The Unconventional Life has three pillars: Online Income, Living Abroad, and the FIRE Movement. Together, they enable you to choose where you live, when you work, and what you do, giving you true freedom to live a life on your own terms.
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Finding a Plan B: Top 10 Countries to Consider for Secondary Residency
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetEcuador has been a favored destination for years in the expat community, but for many, the rising crime rates since the the pandemic have put a damper on its appeal.
If you’ve crossed Ecuador off your list, any of the 10 countries we cover here could serve as a good Plan B, especially if you’re not retired yet. They each have a variety of visa options and a lot of great things to offer, including higher safety ratings.
10 Retirement Visas with Low Income Requirements
/in Blog, Comparisons, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetHave you ever dreamed of retiring in an exotic location where the cost of living is so low you could enjoy a lavish lifestyle for a fraction of what you’d spend back home?
In a previous article, we explored 10 countries where you could live on less than $1,000/month. However, some of you commented that these countries often have retirement visa income requirements that are higher than $1,000.
So, in this article, you’re going to read about 10 countries with affordable retirement visas, having income requirements of $1350 or less per month, and several are under $1000/month! Plus, none require a hefty deposit into a local bank.
Keep in mind that these visa requirements often fluctuate. They may have changed already! The income requirements also vary based on currency exchange rates, which fluctuate quite a bit.
We highly recommend working with an immigration attorney who’s up-to-date with all the latest laws and can assist you in navigating the process.
10 Countries with Great Weather: From Mountains to Beaches, There’s a Perfect Place for Everyone!
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetThey say records are meant to be broken, but I don’t think “they” were talking about temperatures.
The United States is experiencing the worst heatwave on record, as is much of Europe and Asia. Records are being broken daily in many countries around the world, but there are a few places where it’s still nice and cool, even when they break records.
In this video, you’ll learn about 10 countries that have great weather and cooler overall temps throughout the year than the US and southern Europe. Several have 4 seasons, but others have mostly the same cool temperatures year-round.
You can get a 90-day tourist visa to wait out the hot summer in all 10, and you can apply for residency in several so you can stay longer if you wish.
You don’t have to suffer through the heat. You can escape to better places!
Safest Countries in Latin America for 2023
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe get a lot of questions about safety abroad so we’re going to talk about the most popular countries in Latin America for foreign residents and discuss how safe they really are, from worst to first.
It’s important to note that safety can vary within a country, and certain regions or cities may be safer or more dangerous than others. While news reports often exaggerate the overall safety situation in a country, it is crucial to consider specific locations and local conditions.
So, let’s dive into the rankings of the most popular countries in Latin America for foreign residents, based on the 2023 Global Peace Index and the US State Department Travel Advisories.
Medellín vs Cuenca: Comparing Two Popular Expat Destinations in Latin America
/in Blog, Colombia, Comparisons, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetMedellín, Colombia and Cuenca, Ecuador have become increasingly popular destinations for expats, digital nomads, and retirees.
Both cities offer a unique charm, vibrant cultures, and an array of attractions that cater to various lifestyles and preferences.
In this comprehensive blog post, you’ll learn about the many facets of living in these two amazing cities, including the pros and cons of each, comparing aspects such as living conditions, cost of living, infrastructure, and safety.
Hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision about which city might be the ideal destination for your next adventure or new home abroad.
Best Expat Countries (According to Expats)
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetEvery year, InterNations.org conducts a survey to see what current expats think about their home away from home. The results are tabulated and ranked to determine the Best Countries for Expats.
Most of the countries that made the top 10 expat country list for 2022 shouldn’t be surprising, especially the number 1 country for expats, but a few might be considered controversial.
No countries from Central or South America made the list this year, which is very surprising!
Are We Moving to Mexico? Comparing Mexico and Ecuador for Expats
/in Blog, Comparisons, Ecuador, Live Abroad, Mexico/by JP StonestreetLately, we’ve been getting tons of questions asking if we’re moving to Mexico since we started sharing videos from our adventures there.
So, we thought it would be a perfect time to compare Mexico and Ecuador head-to-head and see which one comes out on top for factors that matter most to us (and maybe you as well!).
Redefining Retirement: Pursue Your Passion and Live a Life with Purpose
/in Blog, Comparisons, FIRE, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetFar too many people spend their entire lives working hard to make someone else rich, only to find that when they finally cross the finish line to retirement, they’re bored and aimless.
Sadly, this is the reality for many who retire, leading to deteriorating health, depression, and early death.
And now, according to recent studies, more baby boomers than ever are becoming homeless. It takes just one crisis, like a job loss or medical bills, to push someone nearing retirement onto the streets!
The traditional concept of retirement is outdated, but you can redefine your retirement to make it more fulfilling and purposeful while protecting yourself from the dire consequences of unexpected hardships.
Cotacachi Ecuador vs Ajijic Mexico (Pros & Cons)
/in Blog, Comparisons, Ecuador, Live Abroad, Mexico/by JP StonestreetAre you considering a move to Mexico or Ecuador and wondering which expat destination to choose? Both countries have plenty of options, but two towns that stand out are Ajijic in Mexico and Cotacachi in Ecuador.
These two picturesque mountain towns have a lot in common, but also some unique features that may sway your decision. In this article, we’ll compare the pros and cons of living in each town.
Medical Tourism: Escape The USA Healthcare Scam!
/in Blog, Comparisons, Health & Medical, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetHealthcare and Health Insurance in the United States is a huge headache that can rightfully cause you a lot of distress. We know people who work jobs they hate or even delay retirement simply because they need health insurance. It doesn’t have to be that way!
Top 10 Expat Countries (According to Expats)
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetAre you planning to move abroad to enhance your quality of life? The process is complicated and you have several things to consider before you take the leap.
Your first and most difficult decision is to decide where you want to live. To help people who are planning their move abroad, InterNations asked 12,000 expats in 181 countries what they thought about their home away from home. So in this article you’ll learn about the top 10 expat countries for 2022 according to the people who already live abroad.
Top 10 Countries with Cheap Rentals
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetIt is increasingly difficult for people to find affordable rental options, especially for those living on a tight budget. But did you know that you can live comfortably and affordably in various other places around the world? You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg renting a home.
Best Countries for Expats Who Speak English
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWhen you’re planning your move abroad, learning a new language may be too much hassle on top of everything else you need to do before you leave home. You might feel a lot more comfortable if you can just speak English.
In this article, we discuss the top 10 popular expat destinations where you can speak English. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of each, and the visa requirements for these destinations.
Top 10 Cheapest Countries for Expats
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetThere are many countries to settle in as an expat. We live in Ecuador and love it here. However, we know there are other great places for the perfect expat life, and yes, they are cheap. We have done our research and will highlight a few counties where couples can live for less than $2000/month.
Why Ecuador Is Better than Mexico for Retirees & Expats!
/in Blog, Comparisons, Cost of Living, Ecuador, Live Abroad, Mexico/by JP StonestreetIf you’re on a tight budget and don’t qualify for a Mexico temporary residency visa, you may want to consider Ecuador, instead.
Portugal vs. Ecuador: A Peek Into Expat Life in Porto Portugal
/in Blog, Comparisons, Ecuador, Live Abroad, Portugal/by JP StonestreetWe teamed up with Josh and Kalie from @Expats Everywhere in Porto, Portugal to create TWO must see videos!