International Living Daily Postcards

Pets are a big concern for many potential expats. While the financial and personal advantages of retiring abroad are obvious, it’s not so obvious how to fit four-legged family members into the mix. The mechanics and paperwork for getting Fido or Fluffy from your old home to your new overseas location aren’t overwhelming, but they differ from country to country…and even from season to season.

On a post-retirement trip through South America, decisions can sometimes come easily. “I took a bus to Medellín on Christmas Eve 2012, didn’t know anybody, didn’t speak very good Spanish either. I had a hotel room in Poblado for one night and I didn’t know a soul,”

Costa Rica's affordable cost of living, scenic beaches with an abundance of surf, and lush natural landscapes are what initially drew me to this tropical paradise. The friendly nature of the locals, lots of of fresh fruit and vegetables, and relaxed lifestyle are what's keeping me here indefinitely.

There is a lot to be said for choosing an established expat haven as your overseas retirement destination. When Gary and Gabrielle moved from the U.S. to Ajijic in Mexico’s Colonial Highlands, this is exactly what they found waiting for them.

There’s no rule that once you move overseas you need to stay in the same place. When Cathy decided to move from Cuenca to Cotacachi, she found something along the way that she hadn’t planned on.