Month: July 2010

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The Simple And Satisfying Pleasures Of French Country Life

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“We recently visited an organic beef and lamb farm,” writes France Correspondent Lucy Culpepper from her home in the southwest of that country. “It was part of an annual, all-weekend event held across France. Farmers opened their doors (and their stables) to visitors to show off their animals, their cheese making, and their meat, wine, and vegetable production. “We visited the farm of Josie and Jean Pierre Pommiés, just outside the pretty village of Coarraze in the beautiful rolling countryside of the Haut Béarn. Jean Pierre is a classic shepherd; in early summer he drives his animals, on foot, up … Continue reading The Simple And Satisfying Pleasures Of French Country Life

Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

The Noose Is Tightening — Here’s How You Slip Out

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Putting your money into foreign real estate is becoming a more appealing strategy all the time. Thanks to a crazy piece of pork in the recently passed U.S. HIRE Act, currency controls in that country have been seriously tightened. You know, of course, that you have to report any financial accounts you hold outside the United States with a value of more than US$10,000. Now, though, foreign financial institutions are required to report on the investment activities of U.S. citizens. It’s been increasingly difficult for some time for an American to open an international account abroad, and Switzerland recently has … Continue reading The Noose Is Tightening — Here’s How You Slip Out

Attitudes1 Comment

Why Did I Do This In The First Place?

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When my boss at the time came to me to explain that the U.S. publishing company where I’d been working for 13 years was interested in setting up a new base in Ireland and to ask if I’d be interested in making the move to open that office for him, I jumped at the chance. I was 34 years old, ready for a change, and eager for an adventure. I’d been covering this live, retire, and invest overseas beat for a long time, but I realized that that was not the same as living it. This was my chance to … Continue reading Why Did I Do This In The First Place?

Events, Music1 Comment

IMPRESSED BY 2010?….. 3 ‘EARLY BIRD’ TICKET OPTIONS FOR 2011!

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2011 IOM Bay Festival will have you Spelbound by their ‘Early Birds’! Following hot on the heels of the success of this year’s Manx Telecom Bay Festival the organisers have announced that they have already finalised the line-up for next year’s ‘X Factor Meets Britain’s Got Talent’. With over 8,000 in attendance this year the organisers have been inundated with requests asking when next years will be on sale as no one wants to miss out.  Jonathan Irving co-event promoter with his son Jamie said: “The Father’s Day spectacular starring Olly Murs, Diversity, Danyl Johnson, Signature, Stavros Flately etc went … Continue reading IMPRESSED BY 2010?….. 3 ‘EARLY BIRD’ TICKET OPTIONS FOR 2011!

Advertising2 Comments

Alcohol Advertising Heading For The Gutter?

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Fosters.Smirnoff. Budweiser. Pimms. Guinness.Bailey’s. You know the brands, you know the ads and you probably know what some (most?) of them taste like too. But you may need to savour that (hazy?) memory if the people at the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) have their way. NICE, an independent advisory group to the NHS, published a 100-page report on Wednesday issuing recommendations that they believe will help reverse Britain’s underage and binge drinking culture- including a total ban of all UK alcohol advertising and a steep increase on the prices of all alcoholic beverages. According to Professor Ian Gilmore, the President of the Royal College of Physicians and Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, … Continue reading Alcohol Advertising Heading For The Gutter?

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The Town Of Everlasting Peace

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“Greetings from Taiping,” writes Intrepid Correspondent Vicki Terhorst this morning. “This place is an historical and hidden gem in Malaysia. So few Westerners visit the ‘town of everlasting peace’ that Paul and I attract attention wherever we go. Young folks yell ‘Welcome to Malaysia’ from car windows, school bus windows, and motorcycles. Older folks come up to us when we are eating or out walking, to greet us and to ask where we are from. “The other day I walked by a huge convent school that teaches in English, and their motto caught my attention: Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in … Continue reading The Town Of Everlasting Peace

Attitudes, Great Places For Holidays And Investments1 Comment

The Top Three Reasons Not To Retire Overseas Debunked!

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Reason #1 Not To Retire Overseas: You have young children. Bring them with you! The advantages to raising children abroad are many, from a second (or even third) language to a second passport. Children raised overseas are generally self-confident, open-minded, and resourceful. They learn to make friends easily and to adjust quickly to change. If you’re hesitating making an international move because you have children, you’re making a mistake. That, however, is not to say that raising kids in another country is easy. When you make a move overseas with children, they, specifically the options for their education, become your … Continue reading The Top Three Reasons Not To Retire Overseas Debunked!

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Stop Reading And Get On A Plane

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Stop reading. Well…not right this minute. But, after you’ve done your research and your googling, you have to stop reading about living, retiring, and investing overseas…and get on a plane to investigate the possibilities firsthand. Nothing substitutes for feet on the ground. You’ve got to walk the beaches, the pavements, and the hillsides of whatever overseas Shangri-las may be tempting you virtually. Only then can you know if any one of them is the right place for you to spend your time or your money. Readers write every day to say, “I’ve been reading your letters for months (or years), … Continue reading Stop Reading And Get On A Plane

Great Places For Holidays And Investments1 Comment

Emergency Health Care In Belize–One-Third The Cost You’d Pay Stateside

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“After a lovely weekend with friends,” writes Belize Correspondent Ann Kuffner, “my husband Mike and I stepped into our condo at dusk Sunday evening. I had just picked up my new prescription sunglasses at the Hoy Eye Center in Belize City. I was pleased that the transition lenses are very dark but not yet used to focusing with them. Entering the house, I did not see our big, black dog, Ziggy, asleep on his favorite dark rug… “Before I knew it, my heels were in the air, and I had landed on the unforgiving tile floor, directly on my hip. … Continue reading Emergency Health Care In Belize–One-Third The Cost You’d Pay Stateside

Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Assessing Your Retire Overseas Risks

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“Read almost any article in the mainstream press about retiring overseas,” writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst from his current base in Chiang Mai, Thailand, “and the writer almost invariably starts by evaluating the local health care situation. ‘Country A offers high-quality, low-cost health care…Country B allows expats to buy into the national health plan.’ “I’ve long been puzzled by this emphasis on health care. “Sure, most overseas retirees are older…and we older folks buy more health care than young people. But we buy other stuff, too. We buy transportation, plumbing, electricity, and lodging. You never read that ‘Country C offers … Continue reading Assessing Your Retire Overseas Risks

Great Places For Holidays And Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments2 Comments

Retire Overseas Fundamentals

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Lief and I have begun conversations with our first Live Overseas Personal Consulting clients, and I’m being reminded of the fundamentals. For example… Language This can seem an intimidating, even paralyzing hurdle. If you’ve never spoken a second language or even if you speak, say, a little Spanish but not enough to hold a business conversation or to negotiate a rental lease, you can worry how you’ll get things done, how you’ll keep from being taken advantage of, and how you’ll make friends. The concern can be greatest if you’re thinking of making a move on your own. I do … Continue reading Retire Overseas Fundamentals

Investments, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments1 Comment

Why These Expats Chose This Safe Haven

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“Developed in the 1930s as a resort for wealthy Argentineans,” writes Uruguay Correspondent Sol Tuya, “Piriapolis has evolved into one of the world’s most affordable and appealing retirement havens, attracting expats from North America, Europe, and elsewhere throughout South America.             “I include myself among them, and I can tell you that, here in this small city on Uruguay’s coast, we are enjoying peace and harmony and a quality of life that I think would be hard to match. “Every month, the Piriapolis English Speakers Club gathers by the sea for good conversation, good food, and a chance to network … Continue reading Why These Expats Chose This Safe Haven