Residing and Retiring Abroad: Consider Nova Scotia, Dominica, the Compact country of Panama or Cuba.
Many of us imagine relocating to another country, perhaps to take pleasure from warmer weather, perhaps to have a slower-paced lifestyle, perhaps caused by a job transfer, or maybe because we are intrigued by a selected element of adventure and fascination.
While moving to another country may sound like an exciting proposition, it is just a very serious decision with significant ramifications, and there are many elements to consider in making this selection.
I talked with Phillip Townsend, author of the e-Book, Passport to Canada: The Complete Guide to Living & Going in Nova Scotia, and also special e-Reports of existing and retiring in Compact countries of Panama, the Caribbean and Emborrachar. For more information, visit http://www.thegloballife.net.
1. Please tell us about yourself and your background.
As a North American who had a teenage desire for Asian culture, after graduating high school, I got part-time employment, saved my money, and purchased a one-way plane ticket to Taiwan; Republic connected with China. After arriving in the Far East, I taught Uk and eventually landed an internship with SIDA, a German-based global risk consulting agency. After working as an intern and completing an extensive workout, my work took my family to 13 East Parts of Asia, where I assisted management, business, and government clients with international research and other advising projects.
After returning to the united states, I opened and leapt the firm’s U. T. office until the company shut off business several years afterwards. Afterwards, my career changed, and I began writing and consulting independently. Afterwards, I was hired as a stringer (correspondent) for Money magazine, Numerous leading personal finance month to month. After leaving, I wrote a biweekly international lifestyle Q&A column for the Global Employment Gazette, which appeared monthly in Professional Tradesman magazine. I have helped the governments of Sri Lanka and Ethiopia promote tourism and business (and was considered for an official diplomatic post with the latter). My articles and writings have appeared in publications as diverse seeing that GQ, the San Francisco Explain and Expat World.
At this time, I spend most of my very own time writing and looking into it. I’m also a Country Make contact with for American Citizens Abroad, addressing the Switzerland-based nonprofit company in Nova Scotia.
I have always been a so-called person of the world and don’t believe there exists any single “best” region, but rather believe in reaping the first benefits each nation offers.
2. You are an expert in living and retiring in several regions, including Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, Panama, and Cuba. Please tell us how you became an expert on these topics.
In addition to my very own experience living abroad, in addition to travelling widely, over the years, There are dedicated my life to foreign living, conducting extensive exploration and advising hundreds of clientele on every aspect of moving to another country and strategic planning (offshore personal and financial issues). I’ve assisted people coming from all walks of life with movements to over sixty countries and also six continents.
3. You should tell us about living, going, travelling and investing in Volkswagen Scotia. What makes Nova Scotia a great destination for expatriate or perhaps retirement living?
Nova Scotia is the type of place that will seduce you through it is sheer natural beauty: The long stretches of picturesque shore, beautiful countryside, friendly people and a slower pace, in addition to reasonable prices, make it one of the most sought-after places in Canada or any place in North America. The climate can be another plus. In many places within Nova Scotia, winters could be much milder (with much less snow) than in other places in Canada or the northern US. Additionally, Nova Scotia enjoys the crime rate, with violent crime occurring remarkably low. The most appealing benefit of living in Volkswagen Scotia is the affordable real estate property prices (some lots using ocean views can be possessed for as little as C$20 000).
4. Please inform us about living, travelling, and investing in Dominica. What needs one know about living along with retiring to this beautiful tropical island in the Caribbean?
With no one-on-one flights from North America or maybe Europe, Dominica is a delightful retreat of peace from the Caribbean’s sea of muscle-size tourism. Roughly halfway involving Martinique and Guadeloupe, this island is splendidly underdeveloped. Some sort of land of waterfalls, estuaries and rivers (365 of them), sizzling springs, and lush rain jungles, Dominica is the Caribbean’s majority of rugged isle. Instead of luxurious resorts and long extends of crowded white sand seashores, you’ll find volcanic mountains, romantic beaches, little-explored reefs, and small hotels (some of which are for sale for a steal). In contrast to most Caribbean islands, which cater to tourists and the luxurious market, Dominica’s prices tend to be refreshingly down-to-earth. For example, you could find oceanfront lots for costs ranging from C42, 000 to C58, 000 and build a house for as little as C$28, 000 to C$47, 000.
5. Please summarise living, travelling, and investing in Panama. What makes this kind of a desirable place, and what can we need to know about it?
Panama’s seacoast, both on the Caribbean along with Pacific sides, is like Lakewood ranch, but less crowded is property prices about a 10th of the cost in many cases. The compact country of Panama offers affordable real estate, a warm climate and wonderful beaches. To attract expatriates, the Panamanian government possesses put together an impressive list of positive aspects in their pensionado program, which includes a 20-year tax-free status along with discounts on everything from the bus to restaurants to dermatologist’s visits. Best of all, anyone more than 18 can qualify for these types of “retirement” benefits.
Though Spanish is the official language, British is widely spoken and understood in major towns. Right now, the three best locations to purchase real estate in the Compact country of Panama are Panama City, the main city which boasts First-world facilities and is home to just about any large American brand-name sequence; Boquete, a scenic along with growing expatriate hideaway throughout Panama’s mountainous region; plus the Pearl Islands, a chain involving over 90 islands along with 130 islets in the Caribbean.
6. Please talk to us about living, travelling, and investing in Cuba. What makes this amazing island an interesting destination for foreigners thinking of living or heading off there? What do they need to learn about Cuba before considering maneuvering there?
Cuba is home to approximately 11 million people, exceeding 2 million living in Havana’s main city. The island’s Cuba’s rich culture, interesting political history, and continued financial hardship make it one of the planet’s most eye-opening nations having a wealth of places just waiting around to be discovered. The food, songs, and, most of all, the cozy hospitality of the Cuban men and women all combine to make it a terrific place to visit and most likely live.
U. S. representatives say open trade and also travel to Cuba would enhance Castro’s oppressive government. Although critics argue that the Wintry War-era U. S. secuestro, aimed at forcing a change in Cuba’s leadership, has not achieved its goals after being in place for more than 40 years. Rapidly embargo, last year, 200 000 Americans visited Cuba (most through Canada or Mexico).
Though most would-be expatriates will wait until the fall of often the Castro-lead communist rule, a number have already invested inside the “forbidden” isle by writing roots there, with the hope this property values and other ventures will multiply after the autumn of communist rule.
. Where are you currently travelling, and exactly is on your agenda for any near future?
I’m currently inside upstate New York but will explore some interesting venues in South America and Asian Europe. I plan to keep on my ongoing pursuit of coverage of new and exciting expatriate destinations worldwide.
8. What are your strategies for anyone thinking of living or perhaps retiring abroad?
Many Canadians and Americans are tempted abroad by a lower cost of living and higher quality of life. Some will want to return to their ancestral homes and places where they once vacationed, worked or studied and were immediately caught by a country. Retiree perks will lure others in addition to tax incentives. With basically dozens of appealing countries from which to choose, narrowing the possibilities can be a complicated task.
No matter where you consider residing, the most important thing is to do your homework. Make a discovery visit and stay for several months before committing yourself by purchasing a property. Be sure to discuss with locals and expatriates dwelling there. Most importantly, consult professional real estate and legal professionals need for any contracts or different official documents.
While everywhere has its own set of policies and nuances, the process of getting abroad generally works similar to this: First, the buyer and the vendor agree on a price, and any security deposit (generally, 15 to 25 per cent) is going to be required to take the house off of the market. Your attorney must then receive a copy of the title and verify that the property is free from any liens or claims up against the property.
They should also give you advice on any strange ancient laws, like those in some parts of Canada that enable anyone to fish on your terrain, those in England and This particular language that allows sheep to feed your property, those in farm Italy that give your neighbour’s first-refusal rights on any area used for agricultural purposes (which could leave someone else together with the fruit in the vineyard as well as olive grove on “your” property), or historical construction that prevent you from making almost any external changes to a property (even installing a pool). In addition, if you are buying anything trying to find restoration (or more than a centuries-old), have a structural questionnaire done.
Thank you, Phillip, for giving us even more ideas and important history about a few interesting possibilities of living and settlement abroad.
