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Category: Residency

11 Nov
View over the old town of Porto, Portugal with the cathedral and colorful buildings

The Truth About Portugal

Since the pandemic, Americans have flocked to Portugal in record numbers. From 2017 to 2022, the number of Americans living in Portugal increased by 239%, reaching almost 10,000 people. Portugal is having a moment in the sun in terms of its popularity among U.S. expats, and it’s understandable why so many are falling for this [...]
31 Oct
The 25th April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) in Lisbon, Portugal.

Portugal Versus Panama

As regular readers will know, Kathleen and I divide much of our time between Panama and Paris. A little over a week ago, we repositioned from the Old World to the New once more. As we bid farewell to Paris, I was reminded how many Americans often dismiss Europe for offshore, lifestyle, and investment options, [...]
22 Oct
Casco Viejo is the historical part of Panama City, Panama

Home From Home

Today, Lief and I are on our way back to Panama. When the kids were young, these repositioning events involved a dozen checked bags and innumerable carry-ons. Now Lief and I transition from home base to home base with a single suitcase each and our laptops. Each move is both exciting and sentimental. We look [...]
07 Oct
Park with monument Vasco Nunez de Balboa in Panama City, Panama

5 Residency Options In Panama

You know I’ve been bullish on Panama for years. Long-term, Panama will be one of the main global business hubs, competing with Singapore and Dubai… All in all, Panama is a country where you should consider “planting a flag.” Panama uses the U.S. dollar, so you won’t get any currency diversification, but for many people [...]
12 Aug
anorama with a aerial top view as perspective of the Sumilon island beach landing near Oslob, Cebu, Philippines

Easy Residency

One-third of Americans would like to move out of the United States, according to a recent poll. This means that a staggering number of people—about 111 million—are now onboard with an idea that was considered unusual, even contrarian, just a few years ago. For any among the 111 million who are serious about moving overseas, [...]
04 Apr
Landscape scenery of road by the lough inagh with mountains in the background at Connemara National park in county Galway, Ireland

What Is Your Deal-Breaker?

It’s becoming harder and harder to determine what is the First World and what is—to use the politically correct term—the developing world. I spent time working in the developing world in the mid-‘90s. Chad might not have even been considered developing when I was there. The capital city N’Djamena had an international airport but not [...]
28 Mar
Reine, Lofoten, Norway. The village of Reine under a sunny, blue sky, with the typical rorbu houses.

Where Is The Best Place To Escape To In A Crisis?

The existence of so many independent “nation states” across the world… “countries” the way we think of them today… is a relatively new phenomenon in history. The idea that every ethnic or social group should have its own independent national government and geographical homeland… this idea has been very successful in the last century. But [...]
11 Mar
Porto, Portugal

Why Portugal

Europe is comprised of 51 countries, and the EU includes 27. Among these, Portugal is one of the best options for anyone looking for a place to live, to invest, or to formulate a Plan B in Europe. Last year the country made headlines for enacting policy changes that impacted its desirability as a retirement [...]
07 Mar
Blue skies and the view of a white church on a shore in Protaras, Cyprus

An A-Grade Plan B Option

Cyprus—north and south—is dead center of my radar. Property markets across this island nation are not only among the world’s best bargains… But they also offer tremendous upside in terms of both cash flow and appreciation, near and long term. However, Cyprus is not only a top investment option. It’s also an A-level choice for what I like [...]
11 Dec
Sunrise at Caye Caulker Island Belize

Why You Want A Dog In Belize

It’s Not For The Reason You Might Think… One of the questions I am most frequently asked about Belize is… Is it really safe? Unlike Mexico, Guatemala, and other countries in the region, Belize has no organized crime. In Belize, no drug cartels are fighting for dominance or control… This sleepy little country seems too [...]