Millions of Americans are fleeing the U.S.

A recent article in the June issue of the International Living Magazine  talks about how Costa Rica has become a popular retirement destination.  

It’s true. According to an in-depth investigation by Money magazine, “250,000 Americans are leaving the country for good every year. And millions more are seriously considering it.” Why? To be blunt, many people can no longer afford to retire in the U.S. and keep their lifestyle. Real estate prices, the cost of living, health care coverage costs, and gas and utility bills…are all going through the roof. And the ever-shrinking dollar has just multiplied the pain.
 
But as millions of people are discovering, you can make your goal of a simpler and better life a reality. There are places where you can still own your own town home or beach house outright—and enjoy appreciation of 20%…40%…60% per year…
 
For almost 30 years International Living has scoured the globe to identify real estate markets that offer investors the opportunity for strong returns…
 
Every real estate market has a trend. Identify it, commit to it, ride it upward…and that’s money in the bank. Here at International Living, our track record speaks for itself…
 
In 1984, IL first recommended the southern coast of Spain…in 1987, Acapulco…in 1992, Roatan, Honduras. The value of properties in these locations rose more than 800%.
 
In 1991, International Living recommended the Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye off the coast of Belize. Back then you could have picked up a quarter-acre beachfront lot for $35,000 or less. A decade later, the same lot would have cost you at least $150,000.
 
We called prime oceanview city condos in Panama City a good buy at $120 per square foot in late 2004. Now they sell for $350 per square foot.
 
As you can see, we know what we are doing when we focus on a trend. Which brings me to the point of this report and probably your next question…what countries are we endorsing right now?
 
You might be shocked to find out that we’re betting on Costa Rica right now. And yes, we know this is like telling someone that beachfront property in Southern California is suddenly affordable again.
 
Everyone, including IL, once thought Costa Rica was thoroughly discovered…over-priced…yesterday’s news. That’s why we were astonished to see this country turn things around and get back onto our real estate radar.
 
When the U.S. economy took its recent nosedive, property markets suffered in several Latin American countries. In Costa Rica, however, real estate prices generally remained strong.
 
In March 1997 we took Costa Rica off our recommended list. Twelve years later, in June 2009, Costa Rica back on our list of Top Retirement Havens.
 
Yes, after 12 years off our list of affordable opportunities for profit, IL has discovered that there is an unknown—and still affordable—side to one of the world’s most coveted overseas retirement destinations.