"In spite of the fact that Buenos Aires (BA) is a big city, there is a laid-back quality of life here which many find refreshing," writes Correspondent Sire Lise Doub. "I spoke to one expat who declared that the best thing about living in BA was that 'people aren't trying to impress everyone with their success. It's not like the rat race you can get caught up in the states.'

"Another calls it 'removed,' with a 'small town feel.' The expat community is not overwhelming—you can do with it what you'd like—and the cultural barriers are not immense. People are friendly and pleasant—even in the service industry. Waiters, cashiers…even airport staff is less surly than you'll find in many other major cities. And, yet another expat said that although she was initially unsure about returning to Argentina, 'Once I arrived I was actually glad to have left America—a feeling I have never experienced before, in all the places I've lived.'"

"A sleepy seaside city a generation ago, today La Serena, northern Chile's 'serene one,' is one of the country's most popular beach resorts," writes Lauren Stanley.

As Lauren reports, La Serena has more character than your average beach town: "In the heart of downtown, most shopping is done at department stores and specialty shops. Semi-pedestrian streets like Prat and O'Higgins are lined with upscale wine stores, clothing boutiques, and shoe emporia. Trendy cafés and restaurants abound, and the streets are so clean you can practically eat off them."

Also in this report, Paul Terhorst explains how to efficiently keep up with the news you need online.

Take an in depth look at Cuenca, Ecuador--the country that Publisher Kathleen Peddicord has named the cheapest country in Latin America. Our reporter, Christian MacDonald, concurs: "In my opinion, the country of Ecuador is the best deal out there when it comes to an overseas retirement destination...and Cuenca is the best that Ecuador has to offer."

Expats here can take advantage of "a cost of living that's among the lowest in Latin America...real estate prices that are unheard-of in a city with such a rich quality of life...an unbeatable retiree benefit package...and a thriving expat community surrounded by a warm and welcoming people who make you feel like you really belong."

This overlooked colonial city in the heart of Central America has plenty to offer the would-be foreign retiree. Correspondent Michael Paladin recently set up home in Antigua and reports that real estate is affordable, the people are friendly, the climate is perfect with little to no humidity, overseas income is free of local tax, and you can live a very good lifestyle for less than US$1,400 a month, including regular entertainment, eating out, and a furnished rental at US$800 monthly.

In fact, though, you could live in Antigua on much less. For, as Michael explains, you could rent small and basic in this town for as little as US$250 a month. That'd make your total monthly budget but US$850. Own your own place, and you can do away with rent altogether...meaning you could enjoy life in this beautiful colonial city for as little as US$600 a month...

Michael Paladin introduces you to the little-known town of San Cristobal del las Casas, high up in the mountains of Mexico's Chiapas state. This colonial town is far from over-run with Americans (think San Miguel or Oaxaca three decades ago). A quirky place with its distinct architecture, vibrant colors (from buildings to textiles), and revered stashes of coffee and amber, you'll feel like you've entered an entirely different world.

In the same report, Paul Terhorst offers suggestions for what you can do now to help your financial situation in case you haven't planned so well for your retirement.

In this Country Retirement Report, read Siri Lise Doub's report of Morelia, a hilltown southwest of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, that is largely off the radar of Americans. In this fairytale town (its buildings even have a natural pink hue), you'll find well-preserved squares and parks; historic buildings alongside modern shopping facilities; a vibrant culture; friendly people who move at a slower, easier pace; a wealth of dining options; affordable property in and around the city (options start below US$100,000); good health care facilities, and a superior standard of living at an affordable price. Our top pick in Mexico.

You could live well in Nicaragua's most charming colonial city on less than US$1,000 per month. Correspondent Michael Paladin introduces you to our favorite city in Central America ,a little city with a long history where you can travel around by horse-drawn carriage and pass the balmy afternoons in a rocking chair on the wide front porch of the historic Alhambra Hotel overlooking the always-busy central square.

Also in this issue, Resident Retirement Planning Expert Paul Terhorst explains how your credit card company handles overseas transactions, and why you can be better off parting ways with your plastic before you leave home.

If you've been following Kathleen Peddicord's writings in the daily Overseas Opportunity Letter, you're already acquainted with Panama. You know about the country's general attractions: arguably the world's best pensionado program, a stable economy, modern infrastructure, privacy and tax advantages, an affordable cost of living, affordable real estate, and world-class health care...to name a few...

El Valle is conveniently located 30 to 45 minutes from some of the Pacific coast's best beaches...and about two hours from Panama City (so you can regularly enjoy the best of the city, without its heat and humidity). Lucy Culpepper shares all her insider information on living, getting around, buying property, staying healthy, and making the best of your time in El Valle, where you can enjoy the best of Panama without the heat and humidity of Panama City.

Latin America Correspondent Christian MacDonald reports from Uruguay, where he has discovered one of the world's best options for sophisticated seaside living in the little coastal town of La Barra. La Barra, as Christian explains, is also a place where you could generate good rental income if you were to invest now for a retirement home in the future.

Also in this issue resident Retirement Planning Expert Paul Terhorst, retired overseas for more than 25 years, since the ripe age of 35, begins a conversation that could be one of the most important of your life.

Paul has survived no fewer than 12 "financial meltdowns" in various corners of the world. In this report, Paul tells you what you need (and don't need) to make the leap to retirement overseas. Paul also shares his tried-and-tested methods for setting yourself up in retirement in a foreign country.

Our ever-expanding and most comprehensive Panama package.

In fact, the Panama Bridge Kit is six important Panama resources:

"Live and Invest in Panama," the complete, 221-page guide (a US$79 value)-- This complete and current guide to Panama introduces you to the country's top seven choices for expat living and helps you to compare them, one to the other, with a clear look at the pluses and the minuses in each case...

It's Time To Defend What's Rightfully Yours...to enjoy more of your earnings day to day (and lose less to the taxman)...to prevent future hits to your nest egg (so you get to enjoy the prosperous retirement you deserve)...to protect your assets for your future (and for your family)...

At our recent Emergency Offshore Summit we convened our top banking, tax, residency, citizenship, asset-protection, international business, structures, and going-offshore investing experts. With their help, we discussed the best opportunities available to you right now to protect yourself by using the only sensible course of action that remains..going offshore.

You can now avail of these all-important and comprehensive discussions with our Emergency Offshore Summit Self-Preservation Kit.

In this collection of resources, you'll learn:

• Strategies for investing offshore (including real estate and buying gold) that are both profitable and private -- as well as the best opportunities available in the world right now in each of these areas...


• How to take advantage of the world's best banking havens -- and find out which ones are still private and which are best suited to your needs...
• Structures that will make it impossible for anyone in the world to touch your assets (again, all 100% legal)...


• The big tax issues to address when investing, living, and doing business offshore (including issues such as the foreign-earned income exclusion, domicile versus residence for tax purposes, taking advantage of low-tax and zero-tax jurisdictions)...


• The benefits of incorporating and doing business in an offshore haven (as well as introductions to the best offshore havens in the world today)...


• The top current options worldwide for obtaining a second passport...and the important reasons why you might want one in the first place...


• The most user-friendly jurisdictions for establishing foreign residency and, depending on your circumstances, thereby being able to live and do business 100% tax-free...

If Belize is on your radar (as we suggest it should be), here's everything you need to take the first step toward realizing your dreams of a new life in this beautiful, English-speaking Caribbean nation.

We call it the "Belize Starter Kit." Think of it as Belize 101, everything the would-be expat or retiree considering a new life in Belize needs to get started.