Why Live in a Golf Community
June 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
A golf community is a gated environment that provides a beautiful venue for leisure living. They say that this is best for golf lovers. However, you can also appreciate your stay here even if you are just learning the sport. This is also an ideal place to retire. Although this is the case, this is not exclusive to the retirees. There are a lot of families and young professionals who are investing here too. This is because of the different perks that come with purchasing a property in this community.
One of the benefits of choosing to live here is the beautiful view. You can feast your eyes in the well planned landscapes and gardens. If you wish to relax outside your home, you can. You will be welcomed by the beautiful scenery as you step out of your home. This is indeed a great way to start and end your day. You do not have to travel far just to enjoy a magnificent view.
You are also sure of the security in the community. Gated environments are always safer. Since it is an exclusive community, no one can enter the area unless permission is given. This will make it more difficult for burglars and other unwanted individuals to get in. You can also be certain that your family will be kept safe.
Since this is a gated community, you can be sure that no one will bother you when you play a game or when you are using one of the amenities provided for the residents. Most of the time, beginners are having a difficult time learning because more seasoned players are around. If you live in the golf community, you will have more time to learn and to practice the game.
This is also a great place to socialize. You can invite friends over to play. Of course, this depends on the rules set by your homeowners’ association. In addition to that, there is a greater chance of you meeting interesting people. Usually, those who play golf are professionals and executives. It would be nice to know that you are sharing the field with some important people, right?
The community offers more services other than the golf course. Most have spas, swimming pools and lakes. This means that there are other things and activities you can try. You do not have to wait for the next vacation to enjoy a wonderful time with friends and families. The scenery alone will help you relax and rejuvenate. This makes the way of living much easier and enjoyable.
This also provides an avenue for you to stay fit. Aside from the fitness center that you will surely have, playing golf can be a great exercise. Walking from point A to point B is a great way to pump up your heart. Although it is unlike other sports, you will surely have your share of movement and sweat.
You will definitely enjoy a lot of benefits if you wish to invest in a golf community. aside from access to the golf course, there are also other amenities to enjoy. The community also provides wonderful view to relax, have fun and bond with your favorite people.
The Top Five Reasons To Live In Chapel Hill, North Carolina
June 3, 2010 by admin
Filed under Active Adult Living
Livability
Recently ranked one of the best cities to retire in, Chapel Hill, North Carolina boasts a mild climate and is conveniently located three hours from the Atlantic Ocean and three hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains. With a blend of youthful exuberance coupled with rich history and tradition, Chapel Hill continues to receive accolades for being one of the top spots to live, work and visit. Money Magazine recently ranked the town as the number one best place to live in the southern US.
Arts and Culture
The area of Chapel Hill is rich with arts and culture offering something for just about everyone. The avid music lover, the sports fan, the nature lover, as well as the theatergoer will never find a lack of exciting activities in Chapel Hill. The town prides itself on being a community that values culture and has even established an ordinance to allocate funds to be specifically used for promoting the arts. Chapel Hill is home to the famed Festifall Street Fair, created by craftspeople and artists, and held every October drawing thousands upon thousands of visitors from all over the country. Arboretums, museums, learning and historical centers abound in Chapel Hill as well as a host of parks and recreational facilities.
Community
Chapel Hill offers small-town friendliness and gives its residents a real sense of community. With tree-lined streets, great schools and centuries of history to discover, Chapel Hill is also a great place to meet people with like-minded interests. The community offers a multitude of youth and adult programs with everything from arts and crafts to sports and exercise programs, among others. With the University of North Carolina along with the UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill is known for being a community that is truly interested in the well-being of its fellow residents.
Education
Schools in Chapel Hill, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System, boast the lowest dropout rate in the state of North Carolina. Consisting of 16 schools, nine of which are elementary, the system is considered to be one of the very best in the entire nation. The University of North Carolina is one of the most popular attractions for both visitors and residents of Chapel Hill. “Tar Heels” is the oldest state university in the country and was founded back in 1795. The American Society of Landscape Architects has also selected the campus as one of the most beautifully landscaped areas in the United States.
Employment
A part of the renowned Research Triangle Park, or RTP, along with the Durham and Raleigh, Chapel Hill continues to draw the career-minded individual with its vast business and technological employment opportunities. RTP encompasses an area of 7,000 acres, is home to over 130 companies, and employs over 38,000 people making Chapel Hill one of the top places to live for those employed in research and development.
Want To Live To Be 100 Or More?
June 2, 2010 by admin
Filed under Active Adult Living
The scientists are continuing to probe the secrets of how we age and how we can slow it down. The good news while we cannot turn back the ticking age clock we can do a lot to counteract the toll the years take on our body and our health.
To further explain it – your lifespan – how many years you live ? is important, but perhaps not as much as your health span. This is the period of your life when you are fully functional and able to perform everyday life tasks and can take care of yourself.
Would it be fair to say that this is what most of us want more of in our lives – not merely years but active, energetic, independent, enjoyable years full of life? A crucial first step toward making the lifestyle changes essential to extending your health span is under-standing that there are some very important bio markers that influence greatly how well you age:
1) Your muscle mass ? We lose our precious muscle tissue at the rate of one half pound after our mid 20’s unless we are doing strength building and maintaining exercise. The amount of muscle tissue that you have and retain throughout your life is determined by how much you use your muscles.
If you are an active person and use your muscles frequently you can maintain their strength. But if you work at pushing them to the limits of their capacity with the right exercise you can increase their strength and hold off the loss for longer no matter whether you are 20 or 80 years old.
2) Your metabolic rate ? This is the rate your body burns fuel and could be likened to the engine power of a car. Your metabolic rate is amount of power your body’s engine has and is determined by the amount and state of your muscles. Someone with strong, toned muscles is going to have a higher performance engine than someone with weak, flabby muscles.
3). Your body fat percentage ?Even if you weigh a similar amount as the years pass by you still will have likely accumulated body fat if you are not doing enough proper exercise. As your muscles shrink, fat can lurk in the space where the muscle tissue was.
The number one adults health problem is not just a matter of excess weight as much as it is excess body fat coupled with too little muscle. The key is changing your ratio of body fat (inactive energy storage) to muscle (highly active tissue). Instead of focusing on losing weight, concentrate on gaining muscle tissue which will burn off the fat without you having to go on restrictive diets.
Having a higher metabolism is an advantage as you will be able to eat more food without becoming overweight. It also means your entire body is stronger and more resilient to disease and illness.
A strong body also means a strong immune system which is your boy’s amour and defense. It can save your life without you even knowing about it so it is in your best interests to keep it strong and healthy.
These three important bio markers of aging can be changed by simply adopting and performing a strength training program 2-3 times each week. Having your program properly set up by a fitness professional is the key to achieving the best results in the fastest time.
You can control your destiny and smart people by age 50 have a plan in place for a healthy, productive second life at retirement age because they know they will probably live to 100 or more and they want to live it well In 1950, there were a mere 2,300 centenarians, but today there are over 50,000. By 2050 there will be around one million people 100 years of age or older in the world. Maximize your future by building health early on and plan to be one of them.
Retirement – Where Will You Live
June 2, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
There are many things that people plan for when planning their retirement. They plan for the travel they wish to do, to have money for gifts for the grandchildren they hope to have, and all kinds of wise and practical thing. In the process, however, many people neglect to plan for where they wish to live upon retirement.
We are seeing a growing trend of retirees moving to certain communities. This is all well and good. It’s nice to be around people of similar ages and interests and live in communities that cater to those interests.
However, one thing is often overlooked during the process. The prices in these communities, and the average cost of living are quite likely to be different than the cost of living where you are. This is true unless you plan to retire where you live.
The fact is that there is a growing trend among retirees to migrate to certain population centers. The entire coastal region of Florida would almost qualify though not all communities in this area are equal when it comes to being retiree friendly.
The problem is that most people who retire live on limited budgets and can’t afford the high dollar real estate that is part and parcel for these areas. One solution to that is to decide where you’d like to retire and buy real estate in that area early.
There are all kinds of housing communities being built around the nation as we speak. In addition to these communities high rise towers and condominiums are being built to cater not only to time-share renters but also retiring baby boomers that are moving into these areas.
The earlier you buy the better, as property values do tend to increase gradually over time. There are trends and twists and turns but for the most part, property will gain in value given enough time in which to do so.
The good news in these ‘time share’ and popular destination areas is that you can own the property and rent it out for a little extra income while you are biding your time waiting for retirement.
Once you’ve purchased a property in the area you can make the rounds and get a good comparison for the value of goods and services in the area compared with what you are accustomed to.
You can add the difference in your calculations for what you will need when making your retirement plans. Failing to do this can result in some very sad situations many retired people find themselves in.
These could include living in sub standard and unsafe housing and not having enough money left after paying the rent to cover the cost of food and medication much less other needs that may be encountered.
You should also make sure that you add the little cushion of money into your planning so that you can occasionally through caution to the wind and do something fun. After all, what good is it to be retired if you can never afford to live it up a little?
Make sure you have enough money set aside to take that cruise every spring or fly up to see the grandkids two or three times a year. You want to make sure that you can enjoy your retirement or you will find endless days of staring at the television. What fun is that?
The costs of living in this country from one region to the next can be significantly different. If you do not consider where you will be living upon retirement when calculating the numbers you are doing yourself a great disservice.
This is definitely something you will want to discuss with your financial planner before it is too late to make the changes that will affect your future and retirement needs. It is good to have dreams of where you’d like to retire but it is even better to take the steps necessary to make your retirement dreams a reality.
Reasons to Live in Beaufort SC
June 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under Active Adult Living
When talking to clients about living in Beaufort, I am always interested to learn the various reasons they have for moving to (or remaining in) Beaufort. During my years in the area I have probably heard hundreds of reasons, but in this article I’ve decided to narrow it down to the top ten reasons to people love to live in Beaufort:
1. “I love Activities on the Water!” With all the beaches, rivers and tidal creeks that lie in the Beaufort area, we often have to ask clients what kind of water activities they’re looking for. Beachgoers love Hunting Island State Park for it’s beautifully secluded beaches and picnic areas. If you’re looking for seclusion, then maybe private beaches like Fripp Island or Harbor Island. Boaters who love to cruise or fish beware. Beaufort has so many inlet rivers and tidal creeks, you could have trouble exploring them all in a lifetime.
2. “We love this Quiet Little Town.” I might hear this more than any reason people live in Beaufort. There are two types of Beaufortonians. The first is born and raised here. The second has moved here. No matter which, they all agree that they love the small town feel. In a time where most areas have far too much urban sprawl, Beaufort remains relatively unspoiled. I cannot count the clients that have moved from larger cities such as Atlanta and Charlotte. Big time development and gridlock traffic is something we here certainly don’t miss.
3. “Lots of culture and history.” Being the 2nd oldest town in South Carolina, Beaufort’s history is still prominent today. Historic architecture, Gullah Culture, and past civil war monuments mark days gone by. Our history has paved the way for a lot of tourism. Residents and visitors alike enjoy taking carriage tours of the downtown historic district, touring the Penn Center, and viewing the Antebellum homes in the Old Point section of town.
4. “All the Festivals.” You name it, we have a festival for it here. Among these are the Water, Soft Shell Crab, Shrimp, Gullah, Sea Music, and Film Festivals to name a few. The most famous is the Water Festival, which attracts tens of thousands. In a smaller town, it is great to have constant city organized events to go to. Seniors, families, and young love birds can all be seen in attendance.
5. “I’m ready to retire.” CNN Money, Reuters, and Carolina Living all named Beaufort, South Carolina to it’s top ten places to retire. Dataw Island is commonly referred to as Beaufort’s best retirement community.
6. “It’s a GREAT place to raise a family.” Small town values and lack of big city distractions make the area a wonderful place to raise a family. Living in a small town makes a community tighter. The adults do more activities together, children grow up together forming with life-long friendships, and much of the big town mischief doesn’t happen here. Families here also enjoy parks, festivals and boating activities held throughout the year.
7. “A good job market is important.” While no big industry resides here, historic and resort tourism, real estate and medical centers provide a very low unemployment rate and lots of jobs. Beaufort Memorial, the resort islands of Harbor and Fripp, some of the prettiest property in the country all are part of what make the job market very strong.
8. “Wow, the weather!!” Mild climate is certainly one of the top reasons that clients move to Beaufort. In the 70s for around 6 months a year, I cannot imagine anywhere to top our weather.
9. “Lots of Southern Hospitality and Charm.” The first thing I noticed when exploring the Beaufort area was how incredibly nice the people are. If you don’t want to take my word for it, Southern Living readers have voted Beaufort the top Southern Small Town for 7 years in a row.
10. “All the Food!” One of the things people really love Beaufort is the food. Being a small town there are not thousands of restaurants like other big cities. What the town lacks in quantity is makes up for in quality. Unlike many cities, Beaufort hasn’t turned into a strip mall of chain restaurants. On just about ever corner, there is a Mom n’ Pop’s eatery that will have your taste buds begging for more. The best part is it’s all original. If you eat at Yes Thai Indeed, LT’s County Cookin, or Bricks on Boundary you better enjoy it. Because you won’t find these places any where else in the world. Delicious, original food is a Beaufort tradition.
Beaufort is a great place to live in. The reasons to live here are as varied as the people who give them. Beaufort attracts all kinds of people – singles as well as families, Northerners and native Southerners, younger and older people (and all the ages in between).
Gated Community – The Way To Live Luxuriously, With Privacy And Security While Pursuing A Hobby
June 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
Honestly, very few people can deny the resemblance of the way a gated community member lives today and the majestic lifestyle of the affluent British lords or noblemen of the years past. The chateaus or villas that were their residences had high walls and security personnel at selective areas to ensure their safety. Although what differentiates the inhabitants of these gated communities from the US and their counterparts in the UK is that they desire to spend life in comfort but are not Lords or Viscounts.
And golf players and lovers of the game feel more at home in these communities. They have the opportunity to live nearby a golf course or right in the midst of one. Championship-styled golf courses are the perfect locations of most of the private golf communities that you will find in Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and in other parts of the country too. What is more, real estate developers sensing the demand for living quarters amid such lush green meadows are already in the process of creating such great properties.
The reality is that, the private gated community comes with a higher price tag as compared to the regular housing complexes, but when you consider the amenities offered, you will see that you are getting good value for your money. Someone staying here can opt for a game of tennis, swim in the pool, eat out at the restaurants and have a drink in the bar and try a hand at golf absolutely anytime he or she wishes. The Homeowner’s committee, formed by the inhabitants of the community, has come together to maintain the facilities and the services that are being offered here. And thus, they are usually very well maintained, thus enhancing the property value further.
The demographic survey report collected in 2000 reveals that about 8 million United States citizens have opted to stay in these communities, which had been the homes of just the retired and the seniors earlier. This statistics is quite intriguing as it means that 1 out of every 8 person in the US is now staying in such a place. An in-depth research revealed that now even the young couples are opting to live in these communities over the weekends to catch some fresh air and rejuvenate themselves to last them the coming week.
The basic concept behind gated community living centered around assured security and privacy behind closed gates. However, the time and tide has taken this form of living to a different plane, today these places cater to the like minded people. And of course, there are a huge number of people who simply love these planned places, the amenities and the security and privacy these places offer.
Do you Want to Live a Meaningful Life?
June 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under Active Adult Living
The search for meaning and purpose in your life is sometimes referred to as Spirituality because it pays attention to your inner life. No matter what stage of life you are in, you may be looking in different places for meaning and the need to matter.
Young adults often look to work to help define their identity. Many hours are spent at work which easily translates into being needed and often appreciated. Often adults approaching retirement look to religion and/or spirituality as a means of redefining who they are.
In both cases, what is important is the feeling that you “matter” or count in someone’s life. Feeling needed, appreciated, and noticed is necessary for good mental health. There is no right or wrong activity. It is whether the activity engages you, uses at least one of your strengths, and makes you feel appreciated that is key.
Viktor Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist believed that an authentic life must be a journey of meaning. We need meaning to thrive. Without meaning, we lose our way. What things in your life make you feel like you “matter” or give your life meaning?
Meaning comes from using your strengths to achieve your purpose. You have to have a purpose to experience meaning. Purpose can be thought of as your goal or direction. It conveys action or movement toward something that you value. It can be your personal dream, something you are passionate about, or your mission. For example, your purpose might be to become the best at something that is important to you, i.e. being healthy, your work, marriage, parenting, or friend. What is your purpose?
There are many benefits of having a purpose or goal. It:
* Stimulates you.
* Enhances wellness.
* Activates healing powers within you.
* Motivates you.
* Fills you with energy.
* Keeps you youthful.
Try answering these questions if you are having trouble determining your pupose:
Think of a time when you were younger. What did you dream of doing in your life. What did you dream of doing?
* What makes you feel like you matter, feel needed or appreciated?
* What are your strengths?
* How can you use your strengths more often?
* How can you use your strengths for a purpose greater than yourself?
* If you had a business card, what would I say?
Once you know what your purpose is, choose to do things that allow you to use your strengths and live your values. Meaningful activities are purposeful and personally fulfilling. They may:
* Develop a skill.
* Allow you to try new ideas.
* Demand physical and emotional energy.
* Give you a vision of where you are going.
* Be profound or simple.
* Tell you what means the most to you and who your true friends are.
See if you can come up with a meaningful activity to engage in each of the following areas:
* Improve physical health.
* Improve emotional well-being.
* Improve mental well-being.
* Enhance socialization.
* Give you status in your community.
Living a meaningful life is possible when you follow these guidelines. You benefit by having an enhanced sense of well-being and fulfillment.
Continuous Care – A Great Place to Live
May 31, 2010 by admin
Filed under Active Adult Living
If you have a senior family member, or you are a senior family member yourself, it is only natural that you want the best health care possible. This is the case with continuous care. Seniors may find continuous care communities a great place to live once theyâre retired from their jobs.
Seniors in continuous care are given the chance to continue with independent living as long as they are able to do so. They are also given the chance and the means to establish a community among themselves. This is a tremendous help, especially as seniors may later on find that their families and other acquaintances need to tend to their own lives. This provides the seniorâs social lives with much-needed stability and security.
Housing, service and nursing care are provided for in these homes, and there is no need to move from one location to another. Seniors may also be happy to know that in some continuous care homes, things such as religious affinities and ethnicity are also taken into consideration. There are also some living facilities or continuous care communities that remain neutral, or are not affiliated with any religious or cultural groups at all.
There are a variety of services offered in continuous care communities. For instance, transportation and housekeeping may be provided. Special meals or diet plans can also be offered. There is also emergency help, and youâll be glad to know that personal care is on stand-by should the senior citizen require them. There is also this so-called Assistance with Activities of Daily Living. Of course, recreational activities which can encourage members of the com
Don’t Live in Las Vegas If You Want A Boring Retirement
May 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
Be prepared to be entertained when retiring to an active adult retirement community in Las Vegas. Known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, Las Vegas does not lack when it comes to putting together you list of “Things to Do in Retirement.”
Las Vegas offers retirees much more than just the glitz and glam nightlife of casinos along the strip. It also offers active adults in retirement outdoor adventures, performance and visuals arts, as well as volunteer opportunities.
“To-Do In Retirement Item #1″: Enjoy the Outdoors!
Las Vegas has 300+ sunshine days which makes it the perfect place for outdoor activities. Here you can hike, bike, walk, and camp to your heart’s desire. Lake Mead is a popular place for local waterskiing and Mount Charleston attracts those who love the snow in wintertime.
Did I mention golf (like anyone would even consider golf in retirement…!)? Choices abound when in comes to golf in Las Vegas. You can schedule tee-times at over 60 golf courses and, if you really want a good value with challenge, book a time at the Tuscany Golf Course by Lake Mead. It was voted “Best Value Course” and “Vegas’ Toughest Golf Hole #9″ in 2008.
Like to watch golf? Las Vegas also hosts many televised golf tournaments such as the PGA Tour’s Michelin Championships at Las Vegas, LPGA Takefuji Classic and Wendy’s Three-Tour Challenge.
“To-Do In Retirement Item #2″: Enjoy the Arts!
If music is your tune, The Las Vegas Philharmonic fills the air with melody at concerts throughout the year. The Las Vegas Philharmonic is a nationally recognized orchestra and a six-time recipient of the Best Performing Arts Group award. Sam Boyd Stadium, named after a major figure in the hotel/casino industry (go figure!), hosts the Vegoose Festival which features some of the biggest names in rock and roll, country and pop music.
Ballet patrons will enjoy the Nevada Ballet Theater and for those who enjoy the outdoors, you’ll definitely want to buy tickets for live, theatrical performances held at the outdoor Super Summer Theater at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.
If artwork is your fancy, the Las Vegas strip is actually a great place to view classics by Ansel Adams and Roy Lichtenstein – you’ll find them at the Las Vegas Bellagio Resort. And, while you’re there, stroll on down to the Luxor and view the Bodies Exhibition. The Exhibition showcases real full-bodies and organs, provides a detailed, three-dimensional vision of the human form. Tickets are $29 for those 65 and older, $28 for local residents.
“To-Do In Retirement Item #3″: Enjoy Giving Back!
For those of you who are excited that you now have the time to contribute to your community and share your time, talents and compassion, many non-profit and charity organizations call Las Vegas home. Such organizations include the Ronald MacDonald House, Boys and Girls Club and The American Cancer Society.
Retiring as an active adult in Las Vegas provides a wealth of things to do. You will never lack for an item on your “To-Do” list. If you are looking for other retirees to join you as you experience the various items on your list, consider living in a Las Vegas active adult retirement community. You’ll be sure to find others just as active as you!
6 Cheap Places To Live Or Retire In The U.S. And Overseas
April 10, 2010 by admin
Filed under Retirement Communities
They say home is where the heart is, but John Milton, the 17th-century English poet, argued “Our country is wherever we are well off.”
The trouble is, the average individual coping with a bad economy, mortgage concerns and job insecurity is anything but well-off-or even financially stable, for that matter. And their hearts and minds are not at home but rather wandering with worry about an uncertain future.
With a still-grim economic outlook, a high cost of living and a stock market that has caused 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts to lose considerable value, many Americans are delaying or reconsidering their retirement plans. Even with real estate prices still falling in parts of Florida, Arizona and other traditional retirement havens, a retirement home and comfortable lifestyle are still out of reach for many.
Those who are not yet near retirement are also having a rough time making ends meet. Some have lost their jobs and homes; others have fallen behind on mortgage payments and monthly bills.
But then you hear stories of people like the semi-retired widow who thought retirement was out of reach, then sold her $175,000 two-bedroom ranch and snapped up a one-bedroom condo in a comfortable retirement community for only $105,000, allowing her to put $70,000 in cash in the bank. And the young couple who traded in their $256,000 condo for a 2,100-square-foot three-bedroom house on an acre lot overlooking the ocean for just $149,000, putting an end to their money problems.
They are but two of the many, who, despite the current recession, continue to live well. Their secret? They traded down to live it up. In other words, they left their worries behind by moving to low-cost locales where less is more. There are plenty of places where you can scale back your cost of living without sacraficing your quality of life. Moving to a place with a lower cost of housing than where you are now will help stretch your dollars.
Whether you choose an undiscovered bargain somewhere in the United States or a cheap expatriate haven beyond our borders, there are places where you can leave your financial troubles behind.
Here are a few destinations to consider:
U.S. Surprises
Old Florida: Away from packed tourist traps and retiree enclaves is the Florida of old. In one little-known place on the western side of the state, the weather is just as perfect, the coastal scenery equally stunning and the beaches as powdery, however, the real estate prices are far cheaper. Here, a comfortable home near the Gulf of Mexico can be had for under $200,000.
The Sunbelt: While many places across this warm, southern stretch have become full-fledged retirement havens with prices that have soared due to their growing popularity, there remain some hidden gems. In one quiet region everything is cheap, including houses, which start at $100,000.
The Northeast: If you don’t mind a four-season climate, there are many towns in the northern part of the country that offering easy living and low prices. In one small town close enough to New York City to enjoy its social and cultural offerings, but far enough away to leave the bustle behind, the average house sells for $150,000.
Foreign Escapes
Mexico: Our neighbor just south of the border has more part-time American residents than any other country outside the U.S., thanks to its close proximity, alluring climate and relatively low cost-of-living. The idea of finding a seaside Mexican villa for pennies on the dollar may have long faded into history, but coastal real estate is still a fraction the cost of Florida and California oceanfront, and prices inland are even more attractive. There are still attractive and safe places in Mexico where you can still pick up a nice three-bedroom house for as little as $50,000. Annual property taxes on such a property: less than $40.
Nicaragua: With wars and unrest well behind it, this Central American country has emerged as an expatriate hideaway that rivals Costa Rica, but with much gentler prices. In many towns, comfortable single-family homes in move-in condition are selling for between $50,000 and $100,000. Groceries here cost less than half of what you pay back home.
Europe: In one emerging getaway in Eastern Europe you can find properties as charming as anything in rural Italy or France for a tenth of the price. Waterfront condos and villas can be picked up for prices that long vanished across the rest of the continent. One apartment with views of the sea is currently selling for under $40,000.
Happy hunting!


