Hi!

A bit about me - I'm 22, from Australia and in my last semester of my university degree, and realized that there is no way in hell I want to settle down for the next 50 years of my life and work as an accountant. I've known this for a while, so I've worked hard and managed to create some streams of online income, which I expect to be about $3,000AUD/month by the end of this year. I want to find a place to live overseas, do the thing I enjoy and experience a different culture, while living comfortably on my monthly income. Plus, escaping Melbourne's miserable winters would be nice!

But there's so many possibilities out there, and I don't know where to start! I'm not expecting people to do my research for me, I'm just looking for names of cities/countries that might fit my criteria so I can look into them.

Things that are are 100% essential:

- A relatively low cost of living, where I can live comfortably on $3k/month and have a bit left over to travel locally with
- Access to reasonably fast/reliable internet (it doesn't have to be lightning fast, but a dial-up modem won't cut it)
- Accessible and well populated, ie. no remote small towns
- Friendly locals, since I'm a very social person
- Warm climate
- A vibrant atmosphere, with good food and entertainment (and nightlife)

Things that would be nice (but not mandatory):

- A city on or near the coast
- Close to an international airport
- Serviced by LAN or any other oneworld airline, as I have ff points and status with oneworld
- Relatively reliable electricity/water infrastructure (as far as developing countries go, anyway...)

Language isn't an issue - I speak Spanish and can learn the local language if necessary. I'm focusing on South America since I've been there before, I like the culture and it seems to be the best fit , but I'm open to any suggestions at all!

So, any suggestions at all that I could follow up would be much appreciated. Thanks!

If you like South American culture and already speak Spanish, why not start there? Just as you don't want to be stuck for the next 50 years in one profession (careful there, yours truly is an accountant and have found it to be rather fun, depending on how you look at it), you certainly don't want to be "stuck" in one country or part of the world as your outlook on life broadens.
Cheers,
Bev

Hey Bev,

I'm focusing on South America, but I'm struggling to narrow it down because there are so many places that could work for me... Ecuador, peru, bolivia, colombia, suriname, etc are all possibilities, not to mention panama, costa rica, nicaragua and other central american/Caribbean states... And then there are so many cities in each one! I'm looking for a few tips/personal experiences so I can narrow my searching down a bit. My plan is to narrow my options down and then spend a few months travelling to those places to make sure I enjoy it before committing to anything.

But I'm not sure what you mean about getting 'stuck' in a certain location? I figure that I have to live somewhere after all, and since earning my income online gives me flexibility, it might as well be at a place where I can have a better quality of life

Thankyou for your reply!

Unfortunately I can't really help you as I haven't spent much time in South America or the Carribbean. But there is something to be said for trying your luck in one place, and if it doesn't work out, moving on to another.

I've worked my way through living in four different countries (with three different languages) so far - all, more or less, by hazard, or at least following opportunities as they popped up.

Anyhow, we do have some folks here who have experience in some of the areas you're considering. Give them some time and I'm sure they'll be passing through to give you their thoughts on specific locations.
Cheers,
Bev

hi there..am 22 and me as well would like to live in a foreign land but i think am too immature to live on my on. i guess i have no guts to be independent and i think it's not the right time.

Panama is such an amazing country and surprises everyone who visits.if you are planning on coming to Panama be prepared to be overwhelmed.

Panama has a great variety of world-class attractions all in close proximity.
Exotic tropical rainforests, beautiful mountain refuges, Caribbean-style beaches, seven living Indian cultures, a Miami-style capital city, historical sites, golf, diving, rafting, sportfishing- not to mention that 8th wonder of the world and engineering marvel- The Panama Canal. And it's all in a country just 50 miles wide, the size of South Carolina.

Panama is safe.
Panama has the highest rating for tourist safety from the Pinkerton Intelligence Agency. In a Newsweek magazine article on tourism safely worldwide, Panama received same tourism safety rating as the USA. Foreign residents in Panama will tell you how safe they feel living in Panama compared to any other country in Central America.

Panama has a First World infrastrucure.

Panama has a first-world infrastructure starting with a safe cosmopolitan Miami- style capital city with high speed internet, first rate hotels, fine dining and beautiful shopping malls. The highway infrastructure, medical care, telecommunications and business services are excellent-comparable to the USA as noted in the ARRP's Modern Maturity magazine. Panama also has the second largest Free Trade Zone in the world and a banking sector with 100 banks.

Panama is close.
As part of Central America, Panama is just a short plane ride away. Eight major US cities offer direct daily flights to Panama City: Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Orlando.

Panama is tourist friendly.
English is spoken as a second language. The Panamanian people are amongst the friendliest in the world. They are known for their peaceful, get-along and fun loving nature. As a result of the 90 year presence of Americans in the Canal Zone, Panamanians understand and appreciate Americans- thousands have worked with Americans as well as studied in the United States.

Panama has a wide selection of beaches and island venues and activities.
With two coasts, one thousand islands and Caribbean-style beaches, there is much to choose from for beach vacations from the all-inclusive resorts to exotic island retreats.

Panama Has no Hurricanes nor major destructive earthquakes.
Panama is blessed by nature-unlike the rest of her Central American neighbors, Panama has no hurricanes-amazingly it’s in a special climate area that is totally hurricane-proof. It also has no major earthquakes. Your Panama vacation will never be re-scheduled due to natural events. Your property investment will always be safe from hurricanes and earthquakes.

Panama city is inmensely active in regards to nightlife. There are tons of restaurants, bars and clubs where people go out to have a drink, relax, listen to music and dance. You will find that panamanians love to dress well, impress and be impressed when going out. Casinos throughtout the city constantly host events to keep people coming, and they do come.

Concerts, conventions, pro boxing fights, inaugurations, coupled with the great influx of Americans seeking retirement, Colombians, Venezuelans and many other nationalities are increasing the activity at which Panama City celebrates as the never before seen real estate boom is taking the country to economic levels that have not been seen before

<snip> This board is not here for Realtors to sell stuff.

Give some time and I'm sure they'll be passing through to give you their thoughts on specific locations.