5 places Overseas That Are Ideal for Retiring

Have you ever arrived from a dream in the morning thinking about where you would love to retire? If you have, I can almost guarantee you have let your mind wander to a foreign country. What would it be like to live in an ancient city or on a sunny shore? Could you actually do that? Well the answer is a definite resounding yes...yes you can. People from around the world move to foreign shores to become expats in their retirement...a lot of people.

In my dreams this morning I thought about Panama or Spain. Then my mind wandered to the wonderful Kohs in Thailand. Island living can be the best for some people. I have always thought that Bulgaria would be interesting and I love the idea of living in a place like the Bahamas. However, dreaming is one thing and actually making that dream come true is another. Before you even begin, you need to think how you will manage your financial affairs if you live overseas. You need to remember that having an international bank account is also important. Do your homework and dream on.

1- Bahamas The Caribbean lifestyle has a lot of appeal because of its relaxed vibes. I visited the country many years ago for a very short period of time. The people were on island time and I liked that a lot. The natural beauty of a tropical climate is always appealing. The cost of living in the Bahamas may not be as low as some developing nations but the Bahamian dollar is on a par with the US dollar so moving back to the states later is not a big problem. And I will tell you that there is nothing in this world more beautiful than that beautiful clear water. WOW!

2- Spain Spain has a beautiful coastline on the Costa del Sol. The Mediterranean is like a magnet attracting people from northern Europe. Anyone that lives in Europe knows that this is the destination for those seeking a respite from the cold North Atlantic. In fact, I suppose that a lot of writers disregard this area because it is one of those "been there done that" locations. HOWEVER, I absolutely love it. The food, international atmosphere and beautiful location are just perfect.

from Tourism of Thailand

3- Thailand This country is a great draw for expats. The tax advantages and low cost of living make it ideal for Westerners. Winter tourist from Europe, Africa and the Middle East find the simplicity of island life or life in north Thailand to be perfect. I have been to Bangkok and Koh Samui. The island of Samui was charming beyond belief. I could see myself spending a lot of time on that tiny island. The island of Phuket and the northern Thailand city of Chang Mai are the Thai people's favorite. They will always ask you if you have been to those places in polite conversation.The Thai people are the most charming lovely people I have ever known.

4- Bulgaria I am told that Bulgaria is becoming more and more popular for British retirees. This is one of those places that boasts a beautiful historic past. The capital of Sofia dates back to the 8th Century B.C. and has a population over 1,250,000. It is the capital of the country. It seems Bulgaria has it all. There are many ski resorts, opportunities for cultural experiences, and of course, there is the Black Sea. What more could anyone want? A visit to the Bulgarian Travel Organization will provide you with more information than you could ever want.

5- Panama I dream of that part of the world. The idea of a tropical climate with a high standard of living yet still affordable should be the ideal. Panama has some very appealing advantages for retirees. For example, if you buy a home valued at $200,000, you can have a resident’s visa AND be property tax free if you make it your sole residence.

I found several things you should think about before making this kind of decision in a Forbes article. They mentioned things like language, climate, medical care, ease of acquiring residency, tax laws, cost of living, crime and most important of all, how you can keep your money safe.

The world is your apple and if you are nearing retirement, this may be the time for you to begin making those "trial runs" to countries around the world. Take a vacation to see if you can find your ideal overseas retirement spot. Remember there are over 200 countries on this earth. There is probably someplace that is just perfect for you.

Five Little Ducks...stories played out!

The children's song about the little ducks leaving the nest to fly away has always been one of my favorites. Every mother has seen their babies fly away and rejoiced. Life comes full circle. Animals live that same cycle. Babies grow up. Birds leave the nest. Life goes on. So when the three ducks show up every year near my patio I am not surprised. But I am puzzled that it always seems to be the same three. Something just doesn't seem right. It appears the one did not fly away at all. Five little ducks Went out to play Over the hills and far away. The mommy duck went "quack, quack quack," Four little ducks came swimming back... And then Three Two and One. A drake, a female duck (a hen) and a not quite a drake but still not a hen gather here on the 5th green of the golf course. She leads and the other two follow along obediently. They eat, sleep, and guard each other. Each and every day this time of year they come. I have not named them. Jinxing them would be very pos...

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