-independent business, or by keeping your employee status but working remotely from. . . wherever you want.
Back in 2012, I did both. I hadn’t planned to, but it had become a financial necessity. I’ll go into that more later.
When I was researching the whole moving-overseas-thing, I found that there’s a ton of information about different regions, countries and cities of the world. There’s also lots of investment advice and information about protecting your wealth.
What I didn’t find was basic information on how to accomplish your overseas move, and, even more importantly, how to support yourself once you arrive.
Perhaps you don’t need to generate an income overseas because you have Social Security, a pension, and/or investments that will support your lifestyle. The good news is, in many countries that Social Security or pension check provides a whole lot more lifestyle bang for the buck than it will in the US.
Maybe you want to earn an income to supplement your Social Security, or maybe you’re looking to create a full-time income abroad. I’m not talking about having a job that sends you overseas, but if want to develop a portable income — something you can take with you wherever you go — stick around.
This site will look at how to live, work, and thrive anywhere in the world.
Perhaps you arrived here from one of my other websites — Future Expats or WordPress Building Blocks. If so, I’m glad you stopped in.
If you’re here from an internet search or social media, you’ll find information, tools, and support for living, working, and thriving anywhere.
#1. Where to Live (and How to Get There)
We’ll talk about countries and cities that are interesting to expats, of course, and how to get ready for the big move.
We’ll also talk about housing choices, like renting vs. buying.
Other topics include:
- Visas and residency
- Bringing the pets along
- Learning the language
- Helpful technology
#2. Income to Live On
When I first moved to Panama, all the expats we knew (except me) were retired. After we’d been there a year or so, a surprising thing happened.
Several younger couples moved into the area, with school-age children. It’s a trend that’s growing rapidly.
These younger families need an income to live on. (Some of us older families do, too.) We’ll talk about ways to make that happen by creating a portable career.
#3. Lifestyle
These are your lifestyle choices in your new place. Do you want to attend the symphony, or would you rather listen to a pick-up bongo band on the beach? Sit in a cafe, or laze on the beach? Hike in the mountains, or snorkel? Read the latest best seller, or watch the newest movie release?
What you like to do in your spare time will inform your choice of destination, and will have a big impact on your overall happiness abroad.
Another part of lifestyle is healthcare. Americans are obsessed with it, which puzzles the rest of the civilized world. (Of course, the rest of the world doesn’t have to worry about an illness sending you into bankruptcy.)
We’ll talk about how to obtain healthcare abroad, whether you need health insurance, and how to improve your health once you get there.
Why Move Away from Home?
My husband and I realized several years ago that, if we stay here in the USA, we won’t ever afford retirement. Add to this my lifelong desire to spend time in another country, and we began looking at the possibilities of retiring overseas. Your reasons may be completely different.
Where To Go?
After raising five kids and getting hit hard by the financial meltdown, our choices were initially limited to the countries where the cost of living is well below that of the US. We also wanted to be close to the US so we could see our kids and my husband’s elderly parents regularly.
In the spring of 2012, we moved to the small town of Las Tablas in the Republic of Panama.
After 2-1/2 years there (where we had a ball), we returned to the US. My husband was becoming more concerned about his elderly parents, and wanted to be closer.
All told, in the past five years we’ve moved seven times. Thank goodness I got my own portable career off the ground shortly after we arrived in Las Tablas. . .
I’m an Anywhereist — I can live and work anywhere, as long as I have an internet connection. (We plan to resume our overseas adventure once the in-laws aren’t in the frame any longer.)
What Kind of Work Do I Do?
I have a background in writing and in website design. I’ve put together a successful business that uses both sets of skills.
As a freelance writer, I get paid to write about the art and craft of writing, expatriation, small business, WordPress, and productivity tools.
I also teach people how to build attractive and effective websites using WordPress, and I’ll build the sites for those who don’t want to do it themselves.
My portable career includes some passive income streams as well, things that keep some cash flowing even if I’m traveling or unable to work for a little while. I’ll teach you about some of those, too.
I look forward to having you along!
