Destinations

Panama In 2023—The Truth About Life On This Isthmus

October 23, 2023

I woke up this morning, brewed a pot of Irish breakfast tea, and, as has been my custom for decades now, sat down at my laptop to write you a letter.  I want to focus your attention this week on Panama. Trouble is... I’ve been telling people about Panama for 25 years. In fact, I…

Top Picks For Affordable Living In The Caribbean

October 16, 2023

The Caribbean holds a special place in the hearts of most North Americans… those sugar-sand beaches, perfectly clear waters, the swaying palm trees…    You could say that the Caribbean represents the quintessential going overseas fantasy—who hasn’t let themselves daydream about life on an island, dozing in a hammock with an umbrella cocktail?   Pesky practicalities always…

Top Picks For A New Dream Life South Of The Border

October 2, 2023

I spent seven years living in Panama, the Hub of the Americas, and during those years, I got to know Latin America pretty well… Belize, Mexico, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru… I’ve seen a good portion of this part of the world and spent time working in each. I moved to Europe in…

The Costa Cálida: Life On The Spanish Mediterranean

September 25, 2023

Tucked between two much more visited regions on Spain’s southeastern costas lies the Costa Cálida, home to the region of Murcia and its namesake university city, a bustling little spot with spectacular architecture and a fantastic riverside culture. With more than 320 days of sunshine per year and a unique position on the Mediterranean, this…

Valencia: Spain’s Unsung Glory

September 4, 2023

Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, has so many nicknames and claims to fame, it’s hard to highlight just one aspect of this remarkable city. City of Oranges… Designer city… (World Capital of Design in 2022) Most innovative city in Europe… (third place in 2022) Green capital of the future… (2024 winner) Gastronomic mecca… (host city for…

A Rich Cultural Scene And World Class Health Care

August 30, 2023

Dear LIOS Confidential Reader, The first time I ever recommended Americans think about retiring overseas was back in 1985. When I began making these kinds of suggestions, I was sometimes met with suspicion… sometimes ignored… now and then even attacked as part of the lunatic fringe. The good news is that today the idea of…

Real Estate In Europe

May 30, 2022

Real Estate In Europe I am not yet a homeowner, but I’m on the brink… and the euro’s weakness against the dollar is coming at a beautiful time for me. After our recent scouting trip to Cyprus, my husband and I are currently deciding between a couple of our favorite opportunities there. (If you’re interested…

Panama Versus Paris: Reasons We Love These 2 Countries

March 8, 2022

Panama Versus Paris—Couldn’t Be More Different, But I Love Them Both My family and I returned to Panama last week after a three-year absence (thanks to Covid), and it’s wonderful to be back in our sometimes home… and it’s the first time my daughter has been able to visit. Thanks to our permanent residency, we…

Celebrating Christmas In Belize

December 13, 2021

Krismas da kum! Brukdong, Bram, Deer Dances, And Horse Races—Christmas In Belize Belizean for: Christmas is coming! Belize, a nation of immigrants, has adopted and adapted Christmas traditions from abroad and combined them with Mayan traditions that existed when colonists arrived centuries ago to create some of the most eclectic holiday customs anywhere. December is…

What You Should Know About Moving Abroad With Pets

October 26, 2021

How Your Dog Can Help You Move Overseas When moving overseas, one of the hardest things to do—after you’ve gotten your residency and set up your home and generally gotten settled—is integrating into your new neighborhood. How do you go about starting to feel like you belong? There are plenty of ways, of course, but one of…