A Better Life for Half the Price - 2nd Edition: How to thrive on less money in the cheapest places to live

Tim checks back in with expats regularly for updated information which is part of what makes this book so valuable. I've gotten several copies, and while my plans may not involve a total move, I keep my options open. Also, anyone I know who is thinking about becoming an expat, I refer this book to them.I've always enjoyed how Tim works very hard to provide updated information for this very fluid situation which shifts as policies, politics and people change all over the world. There is no permanent single book- because next year the visa requirement may change, or the cost of living may go up or down dramatically (Argentina, anyone). Tim's hard work pays off because every few years he's out fact checking, and the best location five years ago may not be today's. So if you're thinking of becoming an ex-pat, this is your book. You can also sign up for regular calls so that you can get first hand and more personal updates.The cost to get one every couple of years is minor compared to all the work you're saved with this research. Highly recommended. I may yet move overseas, and if I get to that point this is the book I will use to help me make that decision.

I bought Tim Leffel's A Better Life for Half the Price (2nd Edition) because I am at a transitional stage in my life, and I am exploring my options. Even though my primary home is paid off, and I am financially independent, there is nothing holding me at my present location, and nothing is off the table. Like Tim, I am a travel writer, but stuck at home during a global pandemic, I found BLHP a great escape read. That said, it was not a quick read. I took my time, digesting and dreaming of what it might be like to actually live in the many countries detailed in the book (Portugal, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Mexico made my shortlist). Many countries that didn't make my potential expat list, however, were highlighted as future travel destinations. Tim's expertise is drawn from his personal experiences traveling to many of these countries, intense research, and interviews with on-the-ground expats. The reporting is balanced, revealing the pros and cons of living in each country, and a wealth of resources for living abroad are included to assist readers with exploring on their own. If you think expat life is an option you want to consider, BLHP is a great place to start!

Lots of useful financial specifics. I wish there was more discussion about the cultures.

I'm curious about the world, and have only seen a limited amount of it. I bought this for my son who will be traveling the world soon, but I decided to read it first. As a curious person, I really enjoyed it. There was something about reading about the details of living in these countries, and the insights and nuances that the very experienced author provided from his own experiences and from those of others in various countries, that made this really interesting to me. I really enjoyed learning more about what it would be like living day-to-day in various countries around the world. Perhaps this book may spark some real interest in at least a short-term international move once our nest empties out in a few years. Surprisingly enticing countries from this book, for me, were Albania, Panama, and Argentina. All with their pluses and often unique minuses. The #1 thing I picked up from this book, as an American, was jealousy for the much, much lower health care costs in many of these countries that otherwise have quality healthcare.

The book isn’t available in electronic form and I have no intentions of scanning the thing page by page in order to compile my own. I hate having to handle a paperback, especially in bed at night when I’d like to keep the lights turned out so that my spouse can sleep as I continue to read. Additionally, it’s much easier to find things you’ve highlighted in an electronic text than it is to flip page by page through a physical book.My only other complaint has to do with the lack of white space in the book. The lines of text are too densely stacked on top of each other for my tastes, and there are no graphics or pictorial illustrations of the places he writes about, which one might expect in a book of this nature.All in all, though, he does an excellent job of providing the kind of information one might need when deciding to migrate to another country. Place your toilet paper in a trashcan rather than flush it? That’s a no go for me.

Friends looking into retiring in Costa Rica shared their copy of Tim's book and we were so intrigued we purchased our own copy. I'm so glad we did! Tims personal experience is peppered with stories of other expats, and I appreciate that he covers the pros and cons, from the perspective of someone of a Westernized background who is interested in immersing in, not just exploiting of, different countries and cultures. We have been so inspired by both the content in Tim's book and his other online editorials, we have booked a trip for a reconnaissance mission to central Mexico this year. Highly recommend to those who are well traveled and those who wish they were!

Very good content. You feel a sense of trust when reading this, particularly given the vast experience Tim has, and continues to gather from his world travels. As an expat, I think this is a must read. On its own, its not going to be a “decide for me” type of thing, but rather its a guide that will bolster your knowledge of the country you want to move to, plus it gives you key things to consider, and talks about elements to educate and build-up confidence when deciding where, when, and how to implement your plans. I learned a lot from this book, and have now personally fIeld verified it. Great resource.

The information is current, unbiased, offers the pro and cons, well written and organized. Buy it.

This book is terrific - an essential resource for shortlisting countries, regions and cities if you're planning to build a new life abroad. The author writes from first-hand knowledge of having lived in multiple countries, and uses a really good matrix - of liveability, connectivity, etc. - to help readers rank potential countries in terms of their wants and needs. I bought the original edition some years ago and was delighted to see the new, updated edition come out. I've even bought it as a gift for friends, to get them dreaming and planning too!

After following Tim's blog for over a year, I got to thinking, maybe this was for me. I don't have a lot of money in my retirement accounts and my pension income is not nearly what I used to earn. So I bought the book and hoped I might get an idea or two that sparked my interest!Whoa! This book is chock-a-block full of information, ideas, tips, and literally, everything you need to know to narrow down your choices of where to visit or relocate to. Rental rates, food costs, visa conditions, pros, cons. It's all there and for less than a couple of cups of some fancy coffee where you're living now! An idea or two doesn't even come close to describing just how impressed I am.5 out of 5 stars from me!P.S. the editor in me keeps finding typos but really, they don't detract in the least from the stellar info. Just sayin'