International Living - Best Places for 2012

The New Year has begun and all of the lists for the best places to live and retire are being updated as I write this post.

With all the Doom and Gloom on CNN one might think the whole world is falling apart but that's the image the media want to continually beat into our brains - it's not reality. While politicians harp on the "post American World' and how even mentioning the phrase is somehow considered unpatriotic, the reality is we are moving into the Post American Era and that's not because the U.S. is some how worse than it is because the rest of the world is finally catching up. And that's a good thing! The Post American World is not about America falling but about the rise of everyone else. Just look around the world - new, modern cities are being built and old ones completely remodeled to American standards. Capital is being invested into adding more entertainment facilities, into improving small towns, into expanding airports, and into making comfortable living that much easier for those who desire to pursue a life abroad. The biggest news that 2012 is bringing to such individuals is that living somewhere far from America is becoming cheaper and easier. More accurately stated, the best places are going out of their way to make life in their area more affordable and more comfortable. Take Panama and their Pensionado Program whereby ex-pats can retire to Panama and enjoy an extensive list of retiree benefits the same as if they were born there.

Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America

In 2012 one place that sets the bar for living internationally is Buenos Aires, "the Paris of South America". The people are friendly, the weather is beautiful and the city is humming - constantly alive with culture, music and entertainment. For those looking to continue life immersed in the hustle and bustle of the world, Buenos Aires is definitely a great place to consider when thinking of moving abroad. The living in this city, as in any other, is pricey as compared to surrounding small towns. However, if one can survive in Boston, New York or Los Angeles then Buenos Aires will be no trouble at all.

Hong Kong - Where East is Become West

Another city on top of the list of most desired places to live abroad in 2012 is Hong Kong. Yes, the culture is dramatically different from that of Western Europe, but almost every there now speaks English and there is a dramatic move towards Westernization throughout Asia. The city is extremely safe for its size, there is constantly something to do and some place to go. Eastern Asia is always a quick flight or boat trip away for exploration.

The Most Affordable Places to Live in Europe

Austria has continually been ranked as one of the best places to set up a new home. This may be because of its clean environment, peaceful living, beautiful nature, and intriguing history and culture. Specifically the capitol city of Austria, Vienna, has been listed as one of the most affordable places to live in Europe with the highest quality of living of any city in the surrounding areas.

Down-Under for the Healthiest Lifestyle

As for as standard of living goes, New Zealand has continually beat out a large number of competitors on the "best place for living abroad" lists. The affordable living and some of the healthiest food supplies of any country on the planet, New Zealand continues to be an inspiration for all other places. Not to mention the record low crime, great school systems and beautiful country side, all of which make the island one of the most desired places to live in the entire world.

Still The Best Place to Retire

For those looking for best places to retire, a look at Panama is certainly warranted. Panama remains one of the most affordable and laid back places to live in retirement, thanks in no small part to the Pensionado Program mentioned above. The area has been deemed the winner of International Living magazine's Annual Global Retirement Index for six years in a row. And this is just one of the many accredited organizations that have listed Panama as the top place to retire. Editors note - be sure to see the post below for a great free video about this year's hottest Top Retirement Destinations.

So, if you're tired of Doom and Gloom - tired of cynical politicians who are concerned with nothing but their own power maybe it's time you considered a new Life Overseas - maybe 2012 is your time for International Living.

Where are the Best Places to Live after Divorce?

Divorces can present a number of difficulties, and there are often financial issues that are associated with the proceedings. A couple usually has to sell their home in order to reach the settlement that is required by the courts. The best places to live after divorce include friends and families. They can offer the support that is needed as well as an economical place to live. This will help to cut the expenses that are faced during a troubling time. Rental properties are another consideration, and there are numerous houses and apartments that are available. These can usually be had in a matter of hours and are in a condition that is ready for a person to move in.

Finding a Place to Live

Thousands of couples go through divorce proceedings every year, and the first thing a person needs to do is find a place to live. Sometimes a person can continue to live at the residence they have shared with their spouse, and this is often the best option. However, the house will usually have to be sold, and this necessitates for both parties to move out. If a person is unable to continue living in their current residence, the first place they should look is with friends and or family. This is ideal for a number of reasons. Friends can provide the support that is needed during an emotionally troubling time. They are also usually willing to let their friends stay at their home for no charge.

Count on Family

Family members can provide one of the cheapest places to live after a divorce as well. There is always an extra room in the home, and this can save a person a number of expenses. Families can provide the supportive setting, and their homes are already furnished with all of the conveniences. This will provide a person with a place to stay while they decide what they are going to do. This is not a lasting option, but it can be the best place for a person to live until they get back on their feet and find the home or apartment that they want.

Renting makes for an Affordable Place to Live

Furnishing a home or apartment is an expensive proposition. It can also be difficult to purchase a new home or apartment while going through divorce proceedings. Rentals are an option, but they also require large amounts of capital to move in. For this reason, it is usually wisest for a person to stay with someone they know for the first months after their separation. This is also the most economical option and can provide a person the time to begin rebuilding.

The Best Place to Start Anew

Sometimes a divorce is the only way out of a really troubled relationship. One where you feel you need to really get away and start over. It's a nasty and unfortunate reality that sometimes the best place to live after divorce is far away where you can create a completely new life - new friends - new relationships all round. Because we truly live in a global village you may want to consider starting your new life overseas. There are many, many countries in this wonderful world that offer a peaceful and affordable lifestyle where you don't have to sacrifice any longer. Places that welcome educated foreigners. Perhaps a teaching job overseas to help you heal with loving admiration and appreciation from children or adults who crave knowledge and love to learn.









In summary, after a divorce, the best place to live is with friends or family. An extra room is always available at most people’s homes. They are also furnished and can offer everything that a person requires to meet their daily needs. Another benefit of living with friends or family is that they will be able to provide the support that a person may need while they are undergoing the trauma of a divorce.

The Best Places to Live Cheaply

It seems the prices of food and gas are rising daily and yet most peoples earnings have been at a stand still for years now. That leaves a lot of people looking for the best places to live cheaply. That is places where the dollar will stretch and last as long as possible. In this blog we continually review places to live all of the world. We spend a lot of time looking for the cheapest places to live and we also occasionally put money a side and consider things that add up to give the Best Places for Quality of Life.

In your personal quest to discover the best place for you to live cheaply we thought these resources may come in handy. Check them out and please leave us a comment if you find these helpful in finding the perfect place for you and your family.

The International Salary Calculator

One of the first places you may want to consider having a look as you scour the globe to find the most affordable place to live is to determine exactly how far your salary will take you in the a new city or country. Sure, moving means your salary will likely change but it's good to know ahead of time how much you need to earn to cover your living expenses in your chosen new location. The best place we've found to get started is:

Salary.com.  This a terrific financial site that will give you a lot of details. This is  U.S. based information so you can discover the salary range for your chosen career for specific areas in the United States The site also gives you additional information like education requirements and usual benefits, and it'll even estimate your pay check.

International Salary Calculator: For U.S. Citizens considering International Jobs PayScale.com is a great tool for broadening your search to other countries. Their dbase s still more based on US data than anywhere else but they are expanding and collecting data form other countries. SalaryExpert.com is another tool for finding out what your profession makes in another country. It has a large selection of city information for most parts of the developed world.

Cost of Moving Calculator

Sperling.com has one of the best cost of living calculators online. It takes into account where you live now and allows you to compare to where you want to live. You can alos compare your current salary and how much you will need to earn in your new location to maintain your current lifestyle.  CNN Money also has a similar calculator tool but it doesn't offer nearly the depth of detail that Sperling does. Another problem is that CNN tends to be US-Centric so their tools and information are generally limited to the United States.

Where are the Most Affordable Places to Live?

Every now and then Business Week will have some good articles on the most affordable housing  in the US. One such article noted Minot, Fort Worth and Tulsa, Ok all making the list. However, that information is a bit dated as it was originally published in 2006. Still, BW is a great resource for current information on the best places to live and its a good place to start your research. For the past few years  the economic downturn has impacted the housing market the most and it continues to have an affect on most of the country. This has certainly made real estate more affordable for those who still have a job and can afford to buy.

Another study titled 'Eight Cheapest Places to Live' is also from BusinessWeek and it gives a good list of the cheapest places to live in America including info and stats on crime and other factors to consider before moving. Making this list are: Austin,Tx;  Boise, Id;  Minneapolis, Mn and Olympia, WA.

Kiplinger.com is another site for great articles on how far your real estate purchasing dollar will go. It focused on home prices between $300,000 to $1 million. Kiplinger ranked Fort Smith one of the cheapest and also gives us a way to see which areas of the country are offering the best values in Real Estate. And lets face it who doesn't enjoy the fantasy of seeing just how far a million bucks will go!

TODAY.msnbc at msn.com offers up a great little video on the 'Cheapest Places to Rent'. They examine the top cities for living cheap by renting. The cheapest place to live on rent - Wichita, Kansas at just $470 per month for a 600 sq ft place.  In Dayton, Ohio a 500 sq ft home sets you back $570 per month. The video and article also has some interesting details about each city, including some fun facts that might make a move to these smaller cities worth your while. And if you've been searching for a high-end lifestyle at a cheap price they also discuss the top five fancy places to live that have dropped substantially in price. Where lifestyle is your most important criteria and cost secondary you can also explore the Healthiest and Wealthiest countries to live in.

Newfoundland remains one of the Cheapest Places to Live in Canada

“If we compare to other markets in Canada, Newfoundland remains one of the most affordable housing markets in the country,” said Chris Janes, the Senior Market Analyst with the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Janes also said the province is one of the Cheapest Places to Live in Canada despite both employment and income being on the rise.

The average price of a house in Corner Brook, which is certainly one of the cheapest cities to live in, has increased to $187,000 which is a bit of a jump from $162k last year but is still well below average house prices in the rest of the country especially Ontario and British Columbia. Just two years ago houses were just $130,000 here.

Read the Western Star article - Housing costs have gone up, but still affordable