Guides & Articles to Help You Live Abroad
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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.
Reverse Culture Shock In The USA: 22 Wild Things That Took Us by Surprise!
/in Blog, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetThey say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and after 5 years of living in Ecuador, we were prepared for a huge dose of nostalgia going back to the United States. However, there were a lot of things about the US that felt really foreign to us!
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.
Amazing Rental Homes (Lake Chapala Mexico)
/in Blog, Mexico, Real Estate Tours/by JP StonestreetLake Chapala Mexico is one of the most popular areas to live and retire for expats from the United States and Canada. And Ajijic Mexico is by far the most popular town for expats in the Lake Chapala area.
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.
Shocking Homes For Sale on Lake Chapala Mexico
/in Blog, Mexico, Real Estate Tours/by JP StonestreetLake Chapala and Ajijic Mexico is one of the most popular areas to live and retire for expats from the United States and Canada.
The weather is about as close to paradise as you can get, and there are lots of activities to keep you busy. It’s also about 30 minutes from the Guadalajara International Airport so you can easily fly back home or anywhere else in the world.
Our Ecuador Healthcare Experience
/in Blog, Ecuador, Health & Medical/by JP StonestreetBefore our recent hospital visit, we did not have in-depth personal experience with the Ecuador healthcare system. We know Ecuador has one of the best healthcare services globally, so we expected something nice. Pleasantly, our expectations were exceeded. The quality was so great that their affordable cost was almost shocking.
Unexpected Perks of Leaving the USA
/in Blog, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetAfter a LOOOONG month in the United States and our return home to Ecuador, the contrast between the two countries reminded us why we’re so much happier living abroad.
How We Save $1,200/Month by Ditching a Common Expense
/in Blog, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe SLASHED more than $1200 from our monthly budget by moving abroad and ditching this common expense you can’t live without in the USA.
How We Paid Off $60K of Debt in 3 Years
/in Blog, Ecuador, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetOur story about how we paid off $60K in debt by leaving the USA was featured in Newsweek!
We had two incomes, a nice house in a great neighborhood, and two nice cars. We were living the dream, but then everything changed when JP started losing the ability to walk.
Two major spinal surgeries later and our income was down, but our debt was growing. Rather than take out a second mortgage, we decided to sell everything we own and move abroad to enjoy a higher quality life for a lower cost of living.
Countries with Nice Weather All Year
/in Blog, Comparisons, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetThe United States is experiencing the worst heatwave on record, as is much of Europe. 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 more stable 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.
How To Escape Inflation (by leaving the USA)
/in Blog, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetIf you’re on a tight budget and feeling the pressure of inflation compounding an already high cost of living, you have an escape hatch at your disposal if you’re willing to do something a little unconventional.
There are several places outside the continental United States that have BOTH a lower inflation rate AND a lower cost of living. They also offer extended tourist visas and residency visas to Americans.
Unbelievable Mansion For Sale in Quito Ecuador!
/in Blog, Ecuador, Real Estate Tours/by JP StonestreetIf you’re looking for a peaceful and scenic place to live, close to the bustling city of Quito, then Cumbayá is the place for you.
Situated in the Andean foothills of Ecuador, Cumbayá is a small town that has quickly become a popular destination for expats looking for a new place to call home.
The area is renowned for its pleasant year-round weather, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant cultural scene.
Cumbaya Ecuador Real Estate Tour
/in Blog, Ecuador, Real Estate Tours/by JP StonestreetWe were in awe while recording this Ecuador real estate tour in Cumbaya, which is a suburb of Quito. The homes were amazing and the Aquarela condo development was simply unbelievable!
These are just three of countless homes that are available for sale and rent in the Cumbaya area. This area is one of the most expensive places in Ecuador.
Why Ecuador Is Better than Mexico for Retirees & Expats!
/in Blog, Comparisons, Cost of Living, Ecuador, 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.
Can I afford to live in Ecuador on Social Security? (Quality of Life & Cost of Living Under $1500)
/in Blog, Cost of Living, Ecuador/by JP StonestreetWe get this question a lot: Can I live in Ecuador on my social security income? So in this video, we take a look at the most common expenses to estimate your cost of living in Ecuador.
Expat vs Immigrant: Is the difference elitist?
/in Blog, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetWe’re often criticized for calling ourselves expats instead of immigrants.
The implication is that we think we’re superior or elitist, but this has nothing to do with it.
We’re happy to call ourselves immigrants in Ecuador, but we’re also expats from the United States and we want our content to show up in Google search results.
Crucita Ecuador Real Estate Tour (Near Manta)
/in Blog, Ecuador, Real Estate Tours/by JP StonestreetFrom cozy beachfront condos to spacious villas with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, there is a home in Crucita Ecuador to fit every budget and lifestyle.
Just a short 30-minute drive up the coast from the bustling city of Manta, Crucita is quickly becoming a popular destination for those looking to live the beach life.
With its stunning ocean views, warm weather, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s no wonder that Crucita has caught the attention of expats from all over the world.
How We Escaped The Toxic Hamster Wheel!!! (and how you can too!)
/in Blog, Live Abroad/by JP StonestreetA lot of you have asked how we escaped. How we took back control of our lives. How we paid off our debt and regained our freedom while improving our quality of life.