Editor’s Note: Welcome to the “Escape the Chaos: Best of Sovereign Investor Daily” series. All this week we are highlighting some of our best articles that focus on key tips and tricks for moving offshore, information on countries that support your expatriation and wealth protection goals, and much more.
An average person doesn’t become an expatriate. They don’t have second homes in foreign countries.
It’s too hard.
Too dangerous.
Too expensive.
We’ve all heard these excuses — and maybe even made a few ourselves — when it comes to establishing residency in another country and becoming an expatriate. We hear that only the extremely wealthy and movie stars have homes in far-flung places around the globe. Only the wealthy can implement this asset protection strategy.
But what about an average guy from Ohio who just wanted to feel safe again … ?
This week, we’ve followed the expatriate experience of Brad Little and his wife. They were average Americans who realized that they needed a second home in another country so that they could live where they felt safer and free of a government that was controlling too much of their personal lives. (The first step was deciding to expatriate). After a period in which they completed research on a number of different countries, searching for the one that would best meet their needs, they took the next step: They decided to settle in Uruguay.
How has it gone for them?
“Things couldn’t be better! It’s so beautiful here, and safe. Our lives have changed so much in the last year. We’re freer … more alive than ever,” Brad reported.
Brad and his wife purchased a nice home at a fair price just outside of Punta del Este, and marveled at how much simpler the paperwork process was than buying a home in the United States. To make the Littles’ expatriate experience even easier, every one of the experts that The Sovereign Society recommended to them held their hands through every step: finding the home, getting residency, even getting checkups at the doctor’s office and opening bank accounts.
Crime is low in Uruguay. Brad never feels as if he must look over his shoulder, worry about getting robbed, and he isn’t concerned about the local government invading his privacy and rights. In fact, he told me he accidentally left his wallet and passport in the car and returned later to find them exactly where they had been left — no damage done.
During their time in Uruguay, Brad and his wife have made some wonderful friends. They meet expatriates from all around the world, and it seems as if people are more than happy to stay in Uruguay once they’ve arrived.
The expatriation experience continues to be rewarding, as they’ve also found many things to do. Uruguay has lovely beaches, fishing — particularly surf fishing — and long relaxing rides in the country along smooth roads. Picnicking, hiking and biking are popular, as well as multiple cultural events throughout the year. There are excellent restaurants and shopping. Brad and his wife enjoy visiting a huge open market on Sundays that allows them to purchase anything from fresh vegetables to a puppy. In addition, they discovered great quality supermarkets in Uruguay that are comparable to what you’d find in the United States.
When Brad and his wife moved to Uruguay they didn’t speak Spanish, but they still managed to accomplish a great deal during their first four months of living there — begin the immigration process, buy a house, renovate it, and have household items shipped down to Uruguay. While English is taught in the schools, most don’t have a need to practice it so most people don’t speak English. However, they have been able to get by with their limited knowledge. In fact, they’ve met several expatriates who have lived in Uruguay for several years who don’t speak the language and don’t intend to learn.
But Brad and his wife plan to make a serious effort to learn. Brad said that you shouldn’t be afraid to try to speak the local language. Most people appreciate your effort and know that you are trying.
Besides the difference in language, there are other things that require some mild adjustment. Brad joked that he is still getting accustomed to the idea that the month of May is now in autumn instead of spring.
An American Expatriate Settled in a New Home
Despite being in Uruguay rather than the United States, Brad and his wife have settled happily back into retired living. “Living here gives us a feeling of freedom and empowerment like we used to feel back home. I can’t describe it in words. It’s something you just have to experience for yourself … Which is a lot easier to do than you think,” Brad commented.
Brad Little proves that with the right planning and research, the expatriate experience can be simple: You can easily establish a second home outside the United States that will allow you to enjoy the life you want without worrying about the growing threat posed by the government.
Kind regards,
Ted Baumann
Offshore and Asset Protection Editor
The post Confessions of an Expatriate appeared first on The Sovereign Investor.
