Expat Files - 07/06/14

-From the “be careful what you wish for" department: More stories from the trenches- as well as a sad tale from wealthy expat gringo whose Latina wife’s “putting’ on the Ritz” act and first-world spending habits have caused him to seriously consider moving to another Latin city or country to regain his formerly simple, un-entangled life. Why? Because in the Colombian city where he lives now his family has such a high profile it’s like living in a fishbowl. So now, he’s had an epiphany and is talking about ditching it all (most of it anyway) and getting anonymous again. He much preferred his life 15 years ago when he first arrived- when he was a relative gringo nobody and was much less stressed. Our successful gringo is one of the many expats who’ve found out the hard way that once you lose your low-profile it’s almost impossible to crawl back under the radar. Bottom line: don’t let anyone suck you into the classist, uber-materialistic Latin lifestyle.    

-Part 4 of Crime and Safety in Latin America  Tips on protecting you and your property if you decide to live the gentleman farmer/homesteader's life out in the boonies  

-In various parts of the Latin American boonies, squatters do infrequently set down roots on what they perceive to be abandoned or untended land. If so, what can a gringo/expat agricultural landowner do to evict such intruders? There many ways to handle the problem though it can be a very delicate situation. Even when you’re entirely in the right, the last thing you want to do is make enemies or upset a local family clan.  

-Some tips on how smart expat ladies stay very safe on the streets of Latin America      

-Last call for my upcoming JULY, 2014 “Expat Wisdom” seminar. There’ still time to sign on. The dates will be Saturday, July 12 thru Thursday, July 17. The agenda and complete signup details are on the www.ExpatWisdom.com website main page. Just click the Latin American Seminar link on the top of the main page.  

-Do follow the link on the main page at www.ExpatWisdom.com to schedule a private phone, Skype or Mumble consult with me. If you want to discuss the details of living, working, playing, doing business and/or retiring in Latin America, now you and I can talk about your situation one on one.