Live and Invest Overseas - Croatia, France, Ireland and Spain

Contributing writer Roseanna Keats vividly describes her tour of the beautiful--and highly affordable--Istrian coast of Croatia, Europe's Sleeping Beauty, as Roseanna calls it, where every bend in the road brings another amazing view and you've a wonderful selection of Old World properties to choose from. It's the best of Italy...only cheaper...not to mention the world's truffle capital.

Also this month, Paul Terhorst is back with words of wisdom on how to navigate the current recession and smart answers to the questions every retired investor must surely be asking.

"Although I have a tendency to steer clear of capital cities when considering an overseas relocation, Zagreb caught my eye," writes our correspondent Siri Lise Doub. With its ideal location (a perfect base for exploring other European cities), good infrastructure (you won't need a car), diverse leisure opportunities (ski in the morning, lay on the beach in the afternoon, and catch an opera in the evening), as well as a reasonable cost of living, it turns out that Zagreb is not your average capital city.

Moreover, you will find out what are the strategies for dealing with currency fluctuation...

"This region nestles up to the Spanish border over on the Atlantic coast; it extends north to the River Adour and east to the Béarn region which it shares with the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department. The scenery is intense: small steep valleys, rolling hills, towering mountains, meandering rivers, a wild coastline, forests and woodland, all crammed into about 31,000 square feet. And all gloriously green and lush, for here there's a classic mild, humid, oceanic climate.

"The Basque coastline is the crown of the region and is dotted with jewels: Biarritz, Bayonne, St Jean de Luz, Hendaye, and tiny Guéthary. My full report of the region in your January ORL will hopefully whet your appetite and get you over here to explore for yourself."

Describing the history of beret-making in the French town of Nay (sometimes called "Little Manchester"), Lucy Culpepper is careful to point out that Nay is "no dirty industrial town." It seems the French never compromised on style, even through peak production. Nay is just one of the many attractive towns and villages dotted around France's Béarn region, the focus of this report. With so much on offer around the region, Lucy found it difficult to recommend any single town, but finally settled on two, Nay and Morlaas, since:

"They are a good size; not too big or too small. I've found them both very welcoming, they both have every facility and service you need, they both have an interesting historical center, and they are both set in beautiful, though different, countryside."
Also in your report:

• Forget economics: Paul Terhorst explains why you need to make decisions based on your own costs.
• Five property opportunities from gated developments...

France Correspondent Lucy Culpepper takes you on a journey through the medieval villages of the Languedoc region of France...the "other" South of France...where Lucy talks to expats about their experiences living their dream in French wine country, their newfound quality of life, and the rich history of one of this country's least-discovered regions.

Also, Paul Terhorst explains how to spot a Ponzi scheme and what to do if you still think you're smarter than the other guy.

Ireland makes more sense for the would-be foreign retiree right now than it has in nearly a decade. Thanks to the worldwide financial crisis, the costs of both real estate and of living on the Emerald Isle have fallen dramatically, making a new life in the Auld Sod a more realistic option than you may have been thinking. In addition, of course, Ireland offers all the Old World charm, beautiful countryside and coasts, and welcoming hospitality you could hope for. In this special Retirement Report, Managing Editor Lynn Mulvihill introduces the charms of the Copper Coast, a stretch of dramatically beautiful coastline in an overlooked part of Ireland that boasts a particularly rich history and heritage.

Also in this report, resident Retirement Planning Expert Paul Terhorst discusses how you can learn from the world's oldest investors by putting your money in three "pots."

Tucked away in Ireland's southwest, in the "Kingdom" county of Kerry, is the marvelously unspoiled Iveragh Peninsula. Parts of the peninsula are designated "Gaeltacht" areas--zoned as such to protect the native language, heritage, and landscape--and, it's thanks to that status that the area retains its natural beauty.

Really, this is as close to picture postcard Ireland as it gets. And, when the sun peeps over the craggy coastline, illuminating Ireland's whitest sands and clearest water, you can't help but think (with a sense of humor) "Irish Riviera."

While tour buses weave their way around the Kerry coastline all year -- and especially during the summer months -- you'll drive most of the Iveragh Peninsula without seeing any big hotels or resorts. The privileged folks who live (and keep holiday homes) out here enjoy a tranquil life, surrounded by stunning seascapes. And, Killarney National Park -- with its famous lakes and mountains -- is at your doorstep.

With Irish property prices as low as they've been in more than a decade, this could be your chance to find a cozy, affordable cottage in one of the world's most romantic spots. Read Lynn Mulvihill's full report on the Iveragh Peninsula in your October issue.

No over-crowding, no heavy industry, just the best of Italian country life. This is Abruzzo, the region of Italy our Euro-Correspondent Roseanna Keats has identified as offering one of the best lifestyle options on the Continent. Hidden away down its winding roads are castles, vineyards, and villages made of stone and memory. Life in Abruzzo hasn't changed much over the centuries, and coming to Abruzzo is like wandering into a gentler, kinder yesterday...a yesterday with little or no crime and neighbors who watch out for each other.

Abruzzo offers the best of country life but is minutes away from both the beach and skiing Every winter, the ski resorts in Abruzzo attract great numbers of weekend "fun" skiers from Rome and elsewhere. Affordable ski, too—daily lift passes cost only 10 to 15 euro. Wine? You bet! The local favorite is Montepulciano d'Abruzzo—a deeply colored red, scented with blackberry and cherry undertones. Add the affordable cost of properties, and you have all the ingredients for retiring in style on Italy's Adriatic coast.

This Country Retirement Report focuses on the town of Almuñécar on Spain's Costa Tropical. Whether you choose to live here part- or full-time, Correspondent Lucy Culpepper promises "the charm of a typical Spanish town with the best of northern European influences and services." Not forgetting the local beaches, markets, restaurants, attractions, and fiestas. As the mayor of Almuñécar puts it, "How could you live anywhere else?"