Expat Files - 05/18/14

-Are you planning to become an expat in Latin America in an effort to continue to live a first-world lifestyle? If you’re on a budget (aren’t we all?) or restricted to a $1200-$1500 a month SS check, you’ll find it harder and harder to pull that off of you’re in SOUTH AMERICA, that is, unless you are many miles away from any medium or large city and can adapt to the slow-paced rural life. Though admittedly, you can still do quite well in Paraguay on a SS check- even in Venezuela. But believe me, Venezuela’s a different ballgame and not for the faint of heart.      

-Some more general thoughts about retiring on a tight budget, or just plain maintaining a first-world lifestyle in Latin America on something like an average Social Security check.          

-Part 2 of an expat hanging out in Caracas, Venezuela: Despite what you may have heard about the persistent Chavez anti-gringo effect, the folks here in Venezuela do both love and envy gringos. In fact the “gringo advantage” is very, very strong here. But since there are almost no gringos around to feel the power, it’s a somewhat moot point! For 99.9% of gringos, in the final analysis Venezuela’s a difficult, uncomfortable place and definitely not for the green gringo! Also note that so few people speak English here that if you aren’t boned up a bit on Spanish you could have a time of it just finding a decent restaurant, bathroom or even ordering a coke. And forget about finding toilet paper, that stuff’s only found in high-end hotels.      

-And now from the, “Just when you thought you’ve heard it all” department: a petty crime-prevention trick I bet you’ve never heard about before. It was a new one for me too.    

-My upcoming JULY, 2014 “Expat Wisdom” seminar is set to go so. 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 and check it out.  

-Do follow the link on the main page at www.ExpatWisdom.com to schedule a private consultation 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.