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Have you ever woken up one day and decided to flip your life upside down for an adventure abroad? Well, that's exactly what we, Jim and Rita Santos, did, and we're taking you along for the ride. Our journey from selling our home in Knoxville to budgeting in the sunny climes of Panama is no ordinary tale. We confront the unexpected—like a simple water leak turning into a full-blown disaster, all while living the expat dream. It's a candid look at the realities of retiring to a foreign land, with all its perks and quirks.

Safety isn't just a buzzword; it's a patchwork of cultural context and media influence we often overlook. With a decade of travel writing and insights from my book, "Living Abroad: Challenging the Myths of Expat Life," I peel back layers of fear to examine what safety truly means across different borders. You'll hear about our brush with petty theft in South America and how blending in isn't just about fashion—it's a survival strategy. By embracing local customs and staying savvy, we navigate through common tourist scams and share essential tips for keeping your guard up, whether you're in bustling Guayaquil or strolling through your neighborhood.

Before we part ways, consider this an open invitation to walk with us beyond the podcast. Venture over to my author page, where the conversation on slow travel and life's unexpected turns continues. We're here to share the wisdom gleaned from streets less traveled and to answer the burning questions you might have about taking the road less taken. So until our next escapade, keep your passport close and your sense of adventure closer. Safe travels, friends!

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Have you ever wondered if the expat life is as glamorous as it sounds or if it's just a series of unexpected trials? Rita and I are here to give you the unvarnished truth, sharing our latest escapades in Panama, where the beauty of Playa Coronado meets the frustration of a broken air conditioner. It's a tale of resilience, as we balance the arduous process of selling our home back in the States with the daily grind of making it in a foreign land. Strap in for a candid recount of our Airbnb mishaps and triumphs that might just have you questioning our sanity.

But it's not all about the struggles; there's a silver lining in the form of travel tech that's changing the game for nomads like us. Imagine seamlessly hopping from country to country, staying connected without a hitch – that's the magic of eSIMs. In this episode, we also explore the communication lifeline that is WhatsApp, and I'll let you in on the most effective travel apps that have revolutionized our journeys. From deciphering foreign menus with Google Translate's camera to savvy booking hacks that save us time and money, these tools have become essential in our travel toolkit. Tune in and elevate your travel savvy to pro level with our hard-earned insights.

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Embark with Rita and me on a remarkable expedition, as we reveal the secrets of stretching our retirement dollars in sun-kissed locales. Our latest podcast episode whisks you away to the coasts of Playa Coronado in Panama and then to the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica, where a new visitor policy could signal our next home. Special guests Roy McGinnis and Julie Tallman, veterans of international living, join the conversation, sharing their first-hand impressions of Costa Rica's inviting climate and lifestyle—painting a vivid picture for potential expats like us.

Our travels are not just about the destinations, but the journey in between, and in this chapter, the roads of Costa Rica lead us to unexpected delights. We discuss how a balance between tourist attractions and local culture can enhance the expat experience, reminiscing about the tranquility of a spa day in Fortuna that epitomizes the 'Pura Vida' way of life. There's something about the Costa Rican atmosphere that invites one to slow down and savor the moment, a lesson we're learning to incorporate into our own retirement.

As we ponder the future, we compare the charms and challenges of retiring in Costa Rica versus Mexico, including how to relocate horses across borders. But retirement abroad isn't just about the logistics; it's about 'rewirement', embracing the complexity and excitement of this profound life change. Stay tuned to our unfolding adventure, filled with practical advice, heartfelt reflections, and the joy of discovering how life abroad can redefine the golden years of retirement.

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As Rita and I wave goodbye to the high-rises and vibrant streets of Panama City, we're brimming with tales to share from our month-long exploration. The city's blend of bustling markets and serene Malicon walks left us with a mix of admiration and longing for what's next. Our latest podcast episode takes you through the sensory delights and urban challenges we encountered, and why despite the allure, our quest for the ideal retirement haven is pulling us towards the sandy shores of Playa Coronado. But it's not just about the coastal views; we dig into the realities of climate impact and reflect on the local waste management practices—or lack thereof—that played a part in our decision to keep journeying.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on the nitty-gritty of budgeting for a life untethered by borders. We lay out the puzzle pieces of our finances, from Social Security to pensions, and tell you how we pieced together our $3,000 monthly budget. Whether you're a spreadsheeter like me or a pen-and-paper romantic, our episode offers actionable insights for anyone dreaming up their own globe-trotting budget. Plus, stay tuned for our upcoming conversation with Julie Tallman and Roy McGinnis for a ground-level glimpse at life in Costa Rica, as we continue to canvas the globe in search of places that resonate with our pioneering—or perhaps whimsical—spirits.

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https://www.jimsantosbooks.com
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Embark on a remarkable odyssey with us, Rita and Jim Santos, as we chronicle the seismic shifts of trading a brick-and-mortar life for a boundless horizon of international retirement. Our hearts racing and our house on the market, we sit down with nomadic trailblazers Todd Hilton and Daman Morris—veterans of a seven-year, 28-country sojourn—to gather pearls of wisdom on embracing the vast unknown with open arms. Their candid revelations about the emotional whirlwind of goodbyes and the adrenaline rush of new beginnings are both a mirror and a map for our own impending leap into the great wide yonder.

As the atlas unfolds across our conversation, we stitch together a quilt of tales and tips from life on the road. From Todd and Daman's impromptu coffee shop encounter leading to a Mexican home, to our shared strategies in stretching travel points and unraveling the intricacies of living abroad, the essence of slow travel retirement comes to life. Join us in unraveling the tapestry of a lifestyle that trades convention for cultural immersion, financial strain for simplicity, and the familiar for the extraordinary—demonstrating that adventure isn't just the preserve of the young, but the young at heart.

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https://www.jimsantosbooks.com
http://jimsantos.net
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[email protected]

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Ever fantasized about selling everything to explore the world? That's precisely what we, Jim and Rita, are doing as we turn our golden years into a globetrotting adventure. Buckle up for an episode that peels back the curtain on our daring decision to sell our home, dive into retirement travel, and live life to the fullest abroad. We share the nitty-gritty of our financial blueprint — the foundation of a plan that balances the thrill of new experiences with the poignant goodbye to our cherished home. From the bustling streets of Panama, we recount the meticulous budgeting that could potentially enrich our savings and detail our vigilant watch over the US housing market for the perfect moment to possibly return.

The journey's finale is a tapestry of uncertainty and anticipation, a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and travel. As we ponder our next destination, we invite you to join the caravan of curiosity by subscribing for tales of where the winds of wanderlust may carry us. Through my storytelling, be it in written or spoken form, you have a passenger seat to the world of international living. Engage with us, as your questions and insights fuel our shared exploration. For the dreamers, the travelers, and the retirement rebels, our saga is a clarion call to redefine the later chapters of life with audacity and joy.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2292506/supporters/new
https://www.jimsantosbooks.com
http://jimsantos.net
https://www.instagram.com/jimsantosblog
https://www.youtube.com/@jimsantos508
[email protected]