see here how everything, lead up to this day

   

4000 ISLANDS IN THE MEKONG RIVER, DON DET, LAO

 
     This past year, I have been doing research in preparation for my upcoming move abroad. Not much information exists, unless you are a wealthy American looking to live the American life in another country. This blog is a way to share what I have learned about moving to a foreign country, with the goal being to live like the locals. I have chosen to maintain an address, drivers license, and bank account, in America. This is not a requirement, this is my personal choice. I have a will, living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare, and cremation authorization, available if ever needed. I think these are a good idea for any traveler, especially for those looking to live someplace other than their homeland.

     Americans can live anywhere in the world as long as they want, without returning to America after a certain time. Unlike some countries, there is no requirement of periodically returning to America to maintain citizenship. Unless one was to renounce American citizenship and accept another countries passport, an American retains citizenship. I renewed my American passport and was able to get a 52-page passport, rather than the standard 26-page, both costing the same. This is excellent for travelers who fill pages quickly. My standard passport filled three years before expiring, and instead of getting extra pages put in it for 82$, I got a new larger one for 110$, expiring in ten years. This is the passport renewal fee, not the fee to get one’s first passport.

     When I reach American retirement age, I can apply for social security benefits online anywhere, and have monthly deposits put in any financial institution in the world. I do not have to live in America to receive benefits, and benefits do not have to be deposited into an American bank. Concerning the death of an American citizen abroad, this is a relatively straightforward process. The country where an American citizen dies, sends their passport and any remaining personal effects, to the nearest American embassy. The embassy sends a death notice to the personal contact on the deceased’s passport, and the standard death process ensues. This is much easier if one has registered with the nearest American embassy, a choice, not a requirement.

     I have learned what is needed to move abroad, and have purchased a one-way ticket for february 1, 2013. This will give me time to receive my tax forms and file my 2012 taxes before I leave. I have gotten rid of my material posessions, and will leave nothing in storage in America. With a small backpack, a small duffle bag, and my laptop, I am ready to go. A Nigerian folk saying I like is:

                     THE DAY ON WHICH ONE STARTS OUT, IS NOT THE TIME TO START ONE'S PREPARATION

VIEW OF HALONG BAY, VIETNAM, FROM CAT BA ISLAND