Hi, Tom,
Funny you should mention that...
There are several threads in this forum on exactly that subject. It may be tedious but worthwhile to go back through the list of threads and find them.
Several of our regulars live in Thailand, a couple in Costa Rica, one in Italy, etc., and have much to say on the subject. Billy and Akaisha, regulars here, are perpetual tourists who wrote a book on the subject.
There is a lot elsewhere on-line, too, but you have to go searching for it. Try a few of these links:
http://www.retireearlylifestyle.com/orderpage.htm
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/5315/
http://www.internationalliving.com/
http://www.escapeartist.com/
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/ retirement overseas comes up every so often
http://www.mexconnect.com/
http://www.mazinfo.com/
Yahoo also has a feature called Groups, which is a collection of discussion groups among which are many dedicated to living/retiring in another country. Be aware that many of these groups and links have an agenda--selling real estate or grow-teak/noni/jojoba-in-someplace-that-has-no-fraud-laws. Read for entertainment but do your research.
There are books on the subject, too (most on Mexico, not surprisingly). John Howells wrote "Choose Mexico" and "Choose Costa Rica" and updated them from time to time. He also has a web site with a discussion group.
Many countries do not tax money earned elsewhere (SS, pension, investments, etc.). Although this changes (Costa Rica may be off the list by now), I believe that Mexico, Panama and Uruguay are among them.
There is a lot out there on the subject. You have to hunt for it, though.
Enjoy!
Ed
