International Living... are they for real?

There are a lot of organizations out there that promote the expat life.  Some are good, some are bad, some are just plain useless... in my opinion.  Those last three words are key.  My needs may not be yours and each group has some value based on what you're looking for.

International Living, Live and Invest Overseas, Viva Tropical, Hemispheres Publishing, Tales from a Small Planet, Global Wealth Protection -- they all have something to offer depending on your needs.  Several offer conferences, books, special reports, VIP programs, etc., etc.  You have to pick and choose to find the right offering that fits where you are in your campaign to become an expat.

I attended the Panama conference offered by Live and Invest Overseas and was impressed.  I'm hoping that the Ecuador International Living conference will live up to its billing as well.  I was planning on visiting Ecuador anyway to do a general check out tour, so when this conference came up it fit my timing and the opportunity to meet with many expats already living there is a great opportunity.

I know... if they are expats extolling the virtues of their chosen country, will you learn any of the negatives?  Will you hear any horror stories of people who came, lived through a disaster and went back home?  I am not shy and will be asking those questions, so I'll let you know.  This is where doing your research, trolling the expat internet forums and having a healthy amount of skepticism will keep you on track.

Back at it...

It's been a long, long time since my last entry and it's high time that I get back at it.

Life happens and sometimes gets in the way of the best of intentions.  In my case, I started dating again, moved to be closer to the new object of my affection, changed jobs, broke up with my new girlfriend, moved again, broke my hip, began dating again and just ended that relationship.  Wow.

So, I am substantially healed from hip replacement surgery, bounced back from a couple of broken relationships and continuing to seek out that perfect retirement place abroad.  I am planning a trip to Ecuador for the International Living conference February 5-7 in Quito, Ecuador.  I am flying into Guayaquil on January 30 and spending a few days exploring the coast from Jama to Salinas, including Manta, Canoa, San Lorenzo, Ancon and many points in between.

But before I get to the details of that trip, let me just say that despite all the twists and turns of life, I'm doing well and trying my best to enjoy and learn from all those twists and turns.  I remain great friends with both women I dated and I chalk that up to being older and wiser (just turned the big Six Oh).

I'll do several posts on my pre-trip planning and then provide full conference details when I return.  I also plan to finally give a full account of the Live and Invest in Panama conference, which was really great.  I am still very high on Panama, but want to check out a few other places like Ecuador, Costa Rica and maybe Mexico before making a choice for my retirement location.

I am also actively working on plans for a retirement income, wherever I may end up.  I have come up with a number of portable income ideas and will do some writing on that as well.  I have a lot to say and I don't know that anybody is actually reading this, but it really helps me to get my thoughts on paper, sort them out and refine my ideas.  Some of the other topics I would like to write about are international investing, travel planning, managing your health, photography and many other things that may pop into my little brain.

So, here we go.  Next up...  planning for Ecuador.

Returning to Panama...

I have received a few emails from folks interested in seeing the completion of my sailing trip story or for information on Blue Water Sailing School, the company I went with.

I may finish the sailing series at some point, but in the meantime we are going to Panama at the end of August.  I don't know if I will attempt to do a series on that trip or not, but at least I will have someone to take a picture or two of me.  :)

We will start off by exploring the area from Punta Chame to Farallon.  I have made contact with a realtor there and would like to get some ideas about what is possible.  What are rents like?  What would I get for my dollar if I buy?  Should I buy something now with the intent of renting it out until I move there when I retire in five years?

We will then be attending the 2013 Live and Invest in Panama Conference.  This conference is run by Kathleen Pedicord's Live and Invest Overseas organization.  This type of conference is designed to give an overview of all the issues that expats may face when moving to a particular country.  I'm hoping to pick up some general knowledge that I could apply to any country I may be interested in.

Organizations like Live and Invest Overseas, International Living, Escape Artist and others have great expertise, but they also have something to sell.  There's nothing wrong with the sales part... let's face it, they have to make a living and they do it by accumulating knowledge for wannabe expats and selling it via newsletters, books, special reports and conferences.  If you decide to use the services of these organizations, just be aware that each outfit has their own set of prejudices and limitations.  While I am not comparing any group to a car salesman, you don't by a car without doing research and verifying the claims of the salesman.

I have been getting Kathleen's emails for several years and I am an International Living magazine subscriber.  I loved Kathleen's book and pick up interesting tidbits, suggestions, factoids and cautions from each of these sources.  I will be sure to at least give a review of the conference.  I won't divulge the information they provide because I strongly believe in their right to sell the research and expertise they have, but I can absolutely provide a critique and let you know if I got my money's worth.