About Us How to Live Better…for Less…Travel Farther…
Have a Lot of Fun…
and Maybe Make a Lot of Money Dear International Living Reader, 
| Kathleen Peddicord |
For the past 27 years, International Living has operated on a simple premise: We believe you can live better…for less…travel farther…have a lot of fun…and maybe make a lot of money…when you expand your world beyond your own shores. Our job is to help you discover places that are undervalued…under-appreciated…under-developed…places that the masses have yet to find. And then to help you understand how you can take advantage of the opportunities these places offer--to improve your quality of life…to lower your cost of living…and to invest for profitable return--before the rest of the world catches on.
We take a unique perspective. Open the pages of USA Today or turn on CNN, and you are presented one world view. You're told about war, politics, terrorism… Take a look at International Living, and you are treated to a far different take on current events. We continually search the world over to find the best opportunities for you to invest in a new home or a new life…to start a new business or invest for your future. In our pages (both print and virtual), you'll learn about everything from river-rafting adventures in Panama to the best buys on the Paris property market…from how to open a bank account in your new country of residence to how to get the best deal on your next airfare home…from the world's best beachfront property bargains to the most reliable local contractors to help you build your dream home…from island-hopping adventures in the Mediterranean to the best summer fiestas in Mexico… The World's Top Havens We're continually on the move, therefore, in search of Paradise. After nearly three decades, we've built quite a network of support. As I write, we have more than 200 contributors and correspondents, friends and colleagues exploring different areas of the globe. Thanks to the Internet, we're able to keep in touch with all of them regularly, even daily. Not any one of us can be everywhere all the time…but among us, we've got the world pretty well covered. Right now, we've got 15 countries on our radar screen: Argentina, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Romania, Spain, Thailand. These are the places we've identified as holding out particular appeal and benefit to the would-be expat, retiree, traveler and investor. (Find our top seven markets to watch for 2007 here.) Which of these 15 havens makes the most sense for you? Ah…that's a question you'll have to answer yourself. There's no one-size-fits-all overseas haven. It's a question of priorities and preferences. What's most important to you? Health care? Climate? Cost of living? Infrastructure (critical if, for example, you intend to continue managing business interests back home)? Culture (will you be unhappy if you can't try a new restaurant every couple of weeks…or do you prefer quiet nights at home swinging in a hammock with a good book to keep you company?)? Business opportunities? Taxes (no, you shouldn't organize your life around your tax obligations, but you sure want to take them into account when making a move)? Language? History? Architecture? We can't tell you where you should go…or what you should do when you get there. But we sure can fuel your imagination…and then provide all the logistical, practical support you'll need to make your dream life a reality. A caution: No amount of research can substitute for real-world experience. In other words, once you've created your personal list of destinations that might suit your interests and agenda, make plans to visit each country and spend as much time there as possible before making your ultimate decision. A place may make good sense for you on paper, but you might visit to find it just doesn't "feel" right. You can travel with us to most every country on our radar screen. Part of our service to members includes tours, conferences, seminars, and workshops in the places we believe make the best sense for expatriates looking beyond their own shores. These unique tours and events allow you to investigate destinations that interest you…in the company of others who share that interest, as well as International Living staff. We call these "tours for the untourist." You'll find nothing like them anywhere else…and they resemble no other tour you may have taken. On these trips, you'll be introduced to real estate agents, who can tell you about the local market and take you to see properties currently for sale; expatriates already living in the country, who can tell you why they decided to make the move and what they like (and don't like) about their adopted homelands; bankers; economists; attorneys; businessmen… In short, you'll make all the contacts you'll need if you decide to take the next step. You'll also have a lot of fun in the process. For more information, see our events section. At Home on the Emerald Isle Before we go any further, perhaps I should tell you a little more about us. About nine years ago, we took our own advice and relocated our editorial offices from Baltimore, Maryland, to Waterford, on the southeastern coast of Ireland. And for the last three years, we've established offices in Paris, as well. In addition to our Ireland and France offices, we also have local representation in many other countries:
- We opened the first of what we call our International Living "local offices" in Granada, Nicaragua. Granada is perhaps our favorite colonial city in the region…and Nicaragua continues to offer the best land deals in this hemisphere. Click here for more information.
- We have another local office in Panama City, Panama. Why Panama? It's the world's top retirement and offshore haven. Read more here.
- David Morrill, our man in Ecuador, a California native who grew up in Florida, is currently a partner in export and real estate businesses and lives in Cuenca. Contact him here.
- Way down in Argentina, Paul and Maria Reynolds, both natives of the country and residents of Buenos Aires, one of the world's most beautiful, sophisticated cities, have been helping International Living readers interested in investing, living and spending time in this country for years. They can help you, too. Reach them here.
Our local office network continues to expand… stay tuned. As we often say, it's a big world. Full of opportunity for fun and for profit. We're standing by, ready to help any way we can to make your dreams of international living come true. Bon voyage, Kathleen Peddicord
Publisher, International Living P.S. The best way to stay in touch with all that's going on in the world of International Living is to read our daily e-letters. At last count, we had more than 500,000 readers enjoying these daily dispatches from more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for real estate, travel, retirement and investment. These electronic reports are an important part of our International Living service. If you aren't already receiving them, you're missing out. |
