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Retire Overseas? These days, many Americans are reluctant to travel to foreign countries, much less consider retiring abroad. The war on terror has clearly raised the level of fear about venturing outside the United States. However, I know many people who have lived abroad and not one has ever been a victim of crime. As long as you stay aware of your surroundings, secure your belongings and avoid potentially unsafe situations (just as you would in the United States), you are unlikely to find yourself in harm's way. That said, here are my common-sense tips for anyone thinking about overseas retirement:
Retire Overseas? These days, many Americans are reluctant to travel to foreign countries, much less consider retiring abroad. The war on terror has clearly raised the level of fear about venturing outside the United States. However, I know many people who have lived abroad and not one has ever been a victim of crime. As long as you stay aware of your surroundings, secure your belongings and avoid potentially unsafe situations (just as you would in the United States), you are unlikely to find yourself in harm's way. That said, here are my common-sense tips for anyone thinking about overseas retirement: One should avoid any high crime areas as far as possible. To know about such areas one can always ask the locals or the expatriates living nearby. Also many a times one has an instinctive feeling when we enter in an area of rampant violence and crime. To protect oneself from any mishap, one should dress conservatively, no expensive jewelry or anything flashy should be worn while using public conveyances, if one needs to they can wear a cheap plastic watch or other cheap commodities. Don't take too many things with you when you travel, but carry a travel wallet that fits inconspicuously under your clothes. Don't wear a big fanny pack or purse, and don't flash lots of money because that will make you a target for pickpockets anywhere that you go. Entire busloads of foreigners can be attacked when on public transportation in some countries. Stay alert and vigilant. Confirm things with the State Department and the CDC regarding possible safety concerns or bulletins on health issues health advisories in the district that you plan to retire abroad in. However, as usual, there are some things you can do to protect yourself. You should also stay away from performing any behavior that would be risky. Refrain from remaining out in town late at night, particularly if you are by yourself. You should always go places with a friend or with some other twosome. Above all, don't drink too much and go crazy. Stunts like that will only become your worst bad dream if you aren't cautious. Another thing important is to remember to only to ride in secure public transportation or with known, trusted drivers. When you retire outside the United States, make sure you're ready for any emergency. Find out ahead of time where the nearest hospital is located and what numbers to call for tricky situations. You'll have to check with your insurance provider to see if you're covered overseas. You might have to add a rider that allows you to be evacuated back to the US if that's necessary. See your doctor and dentist before you leave for your new home so that you don't have to find those medical professionals as soon as you arrive, and in that way your early days of retirement will be stress free. If you want to live abroad and want to blend in without looking like a tourist, you will have to learn how to get around the city on your own. You should always keep a local cell phone or an international cell phone on you because you never know when you will need it. Soon you will be dressing and blending in with the locals and will be able to spot a tourist in a heartbeat. At the age of 65, rather than working in the US, commuting for 2 hours a day, I would like to be retired in overseas to a country with less crime than the US. This is certainly something many Americans can achieve if they put their minds to it. It is up to you whether you work longer to compensate for a poor economy. Did you think you had your retirement all paid for, with a good sum of money stashed away only to have it cut in half by an economic downturn? Okay, here is a solution. Think about how to retire early outside the United States, perhaps in Mexico, Ecuador, or Panama, where you can find many, many citizens from the United States and Canada living out their retirement years in comfort. Consider our neighbor to the south, Mexico. You can retain your US citizenship while becoming one of the million or so other Americans and Canadians who have already moved there. What would be a good reason to retire in another country? The main reason would be that you could live much better off on one or two thousand dollars a month there than you can in the states. You could hire staff to do the cooking and cleaning. You may want to retire overseas if you want to turn misfortune into prosperity! DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice. Grab your copy of a free special report on the year's top retirement havens. You can live your dreams to retire early with excellent health care and live like royalty in paradise. |