Live and Invest Overseas - Country Retirement Reports

"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.'"

Contributing Writer Siri Lise Doub takes you on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Argentina's wine country--a region that offers a most enviable lifestyle...on a very affordable budget. And you don't need to be a wine aficionado to fit in down Mendoza way. As Siri Lise explains, there's a lot more to "the next Napa" than its grapes.

Meanwhile, Paul Terhorst discusses why shrewd retirees should consider switching from income-based to asset-based thinking (and spending). See page 3 of the report for details on how this approach has worked for Paul, Warren Buffet, and the Argentine nation...to name a few.

"Blessed by the Caribbean Sea, and the world's second-largest barrier reef, Ambergris Caye is an aquamarine water wonderland," writes Belize Correspondent Ann Kuffner. "From snorkeling and diving to fishing, kayaking, sailing, and parasailing, water sport options abound. But for those who'd rather kick back and shift to island time, the selection of quality restaurants and bars provides ample opportunities to do that, too. Today it's even possible to sip a fine Malbec or Cabernet accompanied by creamy brie or peppercorn pate in the shade of swaying palm trees…

"You'll note Hispanic, Mayan, Lebanese, Garifuna, Eastern Indian, and British roots in the faces of the local residents. American and Canadian Baby Boomers are only the most recent wave of newcomers to discover this Isla Bonita's charms. There are few places where such a melting pot of cultures and races gets along so well.

"This island is bursting with nature's bounty. And yet there are North American-style resorts and condominium developments where you can live full- or part-time in total comfort..."

Next month, Ann leads you on a golf cart tour of "Temptation Island," the name given to Ambergris Caye after the controversial reality show was filmed there in 2001. Look for Ann's full report in your May issue...

Belize correspondent Phil Hahn reveals a place of stunning landscapes and natural resources where you can live a luxury lifestyle for US$1,145 a month. And, despite an established expat population, property prices are still "local." Among Phil's best finds is a 3,200-square-foot villa--with a separate guesthouse--for US$125,000.

In the same report, Paul Terhorst asks what we've learned from the recent global meltdown...and how we can better prepare for future busts.

If you're looking to retire to a beachfront city in Northeast Brazil, look no farther than Maceió," writes Latin American Correspondent Christian MacDonald. "When it comes to making a terrific first impression on arrival, this is a city that's hard to beat.

"In fact, when I crested the hill on my approach to the beach, the view to the sea was so impressive that I missed my turn and got lost. But when I finally turned and hit the beachfront promenade, I was treated to a gleaming, modern city that soon jumped to the forefront of all the cities I've visited in Brazil with an eye on retirement.

"And, better yet, you can buy a large, three-bedroom apartment here for less than US$75,000, and enjoy the good life here for under US$1,400 per month." Full story from Christian in your September issue.

Retiring to Colombia is "not nearly as nutty a notion as it may sound," writes Publisher Kathleen Peddicord. "And, the city of Medellin has a great deal to recommend it, including: a temperate climate year-round, a great diversity of cultural and recreational offerings, infrastructure that works, and a very affordable cost of living. You could rent a comfortable apartment in this appealing city for US$300 per month or less...or invest in an apartment of your own for US$60,000 or US$70,000.

"All that said, this remains an emerging market, not yet very foreign retireefriendly. Things like establishing residency and opening a local bank account are still in the 'workaround stage,' as I think of it. That is, to do these things, you may need to put some workarounds in place. That can be fine, but not everyone is up for the hassle. "As I remind you often, it comes down to your priorities. Maybe you're not looking for a place to retire overseas full-time, so you don't mind that permanent full-time foreign residency can be complicated to organize. Maybe, for you, the near-perfect weather, the beauty of the setting and of the city itself, the friendliness of the people, and the great diversity of ways to spend your days and your nights are enough to warrant a closer look at the idea of spending time long term in Medellin."

"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.

Contributing Writer Siri Lise Doub gives life to Hangzhou, a land of lakes, water gardens, and elegant pagodas, where many expats have already found an earthly paradise. There's a lot to learn about life in this delightfully affordable part of the world, from property ownership to running a business.

Also, Paul Terhorst puts forward a new model for financial planning that couldn't be more timely.

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...

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."

"Wedged between Guatemala and Honduras, and bordering the Pacific coast, El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. It's also the most densely populated and considered to be the most beautiful. From everything I've seen, its roads are the best in Central America and the gas stations are new, large, clean, and offer something called 'service' to the pumps: window cleaning, tire checking, and a smile," writes Central America Correspondent Michael Paladin.

"To make things even easier, all prices are in U.S. dollars. No liters, just gallons. El Salvador may be the easiest country in Central America for a visitor from the U.S. to find his bearings. The rental of a two-bedroom apartment in the better sections of San Salvador range from US$500 to US$800 a month, furnished. Meanwhile, new three-bedroom/two-bath apartments are offered for $115,800 with financing."

"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.

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...

When abroad, even the smallest things...for instance, how coffee is brewed...can come as a shock (or a mouthful of grinds to the uncultured drinker). The Balinese, reports Wendy, our correspondent, don't see the need for coffee filters. However, the challenges Bali presents you with must be overshadowed by its beautiful beaches, low cost of living, tropical climate, and opportunity for Indiana Jones-style escapades.
Also in this publication:

• You're not Warren Buffet: Paul Terhorst discusses strategies for buying and holding.
• Five island retreats from as little as US$13,900...

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.

"There is a saying in Asia," writes Asia Correspondent Wendy Justice, "that the Vietnamese plant the rice, the Thais sell the rice, and the Laotians listen to the rice grow. It seems as if everyone who visits delightfully laid-back Laos falls in love with the place. Laos exudes "mellow". While the rest of Southeast Asia seems to be changing and modernizing at break-neck speed, Laos ambles along, taking plenty of breaks along the way.

"Vientiane feels like little more than a large town. With a population of about 740,000, there are no skyscrapers here, no malls or hustle and bustle...But there are outstandingly beautiful Buddhist temples, lively markets, museums, and a fine assortment of local and international cuisines...

"In some ways, being in Vientiane is like stepping back in time. It is a peaceful city where relationships mean more than commerce. It's a social place where friends are easily made. Whether at the coffee shop, the riverfront, or at the market, life here is friendly and relaxed. Vientiane is a quirky cosmopolitan city with a quaint village feel, offering a lifestyle that has attracted a steadily growing number of foreign residents." Discover the quiet joy of living in Vientiane in your June ORL.

Asia Correspondent Wendy Justice writes, "In some Asian cities, it's easy for a foreigner to feel something akin to a walking wallet. Not so in Kuala Lumpur."

"Here, foreigners pay the same prices as the locals. People want to know you. Health care is first-rate, public transportation is modern and efficient, and the tap water is safe enough to drink. Beautiful beaches are just a short drive or flight away, cool mountain retreats can be reached in less than an hour, and the thriving city-state of Singapore is easily accessible in a few hours by car, train, and bus or an hour by plane. It's an easy city to stay in for a few weeks...or even a lifetime."

And, if all that isn't enough, Wendy continues:

"Immigration is easy, and it is possible to stay for an extended period with a simple tourist visa. Although KL is more expensive than rural Malaysia, it is marvelously inexpensive by Western standards. You can realistically expect to cut your living expenses by a third and still enjoy a lifestyle comparable to what you are accustomed to now."

Could Kuala Lumpur be the right place for you? Find out everything you need to know about Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia here.

Correspondent Roseanna Keats takes us on an adventure around the "Pearl of the Orient," one of the most livable destinations in Southeast Asia. Penang, Malaysia, has a lot going for it. Not only is the cost of living low, but English is widely spoken, foreigners are welcome, and the government is stable. Obtaining residency as a foreign retiree in this nation is easy (easier than anywhere else in Asia). The Malaysian government invites foreigners to stay in Penang on a long-term Social Visit Pass under the "Malaysia My Second Home Programme."

Also in this report, resident Retirement Planning Expert Paul Terhorst tells of a friend back in the United States who believes he needs US$5 million dollars to retire comfortably. Paul explains though, that, in fact, you don't need anything like a US$5million dollar retirement fund. What you need is to be creative. Learn what you need to know to retire now, on the money you have now.

A low cost of living is important but not sufficient for a fulfilling life. If your wish-list for an overseas residence also includes a moderate climate, good food, old-world charm, friendly people, lots of culture, and engaging activities in a vibrant community, then the February issue of The Overseas Retirement Letter, will make you wonder why you still haven't made the overseas leap! This is romantic Old Mexico at its best - colorful, beautiful, passionate, and captivating... a place to rekindle your love of life and re-awaken the romance of your youth. At just two hours flight time from Texas and located in the heart of Mexico's Colonial Highlands, Guanajuato is still just a tiny blip on the expat radar. The small foreign community (about 300 folks) is large enough to provide fellowship and support for new arrivals, yet small enough that there's no doubt that you're living in a vintage Mexican town. Living in Guanajuato for 13 years with his family, Mexico Correspondent Mike Anderson delivers an insider's story revealing why Guanajuato is so much more than just another quaint World Heritage City. Look out for Guanajuato, Mexico in your inbox mid-February.

Chic, cosmopolitan, yet richly romantic, Puerto Vallarta is one beach resort you can enjoy even if you never set foot in the water. This city, located on Mexico's Pacific coast—and just a two-hour flight from the U.S.- -also offers fine dining, world-class shopping, cultural events, and intimate historic areas with cobblestoned streets that just beg to be explored.

Puerto Vallarta—or "PV," as many expats call it--lies along one of one of the world's most beautiful bays, the Bay of Banderas. Velvet-green mountains, running down almost to the bay, form its backdrop. Thanks to this location between hills and sea, you can swim or sail in the morning and enjoy walks, hiking or horseback riding in the hilly interior in the afternoon. You can also find hillside properties that offer sweeping, panoramic views of the bay…

And you don't need a fortune to live here. In Puerto Vallarta, there are properties to fit every budget. In-town apartments and condos in romantic, intimate neighborhoods with cobbled streets…high-rise modern condos in the marina area…and single-family homes in outlying neighborhoods are all to be found.

With all PV has to offer, no wonder it's a favorite with expats. As many as 10,000 expats may live here full or part-time…and many more come to visit. Read all about this perennial favorite in next month's issue.

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.

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 report, 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.

"Hidden behind the image of its picaresque president for the last few years, Nicaragua is suddenly emerging as one of the top 10 retirement and vacation hot spots in the world," writes Central America Correspondent Michael Paladin. "Why? MSN, The Lonely Planet Guidebook, and the US News and World publications have been naming, promoting, and giving a lot of ink lately to the largest country in Central America. However, the international yard-stick of popularity is the annual tourist count. And, Nicaragua, for the first time ever, notched over a million visitors in 2010.

"Right now, Nicaragua offers three primary choices for the potential retiree: Granada, the Pacific beach town of San Juan Del Sur, and the off-the-beaten track old city of Leon. Old is relative in Nicaragua, with Granada claiming the prize for longevity: the Leones dispute this, pointing to the original city built on the slopes of a sleeping volcano. It is a question of two months, more or less, but the centuries-long claims dating from 1524 have never healed."

Panama City has many neighborhoods that a foreign retire would find comfortable—Costa del Este, Casco Viejo, and Punta Pacifica, among others. All of these neighborhoods have their benefits and drawbacks, but few are as central, as eclectic, as welcoming, as interesting, and, in the current market, as affordable as El Cangrejo. El Cangrejo ("The crab") sits between the prestigious La Cresta and Obarrio neighborhoods, and some say that the place was named for the way the quiet, tree-lined streets protrude from Via Argentina, like the limbs of a crab. El Cangrejo is a popular relocation choice among young entrepreneurial expats and retirees who want a neighborhood with character and countless amenities—banks, hospitals, restaurants, casinos, and nighclubs, all within walking distance. This report, brought to you by our Panama Correspondent Rebecca Tyre, provides all the essential information for establishing yourself in this trendy and very expat-friendly neighborhood, one of our favorite in all Panama City.

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.

"As a young adult, I dreamed of a tropical paradise where the sun almost always shined, it never got cold, and I could swim in the ocean whenever I liked. I dreamed of breakfasting on fresh papaya and mango, or sipping mango lassies while feasting on curry at a beach-side restaurant. Now those dreams, and more, have come true... I live on Olango Island in the Philippines." So begins the story of Philippines' Correspondent Victoria Clair, an American expat who has lived on Cebu for three years and just recently moved to Olango Island, a 20-minute boat ride from Mactan and the bridge to Cebu. Victoria's report details daily life on the island from finding a rental to shopping, the importance of good food, and the joys of living a back-to-basics lifestyle. Read all about moving to and living on a Philippine island in January's issue of the Overseas Retirement Letter.

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?"

In this report, writer Eoin Bassett introduces you to Turkey--a country full of surprises--focusing on four key areas that would be of particular appeal to retirees. Best for part-year living (for taxation purposes), Turkey will suit the retiree who's not after a permanent move.

Also in your publication, Paul Terhorst forecasts where the markets are headed in 2010--and what this means for the retiree and overseas investor.

Attracted by the affordable housing options, the modern infrastructure, and the Western amenities, at least 17,000 foreigners have chosen to make Chiang Mai their adopted home. You can live in Chiang Mai for as little as US$775 a month, enjoying first-class medical facilities in a country known for medical tourism. Advantages aside, could you live so far from home? Correspondent Wendy Justice explains both the positive and negatives of a new life in the Land of Smiles.

Also, should you keep your home "back home" when you move overseas? Resident Retirement Planning Expert Paul Terhorst answers the questions you'll have to ask yourself sooner or later.

"Nestled at the base of the foothills just east of Thailand's highest mountain ranges, Chiang Rai is in an ideal location," reports Wendy. "With a population of less than 100,000, Chiang Rai offers an intimacy that cannot be found in a large city. Lying at the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Burma and Laos converge in what was once the world's largest opium-producing region, there's still plenty of mystique here. Thick, cool forests, majestic waterfalls, elephant camps, and some of the most diverse hill-tribe villages in the world are located just a short distance outside the city. Hot springs await you where you can soak your cares away.

"Chiang Rai has largely escaped the breakneck pace of 'development at any cost' so prevalent in much of Southeast Asia. Beautiful Lanna-style teakwood homes, tucked away behind vast arrays of flowering fauna, grace the quiet streets that make up most of the city. Rental prices are extremely low, and you get a lot of house for your money. Although there are internationally accredited hospitals here, and some large shopping complexes just minutes from the city center, a small town ambiance prevails.

"This is a peaceful place, full of parks, beautiful temples, and attractive architecture, plus miles upon miles of nearby mountains and countryside to explore..."

Watch out for your complete Chiang Rai report in your August issue of the Overseas Retirement Letter.

You probably thought that the days of finding a house on the beach for US$75,000 were over… but, reports ORL's South America correspondent Christian MacDonald, they're not.

Christian reveals, in the September issue of the ORL, a jewel of a South American country whose world-famous beaches run the entire length of its coast. Where one section of this coast has been overlooked since the 1950s… left back in time.

And it's here that you'll find the best seaside values available in any first-world setting. There's an incredible 30 miles of uninterrupted golden sands…of gentle sweeping coves and uncrowded beaches, and some of the country's best coastal towns for full-time retirement living. Small, friendly towns with shady, tree-lined streets and stately homes from another era.

Uruguay is the country that Christian reports from. It's a country that offers a peaceful, genuinely laid-back culture, along with a notable absence from the world's conflicts…a place where expats can obtain easy residency, and even a second passport.

This secure South American country offers a solid (and still-confidential) financial center, with an economy that actually grew during the recent worldwide recession…one that continues to draw investors from the world over, seeking a financial and political safe haven.

Christian, a long-time resident of Uruguay, will reveal in the September issue of the Overseas Retirement Letter, the area of coastline that he has for many years chosen for Uruguay's best coastal value.

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 report 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.

Hanoi," writes Asia Correspondent Wendy Justice. "Breathtakingly beautiful, graceful and gritty, it seems as if every neighborhood, every street corner, every peasant, every sidewalk vendor, each uniform-clad schoolchild and every narrow building begs for a photograph. Arising jubilantly from the ashes of war, Hanoi is quickly regaining its place in the world.

"The post-war Socialist-Communist way of conducting business has gradually given way to a new economy. Now, for all intents and purposes embracing a free-market society, the cultural and traditional capital city of Hanoi is thriving, growing, and maturing, defining its place in the global community. The frenetic pace of life; its teaming streets filled with unbridled energy, make Hanoi one of the most exciting and interesting cities in the world."

Most foreigners who live in Nha Trang, Vietnam – and there are close to a thousand of them – seem to agree on one thing: once they have moved here, they say that they never want to leave. You can be footsteps away from one of the most beautiful bays in the world, or a short drive from some of the prettiest landscapes in Southeast Asia. Life here can be as adventurous – or as lazy – as anyone could desire.

What makes Nha Trang special is that it has so many things in its favor. The beach is wide and sandy, the ocean is warm and enticing, and the bay is enormously appealing. The mountains and rural landscapes invite exploration. However, there's more to a perfect retirement haven than having beautiful scenery; the city has been actively welcoming westerners to its shores since the 1920s and has a foreigner-friendly ambiance that helps even nervous new expats feel comfortable. English is widely spoken and understood and the local people are gracious, industrious, curious, and friendly. The food is delicious and varied...and the weather is comfortable year-round without extreme variations. And, perhaps high on the list of positives is that Nha Trang has one of the lowest costs of living of any city in Southeast Asia – low enough, at US$580 per couple, to suit even the most frugal retiree...Many people come to Nha Trang for a short visit or holiday and eventually return here to stay. Nha Trang is a very appealing place to live – for all the right reasons.

Our Asia Correspondents Wendy and David Justice have spent many months living in Nha Trang, and will be reporting in full in December's issue of The Overseas Retirement Letter.