The Expat Files: Living in Latin America

Expat Files - 07/11/14

From the “be careful what you wish for department”:

-Many long term expats have dreamed of buying and restoring one of those very cool and often fantastic old Spanish Colonial ruins. There are literally tens of thousands of partially destroyed, abandoned, otherworldly monasteries, churches and chapels. Yes, some are available and when located out in the boonies can go dirt cheap. Now if that sounds like a great weekend restoration job for a gringo tinkerer or do-it-yourselfer you’d better think twice. It’s never, ever that easy. Projects like that have been known to swallow a gringo whole and then spit out his empty wallet.            

 

-Of earthquakes and expats: earthquakes happen all of the time in Latin America. In fact you may have heard there was a 6.2 to 7.2 point earthquake this week on the Mexico/Guatemala border. Being close to the epicenter myself, I felt it rock and roll for about 30 seconds. Yes, dishes rattled, dogs barked and driveway chickens worried they wouldn’t be able to cross the road, but there was no real damage done to any 1st world construction sites or projects. That's the key you know... first-world construction.

 

-As usual, after the quake, lots and lots of TV coverage: collapsed buildings and rubble, etc., almost exclusively in the small towns and boonies. But 95% of the damage affected old adobe walls, sheet-metal shacks and cobbled-together rickety dwellings perched on cliffs. The truth is, fully half the structures in Latin America would never meet even 1960's first-world building codes and thus they take a big hit in any earthquake. Yes, the poorest areas suffer as usual and since there are no effective building inspections poor folks and builders cut countless corners that often don't reveal themselves until a nice rocking 5 pointer or so rolls on in.

But you knew that already, right? So, what’s the lesson here?

 

-Beware of slow and steady home invasions by insects. Expats themselves must be ever vigilant or lose the war. One problem is that maintenance guys, maids and cleaning ladies often don't notice what we gringos might deem a totally unacceptable insect proximity to our living spaces. Latins are so used to living side by side with various insects in and around their own homes that what they deem as normal (like a basketball sized hornet's nest perched above the back door) might just freak a gringo out.

 

 -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.

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.

Expat Files - 07/04/14

-You've heard the recent talk and press concerning the new flood of illegal Mexican and Central American children that have been trying to slip into the USA. Latins south of the boarder are somehow under the impression that their children will qualify for amnesty. Today we have some revealing reports on how the situation is being viewed from down south, here at the starting gate. Here in Central America the story is all over the news like it’s never been before, and no Latin newscasters are denying the supposed amnesty part. Meanwhile on the streets, the Obama amnesty rumors are running rampant.     

 -Part 3 of a recorded interview with a recent Expat Wisdom seminar attendee who has been going through the residency/passport process in both Paraguay and Guatemala. For now, both Paraguay and Guatemala offer some of the least expensive and easiest routes to residency, citizenship and ultimately a passport for gringos. Today hear him explain some little known facts about Paraguay and what it’s like for expats who choose to live there. Hear about the necessary legal step-by-step process for gringos who choose Paraguay as their country to live, play, retire and /or do business. And finally, hear some sage advice and tips for gringos and expat wannabees that relate to his own adventures in Central and South America.       

 

-Last call for my upcoming JULY, 2014 “Expat Wisdom” seminar. 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 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.

Expat Files - 06/29/14

-First, on the lighter side: many gringos and expats find watching a bit of Latin TV every day helps them improve their conversational Spanish skills (sure it’s mind-numbing, but that what gods invented tequila for). Do note that as your Spanish improves you will notice strange gaps and odd discrepancies in the way most familiar English programs(ones you have up grown with) have been dubbed. True to form the Latins in charge of TV production often can’t even get the storyline or translations right. Thy even screw up simple childish cartoons like the “Flintstones”. In fact, gringos who know their Spanish well swear the morons doing the translating/dubbing don’t know enough English to get it right so they just   invent storylines as they go along.     

-Part 2 of a recorded interview with a recent Expat Wisdom seminar attendee who has been going through the residency/passport process in Paraguay. For now, Paraguay offers one of two or three least expensive and easiest routes to residency, citizenship and ultimately a passport for gringos. Hear him explain some little known facts about Paraguay, how gringos are regarded, and what it’s like for expats who choose to live there. And hear about the necessary step by step process for gringos who choose Paraguay as their country to live, play, retire and /or do business.   

-This same expat traveler from California with quite a lot of Central American “boots on the ground” experience “off the gringo tourist trail” reports on his own experiences with crime and security issues. An adventurous type, he’s traveled multiple times through Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador and is not afraid to trek alone through even the dodgy parts of big Latin cities. Hear about crime and security from a guy who’s been in the thick of things.        

-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 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.

Expat Files - 06/27/14

-First, on the lighter side: many gringos and expats find watching a bit of Latin TV every day helps them improve their conversational Spanish skills (sure it’s mind-numbing, but that what gods invented tequila for). Do note that as your Spanish improves you will notice strange gaps and odd discrepancies in the way most familiar English programs(ones you have up grown with) have been dubbed. True to form the Latins in charge of TV production often can’t even get the storyline or translations right. Thy even screw up simple childish cartoons like the “Flintstones”. In fact, gringos who know their Spanish well swear the morons doing the translating/dubbing don’t know enough English to get it right so they just   invent storylines as they go along.     

-Part 2 of a recorded interview with a recent Expat Wisdom seminar attendee who has been going through the residency/passport process in Paraguay. For now, Paraguay offers one of two or three least expensive and easiest routes to residency, citizenship and ultimately a passport for gringos. Hear him explain some little known facts about Paraguay, how gringos are regarded, and what it’s like for expats who choose to live there. And hear about the necessary step by step process for gringos who choose Paraguay as their country to live, play, retire and /or do business.   

-This same expat traveler from California with quite a lot of Central American “boots on the ground” experience “off the gringo tourist trail” reports on his own experiences with crime and security issues. An adventurous type, he’s traveled multiple times through Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador and is not afraid to trek alone through even the dodgy parts of big Latin cities. Hear about crime and security from a guy who’s been in the thick of things.        

-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 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.

Expat Files - 06/27/14

-Last show’s email on chem-trails in Latin America (OR NOT) has prompted a small flood of emails. Have a listen and see what all the hubbub is about..

-A short primer on the meaning of the 5 flags concept and why you need to diversify yourself internationally very soon (like now) or forever hold your peace when your abusive-restrictive govt makes it impossibly difficult to do so.

 

-Note that stepping beyond the borders to a brand new destination always involves some risk of getting swindled, gouged, screwed or taken (not just by locals but by first world expats too!) When you're up against lawyers, deal makers, fixers and facilitators its buyer beware. Today we discuss a recent breaking fraudulent paperwork scam and how a number of gringos were swindled in a Paraguay residency and passport operation. Turns out they hooked up with the wrong facilitator “residency broker“.

 

-Part 1 of a recorded interview with a recent Expat Wisdom seminar attendee who has been through that very same residency/passport process in Paraguay. Hear how he avoided the scam artists by having a good BS detector of his own and choosing the right fixer/facilitator. Don’t fool yourself. Even with good Spanish, you can’t really do it all by yourself. You will need one of these “facilitator” guys. But how to find an honest one? That's the question...  

 

-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 thewww.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 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.

Expat Files - 06/22/14

-Ever wonder about those nasty chemtrails that people seem to be arguing about? Do they show up in Latin American skies too? Here’s a Latin sky-watcher’s eyewitness report.  

-And now, from the “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink” department: Some newbee expats and gringos come charging down to Latin America armed with enough good info to make a great start, yet they still prefer to ignore some basic advice and do things “their way”. That’s a good recipe for some unnecessary later suffering.    

-Part #2 of crime and violence in Latin America. How to avoid trouble, bad guys, dirty deeds and violence. As it happens, most gringos that come to Latin America and make a go of it are self-starters and chance takers. Mistakes are often made by so called “clueless gringos”. Ever wonder where that “clueless gringo” phrase came from? Well then, why not learn from the “clueless” ones and start your expat journey with a calm and uneventful life in Latin America?     

-My upcoming JULY, 2014 “Expat Wisdom” seminar is on track and set to go. 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 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.

Expat Files - 06/20/14

-It doesn't make sense to us, but seriously, why do Latins of all classes still believe that the so-called “American Dream” is alive and well? Why do the under-educated, lower classes continue to flood over the Rio Grande in record numbers- including the latest phenomena where more than 1000 unaccompanied illegal children are smuggled into Texas each week? While some of it’s certainly due to stupid, imbecilic US politicians and their “amnesty” rhetoric that’s been filtering down to the poor sweaty masses and seen lately splashed around in the Latin press, but there are more subtle reasons as well..

 

-Did you know that the #1 source of foreign income for the country of Mexico is not Tequila or Corona beer, Narco money or even money earned as one of the world’s largest natural gas exporters? Surprisingly enough, Mexico’s #1 source of foreign income is the sum total of accumulated monthly “remissa” checks coming in from relatives and friends living illegally in the states. Well, so much for first-world press dolts who lately have been touting Mexico as the “economic powerhouse” of Latin America.  

 

- Part #1 of crime and violence in Latin America. How to avoid trouble, bad guys, dirty deeds and violence. Some great pointers and info from long term expats including the do’s and don’ts for living a calm and uneventful life in Latin America   

 

-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 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.

 

Expat Files - 06/15/14

-Do to popular demand we're back on that popular subject of buying land and property in Latin America: Long time “Expat Files” listeners know by now that there is a big real estate bubble throughout Latin America that's soon to pop. But if you folks are so well informed, then why do I still get so many emails asking about how to get cheap real estate deals in certain popular Latin American hot spots (fashionable with gringos that is). Seems expat wannabees and gonnabees are itching to get in on a piece of some Latin American ground floor action- wherever it's fashionable-  despite of the bubble warning. For example, the latest place that’s been getting a lot of press is Nicaragua. Now get this straight- in a bubble there are no ground floor real estate opportunities. So why do people keep thinking there are? Well for two reasons; (#1) certain popular expat sites and newsletters are way behind the curve, They have no substantial  “boots on the ground” experience or ears to the ground at the street level can’t get a grip on what’s unfolding...not to mention  they need constant upbeat news items and stories…#2- these expat news and info sites must continuously pump gringo development projects and such because that’s where the commissions are and some do have a piece of the action either directly or indirectly. Bottom line – Don’t believe real estate brokers, even gringo brokers… especially gringo brokers!!! Selling is how they make their dough.  

-More on buying or renting land and property out in the boonies.. far from the maddening crowds   -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 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.  

The Expat Files - 06/13/14

-Part 2 concerning the predatory FATCA banking laws that are forcing foreign banks to reveal complete details of US citizen bank accounts to the IRS. This odiferous law will be phasing in starting July 1, 2014. And now more details on some immediate and long term steps you might want to take…

 

-Are expats unpatriotic? Some stateside folks seem to think that leaving the US for good is not only unpatriotic but somehow bordering on being turncoat. On the other hand, just ask long term expats down here in Latin America what there is to be patriotic about and you’ll get a sigh and a long pregnant pause. We've had our serious expat discussions... so really, what’s there to be patriotic or proud about? The Motor City? Miami? Our drones? The Congress? The incredible shrinking dollar? Homeland Security? The wonderful schools? Personally, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Yes,  expats know the facts … the US we grew all up in no longer exists.

 

-You may know that no doctor’s prescription is needed for medicine in most Latin American pharmacies. But did you know that you can walk into a Latin pharmacy and buy just ONE Band-Aid or ONE Ampicillin, ONE Tetracycline tab,ONE throat lozenge, or even ONE cigarette, etc.? Because of that, many average Latins buy less than the required dosage and do not finish their course of medication properly. What are the consequences of that? The answers will surprise you.  

 

-In case you’ve been wondering: now for some stuff you never knew about midwives, home-births and caesarian deliveries in Latin America   

 

-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 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.