Testimonials
Testimonials
International Living Subscribers Tell Us How Our Publications, Events, and Services Have Helped Them to Explore International Opportunities
"What would your dream retirement look like," asked the advertisement, "if money were no object?" Since my kids grew up, I have stopped responding to idiotic questions; instead I sink my teeth into my knuckles. Money is an object. And after the Great Recession, retirement is a remoter dream than it used to be. And I really hate dreams. I thought about giving myself a nice paper cut, too.
My wife and I attended the IL Live and Invest Overseas conference in Vegas not to dream, but to do some practical and hopeful research on countries where our damaged 401(k) plans might actually support us in our golden years. I can tell you right now, Vegas is out of reach.
In case some of us attending weren't ready yet to dream the dream of retirement overseas, Lee Harrison opened the first talk of the conference with a challenge. For himself, he said, he had to give up asking how much money he could sock away before retiring, and ask instead "how soon I could do it?"
He must be reading my mail. I was seventeen years old when I left my parents' trailer in the woods of Alaska with forty-seven dollars, one suitcase, and a guitar. My parents were dreamers, or they never would have moved to Alaska in the 1950s, but they paid a price for it. Oh yes, money is an object, especially when you don't have it. I hate dreams, because I've had to defer them all my life.
So Lee's question struck me like a Zen koan. What is the sound of one hand balancing a checkbook? How soon could we retire, if we were aiming for a life where financial security cost half of what it does in the dear old North American rat race? Or less than half?
John Curran showed us one way to do it. His vision of living a sustainable Walden-esque life in the highlands was truly an inspiration.
Money is an object to John--an object to be used sparingly and with respect. We loved his love for his town, his land, his neighbors. His chickens. On the internet, we learned, nobody knows you're a chicken.
Steenie Harvey, Roberto Moreno, Kristin Kuchem, Federico Fischer, and Cecilia Campbell all had plenty to say about money and the dream.
Surprisingly, they were not attending the conference to sell us something; they were there to show us something. They wanted to show us how soon we could do it.
In ten years, I can have $1400 coming from Social Security, and that much more from my pension plan. My wife has a similar outlook. We've got a money market and a few unimpressive stock funds. We've got ideas about freelancing. I've been hoarding the royalties from my last book. In short, we're classic middle Americans. When we think about the cost of living outside of the Estados Unidos, when we wrench our eyes away from the zig-zagging of the S&P 500, it seems clear: you know, we could do it pretty soon.
Maybe money isn't that big an object after all.
--Michael Spooner, Utah
My husband and I have been living in Mexico since April. I purchased your Mexico: The Owner's Manual book and I just love it. I have learned a lot from it and am still learning...and I find myself taking it out for reference more and more.
--Mary Maher-Shaw
I just wanted to compliment you on the April 2009 issue of IL. It was packed with good info and the articles were great....as far as I am concerned, the best issue yet and I've been a member for a few years. I couldn't believe how many pages I "dog-eared" to do even more research. Keep up the great work!
--Woody Snell
Thank you IL for your marvelous, unique and simply fascinating publication in addition to sharing your experiences among those, whom you so accurately have described as "like-minded"- an audience with similar interests , goals and ambitions, if you will.
By Ferdinand W, West Palm Beach, Florida.
"We have been IL members for about two years, we get the daily post cards, and like many folks we dreamed of and talked about living overseas.
We have bought several of the owners manuals, all very informative and full of advice that is priceless when you do take the leap......which we just did.
Our favorite part of the world is the Caribbean coast around Playa-del-Carmen, but out of our price range and appreciating faster than we can save.
After reading all that you have had to say about the emerald coast we decided to check it out.... after all, it is close to paradise.
We absolutely loved the people and the whole experience of driving up and down the coast from Chuberna to Dzilam-de-Bravo.
By asking around every time we stopped , we found a 1200 sq ft house with 21 meters of beach front in Santa Clara. We were able to negotiate a purchase price for 680,000 pesos, the house is new construction, unfinished but dried in with basic elec. and water and a good septic system in place.
With the dollar\peso exchange rate at 30 year lows we got a property we thought we could never afford.......THANK YOU IL.
We have 7 years until retirement, plenty of time to get the house the way we want it."
-- Dan and Debra
I have been an e-mail subscriber to International Living for many years now and prior to moving to Mexico I purchased your guidebook on Mexico living (Mexico: The Owner's Manual). It was, and still is, one of my most turned-to reference books. I took some of your advice and bought property in San Felipe, Baja about 8 years ago, built a house about 5 years ago and moved here full-time about 15 months ago.
-- Bob Miller
Exploring Uruguay
"We got back from two weeks in Uruguay last Sunday. It is a very special place; my wife says that it is the 'Canada of South America!' Thank you for your part in steering us there.
“We have been IL subscribers for several years. A couple of years ago we took the cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Valparaiso, Chile, around Cape Horn. One of the stops was in Montevideo (Uruguay) and we did the bus tour which included Punta del Este for lunch. Something clicked. That trip, combined with your promotion of Uruguay, led us to purchase your 2006 edition of the Uruguay Owner's Manual. We now need the new edition of the Uruguay Owner's Manual, because it is very likely that we will soon acquire and start using a winter home in Uruguay.
"Also, even though we were looking for $500,000 winter homes, not $50,000 bargain properties, your information was very valuable.
"Thanks again for your organization and your magazine. Lots of luck for your future."
- John and Sam Kelley
Nanoose Bay, B.C., Canada
Retire in Your Own Idea of Paradise With Help From International Living
"IL has anchored me in the wild spin of what to do when I retire. Anchored me, and yet given me flight at the same time. This is the most exciting experience. The world is full of possibilities, and exploring them hand-in-hand with IL has been exhilarating. Sooner or later I will need to narrow my selections to a short list, and perhaps try short-term rentals in each of the three final candidate sites before I make a decision about purchasing. But the information you provide and the hands-on reporting helps remove the anxiety of becoming an expat. Somehow it doesn’t seem like an irresponsible, unpatriotic idea or a flight of fancy, but rather a very realistic way of getting more out of less. It is said that youth is wasted on the young. A clever phrase we can all relate to, but youth is really a state of mind—and it can survive (or even be rekindled) no matter what age you have attained. Thanks."
—L.H.W., Boston, MA
"Although we had traveled extensively prior to our moving overseas in 1987, it was only then that we realized that we would not return to the States when we retired. Although we have found many delightful spots, there has always been something that stopped us from buying property and settling down—distance from the U.S., cost of living, infrastructure concerns, etc.
"Now we are at the retirement stage AGAIN when we do want to make a choice and settle down at last. We keep asking ourselves how we have missed Central America, in general, and Panama, in particular. In 1989, we traveled extensively throughout South America visiting Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Brazil, however, since our departure from Peru, we have been in Asia and the subcontinent and haven't had much opportunity to get back to that area—let alone the U.S. Well, since we began reading the IL publications, we think we may have found what we have been looking for all this time and "in our own backyard." As much as we love [Thailand], the three-hour flight to Panama will continue to look much more inviting than the 20-plus hours to Asia.
"So, yes, we are looking forward to our first Panama visit and the chance to explore yet another 'retirement haven'...and if, in the end, Panama is not for us, we will continue our search...there are worse things in life than traveling the world in quest of 'Eden'. One of our favorite quotes tells it all: 'The world is a book...those who do not travel read only a page.'"
— Jerry B.
International Living Offers You the Vital Information You Need to Move Overseas
"I am forever grateful for all your information, we really appreciate every word. Thank you so much, I do not know what I would do without IL. I will keep in touch and when we are settled in Chuburna, we will have to meet for dinner some day or, better yet, come on over for dinner and a swim and a margarita. Again, thank you so very much, and many thanks to IL for being really helpful. Muchas gracias."
—Joy R.
" Anyone that has attended an IL event knows what a great job the staff does in organizing the event and making sure everyone has a great time while having the opportunity to learn about all the important topics, and meet experts from all the various locations. As they say, " informatoin is power", and these memberships are the ultimate for providing all the expert information and advice that is invaluable to anyone that has interests in overseas living and investing." - Randy Tsudama, World Club, RND, RETA Member.
"Thank you, I enjoy your publication so much, and look forward to reading my e-mails from you. I just got back from Iraq, loved it there, and reading the letters and info that I would get from y'all would transport me via dreams to different places all over the world. Thank you for helping people dream and realize their dreams!! Because of you, and your great work, I am planning to move to Uruguay with my wife!! We are so thankful to y'all!"
—Glenn T.
Reinvent Yourself and Create a New, Better Life With International Living
"Three years ago, my husband was injured severely in a snowboarding accident. Our lives and the lives of our six children were changed forever by these events. We decided then that we needed to find a new place and a new way to live. Now, with the help of International Living, we are well on our way to that new life. Thank you for everything you do!"
—Neal and Abbie H., Seattle, WA
"When I'm not growing my business, I often sit on our deck and watch huge schools of bonito make the sea boil as they thrash about. I also can see and hear many dolphins from our deck. They love to jump and play together…all the time. It brings a tear to my eyes at times…and I need to pinch myself to believe that I'm here—experiencing such wonder in my new life."
—Penny L., Honduras
Find Inexpensive Real Estate and Property Overseas With International Living
"And to think that I paid less for this piece of property than I did for my car…and this I'll own forever! Our house—a 3,000-square-foot gem with a separate guest house, pool, outdoor living area, etc.—is the perfect place to entertain friends, gather with the family, or get away for some privacy. Really, it's a dream come true."
—Mark F., Nicaragua
" It would be much harder for me to identify and purchase the international property without the valuable information I have gotten from the IL memberships. World Club allows me to attend all the conference events that I choose without worrying about paying for each one separately. And, Roundtable puts all the IL resources available for me when I need them, without having to purchase them one at a time." - Randy Tsudama, World Club, RND, RETA Member
"We'd been reading International Living for two years when we finally decided to take the plunge. In April 2004, we bought a small adobe casita on two acres…for $35,000. With a million-dollar view of the Andes and a retiree's price tag, we knew we had found our second home."
—Bob and Glenda R., Ecuador
"Your information was beyond our expectation in content and contacts, covering all aspects of living in Mexico and, of course, Puerto Vallarta. Because of you, we decided to purchase a second home in Choncas Cinas just south of the Zona Romantica. We heartily endorse your publication."
—John and Dianne A., Mexico
"As the result of reading IL over the years, I have purchased a penthouse at the pre-construction phase in Panama City this year. It demonstrates that your magazine has done its job by convincing me to make the purchase and look for a new, exciting place for a vacation home. I visited Panama last year. Panama is a place for my family, especially for our two kids. We are waiting to move into the penthouse next year. Thank you for your good work and services."
—Son T.P.
"I found your information both interesting and informative. It helped focus us on selecting a property that we currently are in the process of buying. Our goal is to put our toes in the real estate market by having someplace that is enjoyable as a vacation home, derive enough rental income to offset the annual carrying costs, and, over time, become more familiar with the market in the area. With this information we will ultimately decide on whether to move to Mexico on a permanent basis or simply vacation there as we have for many years and use the property as a source of income and a capital gain."
—Stuart S.
I have been a subscriber to IL for more than 5 years. As a vistor to Guanajuato, Mexico, for over 30 years, I finally bought and renovated a house there which I now run as a B&B guesthouse. Your newsletters and "Guide to Living in Mexico" (Mexico: The Owner's Manual) gave me a great vista of all the other possible places in Mexico to settle. Indeed, the advice in the guide led to a flawless purchase without a simgle layer involved--viva los notarios.
--Dennis Pekus
International Living Can Help You Discover a New Career Overseas
"As an International Living subscriber, I'd spent a couple of years dreaming of a new life somewhere in Latin America. Since my partner had been in the hospitality business, we decided that running our own B&B was our best option. We enjoy our new lives tremendously and have no regrets. The pace is different in my new career. Last year, our occupancy rate was 95%."
—Murray F., Mexico
"I find all the IL folks I've met to be very interesting, dynamic people and each one of you has a different aspect of “sparkle.” I'm also a student of the AWAI travel writing course and am thoroughly interested in combining it all with the import-export business that is also offered—don't want to spread myself too thin here, but it sounds like a fantastic combination to travel and write about my various shopping expeditions while having the perks of the travel writer…but to also invest in overseas real estate is an immediate goal of mine.... I'm SO grateful for IL…it seems like my affiliation with this group is changing my ENTIRE life for the EXCELLENT!!!!!!
—Kari D.
International Living’s Events Provide Facts, Contacts, Fun, and More
"I attended International Living's recent conference in Fortaleza, Brazil. Having gone to many other first rate conferences hosted by other groups, I must say that IL's team in Brazil put on a great event. The agenda was rich and on target, the speakers were well prepared and informative, and the information presented was solid and actionable. I learned a great deal and will look forward to attending future International Living events!"
—Nancy L. Baker, LLCScarborough, ME
"I question how long it would have taken me to learn—on my own—even a fraction of what you've presented. Thank you so much."
—S. Lee T., Hot Springs, AR
"IL events and resources are also helping me research business opportunities, that I hope to pursue when I am ready to spend more time abroad" -Randy Tsudama, World Club, RETA & RND member
"Exceeded my expectations. The availability of so many obviously capable people in such a variety of specialties is truly unusual. Very valuable time investment."
—Charles D.
"Much the same way that we view each new beach with a critical eye, a great share of my professional life has been spent staging and enhancing entertainment and business events, much like the IL events. Of the hundreds that I have been associated with, including many for America's largest corporations, I truly must say that International Living is a class act. Bravo!"
—Terrie L., Delafield, WI
"It was clear to me after meeting IL that they are committed to providing the most accurate information available to them at the time. This is certainly a group of very well-informed global thinkers. You should be very proud of the continued growth and the success of your organization."
—Ann F.
"Besides the great IL events and resourses, the best part is meeting other like minded people that are also investing and living abroad. It is very helpful to share experiences and learn from each other" -Randy Tsudama, World Club, RETA & RND member
"I cannot say enough about the quality of presenters you brought to the conference. Our experience with every one of them has been nothing but positive. Through the conference we were hooked up with people who really care about us as people, not just a quick sale. The reason I joined IL was to meet contacts in an area of the world I thought I might like a second home who had integrity and cared about us as people and you have far exceeded my expectations!!!"
—Chuck and Teri O., Iowa City, IA
“The 2008 Live and Invest in Mexico seminar was my first one of your seminars, but not my first time in Mexico. On the third and final day of the seminar, I awoke eager to attend the last fantastic day of information gathering and networking at the Hyatt. I felt a bit odd, thinking maybe I was just tired from all the activity. I soon realized that I was having a lot more difficulty functioning…I was so shaky that I could not stand for long, and if I moved about, everything went spinning. Two ladies I had spoken to earlier in the conference took notice of me during the break, and asked me if I was OK. I told them how badly I felt, and they immediately got Dan Prescher, who came to my aid with a suggestion of calling a doctor. I must admit I was a little reticent about this, but I took his advice, the ladies helped to my room, and within 20 minutes of the concierge calling for a doctor, one was knocking at my hotel room door! Amazing! This would never have happened in the U.S., of that I’m absolutely sure.
“The physician was polite, professional, and spoke English well, as my Spanish is practically nonexistent so far. After a thorough checkup, he proclaimed that I had an inner ear problem, and with a huge smile on his face he stated, ‘I’ll give you a shot, and in 20 minutes you’ll feel much better!’ That is what he did, and he was right. He wrote a prescription for more of the medicine to take every six hours until my ear problem improved. The bill, you ask? $50, including the shot. Also, he gave me his cell phone number, telling me to call him any time day or night if I needed anything at all. Wow! I was even able to attend the wonderful poolside cocktail party that evening! Dan and Suzan have been writing about the great medical care in Mexico, but I have to say, after experiencing it firsthand, they are so right on. Thanks to IL and their great staff for an incredible conference in Mexico. It surpassed my expectations and is only the first of many I hope to attend.”
—Trish S., Scottsdale, AZ
Get Valuable Information on All Aspects of Overseas Living and Investing on International Living’s Website
"You have the best, easy to understand, comprehensive information I have found. I had spent dozens of hours doing research, but when I found your site, it took me a couple of hours and I knew generally what I needed to go for this move. There's more great things I could say, but I’m sure you've heard it all."
—Sharon H.
"A friend and colleague of mine sent me this article on the Mexican government by Suzan Haskins asking whether I felt it accurately reflected Mexican laws regarding foreign investment in land. It does, of course, but what makes it 'different' is that, in over 20 years of reading in this field (from news items to the investor reports published by the big rating companies), I had not read anything as seamless and flawless as this piece."
—José Manuel Pallí, President, World Wide Title
Subscribing to International Living Magazine Is “an Extraordinary Gift” to Yourself
"I just received my first full-color edition of the new International Living magazine. And I want to thank you very, very much for such an extraordinary gift. Only a few of the many magazines I subscribe to can be described as ones savored page by page, cover to cover. And International Living magazine has easily joined that most-favored status of my magazines right out of the box. Again, many, many thanks for a superb magazine!"
—Erik J.
"The amount of research you put into this [publication] each and every month blows my mind. Keep up the good work!"
—Jeff L.
"I love this newsletter. I have been to 23 countries and five continents in my short 37 years of life. My wife is from Panama and we are considering retiring overseas, most likely in a Spanish-speaking country, but not sure yet, there are so many beautiful places. Again, thank you for the work you put into this newsletter."
—Wally C.
"The worst thing I've done recently was subscribe to IL. Please take that as an utmost compliment. I made the mistake of looking at your site too soon and I was hooked. For a couple of years I've been thinking of retiring in the Caribbean, but it will be at least five years before I can actually move. By then all the wonderful opportunities that I read about each day in IL will be beyond my reach and I'll find myself stuck in California. It just kills me to see what's there now and know that the prices are skyrocketing each day and there's nothing I can presently do about it. That's what I mean about subscribing to IL being the worst thing I've done. I am so glad that I did, though. If it doesn't happen for me, I've had, and will continue to have, many happy days reading and dreaming through IL."
—Cecie B.
"After reading your articles on Ecuador in International Living magazine, we toured the country for three weeks in January 2009. We wanted to see for ourselves Ecuador and its people live up to the glowing things you have written about them. We bought a large apartment in Cuenca. The setting, the property and Cuenca combine for us and our list of wishes, to be the best we have seen in all of our travels. We love it." --Ron and Donna Carlson.
"Thank you, thank you!! I love your magazine and I appreciate your efforts. I hope to relocate to Europe someday and I'm doing travel writing articles where I live here in Sonoma County. The information in your magazine is priceless." --Kimberly D.
"I have traveled to 43 countries and each of these United States. I love my country dearly but everything changed over Christmas 2007, when, after changing our plans to travel to Uruguay, we visited Nicaragua. After spending a few days on Little Corn Island, we befriended our hotel owner and a starving puppy called Minnow and we matched them up through a little adoption. We promised the islander we would pay for all expenses. Since then, we organized, fund raised and created our first animal clinic in July 08. Five veterinarians treated over 100 cats and dogs and 2 pigs. Our second clinic with 6 vets was completed in June 09. We have also raised additional funds for island work. For example, we donated $3200 to the school building fund. After visting the island many times, we fell in love. We are opening an eco friendly tourist lodge, Little Corn Beach and Bungalow, on the island this September. Part of our inspiration to take this adventure under our wing was our subscription to your magazine. The stories are inspirational and the resource you provide helpful. Thank you for your part in helping us create this life changing decision." Scot Smyth.
Live the Dream!
"If you have dreams of living abroad, you must live that dream- Don't wait and hope it will happen - make it happen!" Jill & Ben Hill, VIP Members