International Living: 3 Great Places to Live and Retire Abroad

Ever dreamed of owning a foreign vacation home,reading this article).PANAMA: THE NEW
living or retiring in an exotic land? You're not alone. AnFLORIDA?Inexpensive real estate, a low cost of
ever increasing number of Americans and Europeansliving, breathtaking scenery and First-world perks
are being lured abroad by a lower cost of living andshould put Panama at the top of your list if you're
higher quality of life. Some are returning to theirconsidering living or retiring abroad.Home to Central
ancestral countries or to places where they onceAmerica's most vibrant and attractive capital (Panama
vacationed, worked or studied. Others are beingCity), Panama is slightly larger than the state of
enticed by generous retiree perks and attractive taxFlorida. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the
incentives. Outside of reading about it, you probablyPacific Ocean, it is one of those places that can
have never given the notion any serious thought.seduce you through its sheer natural beauty. The
These three beautiful and affordable slices ofseemingly endless stretches of picturesque coastline,
paradise could change your mind.NOVA SCOTIA: THElush green valleys, near-perfect weather and friendly
HIDDEN GEMNot all expatriate destinations arepeople make it one of the most livable places in the
created equal. If you're on a budget, tired ofworld. If you like Florida and the Caribbean, you'll love
crowded beaches and packed supermarkets, lovePanama.Outside of its scenic charms, Panama is one
seafood, and have a 19th-century mindset, you mayof the best places anywhere for expatriate and
want to consider Nova Scotia, the Canadian provinceretirees today, offering one of the world's best
which is becoming one of the most sought afterdiscount programs for retirees. AARP rated Panama
vacation home and retirement havens in North"the fourth best retirement place in the world." When
America.Nova Scotia is beautiful. With some of thestacked up against traditional Latin American
world's most beautiful scenery, it boasts somethingretirement havens such as Mexico, Costa Rica and
for every taste: historic small towns, picture-perfectthe Dominican Republic, Panama has more amenities,
countryside, and a bustling capital with attractivelower costs, and less crime, red tape and
suburbs, not to mention 3,600 miles of enchantinggovernment interference.In addition, Panama has put
coastline dotted with charming fishing villages,together an impressive list of incentives to attract
inexpensive lots to build on, and opportunities fornewcomers, including:Expatriates who buy or build a
outdoor recreation of virtually every type. Deeplynew home pay no property taxes for 20 years.No
steeped in Scottish, Irish and Acadian (creole)taxes on foreign-earned income (Social Security,
heritage, the province feels like New England 100pensions or business profits).Investments in the
years ago, and the entire province's population is lesstourism industry are exempt from import duties,
than one million so the place is anything butconstruction materials and equipment costs, and
crowded.But that's not all. With government-fundedincome, real estate and other taxes for a period of
healthcare, comfortable spring and summer20 years.The pensionado (retiree) programYou don't
temperatures (with milder and less snowy wintersneed to be retired to qualify for the program
than many northern U.S. states) and real estate(anyone over 18 may apply for benefits). The only
prices considerably lower than anything on the coastrequirement is a guaranteed income of $500 per
in the United States, Nova Scotia is well worthmonth ($600 for a couple). It must be a pension
considering. The growing American and Europeanfrom a company or government agency (e.g. Social
expat population obviously agrees.For Sale: Your ownSecurity, disability, military pay, etc.). After becoming
slice of the breathtaking coastline and tens ofa Panamanian resident "pensioner," you are
thousands of acres of quaint countryside atimmediately eligible for the most comprehensive
unbelievably low prices. Live like a prince in a peacefulprogram of expatriate benefits in the world, including
and private haven. Enjoy universal healthcare, friendlydiscounts on everything from doctor's visits and
people and Cuban cigars (they're legal here). All this inmortgage closing costs to restaurant meals and
a pristine, under-developed storybook setting. Butentertainment (movies, theaters, concerts, sporting
hurry...the word is out now (you're not the only oneevents, etc.).