Is this right for me?

This is a key question. Many Americans don't even have a passport. Some are perhaps even afraid of even the thought of traveling overseas - or specifically just to "developing world countries," much less living in one. News media for the most part focus on bad news - whether domestic or international in nature. Why? Because it sells.

Much of what you hear about foreign countries reinforces these fears. - so being afraid is not uncommon. Iraq is certainly not a safe place to live in recent years, but there many countries that the media may report on "riots in the streets" that are actually very safe and enjoyable places to live.

Remember the riots in East Los Angeles many years ago? If you were a foreigner and heard about them, would it be reasonable to assume living anywhere in the USA was unsafe? Of course not. It is exactly the same overseas. Temporarily unsafe conditions in one part of one city have no impact on conditions elsewhere. Even if you live in a city where there is momentary unrest, if you don't join the people marching in the streets, you will not be affected by any trouble that may result. Life goes on and a few days later, things are back to normal again.

Safety abroad requires following a few simple common sense guidelines that are the same as in your hometown in the USA. So, put your fears aside and make a realistic investigation of the pros and cons of moving abroad.

Here is some information from a number of other sources have had to say about deciding if living overseas might be for you:

The following text has been excerpted from "Retire like royalty in a low-cost paradise - MSN Money"

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People who do well (living abroad) are couples who depend on each other a great deal, and who don't have a great sense of community or good friends they're going to miss terribly. That's not to say you won't make new friends, particularly in areas that attract a lot of other foreign retirees. Improved cell phone networks and Internet access also have made it easier for expats to stay in touch.

You should be willing to make new friends. You'll still be hundreds if not thousands of miles away from family and friends, who probably won't visit
nearly as often as they would if you were still in the States. You may not mind watching a grandchild grow up in photos, but if you want to be there in person, overseas retirement probably isn't for you.

It seems obvious, but the rest of the world really isn't like the United States. Some people never adapt to the strangeness or to the notion that they'll always be foreigners, no matter how many other expats live in their chosen community.

In some countries, language barriers can pose a problem even to the most intrepid. Until you learn enough to get by, it can be bewildering, disconcerting and adds to a sometimes overpowering feeling of isolation.

If you're the kind of person who gets impatient waiting in line at the post office, for example, then dealing with bureaucracies in other countries could drive you up a wall.

Get in touch with Americans who have moved to the country of your choice. Contact these expats to get a clearer idea of what life is really like there.
Many experts on living abroad also recommend renting a home in your chosen country for six months or so
before deciding whether to move there permanently. Make sure your stay includes the time of year with the
worst weather. By then, you'll be more certain whether you're making the right choice.

Regimes can change. Your health can decline. Prices can rise — particularly if the tropical paradise you found gets discovered by lots of other ex-pats. So no matter how much you think you're going to adore your new country, remember that a day may yet come when your love affair goes awry. Consider setting aside enough resources so that, if you need to, you can come home again.

See original article at http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com

The following text has been excerpted "Retiring Right: Planning for a Successful Retirement" By Lawrence J. Kaplan

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Retirement Havens Abroad

Although individuals at all income levels think about retiring to a country outside of the United States, they may not consider it seriously. However, individuals with limited incomes may be surprised to discover that some retirement havens abroad offer gracious living in beautiful surroundings even for those on a meager budget. And retirees with higher incomes can live regally in some of these retirement Edens. The decision to start a new life in another part of the world should not be made hastily, but should be based on careful research and planning.

Of course, no place in the world is perfect in every respect. But some locations offer natural beauty, a climate that is comfortable year-round, and, most important, a significantly higher level of living than a limited income can buy in the United States. Retirement Edens at bargain prices can be found in many countries, including Costa Rica, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, and Spain.

A few examples will show you just how affordable the good life can be in certain areas of the world – and how popular these areas have become with American retirees. For instance, retirees have become an ever-growing segment of the population in Mexico, where over 50,000 Americans enjoy an ideal year-round climate. Most American expatriates choose one of three areas: Guadalajara (Las Puentes, Chapalita, Ciudad Buganvilias, and Rancho Alegre); Lake Chapala (the villages of Chapala, Chula Vista and Ajijic); and San Miguel de Allende, a university town with a high concentration of writers and artisans. In these areas, $800 a month will provide a couple with a two-bedroom house, ample and delicious food, and full-time help. Any money left over can be used for travel and entertainment, including trips back to the United States for visits with family and friends. An annual income of only $15,000 to $20,000 can provide a comfortable life.

About 8,000 more Social Security recipients live in Spain, with a large number of them residing in Costa Del Sol – the Sun Coast – overlooking the blue Mediterranean. The principle towns there include Malaga, Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, and Marbella. In these beautiful areas, a couple can live well for about $2,000 a month, which includes the cost of domestic help.

The Social Security Administration mails 407,466 monthly checks to retirees who live in foreign countries, a fact that demonstrates the large number of Americans who have chosen to spend their retirement years abroad. If this option interests you, contact the embassy of the country in which you’re interested, and you will receive a wealth of information.

The advantages of retirement abroad include the following:

• You will continue to receive Social Security checks while you live abroad.
• In many countries, you can enjoy a fuller lifestyle on a limited budget.
• You can experience amenities of life not available to you in the United States because of cost.
• Some of eh low-cost-of-living countries offer an ideal year-round climate in beautiful surroundings.
• You may fulfill a wish to return to your family’s roots.

The disadvantages of retirement abroad are the following:

• Medicare coverage ends if you live outside the United States.
• You may lose contact with your family and friends.
• A poor choice of location can prove both expensive and time-consuming to remedy
• You may not have access to the same level of medical competence available in the United States.

If you plan to retire abroad, the tips given below may prove helpful.

• Before you make a final decision to move to a foreign retirement haven, take a couple of vacations there, or perhaps spend a winter or summer season as a visitor.
• Don’t burn your bridges. Try the new living arrangements for a year or two before you abandon your ties to your old neighborhood. You can rent your present home for the time you’re away.
• Carefully consider the state of your health and your need for specialized medical and/or hospital services.
• Carefully evaluate all the features and characteristics of a retirement haven.
• If you’ve made the move and find you’ve made a mistake, remember that the decision is not irrevocable. Retrace your steps.

Note: Mr. Kaplan is one of the country's leading experts in retirement planning, this practical book answers all the most important questions about savings and investment income, the Social Security system, and much more.

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