Your inspiration to roam

 Come to Tarija Bolivia and visit the Cordillera de Sama Biological Reserve.   Sip the robust wines from this high altitude Andean landscape.    Experience the biodiversity that co-exists effortlessly in it's biological reserve.   Enjoy the hearty food for pennies.  Not ready to become vegetarian?  Great.  In South America people love to eat Beef.   BBQ's are everywhere.  No bugs to eat here.  Big meals, fresh produce and lively conversation between people of all ages is the norm.  A little Spanish goes a long way toward making friends of every age here, and there are plenty of language schools to show you how.  Get your TEFL online and teach English in small groups or online to earn a little money on the side.  In South America, seniors are treated with respect and receive all kinds of perks from discounts on venues, transportation, energy etc.. You can live on a tiny budget and forget the worries of North America and Europe.   Ecuador can be dangerous in the bigger cities or in remote areas, though still very affordable to live there.  But, the immigration pipeline to the US has caused a huge increase in crime there, as many people fly into Ecuador to start their trek to the US.   Costa Rica and Panama have gone up in price over the decades, due to their popularity,  to live in.  Too much for most families.  But there are still places like Bolivia, and people are starting to catch on that this is one of the next great places to live on little money.   Journey to the amazing salt flats.   Become a lover of llamas, Vicunas, and gigantic Condors.    Enjoy the laid back vibe and new sights to see.   See the vitality and history of the Bolivian people in its festivals.   Yes, you can live here on $1000 per month, easily.    Picture yourself sipping your glass of wine on your balcony or patio as you enjoy the music wafting over from the many festivals and performances in traditional attire.  Skip the crowds and go exploring! 

 Explore a cheap, tropical retirement in the Kingdom of Tonga--the best place in the world where you can take a whale tour and snorkel with Humpback whales. Immerse yourself in South Pacific culture and cuisine--join a Kava ceremony, watch a Fale being built, watch Tapa cloth being woven and on Sundays attend Church where the people are known for splendid singing.   Don't know what to do during the week?  How about sport fishing for the biggest catch of your life?  Or, perhaps a boat tour to snorkel into a magnificent cave or dive to a sunken ship in crystal clear waters to explore.  Fridays are for watching the sailboat races while sipping a drink at one of the local expat hangouts.  Maybe you'd prefer to take a week long tour paddling a kayak off to uninhabited islands--meals and camping out eating the fresh fish caught on the way, included.  Or, rent an atv to tour the island.   Go to Neiafu, the main town, for a fancy meal and drinks, after stopping off at the internet cafe.  Or, hop a ride out of town to one of the many resorts where you can dine over the water.  Violent crime is practically nonexistent.  Petty crime isn't crime, it is borrowing.   In this culture, people share everything.  Everyone here helps each other out, and the sense of community and tradition is palpable.  So, leave your worries behind, they have no place here.  True paradise awaits you.  Come along. 

Move to Oaxaca, Mexico where the spirit of life is ecstatically dancing through its festivals, surreal art and wonderous natural beauty.    Here you can enjoy your life on a small budget and revel in the incredible natural beauty--such as the frozen limestone water falls and turquoise pools.  Bring some enthusiasm back into your life and quit worrying how you will pay your bills.   Here, the vibrant colors, Mexican cuisine, and carved Alebrijes flirt with your senses to awaken your soul.   Medical care is easy to attain.  Doctors, nurses and diagnostic/treatment facilities are plentiful, affordable and available when you need them--unlike in the US and Canada.  Prescriptions are for pennies compared to the US and other Western countries.   The food?  Well, everyone knows Mexican food is wonderful.  Traditional dishes may be different than what we are used to in the North,  but if you are ready to experience new things, new tastes will be an invigorating change.  Love arts and crafts?  Here you can talk to the artists and watch them create their masterpieces.  Pottery, textiles and wooden carvings straight from the maker invite you to decorate your new home with the vibrant colors of this magical place.  So, if you want to explore living in a much more affordable country, but don't want to go that far, Mexico is your ticket.  Worried about safety?  Get away from the border towns, and migration crisis and go to central Mexico.   Compared to the rioting and protests in Europe, the US and Canada, Mexico is as safe, if not safer in the majority of cities.    Behave as you would in any Western city--don't flash cash, expensive gadgets/jewelry or join in protests or illegal activities, and you are good to go.  Put a smile on your face and go exploring, you won't regret it. .

 Escape the Western world and come to Sucre, Bolivia in South America.  Trying to survive on less than $1000 per month is more than possible in this safe, unique and energetic town where chocolate reigns supreme and there is always something interesting and new to do.  Expats from Western countries like the US, Canada or Europe will find this city extremely cheap to live in.   But, how safe is it?  Yes, there have been protests concerning what foreign (US corporations) have been doing in the country, but every town in North America or Europe is having massive protests and riots these days--just not usually shown on televison.    As far as violent crime,  take the usual precautions that you would hopefully be doing in Western countries anyway--don't flash a lot of expensive jewelry, gadgets or money, and avoid the protests, and you are safe to go about your life in peace.   Expats and retirees have found that living in Bolivia is not only new and interesting,  but you can make friends easily with a little Spanish.   Here in South America, seniors are treated with respect and dignity.  They receive all kinds of cheap or discounted perks on public transit, energy, property taxes etc... And, there are plenty of language schools to get you going on your new adventure.    Here seniors and expats are valued, and able to integrate easily with younger locals because they are viewed as interesting and important like anyone else in society.    Here, family is more important than money.     Friends are to have leisurely meals with in cheerful gardens of flowers.  And, people from everywhere in the world are accepted into their country with smiles and friendship.  Leave North America and Europe.  Be brave and go on one more adventure--you won't be disappointed.  Every new experience is a chance to learn and grow.    Get growing! 

 Come to Big Corn Island, Nicaragua, where the Caribbean vibe mixes seamlessly with European, Spanish and Indigenous influences to create the perfect melting pot that is Corn Island.  Lie back on your lounge chair as you soak up the sun and enjoy the amazing turquoise sea at your feet.  Sample its unique blending of spices and culinary flavors that are its food and cultural heritage.  Swim out to a floating bar, snorkel or dive in the pristine waters teeming with vibrant colors.  Enjoy the cultural mix and cohesive culture of this tropical escape.    Though not as inexpensive as other towns in Nicaragua,  its Caribbean vibe gives it the feeling of the Bahamas for pennies by comparison.   Safety isn't a concern either, as this area is far removed from the main central highway of Nicaragua.   Unlike in the US, Nicaragua's borders are treated as important and security is a top priority.  Local petty crime, sure, but keep your valuables out of sight, don't flash wads of cash or expensive gadgets and you are safer than in most US or Canadian cities these days.   So, if you are looking for a cheap place to live that isn't that far from the US,  Big Corn has got you covered. 

 Visit the Northern mountain area of Thailand, where spirit meets tech savvy entrepreneurs, backpackers and seniors looking for adventure on a budget.  Cyber cafes for networking abound.  Tour 300 amazing temples around Thailand.  Enjoy the cooler mountain climate, and much less noise  and congestion than Bangkok.  Meet up with Expats from around the world.  Go out for luncheons, Elephant tours,  visits to indigenous tribes, workouts at gyms,  pubs and elegant meals.  Between all of the coffee cafes, restaurants and  street vendors, you will never go hungry here.  Local cuisine is a culinary adventure if you have never tried it, and of course, International food is found everywhere.  Come to a country with excellent medical care for little money and without the wait times or lack of doctors and nurses.  Forget about huge medical bills and co-pays.  Here you will never go bankrupt because you needed care.    So,  with your stress levels collapsing, lots of healthy food and some walking as you tour about, you will once again be able to find your vitality for living.  Thailand is also amazingly safe to live in.   People are just nice.    Experience the natural beauty,  the culture,  and the unique things to do and see in this little piece of paradise.  Create new friendships with an eclectic bunch from around the world and enjoy your life like it was meant to be.  Free and fun.  Come along. 

  Don't think you can ever afford to retire in a city with great affordable healthcare, amazing big city amenities only a short ferry away, and a wonderful quality of life?  Think again.  South America has many affordable places to live, but they also need to be a safe place to live.  Especially for Expats, we are worried about standing out in a crowd when there may be societal unrest.  But, with it's European immigration history, Uruguay stands out as much safer for Western Expats and seniors on a tight budget.   What about affordable healthcare for expats?  Uruguay has not only affordable healthcare, but at a Western standard of care.  Some say the healthcare is even better than in the US, Canada, and European countries.  In Uruguay, doctors care, and take the time to talk to their patients and understand their needs--like it used to be in the US, Canada and the rest of the West.   And, there are enough doctors, nurses and diagnostic/treatment facilities to serve the population well.   A quiet, safe and affordable place to live, great, but what about things to do?  Well, that's where this small town really shines.  Just a 1 hr ferry ride away is Buenos Aires, Argentina.  You cannot get much bigger than that for a city.  Amazing shopping, dining, and activities like learning the Tango are close by and just for the price of a cheap ferry ticket.   You don't even have to drive.   So, if you want to live in a small town, but have easy and affordable access to every amenity you could hope for, here it is.   And, without the chaos ensuing in most Western countries these days.  How safe is it?  How safe is your hometown in North America or Europe?   Uruguay is the safest country in South America--and no doubt safer than where you are from.    How affordable is it?  Well, it's not the cheapest country in South America, but it's certainly cheaper than anywhere in a Western country these days.   What about the food?  Well, if you like meat, Uruguay has got you covered.  The cattle ranches in Central Uruguay actually have real Gauchos still working.   Almost every home or cottage has a built in outdoor bbq area to congregate in for all of those family/friend get togethers.  Yes, you can make friends.  Many expats already call Uruguay home, and everyone is capable of learning Spanish if they try.  There are many language schools to help you out.  Want to make a little money on the side--get your online Tefl and learn to teach English in small groups or online.   You could also rent out part of your new home as a B and B.   Everyone is looking for a cheaper place to live,  Expat couples see that they cannot avoid bankruptcy if they stay where they are at, and no one wants to be near where the societal unrest and looming wars threaten not only their livelihoods, but their lives.  So, come to Uruguay and live life like it used to be--free, safe, and healthy.  Be brave and try something new... 

   Come to this little known tropical paradise, where Expats on a budget can live an invigorating life full of music, fun, and meeting new and interesting people from around the world.  Backpackers have known about this town for years now, but Expat families looking for more healthcare freedoms and seniors hoping to find a cheap place to retire have finally started to take notice these last couple of years.   Nicaraguan towns, especially this expat enclave, are amazingly safe, thanks to the diligent police.  While other towns in Nicaragua are even cheaper to live in, most expats and retirees start here while they acclimate to a new and diverse culture.  Take some Spanish language classes, and then move onto the surfing classes for young and old alike.  Not up for that just yet?  Okay, how about paddle boarding?   Don't feel like getting wet?  Okay,  how about eating at a beachside cafe and then a nice evening stroll on the beach when everyone comes down to view the gorgeous sunset?  After that, the night is young with plenty of music and dancing on the menu.  Prefer a quiet evening?  Pick up some pastries or chocolates for dessert and head home to your comfortable abode.  Too noisy or too many people in town for you, head out of town a couple of miles in either direction and the property prices drop precipitously.  Ever wanted a couple of horses?  You can have them here, and even hire help to work with them.   Your affordable life is waiting, you only need to be brave and determined enough to go and get it.  Come along.