Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Reader,

I’ve noticed that it always seems to rain when I’m in London. Right now, though, I’m also noticing that, in this town, drizzle isn’t the only thing falling. The cost of property has taken a tumble, and not only here in Britain.

There are recession bargains for the having in half-a-dozen desirable retirement havens around the globe. You need only know where to look. We point you in the right direction in the pages of this month’s issue, out today.

Also in this month’s issue, Contributing Writer 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 new-found quality of life, and the rich history of one of this country’s least-appreciated regions.

Also this month, Paul Terhorst explains how to spot a Ponzi scheme and what to do if you still think you’re smarter than the other guy.

Sign up to The Overseas Retirement Letter now to hear from Lucy and Paul…as well as Publisher Kathleen Peddicord…and to see this month’s featured Recession Sale properties.

Sincerely,

Eoin Bassett
Editor, The Overseas Retirement Letter

Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Reader,

Living the good life here in Lyon, France’s second city and gastronomic capital, I hadn’t been thinking much about moving on–at least not until I read about the good life in another part of Europe, where the blue waters of the Adriatic lap onto the shores of unspoiled fishing hamlets and medieval mountain-top villages host international festivals…

But I should let you read about it for yourself.

In this month’s issue, 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.

Sign up to The Overseas Retirement Letter now to hear from Roseanna and Paul…as well as Publisher Kathleen Peddicord…and to see this month’s featured properties.

Finally, I’d like to say that it’s a pleasure to be filling in for Editor-in-Chief Lynn Mulvihill, who, I am delighted to report, gave birth recently to her second child, a bouncing baby boy. Lynn will be back on the job in another couple of months.

Meantime, I’ll be in touch again soon.

Sincerely,

Eoin Bassett
Editor, The Overseas Retirement Letter

Waterford, Ireland

Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Subscriber,

What are you hoping for in 2009? A better quality of life (at no extra cost)? More time to pursue the activities you love? The chance to make new friends? Learn a new language? Immerse yourself in a new culture? Maybe even a chance to start your life over? Whatever your dream, it can be realized overseas. And, in this month’s Overseas Retirement Letter, Publisher Kathleen Peddicord shares all the practical details you need to plan your international move and–most importantly–follow it through.

That’s the how covered. Now, to the where…

We kick off the year in Antigua, Guatemala, an overlooked colonial city in the heart of Central America, with plenty to offer the would-be retiree. Correspondent Michael Paladin recently set up home here 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…

Sign up to The Overseas Retirement Letter now to read Michael’s full report on Antigua. Plus:

• Your 12-step plan for an international move…
• The best retirement calculator on the web…
• “Top of the drops” in international property (right now is seriously the time to be begin thinking about buying in key spots around the world)…

Sincerely,

Lynn Mulvihill
Editor-in-Chief, The Overseas Retirement Letter

Waterford, Ireland

Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Reader,

A quick note to update you on an important change to your next newsletter, due to hit your e-mail inbox on Thursday, Jan. 15…

Last issue, I promised you a feature on Istria, Croatia. Since that note, Correspondent in Europe Roseanna Keats has alerted us to some significant changes in Croatia’s residency laws. To provide you with the most accurate information, we’re currently working to get the full story from our contacts on the ground.

So, instead, the feature article from January will focus on Antigua, Guatemala.

A colonial city in the heart of Central America, Guatemala Correspondent Michael Paladin rates his new home above the more well-known historic cities of Granada, Nicaragua and Merida, Mexico. Antigua is a charming, well-preserved 16th-century city with a buzz about town. Real estate is affordable, overseas income is entirely free of local tax, and you can live the good life here for less than $1,400 a month. More from Michael next week…

Thanks for your understanding. I’ll update you on the Croatia situation as soon as I have official word.

Happy New Year,

Lynn Mulvihill
Editor-in-Chief, The Overseas Retirement Letter

P.S. If you’re struggling to pull together your relocation plan for 2009, the January includes a special extended article from Kathleen Peddicord with 12 critical steps to get you on track. (No more excuses!)

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Waterford, Ireland

Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Reader,

As most of the world prepares to wind down and settle into the holiday season, things are heating up here in our offices…

This month, 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 your issue for details on how this approach has worked for Paul, Warren Buffet, and the Argentine nation…to name a few.

Finally, on behalf of the Overseas Retirement Letter team, I wish you the very best this holiday season…and look forward to introducing more extraordinary retirement possibilities in 2009.

Sincerely,

Lynn Mulvihill
Editor-in-Chief, The Overseas Retirement Letter

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Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Reader,

Since El Valle’s coverage in the November issue, there has been a lot of interest in this Panamanian oasis. One reader, Jennifer, wrote with questions on more of the day-to-day living issues in the area–from garbage collection to petty crime.

We got Lucy Culpepper on the case. Read on for full details…

Regards,

Lynn Mulvihill
Editor-in-chief, The Overseas Retirement Letter

P.S. Right now, I’m wrapping up your next issue–featuring the Mendoza region of Argentina (prime Malbec country). If you thought El Valle might be “the one,” this December issue may make you think again–Argentina’s wine country is a serious contender for the world’s top retirement option. Look out for download details in your e-mail inbox next Monday…

*** From the El Valle Mailbag ***

Dear Lucy,

Further to your article on El Valle de Anton, Panama, I would like to know whether there is a trash problem in town? Do they have trash pick-up services? Do people take care of there properties?

How is the crime situation–petty theft or other problems? Do people put bars on their windows or surround their properties with high fences?

How is the road from Panama City? Is it paved? Can you drive on it safely in the dark?

Finally, how many expats would you estimate live in the area?

Many thanks for your help,

Jennifer

***

Dear Jennifer,

El Valle does not have a big trash problem. There is a weekly trash collection service from each house ($4 per month). Home owners tend to take a lot of care over their homes and gardens. As with anywhere, some are more inattentive, but they are few and far between.

While there is trash along Main Street (mainly juice cartons), Carlos Celis, the guide mentioned in my article, has formed “La Cooperativa en Formacion Valle Verde,” which has organized street and river clean-up projects with the help of local schools. They are responsible for forming Green Brigades in schools to further a green consciousness in the town.

As for recycling, many people compost organic trash to use in their gardens. The locals collect metal containers to sell to the man who collects up all metal trash from the town. If you employ a maid or gardener they will be happy to take it for you–kind of a perk of the job. At the moment there is no plastic recycling. The locals tend to burn their plastics, but you don’t have to burn your own.

Most properties have bars on their windows. However, they don’t have the kind of high walls with barbed wire and broken glass that I think you have in mind. The bars are against petty theft, and, as far as I know, there is no theft of a violent nature. The house we stayed in for six weeks had bars on each window, but the fence around the property was only waist-high. I have two young children and never felt threatened or anxious about their safety while we were in El Valle.

The road from Panama City, The PanAmerican Highway or The Interamericana, is paved and in a reasonable state. No, it can’t be compared to a European or American freeway, and, yes, there are some potholes…but, generally, it’s in good condition. It’s the other drivers that you have to be more wary of. I have travelled at night along this stretch, but I wouldn’t recommend you do that during the rainy season or alone. But then, I wouldn’t want to travel alone at night in Spain, the UK, or the U.S.

My best estimate for El Valle’s expat population is around 300. It’s a fairly small, discreet population and one that is greatly outnumbered by Panamanians, both local and from the city.

I hope that helps you and that you are able to visit El Valle soon.

Regards,

Lucy Culpepper

Sign up today and read more about El Valley, Panama in
November 2008 issue of The Overseas Retirement Letter.

Waterford, Ireland

Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Reader,

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…

For the potential retiree, Panama offers a number of lifestyle options. Here you can live in the vibrant capital city, at the beach (choose between Caribbean and Pacific), or tucked away in the cool, lush hills. It’s in the third category that we begin our Panama coverage. In this month’s issue of the Overseas Retirement Letter, Contributing Editor Lucy Culpepper takes you to the small mountain town of El Valle–a place of great natural beauty that Lucy calls “heaven on earth.”

Unlike Boquete in the Chiriqui province, El Valle has managed to maintain a low profile among mountain-loving foreigners. In El Valle, you’ll mostly be among the natives and, on weekends, locals from the city who keep second homes here.

However, if you’re picturing some sort of reclusive mountain existence, fear not. 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 shares all her insider information on living, getting around, buying property, staying healthy, and making the best of your time in El Valle this month.

Another bonus of living in Panama is that, on a day-to-day basis, you’re pretty much unaffected by the performance of the U.S. dollar: the country uses the dollar as its official currency. But what if you’re looking to live somewhere else, where currency fluctuation might be an issue? This month, Retirement Planner Extraordinaire Paul Terhorst has some helpful suggestions on how to beat a currency crisis–along with critical advice on how to invest for your retirement and spend your money wisely when you’re overseas.

Sincerely,

Lynn Mulvihill
Editor-in-Chief, the Overseas Retirement Letter

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Waterford, Ireland

Dear Overseas Retirement Letter Reader,

I take great pleasure in announcing that…drum roll, please…your first issue of The Overseas Retirement Letter, the inaugural issue, is available now, hot off the virtual presses.

As you read this, world financial markets continue their roller-coaster antics…and you likely have one question at the forefront of your thinking:

Will you ever actually be able to afford to retire?

Don’t worry. Starting today, help is at hand.

In this issue, for example, our resident Retirement Planning Expert, Paul Terhorst, retired overseas for more than 20 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. Starting here now and continuing over the coming months, Paul will tell you what you need (and don’t need) to make the leap to retirement overseas. He’ll share his tried-and-tested methods for setting yourself up in retirement in a foreign country. Paul’s beat is your financial life and how to organize it to allow yourself to realize your dreams of a new life overseas.

Meantime, Correspondent Christian MacDonald this month 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.

There’s a lot more in this issue, too, including key overseas property opportunities right now.

Sincerely,

Lynn Mulvihill
Editor-in-Chief, The Overseas Retirement Letter

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