Nov. 4, 2009
Asia
PLUS:
- We Managed To Escape Early This Morning...But We Wonder If We'll Be Able To Make It Back Home Anytime Soon...
- Retire To India?...
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Just Released!
The World's Cheapest Retirement Havens...
Are Also The Most Exotic
Amongst vistas of nearly indescribable beauty, you can
pay US$100 a month for rent, spend only 1% of the usual cost of health care, and eat a full lunch for only 50 cents.
The world doesn't get any cheaper.
This land of ancient kingdoms, emperors, explorers, adventurers, traders, and pioneers is also beautiful, safe, welcoming, and, in some parts, completely at peace.
Go Here For More Details
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Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,
"I grew up in the 1950s and 60s, and China was closed, full-stop closed, permanently closed," writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst in the Introduction to his
"Around Asia" guide, released today.
"Mao's Revolution had taken hold," Paul continues. "One thing we knew for sure was that we'd never, ever get to travel in China.
"Today I can still hear my older brother saying, with that grave, pontificating voice that 14-year-olds assume, that China, not Russia, looked to be the biggest danger in our future. Remember that, during the Cold War, Russia--actually the Soviet Union, but everyone called it Russia--was Enemy Number One. My brother figured China would be even worse than Russia one day and might even attack us with nuclear weapons. Yikes.
"Then came the Vietnam War. Like the Chinese, the Vietnamese wanted no part of us. Hundreds of thousands of communist Vietnamese went to their deaths to help get us out of their country for good.
"Fast forward to the 21st century. The communists have stuck around but in name only; China and Vietnam now stake their futures on free markets.
"My wife Vicki and I first came to Asia on a pleasure trip more than 20 years ago and have been back to Asia nearly every year since that first trip in 1988. I still feel like Alice in Wonderland at times, with the temples and dances, food and drink, language and laughter, parks and wildlife. I predict you'll feel like Alice, too, at least part of the time, at least now and then.
"But don't let that keep you away. Today you can travel almost everywhere in Asia. Vicki and I recommend you do so. As much as possible, we also recommend you travel over land. You want to travel at street level, to take tuk-tuks, to order from street vendors, and to chat with innkeepers. You want to get to know people here, to share in their daily triumphs and to mourn their losses.
"Of the many good reasons to visit Asia now, one of the best is that it's cheap. The Chinese have undervalued the yuan (called the 'kwai' on the streets), the Malays have undervalued the ringgit, all to foment exports. Many other countries have done the same. We travelers enjoy the benefit of export-led growth policies, sort of on the side. Those cheap currencies translate into cheap food and lodging for us.
"The current super-cheap spots in Asia won't stay super-cheap forever. Again, I say, best to get over to see them now. Start with the least expensive: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, China, Burma, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Oman.
"And when you come, I suggest an ulterior motive. Consider whether you might want to live in any of the countries you visit. This is what I've done during my most recent travels in this part of the world. I've talked with expats about getting visas, finding a place to settle in, using the libraries, and so on.
"Southeast Asia, especially China, still has regions so remote that you won't see expats or, more to the point, anyone who speaks English. Even in those cases, you can try to imagine your life there, as I've done. How would you get by? Answer: Pretty well. (See the China chapters of my '
Around Asia' guide for details.)
"Asia opens a whole new world, exotic and cool, glittery and mystic. Languages not only have different ancestors, they have different alphabets, sometimes no alphabet at all...
"So I say one more time: Try Asia. Whether you want to run around and have a look or to settle down and stay awhile, Asia makes so much sense right now..."
Kathleen Peddicord
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The Perks, Privileges, And Advantages Of Foreign Residency In The World's Top Overseas Havens
From
Panama to the
Dominican Republic, from
Uruguay to
Malaysia, and from
Belize to
Nicaragua, some countries roll out the welcome mat for foreign retirees, offering significant tax breaks and other advantages you can't afford to ignore.
Full details here.
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"How many marching bands could there be in
Panama?" Lief wondered as we watched one after another parade by our house in Casco Viejo yesterday. The Independence Day celebrating began before 8 a.m. and continued until nearly 4 in the afternoon. All day long, it rained. At least four times, the skies opened and dropped rivers of water on the band members and their drums and horns. But they marched on, smiling and dripping.
We couldn't have made it into the office yesterday even if we'd wanted to, we discovered late afternoon when we finally ventured out. All Casco Viejo was cordoned off for the parade.
We're enjoying Panama's celebration of her independent republic status, but we're Americans, after all. The thought of two days at home mid-week was more than we could stand, so, early this morning, we escaped to the office. I'm not sure, though, when we'll be able to return home. Today is
Flag Day...which means more parades! As we drove out of Casco Viejo in the wee hours, we saw the police again stringing their yellow tape...
"I am really enjoying your letters. Actually, I have done much the same as you. I lived in Mallorca for 10 years and live now in southwest
France. But I'm feeling itchy to move on, as we are in the middle of rural nowhere. Ecuador looks interesting.
"If you want any info on this part of France I'd be glad to help."
-- Cordelia D.A., France
By all means. I (and your fellow readers) would love to hear about your French country life.
"Kathleen, what do you know about retiring to
India? I know it is nice and cheap, but what about expats living there? I am not interested in Goa, as there have been many land grabs there."
-- Mary P., United States
Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst reports on his recent travels in India in our new "Around Asia" report, available starting today. Paul spent time in this country not as a tourist, but as a scout, investigating the opportunities for the would-be retiree and expat in one of the most affordable and exotic retirement locales in the world.
More here.
