| Many of us dream of relocating to another country, | | | | my time writing and researching. I'm also a Country |
| perhaps to enjoy warmer weather, perhaps to | | | | Contact for American Citizens Abroad, representing |
| experience a slower-paced lifestyle, perhaps because | | | | the Switzerland-based non-profit organization in Nova |
| of a job transfer, or maybe simply because we are | | | | Scotia.I have always been a so-called man of the |
| intrigued by a certain element of adventure and | | | | world, and don't believe there is any single "best" |
| curiosity.While moving to another country may sound | | | | country, but rather believe in reaping the unique |
| like an exciting proposition, it is a very serious | | | | benefits that each nation has to offer.2. You are an |
| decision with major ramificiations, and there are many | | | | expert on living and retiring in various regions, including |
| factors to take into account in making this decision.I | | | | Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, Panama and Cuba. Please |
| had a chance to talk with Phillip Townsend, author of | | | | tell us about how you became an expert on these |
| the e-Book, Passport to Canada: The Complete Guide | | | | topics.In addition to my experience living abroad and |
| to Living & Retiring in Nova Scotia, and special | | | | traveling widely, over the years, I have dedicated my |
| e-Reports of living and retiring in Panama, the | | | | life to international living, conducting extensive |
| Caribbean and Cuba. For more information, visit: | | | | research and advising hundreds of clients on every |
| Please tell us about yourself and your background.As | | | | aspect of moving abroad and strategic planning |
| an American who had a teenage fascination with | | | | (offshore personal and financial issues). I've assisted |
| Asian culture, after high school, I got a part-time job, | | | | people from all walks of life with moves to over |
| saved my money and purchased a one-way ticket to | | | | sixty countries and six continents.3. Please tell us |
| Taiwan, Republic of China. After arriving in the Far | | | | about living, retiring, travelling and investing in Nova |
| East, I taught English and eventually landed an | | | | Scotia. What makes Nova Scotia a great destination |
| internship with SIDA, a German-based global risk | | | | for expatriate or retirement living?Nova Scotia is the |
| consulting firm. After working as an intern and | | | | type of place that can seduce you through its sheer |
| completing an extensive training program, my work | | | | natural beauty: The long stretches of picturesque |
| took me to 13 East Asian countries, where I assisted | | | | coastline, a beatiful countryside, friendly people and a |
| corporate and government clients with international | | | | slower pace and reasonable prices make it one of |
| research and other consulting projects.After returning | | | | the most livable places in Canada or anywhere in |
| to the United States, I opened and ran the firm's U.S. | | | | North America. The climate is another plus. In many |
| office until the company went out of business | | | | places in Nova Scotia, winters can be much milder |
| several years later. Afterwards, my career shifted | | | | (with less snow) than in other places in Canada or |
| and I began writing freelance and consulting | | | | the northern US. Also, Nova Scotia enjoys a low |
| independently, Later, I was hired as stringer | | | | crime rate, with incidents of violent crime being |
| (correspondent) for Money magazine, America's | | | | remarkably low. Perhaps the most appealing benefit |
| leading personal finance monthly. After leaving, I | | | | of living in Nova Scotia are the affordable real estate |
| wrote a biweekly international lifestyle Q&A column | | | | prices (some lots with ocean views can be had for |
| for the International Employment Gazette, which also | | | | as little as C$20,000).4. Please inform us about living, |
| appeared monthly in Industrial Tradesman magazine. I | | | | travelling and investing in Dominica. What should one |
| have assisted the governments of Sri Lanka and | | | | know about living and retiring to this beautiful island in |
| Ethiopia on promoting tourism and trade (and was | | | | the Caribbean?With no direct flights from North |
| considered for an official diplomatic post with the | | | | America or Europe, Dominica is welcome retreat of |
| latter). My articles and other writings have appeared | | | | peace and quiet in the Caribbean's sea of mass |
| in publications as diverse as GQ, the San Francisco | | | | tourism. Roughly halfway between Martinique and |
| Chronicle and Expat World.Currently, I spend most of | | | | Guadeloupe, the island is splendidly underdeveloped. |