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Best Places to Retire Overseas for Pennies on the Dollar

1/26/2021

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You can have access to beautiful beaches if you choose to live abroad in places like Nha Trang, Vietnam. // Courtesy Vietnam Tourism
By John Roberts 
If you have ever thought of living overseas, whether part of the year or full time in retirement, we've got some cool spots for you to check out. These amazing destinations are incredibly affordable compared to living in the United States and offer plenty of culture, food and activities to keep you living your most vibrant and exciting life while abroad. 
Travel magazine International Living released its Annual Global Retirement Index, which ranks the 25 best retirement havens in the world. 
We'll take a look at the top five destinations in these rankings; they're all places where you can enjoy the ex-pat life safely and comfortably for less than it would cost in the United States. 
The index analyzes categories like day-to-day expenses -- groceries; rent; movie theater tickets; eating out; garbage collection; gas; gym memberships; and even the cost of a getting a flight back to the U.S. -- as well as other hidden costs that typically slip our minds. 
"While people consider a retirement overseas for lots of reasons -- the adventure, the chance to explore a new place and maybe learn a new language, the travel opportunities, and so on -- the idea of lowering their cost of living while improving their quality of life plays an outsized role for many," said Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living. 
"Even before the pandemic, most people had not saved enough for retirement. The extensive job loss we're seeing is going to further exacerbate that situation. But a move to one of the best-value destinations overseas -- even if it's simply for a year or two -- can dramatically lower retirees' everyday costs."  
This can help lower stress levels, too, she says. 
"Consider a monthly budget of, say, $1,800 for a couple," Stevens said. "In the States, that would require penny-pinching. But take those limited funds to the right spots abroad, and you could watch your lifestyle expand.  
"In fact, in the spots that top our Cost of Living category this year, as little as $1,000 a month can bankroll a comfortable lifestyle." 
International Living's 2021 Annual Global Retirement Index ranks these countries as the best places to retire safely, comfortably and affordably:

No. 4 (Tie) Ecuador and Cambodia 
Ecuador is one of the least-expensive countries in the world and has been gaining favor as an expat destination. Everything from the price of real estate and rent to the cost of hiring a full-time maid and dinner out is much lower than in the States. 
Plus, you won't have to forego your favorite conveniences in major cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. New cars are common, including several brands made in Ecuadorian factories. Almost everyone owns a cellphone (or two), and internet connections are easy to come by. 
World-class restaurants serve excellent meals, yet residents report they rarely pay more than $50 for dinner for two at a high-end place -- with drinks included. It's easy to live on less than $20,000 per year. 
Donna Stiteler, an International Living Cuenca correspondent who grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, embarked on a new journey in search of somewhere cheaper to live in 2014 -- in Ecuador. 
"When I tell people I easily live off $1,800 a month, the first response is usually 'What's the catch?' " Donna said. "I respond by telling them it's what I don't spend that helps me live off of my Social Security. 
"I do own my house, but with rents averaging around $450 a month, housing is affordable. I don't need a car because Cuenca is a walkable city, and if I don't feel like walking, taxis run around $3.50 to get almost anywhere in town. Public transportation costs 35 cents for a bus or train ride. 
"I live in the Andes where temperatures run in the high 50s in the morning and rise to the mid-70s during the day, so there are no high electric bills; mine averages around $70 a month compared to the $400 I paid during hot summers in Florida."

Cambodia 
Progress has been accelerating in Cambodia. Phnom Penh, the capital city of this small, sparsely populated country, is alive with new high-rise buildings, a modern hospital and an improved standard of living for all residents. Once one of the world's poorest countries, Cambodia is now considered to have a lower-middle-income status. 
Though the country is advancing, the cost of living is still extraordinarily low when compared with the U.S. A couple might spend as little as $1,355 a month living in the main cities and towns of Cambodia. A housekeeper charges $35 a month to come in once a week, and a cell phone bill might come to less than $10 a month for unlimited calls, messages and internet. 
"One of the best values, if you're living in Cambodia, is the low cost of your rent," said Wendy Justice, International Living Southeast Asia correspondent. "Prices for apartments with Western amenities in the heart of cosmopolitan Phnom Penh start at less than $300 per month; spend around $600 and you'll be living in a comfortable, middle-class place with all the conveniences you need and maybe a few extras, too." 
Phnom Penh is the largest city in the country and offers a diverse mix of historic cultural landmarks, French colonial buildings and grand boulevards, traditional markets, pagodas and palaces. 
"One of the most enjoyable activities in this city is taking a stroll along the boardwalk at Sisowath Quay," Justice said. "Pull up a chair at one of the many bars and restaurants, and cool down with a cold Angkor beer for $1. The fantastically ornate Royal Palace and the chaotic night market are just down the street, too."

No. 3 Bolivia 
Bolivia might slip under the radar of most potential expats. Yet, this landlocked South American country surrounded by Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay offers a lot of advantages. One being the extremely low cost of living. 
A retired couple can live on $1,000 or less per month. During research trips, International Living correspondents have met retired singles living on as little as $500 per month. How is this possible? 
"I met two single retired women, one who owned a home in the countryside, the other whose rent was $125 per month for a two-bedroom home in the colonial center of Sucre," said Jason Holland, the magazine's roving Latin America editor. "Both have a monthly budget of $500 to $600." 
It’s very affordable in Bolivia, clearly.  This is because it's still a developing country and one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. Also, tourism, which tends to drive up prices worldwide, is very limited. So far, Bolivia sees few expats, and this helps keep prices low, especially for things like housing. 
Holland reports: "Those pioneers who've made a home there enjoy a great lifestyle for less because even if it is a bit rough around the edges, it still has plenty of modern conveniences and amenities in the cities.  
"It's surprisingly sophisticated. You can stroll through modern shopping malls, go to fancy restaurants, chill out in trendy cafes, and buy imported items in large supermarkets."

No. 2 Sri Lanka 
A prospective expat looking for a destination that's affordable, rich in culture and diverse in its offerings should consider Sri Lanka, which offers a fine quality of life. The destination is fast becoming a popular choice for many expats.  
Located just below India, with Africa to the west, Europe to its north and Southeast Asia to its east, the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" is a gem that's largely undiscovered by Americans, though it's not unknown to British transplants who enjoy the warm sun and nice beaches. 
The capital city of Colombo features 5-star hotels, clubs, theaters, museums, shopping malls and restaurants to cater to your every taste. However, living in the city can be expensive, and it's not the best option for budget-minded expats. 
"If you're looking for an affordable lifestyle close to the city, the greater city locations such as Dehiwela, Nugegoda, Moratuwa and Ja-ela offer more bang for your buck," International Living contributor Sharmila Perera says. "You can find rentals here from $500 a month. It is close enough to get to the city for a night out but just far enough for it to be less expensive." 
For beach lovers, the choices are numerous. For surfers and other water sports enthusiasts, you'll be drawn to the south of the country to live in locations like Arugambe, Beruwala, Bentota, Matara, Tangalla and Mirissa. 
"These areas attract a lot of tourists, and you'll find lots of cafes, beach restaurants and vibrant expat communities of retirees interested in an active lifestyle," Perera said. "It can be a little more expensive than the hills; a three-bedroom house here could be rented for between $400 to $700 a month."  
A couple in the south could live in a nice home a five- or a 10-minute drive from the coast, employ a maid and eat out -- and do it all for as little as $1,000 a month.

No. 1 Vietnam 
Vietnam is a fascinating and vibrant destination, rich in natural beauty, steeped in history and brimming with wonderful activities for expats. You can find plenty of modern, high-quality housing for low prices in the heart of a city, nestled among pine-forested mountains, or overlooking a sun-washed beach.  
The country offers lots of great-value options. Prices are consistently less than half of what retirees might expect to pay in the West. 
"My husband and I live in a spacious furnished apartment down a small lane in a quiet, friendly neighborhood," International Living Southeast Asia correspondent Wendy Justice said. "It's in the heart of Hanoi, close to everything. There are dozens of great restaurants, three bakeries and several supermarkets all within walking distance. 
"Our apartment has more conveniences that we had in the U.S.: a wonderful kitchen with a five-burner gas stove and oven, a huge refrigerator with an ice maker and two freezers, a washer and dryer, two modern bathrooms and big flat-screen TVs." 
Justice says, "Our apartment costs about $740 per month, including housekeeping and all utilities other than electricity. It's rare that we'll spend more than $10 for dinner, including beverages and a tip. We can fly to another town for around $25 per person, including baggage, and we can stay in a five-star hotel for $40 or less if we shop around a bit." 
"I couldn't afford to live like this back in the U.S. Altogether, we spend around $1,200 per month here in Hanoi, Vietnam's second most expensive city. In towns like Da Lat or Nha Trang, our monthly budget living a comparable lifestyle would be around $1,000 -- or even less. It's a small price to pay to live in one of the most amazing places in the world." 
More details on the top five countries in the "Cost of Living" category of International Living's Annual Global Retirement Index 2021 can be found here: The Cheapest Places in the World to Live in 2021.

Thanks for reading,
JR
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Best Tips for How to Be Productive on a Working Vacation

1/21/2021

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Yes, You Can Work in Paradise, Get the Job Done and Have Time for Fun
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Courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
By John Roberts
Over the past year, remote work has become an increasingly popular option for employers and businesses. In many cases, it's mandatory for at least the time being.
This style of work opens up an entire world of possibilities for employees. Avid travelers are now faced with an exciting range of new ways to combine work and wanderlust. Here's our guide to best tips and tricks for how you can make the most of remote working situation when you're combining it with a vacation.

Check the WiFi Speeds
Wireless internet access is available at almost every resort location, but that doesn't mean the connection speeds are suitable for your needs for video conferencing and downloading files, etc. You can expect to see two real categories of internet speeds.
Casual internet speeds at resorts are similar to those in private residences. These speeds are fast enough to stream videos to televisions and smartphones, often at speeds up to 1080p. Typically, this is all that most people need for remote work. Casual speeds are those between 25 Mbps and 200 Mbps.
Professional internet speeds (greater than 200 Mbps) are better for heavy data usage. These are necessary if you want to transfer gigabyte-size files quickly, and they usually aren't available at all resorts. However, you might get professional speeds if you can plug into the internet with an ethernet connection instead of using the property's WiFi service.

Schedule Your Work Times
You can hardly call it a vacation if you're always thinking about work. That's why you should schedule your work times so you can get things done, then put it aside and enjoy the rest of your time in your chosen idyllic destination (say, The Bahamas or Barbados?) to the fullest. 
We suggest getting everything done in the morning. That might not work if the rest of your team is too far away, so you might need to do some work around lunchtime or even through the afternoon.
If possible, try to schedule your work times and any necessary meetings before you head off on your vacation. Maybe your team will be flexible if they know that you plan to enjoy a working vacation for a week or two. If you know when to be available for work and when you can focus entirely on yourself, it's far easier to plan the rest of your trip activities, such as hikes, boat outings and other excursions.

Select a Working Zone
Whether you're staying overnight or for several weeks, try to pick a specific area of your accommodations and designate it as your working area. This makes it easier to put your work behind you when you're finished with it. You might pick an area as small as a single table. Or, if your rental space is large enough, you could designate an entire separate room for your working environment.
Avoid taking work outside of your residence. Doing so will greatly diminish your experience and negate the reason you decided to work from a tropical Caribbean paradise.
For example, Caribbean resort getaways offer access to plenty of upscale bars, swimming pools, fun activities and serene spaces. It will be difficult to fully enjoy all the amenities and experiences if you let your work environment sprawl into the places meant for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Security Matters
VPNs (virtual private networks) are a useful tool for doing remote work. Even better, you can usually try one out with a free trial while you're on vacation, which means you won't have to pay for it unless you want to keep using it.
The main reason to consider using a VPN is that some workplace systems have security measures that will slow or even deny you access to certain websites. A VPN allows you to set up a "private network" and designate your location even while you're using a public network. This offers greater security from hackers and avoids any problems, such as blocked access to websites or systems you need for work.
Some companies offer VPN services to employees traveling internationally, so be sure to ask your company whether it can set you up on a VPN for your working vacation.

Craft Your Creature Comforts
Extra comforts are one of the best perks of working remotely. The little extras that come along with a relaxing resort vacation might even help boost your work productivity.
Drinks: Savoring local coffee blends is a great way to start your day. You can enjoy a taste of your destination, and delicious coffees may help you wake up and become energized to power through all of your work. If you're not a coffee fan, juice blends can offer a sweet alternative. After work, it's time to celebrate, settle into vacation mode and try the regional wines, cocktails and beers.
Cuisine: Just like having drinks around, setting out a little food, like regional fruits and nuts, can make work far more enjoyable and keep up your energy levels. We recommend dishes that you can eat with one hand, including fruit bowls or sandwiches.
Be Bright: Lighting can vary by room. A bright environment helps mood and productivity. Make sure to have a good view of your scenic surroundings. If needed, you can ask the staff to provide an extra lamp (table or free-standing) to light your work area. Lamps can also make it easier to work without disturbing others.
Seating: Why sit in a small, hard chair while you're on vacation? Plush seating is easily the best option, and it can help you stay relaxed while you focus on work. You can move the furniture in your room around a little if necessary to create the best ergonomics for your time at the resort.
Room Service: If you know when you plan to finish working, you can ask the resort staff to provide food or drinks at a scheduled time. It's a great way to change your pace and begin focusing on the real reason you decided to work from paradise.

Thanks for reading,
JR
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Now That You Can Work from Anywhere in this New Normal . . .

1/11/2021

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Why Not Set Up Shop in a Caribbean Paradise,
Like Beaches Turks and Caicos --
Or Anywhere with a Good Wi-Fi Connection?

Picture
Photos courtesy Beaches Turks and Caicos
By John Roberts 
In a world of ever-increasing connectivity, where more businesses are shifting to a work-from-home model, we have been increasingly tantalized by the idea of blending business and pleasure. That means, we are looking at traveling more frequently to places where we can have some fun while staying connected to our work. 
Colleen and I both have the ability to work remotely, so we don't necessarily have to be tied to our place in Denver (which we love, by the way, and makes for a great work environment).  
Because of this, we thought it might be a cool idea to go to destinations we have always wanted to visit, while combining it into a working vacation. This is a way to hack our lives to squeeze more leisure time onto our calendars.  
We figure as long as we have some strong Wi-Fi and a little space to work in comfort, we can be productive any place.  
So, we asked ourselves an obvious question: Why not escape the harsh winter cold and snow and go somewhere nice and sunny to work? Heck, it doesn't even have to be during winters. We could do this any time to be able to experience any of a number of our favorite destinations more often. 
But we have been thinking about this scenario precisely because it is winter, and we prefer warm weather. We love to snorkel, swim, hike, bike, run on the beach and do all the good things that come with sun-splashed days -- like sipping beers while digging into barbecues on balmy moonlit nights outside with new friends. 
We essentially had no time away in 2020, missing out on any planned trips during the pandemic, so we are definitely itching to get as much time away as possible in the new year and coming years. I know you are, too! 
So, we will be looking for fun and safe ways to use our vacation weeks -- and even extend our travels by working from the road.  
For us, a Caribbean resort getaway is the perfect option, and many of them are open for business again with new health and safety protocols designed to make your time in these tropical paradises as delightful as ever. 
One of the top Caribbean all-inclusive resorts that is open for business and offering some pretty cool vacation options is Beaches Turks and Caicos. This one caught our eye because of the wide array of included activities and amenities, as well as the resort's gorgeous facility and access to pristine beaches and cays.  
Turks and Caicos, a tropical archipelago situated in the Atlantic Ocean about 575 miles south of Miami and about 70 miles north of the Dominican Republic is a British Overseas Territory that features nine inhabited islands among its stunning 100 islands and cays. It's the absolute picture of Caribbean paradise. It checks all the boxes for our ideal winter getaway destination. 
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The Beaches Turks and Caicos resort offers numerous ways to play in the water.
The Beaches resort is located on the island of Providenciales, where the majority of the population lives. The weather is attractive in Turks and Caicos because of the relatively low annual rainfall and the constantly sunny and warm days (daily temps average more than 80 all year). English is the language, and the U.S. dollar is the currency. 
You know that we seek out plenty of fun ways to play outside and jump right into our natural surroundings, and Beaches Turks and Caicos fits the bill with its range of included activities.  
Resort stays include easy access to sandy beaches and epic snorkeling. It sits on 12 miles of idyllic Caribbean beachfront. 
You can enjoy PADI certified scuba diving among some of the world's most vibrant reefs and interesting shipwrecks. Beaches offers a complete dive program to assist everyone from beginners to avid divers. 
The Beaches Turks and Caicos activities program also features kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, hydrobikes, paddleboarding and more watersports. On land, you can keep moving with tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, shuffleboard, and other games. Of course, the resort also offers a fitness center. 
It's a great Caribbean vacation spot for families with kids, who will also find plenty to enjoy, in addition to all of these sports and activities. Pirates Island Waterpark at Beaches Turks and Caicos is included, and it's filled with huge waterslides, pools, a swim-up bar, lazy river and surfing simulator. 
Also, the on-property Kids Camp features supervised programs for your kids, from tots to teenagers. Beaches also offers Caribbean honeymoon packages if you have been dreaming of a blissful getaway after your wedding. 
The all-inclusive nature of the resort is also attractive, with all dining, wine, cocktails, entertainment and activities included in a price that starts at just over $300 per person per day. I checked flights for late January from cities like Denver, Minneapolis and Dallas, and roundtrip airfare comes in around $400 to $500. Flights from Miami are just $300. 
The location in Providenciales serves as a nice base to explore some of the highlights of the islands. You can visit some of the best beaches and cays in the world, such as Grace Bay, Little Water Cay (to see the protected population of rock iguanas) and Governor's Beach on Grand Turk. You'll also have the chance to go on fantastic snorkeling outings (Bight Reef and Smith's Reef) or boating and fishing trips. 
Horseback riding, hiking and museum visits also are among the top activities on Turks and Caicos.
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As I write this, I am looking out the window at my home here in Colorado. The fresh snowfall is pretty, for sure, but it's also 14 degrees outside right now, and I am ready to be in Turks and Caicos or some other similar Caribbean paradise. 
What about you? Have you considered a regular winter getaway? I know that we could use a little sunshine and good times these days. We are planning on booking something soon and making a trip like this part of our regular travels.  
See you out there on the sand and under the sunshine! I'll be the one smiling and holding a cold bottle of Turk's Head amber ale.

Thanks for reading,
JR
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