International Living's Ultimate Event - Ecuador

About a year ago, my husband came to me with the idea of expatriating from the United States. This was different from the time when we walked around Perugia and dreamed about residing there so we could eat our weight in black truffles at La Falchetto. Doug's idea was more about removing ourselves from our nation's troublesome political situation, protecting our hard earned capital and improving our quality of life. Besides, we are always up for an adventure.

Doug proposed we attend International Living's Panama conference held April 2010. He liked the banking stability, pro business President and investing opportunities. We became educated about all things Panama, socialized with two great couples in attendance, met with banking and legal professionals, went on a preliminary job interview and endured real estate and city tours. When all was said and done, we felt Panama has a lot to offer but were concerned about the poverty and crime.














Dinner with the Van Wormers and Kerns

Several months and a long distance move later, things have certainly not got any better at home. The economy remains unstimulated, unemployment continues to creep up, foreclosures are at all time high and we can now look forward to gate rape before boarding airplanes.

We still think Panama's interior might hold some promise. We are looking into Costa Rica. We signed up for IL's next event in Ecuador...and we plan to explore Cotacachi and Cuenca. But, Uruguay has risen to the top as a second home and residence possibility.

So this February, we are packing up for 3-4 weeks. We will attend IL's Ultimate Event in Ecuador. The event boasts over 100 speakers, receptions and sponsors. We will investigate the opportunity to be a part of the prosperity of emerging markets overseas versus adapting to the austerity now warranted by higher taxes, government expansion, higher inflation, rocky housing market and more unemployed in the states.

There are just too many American expats that are living healthier and happier lives outside our borders not to be just a little envious that they have gotten there before me.

To join the movement of those living and investing internationally, you might want to start with the Ultimate Event 2011.