I made a 3d model of a watch with help of a tutorial for Power Nurbs  I was trying out. The liquid was done also by me in 3ds Max and both where composited with AAE. Enjoy.

Well you can live in the Philippines on $500 per month and here’s how.

Apartments in Cebu, one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, can start from around $150 (£103) per month.  Not that Cebu is particularly off the beaten track.  Cebu city boasts 5 star hotels, casinos, shopping malls, golf courses and nearby sandy beaches.  If you’re prepared to take cost savings further you can rent a room in a house.

Home to around 115,000 people, the city also offers nearby whale and dolphin watching, excellent beaches and is fast becoming a prime location for those wanting to retire in the Philippines as it has a large number of medical clinics, good city amenities, as well as a laid back lifestyle.

Next, on to the secondary products such as food!  Lets say you use half a litre of milk per day, 3 litres of bottled water per day, breakfast on two boiled eggs, buy a kilo of rice every 3 days and usually eat out every lunch time and evening at a local roadside stall – something like sizzling pork cheeks or Tapsilog (beef fried rice and eggs), and you obviously get through a kilo of coffee a week, average costs for a month would run to around $350 (£240).  So a months worth of groceries plus accommodation costs would still allow you to live on less than $500 per month in the Philippines.

In many of the more touristy and popular parts of Spain English is widely understood – so this can be good for those who don’t fancy the thought of having to get to grips with another language in order to move abroad.  And for those for whom the idea of moving to such an area is abhorrent, there are plenty of pockets of more rural Spain where there are no English people!  This means that in theory, no matter what your preference, you can find a place for your retirement in Spain.

How to live abroad cheaply, if you’ve decided to get out of the rat race during the current economic doom and gloom but haven’t really got much in the way of cash, or if you’re thinking about retiring early, or maybe you just want to be a beach bum for a few months, why not get yourself over to Thailand?

The first consideration is going to be accommodation.  You’re not going to be able to put yourself up in the Bangkok Hilton on a budget of $500 a month living in Thailand, but accommodation can be found from as little as $30 (£20) a month for a small apartment without air conditioning in places like Chang Mai up in the mountains of northern Thailand.

Whilst it would be very tempting to go straight into trying to fit a months worth of nightlife in Thailand into $400 it’s probably better to consider the cost of food as your next priority.  The majority of lower end apartments won’t have cooking facilities so it’s going to be a case of eating out.  Obviously you can eat in a restaurant every night, but again budgetary requirements won’t cover this.  You can however get fantastic Thai food from street side food stalls.  A good meal for one will cost around $1.10 (£0.75), and it usually consists of rice with spicy chicken, spicy pork or spicy something else!

Obviously you’re going to need to get out a bit while you’re living in Thailand, and with $220 remaining we can do that.  Put aside around $30 (£20) for a months worth of laundry and we are now down to $190.  Going out to dinner without getting too heavy on the alcohol should run to about $12 (£8.25) per person, and getting to and from your preferred spot shouldn’t be too expensive as a 3 kilometre taxi ride will run to about $0.40 (£0.27), so you can look to spend around $72 (£50) a month on eating dinner out once or twice a week and maybe $25 (£17) in taxi rides.

Just the mere suggestion that Blair could be considered for this new post means that Europe needs to be left well alone in terms of a destination for expat Britons, and when you throw in the uncertainty surrounding the future of the euro as a strong global currency, it really does make sense to research alternative nations to call home.

Unfortunately for us Brits, countries in Europe are generally the easiest for us to move to with the least bureaucracy involved in the relocation process – but in this report we’ll show you how, with just a little more effort, you can move further afield and perhaps achieve a far more positive lifestyle abroad.

Of course, this could just be media speculation alone, but strong voices have already come out both in support and against Blair’s standing – so there may well be truth in the speculation…

To us it’s a terrifying prospect – Tony in charge of Europe?

As if things in the euro zone were not bad enough already…

As Britons using sterling we’ve also been affected by this concept – our purchasing power in the Eurozone has never been worse.  But we have to recognise that things in Europe itself, and within the Eurozone in particular are no better because there is an intrinsic inability to respond to inflation so the purchasing power of the euro is rapidly eroding in several countries.  This could create a situation for a retiring Briton where their sterling based income buys few euros, and those few euros buy absolutely nothing at all in the new nation they decided to call home.  It’s a terrifying prospect…

According to Laurent Jacque, professor of international finance and banking: “However traumatic it may be to reinstate national currencies, some countries could decide to abandon the euro to recover their economic competitiveness…But this is unlikely in the short-term, if only because national debts denominated in euros would become very expensive to service with a newly restored but devalued currency for the seceding country.  Even so, further deterioration of an already fragile social climate (such as the recent demonstrations in Greece) fuelled by a brutal acceleration of unemployment, may push some countries to this solution of last resort.”

New Zealand, Canada and Australia are all favourite long haul destinations with escaping Brits, but each requires one to complete a merry bureaucratic dance just to gain temporary residency.  What’s more, the skilled migrant programmes that each nation uses to attract the best professionals from around the world have been slashed as each of the three nations has its own economic issues and therefore each requires fewer newcomers thank you.

Alternatively what about nations that have yet to emerge onto the British expat radar but which are growing significantly in interest for Americans?  Argentina or Mexico perhaps?  Both are stunningly beautiful countries with fabulous climates, plenty of potential for anyone with confidence and get up and go for example.

Panama for Retirement Abroad

Panama has been on the American radar for some time as an overseas retirement destination, but for us Britons, because it has not be straightforward to get to in terms of direct flights, we have overlooked it.  However, to overlook Panama is to overlook what could be your perfect retirement paradise.

It’s easy to get to and from the States so you can have first world services etc., almost on your doorstep if you’re worried about that – although if you live in or around Panama city, you’ll be surprised how sophisticated it is.  Panama City is considered the safest city in Central America, and it is home to fabulous shopping, first class health care and the quality of life in Panama is good and affordable meaning you can have your cake and eat it!  Real estate away from the main urban areas is also affordable, particularly as Panama boomed recently and is undergoing a decent negative price readjustment!!

The countries which compose the European Union have always attracted a large number of expatriate Americans, in part because of Europe’s culture, history, and scenic beauty, but also in because Europe used to offer many well-paying jobs for foreigners. Over a million Americans currently call Europe their home, and the draw of the “Old World” for North American citizens continues unabated. Unfortunately, the ongoing global recession has significantly dampened the prospect for Americans to find work in Europe. All European countries suffer from high unemployment, government cutbacks, and reduced growth. But despite the current crisis there are still jobs available for foreigners in a variety of fields and roles. Below I have outlined several options for people who are interested in working in Europe but do not have European citizenship or a residency permit.

Get your Foot in the Door

Foreign Language Skills

Do your Homework Ahead of Time

Jobs for Highly Skilled Professionals

Visas for the Self-Employed

Work Exchange Programs for Students

Internships

Teaching English

Temporary and Seasonal Work

General Considerations

For expatriates, the main difference between South American countries is not immigration laws, which are similar, but the varying cost of living and the local culture.  Each South American country has a unique culture and way of life that sets it apart from its neighbors. Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile have a strong European cultural influence due to many immigrants from Europe, whereas in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, the culture of the native people is dominant in many regions. Brazil, on the other hand, is a fascinating conglomerate of European and African cultural influences. Some countries such as Ecuador and Uruguay are known to be great destinations for expatriates, largely due to their low cost-of-living and easy regulations for investing and buying property. But there is more to immigrating to South America than finding the cheapest destination. Cultural considerations are equally important, since you will be dealing with the local people, way of life, and culture every day.

In general, foreign visitors to South America are allowed to stay from three to six months per year. If you want to stay longer you need to apply for a visa either as a student, employee, retiree, or investor. With the exception of a residency visa obtained through a relative who is a citizen of that country, all other residency visas–such as retirement and investment visas–are temporary and need to be renewed regularly. Having a temporary residency visa does not mean that you are entitled to work. To be able to work you need either a work visa (dependent on a job offer) or permanent residency. The most common way for foreigners to establish residency in South America is buying property or establishing a business. Such an investment entitles you to a temporary residency visa, which needs to be renewed every one or two years.

Permanent residency status is usually only granted if someone is married to a citizen of that country or after someone has legally resided there for a number of years with a temporary residency visa. If you have legally worked in South America for a number of years or have had temporary residency as a retiree or investor, you are usually eligible to apply for permanent residency. Once you obtain permanent residency status in a country you will eventually be able to apply for citizenship, although the waiting period for citizenship varies from country to country. Regardless of the type of visa you have, if you overstay the period of time you are legally granted, expect to pay a fine if you are caught.

Visa fees vary from country to country, and sometimes additional fees are required. For example, Argentina charges US$100 for the residency visa application, and an additional US$200 immigration fee to applicants for residency visas. Consulates may also charge an additional fee if you need to sign a work contract at the consulate and have your signature notarized. In some cases you may also have to appear at the consulate in person, either for an interview or finger printing.

Private Income and Retiree Visas

Work Visas

Student Visas

Investor Visas

Other Options

Additional Information

To offer an idea of the size of U.S. expatriate communities in South America, I have collected data from the U.S. State Department Background Notes:

On the Value of Records: “

The American writer, Bell Hooks, in her latest book, Belonging: A Culture of Place (New York: Routledge, 2009), gives us this interesting perspective on the value of the record: ‘In the past I have often scoffed at those folks who cannot go anywhere without a camera, a recording device, video, without some instrument to document for the future. Now that I have witnessed the deep pain and grief that can be caused by loss of memory, through illness, dementia and Alzheimer’s . . ., I can acknowledge the value of documentation for a future time. I know firsthand what a blessing it is to have a record – a way to remember that goes beyond the mind.’ ” (pp. 185-186). [from the blog, Reading Archives, by Richard J. Cox]

My Take:

You asked why 24 blogs regarding my family’s Hong Kong Tour? It cost me a lot of savings-and I need to extend its benefits by recording the memories and observation I had for future posterity and use.

But before that i have to mention that I almost got delayed and fleece by fixers outside the DFA. They will try to divert your attention before the gate of DFA. They might try to help put your picture into your passport a[pplication and then lead you to another building (not DFA) and then told you that you need extra time and money to have your passport completed. I did not show my anger but I returned to the real gate of DFA and from there line up at the verification. Can the DFA officials have an cleansweep operation of this swindlers and hoodlums just outside their gates? Are they inutile or in cahoots with these people? This is our country and yet we are being fleeced by our "enterprising" kababayans. Hoy Mahiya naman kayo-may mas mabuti pang trabaho kaysa magloko ng kapwa. (Please be ashamed of what you are doing -there is a better way to earn a living instead of taking advantage of your fellowmen)

Inside-you would have to queu for the verification of records and documents -which took up 1-2 hours. Then you can enter the DFA building for your passport to be assesed-then you need to queu again in order to pay the assesed value and to be interviewed by the DFA personnel and have your name entered into their  computer. I entered DFA by 9AM and left by 2PM. I ate my morning merienda, lunch and afternoon merienda by 2PM+. I paid 150.00 for the passport delivery-and got my passport at my house after 7 working days.

Here are some pictures of the location:

Verification inside the basketball court

DFA Basketball court

Some pictures of the requirements and steps for obtaining your passport (new and renewal):

Instructions

Passport Requirements

Procedure-Step-by-step

By the way-did I mentioned that I shouted to the guards inside the payment and encoding area because they do not how to process the lines-who to get first and who will be last. After I shouted-they corrected the sitiation. They do this everyday and yet  they have not done -more than basic improvements-for the sake of our kababayan-Sino ba DFA Secretary? Dapat siguro magresign na at better administrator who will treat our kababayan better and with more dignity.

Your Social Life Abroad – Shared experience by an expat wife

This is her story;

In Saudi Arabia, where about one-third of all residents are from other parts of the world, expatriates live on enclosed compounds isolated from the local community. As a result, they reach out to each other and forge social ties with an ease rarely experienced at home.

Activities for expats there included sports, music, drama, dancing, art and cultural events. The hospital where I worked as a nurse has a social club that sponsors day trips in the Riyadh area as well as aerobics classes. Various groups organized overnight desert camping trips.

I went on desert walks and runs with the Hash House Harriers, a running/social club found in many countries. I took a scuba diving course became PADI-certified along with other expatriates in the Red Sea in Jedda.

Being a married expat is different from being a single person who is dating, and living in England is also a very different type of expat experience. Being part of an expatriate community isn’t an option here as it is in certain other areas. I value having expat friends, and I also want to assimilate into the local community.

Tips for Expats

Do your homework before moving overseas

Before making your move, do as much research as possible to learn about your future home and to quash any preconceived ideas. Investigate websites geared toward expatriates. Look for viewpoints of outsiders who have been there, regardless of where they’re from.

Be open to new experiences

Seek out other newcomers

If you live in a small community, you may need to venture to a metropolitan area. I met other expatriate nurses by traveling to London for events hosted by the healthcare recruitment agency that helped me land my job.

Angela Henry, an American expatriate who has lived in Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and now Singapore, suggests attending functions of women’s organizations. For a list, see the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (www.fawco.org). Don’t discount a group because you don’t fit its demographics. The American Women’s Club of Thailand (www.awcthailand.org) is open to all nationalities, and there are other similar examples.

Get to know the local people and culture

Local people are surrounded by familiar support systems and may not recognize the needs of a newcomer who is an outsider. This is understandable.

Often there are language hurdles to overcome. My sister. who teaches English in Milan and is fluent in Italian, advises making every attempt to learn the language of the country where you’ll be living. Even after living there off and on for over a decade, she says she still feels somewhat like an outsider.

Cultural differences can be a hurdle, too. In Saudi Arabia, English was the official language of the hospital where I worked but patients spoke mostly Arabic, so I learned some Arabic. I found that misunderstandings arose more because of the way things were said rather than the actual words, particularly between men and women. Tone of voice is important when asking a local male staff member to do something.

With English people, I find the similarities greater than the differences, But even among English speakers, some miscommunications occur. If I say that someone called, people here in England assume that the person popped in for a visit, while I mean that the person telephoned.

To get to know local people, put in an appearance in places where they go. Consider churches, charitable groups, schools, athletic clubs, exercise classes, cases, dance clubs, to name a few. Showing up just once may be all it takes to spark a connection with someone who shares your interests.

Regardless of where you are, how long you’ll stay and whether you want to date or make friends or both, a conscious effort is required. Seek advice from colleagues and acquaintances. Investigate social groups and events, and plan ahead.Ê

Resume from my wife diary

Your spouse has been offered a job and the move seems exciting and full of possibilities. Then you find out you won’t be able to work. Maybe your skills aren’t transferable, or maybe the new country has employment restrictions. Whatever the case, you’re about to join the ranks of the unemployed abroad, otherwise known as trailing spouses.

If you do go, you may be able to work even if you were initially told this would be impossible. Some individuals I knew in Hong Kong were in this predicament. They took matters into their own hands, and once the working partners were well established, they explored a variety of options and eventually found jobs after receiving sponsorship from employers.

There are other possibilities: freelance work, starting a business and working without pay. Or, you could choose to further your education, locally or via the Internet. Any skills you acquire can be valuable in the long run.Your spouse has been offered a job and the move seems exciting and full of possibilities. Then you find out you won’t be able to work. Maybe your skills aren’t transferable, or maybe the new country has employment restrictions. Whatever the case, you’re about to join the ranks of the unemployed abroad, otherwise known as trailing spouses.

Set Some Worthy Goals

Whether or not you’re working, you’ll want to make the most of your time abroad. The first thing you should do, I firmly believe, is buy yourself a really good camera. It can help you stay in touch with family and friends who are continents away, and it can let you assemble a pictorial memoir of your experiences

The second thing is draw up a list. Sit down with a glass of wine or a cup of java, if you prefer, and a pen. Now think of all the things that prompted you to agree to this move in addition to the companionship of your spouse. The lure of travel? The opportunity to appreciate a different way of life or to learn a new language? Write a list of all the things that you want to do, and keep adding to it. When you see something interesting in a newspaper or magazine clip it out, save it and add it to your list.

When we moved to Hong Kong, my list grew weekly. My list at first included – visit different countries though the region, learn Cantonese, and see the Great Wall of China. The longer I was there, the more variety in the items on my list. Looking back, I can see how different interests prompted new adventures.

One of my goals was to get fit. I learned tai chi, did a couple of classes of fan dancing and sword dancing, and then fell in love with dragon boating. I became the captain of a dragon boat team, bought a share in a boat and paddled in local races across Hong Kong. In the off-season, I stayed in shape by paddling an outrigger canoe, and paddled from Hong Kong to Macau and back. Our team was met by Immigration at Hac Sa beach, and it was an amazing experience paddling out of Hong Kong into the South China Sea and then back, past all the huge cargo ships laden with containers, past Pokfulam, past Aberdeen Harbour through to Deepwater Bay.

My next goal was to run. Although I started out as a particularly hopeless runner, I set my target on doing the Hong Kong mountain races. I started by running across the Hong Kong countryside in pouring monsoon rain. Next I ran a 10-kilometer race through the tunnels of Hong Kong in the early morning along with about 10,000 others people, and finally managed to run the 15-kilometer mountain races, my feet laden with red clay and my body slick with mud.

My next challenge was local cuisine. I decided to learn to appreciate congee. So I roped in a couple of friends, and we toured the dai pai dongs of the city trying different varieties of congee. My favorite? Fish with ginger and sliced shallots. A friend introduced me to turnips cake, fungus soup and fried esophagus. I toured the markets, and ate salted eggs, hundred-year-old eggs and dried Chinese sausages. I experimented with fresh tofu, ate taufu fa with hot ginger syrup, toured the wildlife markets in Guangzhou, became a restaurant critic and learned how to make Indian parati in the streets of Lan Kwai Fong.

Learning more of the local culture was also on my list. I learned Mahjong, bought an abacus, took classes in Chinese herbal medicine, joined a group that did historical walks though Hong Kong and visited Zhuhai on furniture expeditions. I toured the cargo terminals, dressed up in jockey clothes in the Hong Kong Jockey Club and appeared in the Apple Daily newspaper.

I organized a clean-up day for a local beach, danced on the bar in Wan Chai and sang karaoke. I learned how to bargain, I ate rat and I drank snake wine. I learned how to string pearls. I did a stint as a model, inspected factories in China, taught English at primary school and interviewed politicians. After freelancing for a while, I eventually went to work full time.

To many, the idea of living and working overseas evokes images of glamour and excitement. But the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if not approached in a realistic way.

U.S. citizens are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to working in Europe. Citizens of EU countries can move freely from country to country, and most employers in EU countries are obligated to hire EU citizens before giving consideration to others. In many parts of the world, especially where unemployment rates are high, preference is given to local citizens, and in some countries, foreign residents are not permitted to hold jobs.

Your odds are greatly enhanced, however, if you work for a company with operations overseas. Or, if you can qualify for hard-to-fill positions in fields such as nursing and various scientific and technical specialties. More openings exist, too, for those willing to go to the world’s danger spots.

Know Your Motivation

You’ll be asked countless times why you want to work abroad. Your first step is defining “why” for yourself. Why does working in a different country appeal to you? What draws you to a particular country?

It’s also important to see working overseas as a building block in your over-all career. You’ll benefit more from an overseas experience if you know how this experience dovetails with your long-term goals. Also, you’ll appear more valuable to future employers if you can demonstrate how your career goals coincide with the career paths their company offers.

Career plans change, of course. If you’re the sort of individual likely to succeed to abroad, you’re open to new opportunities and able to change direction. Perhaps you’ve already had several careers. Showing that you are focused will help you get the job you want; being flexible will help you cope once you get there.

Resume or CV

Contacts…Contacts…Contacts

If you’re in a small town or a small company, your best move may be to a different job or a new city where you’ll make the contacts to help you launch an international career.

Go Now…Job Hunt Once There?

There are many advantages to lining up a position before you leave home. If you’re sent overseas by a large company, your employer will probably help with transporting your possessions and with housing as well offering a salary comparable with what you’d receive in the U.S.

More than a few working expats started out with the Peace Corps, an internship, a volunteer position with a nonprofit or a job teaching English. This enabled them to make contact with a local company or an international company where they moved into a different type of position.

Some go abroad with no job, but this isn’t for the faint of heart. Before deciding on this course of action, find out what your living costs will be while job-hunting. Also investigate the legal requirements for working in your target country; you may be required to come home to apply for the visa or working papers.

When you start an international job hunt, you’re embarking on an enterprise with many unknowns. If this scares you or the family you hope to take along, take time to re-consider. If facing unknowns stimulates you and bolsters your confidence, this might be for you.

“An income that can barely cover a double-wide in Florida can swing a condo south of the border. For the price of a condo in Phoenix, you can often have a villa in Mexico,” Walter Russell Meade pointed out in an essay that has been widely quoted and reprinted. Meade is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of “Power, Terror, Peace and War: America’s Grand Strategy in a World at Risk.”

Helping seniors retire where costs are low would greatly ease the cost strains on Medicare, Meade says. He adds that the federal government should smooth the way by extending Medicare coverage outside our borders, where health care providers could be certified, inspected and qualified, and the costs would be lower. “The executive branch should negotiate retirement agreements with neighboring countries to provide an appropriate legal framework for millions, possibly tens of millions, of US seniors moving south,” he argues.

International retirement isn’t a political issue yet, but the economic advantage of living in a foreign country isn’t lost on today’s retirees. Soaring health care, housing and energy costs in the US threaten the financial security of those living on a fixed income or on a budget. Many realize that they can live better for less in another country, and although they can collect Social Security wherever they go, at present they can’t take advantage of Medicare.

HEALTH CARE AND OTHER COSTS

Is US medicine the best in the world? Some assume it is but a recent survey shows that less than 50% of Americans are satisfied with the care they’ve received in this country. Many of those who move abroad are willing to take their chances on local health care even without the help from Medicare. And it’s not unusual for Americans to travel to Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Thailand and other countries for various types of elective surgeries.

In Mexico, where 500,000 to 1 million Americans now live, foreigners can buy into the state-supported insurance system for just hundreds rather than thousands per year. Expats there have reported positive experience with such serious procedures as open-heart surgery and cancer treatment. Private insurance offers more options, and there are policies designed especially for expats. Individuals who do not plan to return to the US for care pay far lower premiums. Many physicians in Mexico and elsewhere speak English, often because they trained in the US. Quality of care varies anywhere, of course, with larger cities usually offering more high tech equipment and specialists.

A visit to local clinics and hospitals is an important part of any fact-finding trip for prospective expats. So is asking expats about their experiences with medical facilities and doctors. An Internet search will turn up useful information, too.

LOW LIVING COSTS – AND THEIR PRICE

Low living costs are a major draw for expat retirees. A condo in Panama City or Rio with balconies overlooking the ocean might only cost a little more than that double-wide. A spacious villa in Mexico or Thailand might be comparable to the cost of a small cottage back home. Utilities cost less, of course, in areas with even temperatures year round. Want assistance in caring for spacious living quarters? Domestic help and gardeners are inexpensive as well. Some expats, of course, live very modestly, either by choice or necessity.

Only a few things, such as imported items, cost more. All in all, moving abroad can make a retirement income stretch further or can make early retirement a viable possibility.

A QUESTION OF WHERE

Retiring abroad can make perfect sense from practical and economic standpoints. But that’s not the way most people decide on where to retire. They take a vacation and fall in love with a place, an atmosphere, a lifestyle. They like the way they feel when they wake up in the morning or when they walk down the street.

Retiring abroad can mean creating a life that’s new and exciting. If you detest cold winters, you can decide to live where you’ll never shovel snow again. If you live inland but yearn for the seashore, you can awaken to the sound of surf every day. You can explore “roads not taken” and yes, live your fantasy.

But do you really want your retirement ambience to be very different from where you live now? If you’re accustomed to a big city with concerts and museums, you might be bored in a remote seaside village with only a few expats who turn out to be die-hard beach bums. Be aware, too, that even in a large foreign city, the expat community will be more like a small town. Friendly, yes, but gossipy, too.

You may be thinking, “I don’t want to be around other Americans. I want to meet local people.” This is harder than it seems unless you have language and family ties to your new country. Moving to the town your grandfather left decades ago, you may be greeted with open arms, especially if you share a common language. But where you have no such connection, you may find locals wondering what you’re doing there, and in a while you may be wondering the same thing.

It might surprise you that many move abroad hoping to get away from other North Americans eventually feel drawn to communities with large numbers of expats. And some expat returnees report being unable to integrate into local communities. Consider whether you need to feel like part of the community where you live or if you can accept the role of the outsider, the local eccentric, the gringo who is a bit “loco” (crazy).

Sometimes the best candidates for moving abroad are couples, especially those who enjoy each other’s company (frankly, not all couples do). But if one of you wants to sit on the beach with a good book and the other wants to socialize with other English speakers, be sure that you’ll both get what you want. If you’re single, you’ll probably feel more comfortable in an expat community that’s not organized like Noah’s Ark, with everyone paired off two by two.

How far away is too far? If you plan to return to North America often, the number of miles matters less than the cost of airfare and the time required for travel. Retirement havens in large cities and tourist destinations are easier and cheaper to get to.

BE INFORMED

Early on, check out the residency requirements for the countries that interest you. Very few overseas retirees are expatriates in the true sense of the word, that is, they don’t renounce their citizenship. Instead they become legal residents of the country where they live.

Some countries have specific requirements for foreign retirees such as minimum income, good health, no police record, etc. Information is generally available from your nearest consulate or from the consular services department of the embassy. If you meet the requirements, you will probably be allowed to bring household possessions and perhaps a car into the country tax-free. Some expats have only tourist visas, which entails crossing the border, then returning.

What about learning the local language? Your experience will surely be richer if you do. Language schools often include home stays with families, which is a good way to get to know the local culture. But if you lack an ear for languages, don’t let this stop you. Many expats get by with a few phrases, hand gestures and general good will.

“An income that can barely cover a double-wide in Florida can swing a condo south of the border. For the price of a condo in Phoenix, you can often have a villa in Mexico,” Walter Russell Meade pointed out in an essay that has been widely quoted and reprinted. Meade is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of “Power, Terror, Peace and War: America’s Grand Strategy in a World at Risk.”

Helping seniors retire where costs are low would greatly ease the cost strains on Medicare, Meade says. He adds that the federal government should smooth the way by extending Medicare coverage outside our borders, where health care providers could be certified, inspected and qualified, and the costs would be lower. “The executive branch should negotiate retirement agreements with neighboring countries to provide an appropriate legal framework for millions, possibly tens of millions, of US seniors moving south,” he argues.

International retirement isn’t a political issue yet, but the economic advantage of living in a foreign country isn’t lost on today’s retirees. Soaring health care, housing and energy costs in the US threaten the financial security of those living on a fixed income or on a budget. Many realize that they can live better for less in another country, and although they can collect Social Security wherever they go, at present they can’t take advantage of Medicare.

HEALTH CARE AND OTHER COSTS

Is US medicine the best in the world? Some assume it is but a recent survey shows that less than 50% of Americans are satisfied with the care they’ve received in this country. Many of those who move abroad are willing to take their chances on local health care even without the help from Medicare. And it’s not unusual for Americans to travel to Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Thailand and other countries for various types of elective surgeries.

In Mexico, where 500,000 to 1 million Americans now live, foreigners can buy into the state-supported insurance system for just hundreds rather than thousands per year. Expats there have reported positive experience with such serious procedures as open-heart surgery and cancer treatment. Private insurance offers more options, and there are policies designed especially for expats. Individuals who do not plan to return to the US for care pay far lower premiums. Many physicians in Mexico and elsewhere speak English, often because they trained in the US. Quality of care varies anywhere, of course, with larger cities usually offering more high tech equipment and specialists.

A visit to local clinics and hospitals is an important part of any fact-finding trip for prospective expats. So is asking expats about their experiences with medical facilities and doctors. An Internet search will turn up useful information, too.

LOW LIVING COSTS – AND THEIR PRICE

Low living costs are a major draw for expat retirees. A condo in Panama City or Rio with balconies overlooking the ocean might only cost a little more than that double-wide. A spacious villa in Mexico or Thailand might be comparable to the cost of a small cottage back home. Utilities cost less, of course, in areas with even temperatures year round. Want assistance in caring for spacious living quarters? Domestic help and gardeners are inexpensive as well. Some expats, of course, live very modestly, either by choice or necessity.

Only a few things, such as imported items, cost more. All in all, moving abroad can make a retirement income stretch further or can make early retirement a viable possibility.

A QUESTION OF WHERE

Retiring abroad can make perfect sense from practical and economic standpoints. But that’s not the way most people decide on where to retire. They take a vacation and fall in love with a place, an atmosphere, a lifestyle. They like the way they feel when they wake up in the morning or when they walk down the street.

Something strikes them on a subliminal level. Perhaps they sense that they’ll have more leisure time and more personal fulfillment, that they’ll have an opportunity to be themselves. Then they go home, clean out their closets and defend their dream to friends and relatives who think they’ve gone mad. They haven’t, but they’re better off if reality sets in while they’re still in the planning stage.

Retiring abroad can mean creating a life that’s new and exciting. If you detest cold winters, you can decide to live where you’ll never shovel snow again. If you live inland but yearn for the seashore, you can awaken to the sound of surf every day. You can explore “roads not taken” and yes, live your fantasy.

But do you really want your retirement ambience to be very different from where you live now? If you’re accustomed to a big city with concerts and museums, you might be bored in a remote seaside village with only a few expats who turn out to be die-hard beach bums. Be aware, too, that even in a large foreign city, the expat community will be more like a small town. Friendly, yes, but gossipy, too.

You may be thinking, “I don’t want to be around other Americans. I want to meet local people.” This is harder than it seems unless you have language and family ties to your new country. Moving to the town your grandfather left decades ago, you may be greeted with open arms, especially if you share a common language. But where you have no such connection, you may find locals wondering what you’re doing there, and in a while you may be wondering the same thing.

It might surprise you that many move abroad hoping to get away from other North Americans eventually feel drawn to communities with large numbers of expats. And some expat returnees report being unable to integrate into local communities. Consider whether you need to feel like part of the community where you live or if you can accept the role of the outsider, the local eccentric, the gringo who is a bit “loco” (crazy).

Sometimes the best candidates for moving abroad are couples, especially those who enjoy each other’s company (frankly, not all couples do). But if one of you wants to sit on the beach with a good book and the other wants to socialize with other English speakers, be sure that you’ll both get what you want. If you’re single, you’ll probably feel more comfortable in an expat community that’s not organized like Noah’s Ark, with everyone paired off two by two.

How far away is too far? If you plan to return to North America often, the number of miles matters less than the cost of airfare and the time required for travel. Retirement havens in large cities and tourist destinations are easier and cheaper to get to.

BE INFORMED

Besides clarifying what you want in retirement, find out all you can about the places you’re considering. Is there a time in the summer when everybody leaves for cooler climes? Are there laws prohibiting foreigners from owning property near the border or near the beach?

Early on, check out the residency requirements for the countries that interest you. Very few overseas retirees are expatriates in the true sense of the word, that is, they don’t renounce their citizenship. Instead they become legal residents of the country where they live.

Some countries have specific requirements for foreign retirees such as minimum income, good health, no police record, etc. Information is generally available from your nearest consulate or from the consular services department of the embassy. If you meet the requirements, you will probably be allowed to bring household possessions and perhaps a car into the country tax-free. Some expats have only tourist visas, which entails crossing the border, then returning.

What about learning the local language? Your experience will surely be richer if you do. Language schools often include home stays with families, which is a good way to get to know the local culture. But if you lack an ear for languages, don’t let this stop you. Many expats get by with a few phrases, hand gestures and general good will.

By all means, learn as much as you can about the country itself: its culture, traditions and history. Know what constitutes good manners and when the national holidays are. Read up on the country’s revolutions, wars and efforts at peace. Some of the stories are as grim as the landscape is beautiful. Even places that seem like paradise aren’t perfect. Just be sure you know the imperfections as well as the advantages that await you.

Hungary, in English officially the Republic of Hungary, literally Magyar (Hungarian) Republic), is a landlocked country in the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Its capital is Budapest. Hungary is a member of OECD, NATO, EU, V4 and is a Schengen state. The official language is Hungarian, which is part of the Finno-Ugric family, thus one of the four official languages of the European Union that are not of Indo-European origin.

In the past decade, Hungary was listed as one of the 15 most popular tourist destinations in the world. The country is home to the largest thermal water cave system[15] and the second largest thermal lake in the world (Lake Hévíz), the largest lake in Central Europe (Lake Balaton), and the largest natural grasslands in Europe.

For further information on the country please click the link below: Hungary

Benefits of the passport:

Enjoying visa free travel to many countries. No visa required (or issued upon arrival)

Easy employment in many countries.

Obtaining residency in many countries.

Full benefits of citizenship all over the world.

Signing contracts with western or European companies.

Opening saving or current accounts with international banks and applying for loans, credit, etc.

Required documents:

Passport scan

Signature scan (On white background)2 photos of you with different style. passport size photo with white background

Filling our data form (will be sent to you upon request)

Note:we are able to send you 2 types of documents. Each has different advantages.

In this system because you travel with both your original passport and Hungary passport and the data is same then you won’t face any problems and both passports match.

This type of documents are well used between company managers and CEOs who have problem signing contracts with western or European companies, applying for company or personal loans from international banks, company registration and etc. with their current citizenship.

Documents that you will receive:

Hungary passport

Hungary national ID card

Processing time:

Processing fee:

Europe

Africa

Americas

Asia

Oceania

Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Poland and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north. The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometres (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Poland has a population of over 38 million people, which makes it the 34th most populous country in the world and one of the most populous members of the European Union.

During the Revolutions of 1989, communist rule was overthrown and Poland became what is constitutionally known as the “Third Polish Republic”. Poland is a unitary state, made up of sixteen voivodeships. Poland is also a member of the European Union, NATO, United Nations, World Trade Organization, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

For further information on the country please click the link: Poland

Benefits of the passport:

Enjoying visa free travel to many countries. No visa required (or issued upon arrival)

Easy employment in many countries.

Obtaining residency in many countries.

Full benefits of citizenship all over the world.

Signing contracts with western or European companies.

Opening saving or current accounts with international banks and applying for loans, credit, etc.

Required documents:

Passport scan

Signature scan (On white background)

Filling our data form (will be sent to you upon request)

Note:we are able to send you 2 types of documents. Each has different advantages.

In this system because you travel with both your original passport and Poland passport and the data is same then you won’t face any problems and both passports match.

Type 2: national ID card and passport of Poland will be printed with a local person’s data matching your date of birth and with your photo. The material is100% genuine and the record exist in the government database and can be checked anywhere.

This type of documents are well used between company managers and CEOs who have problem signing contracts with western or European companies, applying for company or personal loans from international banks, company registration and etc. with their current citizenship.

Note: for the customers who need stronger documents we have arranged to obtain a powerful Asian country’s residency in your new passport. We will also open a new bank account for you using your new passport. So you will be confident using your documents knowing that they have been approved by a third party government also.

Documents that you will receive:

Poland passport

Poland national ID card

Processing time:

Processing fee:

7,000 euro after receiving you documents;

Europe

Africa

Americas

Asia

Oceania

The Czech Republic, is a country in Central Europe. The country borders Poland to the northeast, Germany to the west and northwest, Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east. The capital and largest city is Prague. The country is composed of the historic regions of Bohemia and Moravia, as well as parts of Silesia. The Czech Republic has been a member of NATO since 1999 and of the European Union since 2004. From 1 January 2009 to 1 July 2009, the Czech Republic held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Czech Republic is a pluralist multi-party parliamentary representative democracy. President Václav Klaus is the current head of state. The Prime Minister is the head of government (currently Jan Fischer). The Parliament has two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. It is also a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Council of Europe and the Visegrád Group.

The Czech Republic made economic reforms such as fast privatizations. Annual gross domestic product growth has recently been around 6%. The country is the first former member of the Comecon to achieve the status of a developed country (2006), according to the World Bank. The Czech Republic also ranks top among the former Comecon countries in the Human Development Index.

For further information on the country please click the link below: Czech Republic

Benefits of the passport:

Enjoying visa free travel to many countries. No visa required (or issued upon arrival)

Easy employment in many countries.

Obtaining residency in many countries.

Full benefits of citizenship all over the world.

Signing contracts with western or European companies.

Opening saving or current accounts with international banks and applying for loans, credit, etc.

Required documents:

Passport scan

Signature scan (On white background)

Filling our data form (will be sent to you upon request)

Note:we are able to send you 2 types of documents. Each has different advantages.

In this system because you travel with both your original passport and Czech Republic passport and the data is same then you won’t face any problems and both passports match.

In this system you can’t travel with both your original passport and Czech Republic passport. You can only use your Czech Republic passport.

This type of documents are well used between company managers and CEOs who have problem signing contracts with western or European companies, applying for company or personal loans from international banks, company registration and etc. with their current citizenship.

Note: for the customers who need stronger documents we have arranged to obtain a powerful Asian country’s residency in your new passport. We will also open a new bank account for you using your new passport. So you will be confident using your documents knowing that they have been approved by a third party government also.

Documents that you will receive:

Czech Republic passport

Czech Republic national ID card

Processing time:

Processing fee:

The total fee for both types of documents is 21,000 Euro which is payable in 3 steps:

7,000 euro after receiving you documents;

Europe

Africa

Americas

Asia

Oceania

Obtaining a second citizenship or residency is a major step and it is imperative that the process is handled professionally from start to finish. But how can you be sure?

Going Ahead: What to Expect

Expect to meet a number of documentary requirements. Whilst they may vary in format and detail depending on the program, you should be able to provide:

Other documents may be needed depending on the program.

But persevere and you will be well rewarded. Be aware that the storm clouds of future fiscal and personal oppression are already appearing on the political and legal landscapes of many formerly civilised nations. Getting a second passport now might prove to be one of the best insurance policies you ever buy.

The pathway to second citizenship is not always an easy one. Setting a realistic agenda at the outset is essential.

Perfect Second Passport?

Given that individual priorities very, how does one sort out the good, the bad, and the ugly and judge what’s best at any given time? With great difficulty, I’m afraid.If you have followed my writings, you will be aware that I attempt to apply some common (and common-sense) criteria that define a good second passport:

1. Good visa-free travel
2. Suitable for asset protection and banking*
3. Low profile
4. Reliable, tried and tested scheme
5. Reasonable cost

The choice of these criteria is based on years of experience of what the vast majority of applicants demand.In my opinion, there are only  four schemes available today that fulfil the above criteria. Of these, only two allow legal name change, and one — costing just under US$ 120,000 (plus legal fees depending on provider) — is considered too expensive by some.Nevertheless, your options may well be wider as some of the above criteria may not apply to you, depending on your circumstances and your agreement (or otherwise) to what I say.

Camouflage Passports

African Passports

Passports from Fictitious Countries

Buyer Beware

Identity Theft

Semi-official Passports

Shadow Passport Schemes

Let the Buyer Beware