Congratulations! You’ve made up your mind to go expat. Your expat status is imminent. But there’s still a looming question repeating itself in the back of your mind. “What do I need to know that I don’t already know about expat living?” There’s only one answer. Read to succeed. Then write a book based on your own personal experience.

SMS

Read Expat Books

This was my advice to John and Jessica. John Ellington and Jessica Horne met in Ecuador during a college study program abroad. Three kids and twenty-one years later, they’re acting on their dream of moving abroad. John says once they started a family, he doubted they would ever make it happen. But Jessica’s desire to raise their kids outside the U.S. grew stronger as their middle child entered school.  This year the Ellingtons decided to place their family home on the market. They knew the real estate sign in the yard would be the catalyst to focus them on the move. John and Jess spent their honeymoon in Ecuador. And they vacationed several times throughout the years in Central America. They fell in love with the Latin lifestyle and culture.  They had no doubt they wanted to move to Central or South America. But like all soon-to-be expats, their minds were bombarded with questions. “Where’s the best place to rent or invest? How do we go about buying property? How can we grow our income?”

The Expat Learning Curve

John and Jess sensed they were facing a big expat learning curve. Investment incentives, education, cost of living, health care, residency and visa requirements were all crucial elements. Where could they find the answers? Who could help guide them to expat status? In his search for answers, John stumbled across Viva Tropical’s free eBook, Pay Dirt. Drawn there by the Adventure Colony Lifestyle in Panama, John had uncovered the expert expat advice he was so desperate for. But still the overriding question loomed: “What else do I need to know about expat living?” So, I referred John and Jess to expat interviews with expats on the ground in Panama. And I pulled together this list of expat guides and handbooks (which you can see on Pinterest)  that all potential expats should find helpful.

Pete

8 Expert Expat Books You Must Read

These are based on real-life expat experiences. They cover issues and concerns that confront all expats in their move abroad.

1. The Expert Expatriate: Your Guide to Relocation Abroad

This book tells you pretty much everything you need to know about relocating abroad. Melissa Hess and Patricia Linderman detail what to do before the move, during the move, and how to settle in.

2. Retirement Without Borders: How to Think About Retiring Abroad–in Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Panama, and Other Sunny, Foreign Places

Author Barry Golson knows a lot about retiring in foreign places. He and his wife have lived in six beautiful countries. His how-to-guide covers major expat issues like health care, finances, real estate, taxes, and immigration. You’ll get the facts from Barry and his team of resident expat writers who now call these foreign countries “home.”

3. Living and Retiring in Cuenca: 101 Questions Answered

A soon-to-be Cuenca, Ecuador expat describes this book as an “invaluable resource.” He writes: “Connie has taken the information that has taken me over a year to gather and distilled it into a well-organized and enjoyable read.” Perhaps you know nothing about why Cuenca is called the “Emerald of South America.” Or maybe you know exactly why it’s a new hotspot for expat living. Either way you’ll benefit from the Q&A.

4. Costa Rica Chica

One reader described this book as “just plain fun reading.” She says the author “did a great job of bringing the reader right into their lives in Dallas, their process of deciding whether or not to move, and then their actual move.” In her early 40’s, Jen Seymour quit her job and sold everything. She and her husband, Greg, packed 9 suitcases and headed for Costa Rica to retire early and simplify their life. Find out how they did it and why they’re so happy they made the move.

5. The Gringo Guide to Panama

Business executive and world traveler Elizabeth Vance relocated to Central America in 2008. Elizabeth introduces you to the realities of expat life in Panama. Find out What to Know Before You Go (Book 1) and what More to Know Before You Go (Book 2).

6. Third Culture Kids, Revised Edition: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds

Some say this book explains exactly how they feel. A book about living your formative years outside your birth country. David Pollock will enlighten you and your kids about the emotional tolls of expat life on children. Learn how moving abroad impacts personal development and identity.

7. Here We Are There We Go–Teaching and Traveling with Kids in Tow

Jill Dobbe’s travel memoir details the trials and tribulations of traveling abroad with kids. Overseas educators Jill and Dan (and their young kids) travelled, lived, and worked in over 25 countries over 10 years, including a remote Pacific island and Africa. Their return to the U.S. with teenagers is living proof it can be done.

8.The Grown-Up’s Guide to Running Away from Home: Making a New Life Abroad

In this guide for mid-life adults moving abroad, Roseanne Knorr provides detailed advice on topics like how to choose a destination, finances, and maintaining family relations stateside. Access interviews with other expats and gain the courage to chase the overseas adventure you’re hungry for.

If you haven’t yet chosen your destination, you’ll want to subscribe to receive the Viva Tropical eBook, Top 50 Places, coming soon. This new expert expat book will provide information on how to choose a destination, cost of living and finances, international health care, and working abroad. Meanwhile, visit the Viva Tropical Book Store for more recommended expert expat books. And I wish you all the best for your expat journey!