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Is there REALLY nowhere I can go?

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joolee
  7/11/2015 18:53 EST

I've been researching alot in the past couple of months about living abroad. I'm 43 and for the last 5 years have been making a steady livable income as freelance digital artist. I'm the stereotypical starving artist pulling in just enough to get by (a hair less than 20kUS per year) and have been wanting to move somewhere that maybe I can do more than just survive.

I lived abroad for a couple years when I was much younger but was bumming it off the radar. Much older now so I'd rather go legit :P

But it seems impossible. I'm not retired, don't have 25k to lock up in a CD as an "investor", not a student, and I don't have a college degree. I had a 20 year career as software engineer but when I started my career the universities were woefully behind and self taught coders were the norm so ... no fancy degree.

One of the wonderful benefits to what I do is it makes zero difference where I live.. but it looks there's no where I can go and it's soooo discouraging.

Are there ANY countries that I might have a hope of going toam i stuck ? :P

Many thanks to anyone with advice, tips or answers.

suziehammond
  7/11/2015 22:51 EST

I would suggest you try looking at Chile. You can qualify for a 'retirement' visa here if you can merely show $1200 a month income for the previous 3 months to asking for a temporary residency card. ($1500 would be better.)

The rules for other visas are very easy as well. But retirement is good because you can work any where in the country if you like and your residency is secured.

I wouldn't live on that except outside the capital of Santiago. You can manage it OK. But live like a local not like an American looking for a rich lifestyle.

If you come in on a work visa you must keep working for the same employer. (Not good for your situation anyway)

Great climate, vibrant lifestyle.

Suzie Hammond is the author the eBook system; I am Not Sure Where I Want to Be -But it's Not Here (Easily Find Your Ideal Relocation Destination)
http://www.goodwriter.info

Blog, FREE eZine & Free Special Report- http://www.goodwriter.info/Blog/index.html

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TicaLady
  7/22/2015 10:39 EST

Hi Jolee,
I moved to Costa Rica last September and love it. The country requires an income of $1,000 or above. I'm here currently on a tourist visa that I've reissued every three months. It seems to me if you can prove with US tax receipts that you have for the past five years earned $20,000. per year with your free lance work, you would be allowed in, but I'm not an attorney. You should visit first before moving permanently to any new country.
I suggest you find the Costa Rica forum on this website and ask your question there if CR appeals to you.

-Bettye

PanamaJackie
  7/26/2015 21:16 EST

Give Panama a try. You can stay in the country 6 months without getting a visa. Then just do a border ho to costa rica for a day ( a 1 hour drive from my house). then you have another 6 months.

If you decide to get a visa, the Friendly Nations visa would be idea because you do not need to show any lifetime income.

It is a small country but packed with plenty of potential and diversity!

If you like the beach areas, there are two oceans, the Pacific and the Atlantic/Caribbean.

If you prefer spring like weather year round, the mountains towns will suit you best.

Either way, you are about an house from either the beaches or the mountains so you have the best of both worlds!

Several areas have a higher concentration of expats so English is widely spoken. And there are even internet marketing groups which meet monthly. Lots of networking ops.

And lots of biz ops tooy.

Let me know if you need more details
jackie!panamarelocationtours.com

Jackie

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