Expats and PT

What does one do when the government where they live has become intolerably oppressive. Unless everyone else in that same area is willing to throw out that oppressive government, which is very unlikely, there is only one thing to do: leave and go somewhere one can enjoy the particular freedoms their life demands.

That may mean only moving to another city, or another state, or another country. There are some countries in this world that are as near to completely free as one can imagine, but most of those have other shortcomings a truly civilized individual would find too limiting. To achieve one’s own required level of freedom may not require moving to some exotic tropical island. Some Americans and Brits have found that Canada, in spite of its socialist bent, offers them just the degree of freedom their life requires.

Expats and Permanent Travelers

In the permanent article, “Making Yourself Free,“I describe PTs as “permanent travelers,” or “permanent tourists,” as the concept of “not being legally a permanent resident or citizen anywhere.” The difference between an expat and a PT is that an expat looks for freedom in a new country to escape the oppression of the government of his own country; a PT looks for freedom from the oppression of all governments by not being a citizen or resident of any.

Neither the expat or PT method of establishing one’s own freedom will fit everyone’s own requirements for individual freedom, but for those who must separate themselves from an oppressive government, one of these may be the method.

The links below can provide information useful to those pursuing or considering either the expat or PT route to freedom. They are only provided for information. Please be very cautious about anything these sites provide, and before spending any money or making any decisions, make your own investigation of these things.

Expat or PT?

Perhaps to help you decide if either of these options is for you, these two articles, one from Doug Casey at Casey Research and the other from offshore manual can help you think about these possibilities.

“Ten Benefits of Expatriation.”

PT -The Perpetual Traveler [Not the best writing, but some good concepts.]

Almost Anywhere

The following sites provided an almost exhaustive source of information for present and potential expats, for almost anyplace on earth.

• escape artist, magazine & website.—”Living overseas, international real estate, overseas retirement, asset protection, overseas jobs,” but has many other resources.

• Expatnetwork—”Expats are a unique and resourceful community whose needs are addressed ….and often met…. by the Expat Network Team. This expat portal will become invaluable in your overseas career—whether looking for community, career, contract or financial information—and a firm favourite (we hope) while you relax with your family and friends. We cover every eventuality, the good stuff and the bad.” Obviously dedicated to those who are already expats, for those contemplating that possibility this site can provide insight into both what the experience will be like and what the possibilities are.

• International Living—”The idea of living a happier, more fulfilling, more prosperous life offshore still strikes many people as a radical idea simply because they don’t have the whole story.” This is a nearly exhaustive research site for those contemplating any kind of travel or international activity. [Note: The link is to the International Living Bookstore. Click the “internationalliving.com” link in the left-hand upper corner to get to the home page.]

• Just Landed—”Moving abroad or already living, working or studying in a foreign country? Just Landed offers information and services for expatriates - making your expat life easier, cheaper and generally more enjoyable.”

• LivingOffshore—”Living Offshore has a simple belief: We believe you can experience more opportunity … more economic freedom … more liberty … a better quality of life … when you live outside of the United States.”

• nomad4ever—”Life is what you make it!” the site says. It has two or three articles each month about some of the more popular expat destinations including: Australia, Bali, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Both practical information (like visas) and local social and cultural information is made available. You’ll have to look for it though.

• offshorewave.com—”offshorewave.com is a web site that is dedicated to making available to you information about cost of living offshore, relocating offshore, finding travel destinations offshore, searching for a job offshore, buying real estate offshore, or doing business offshore.” Includes worldwide directories for embassies and consulates, banks, universities, travel and accommodations, international dialing codes, newspapers, hospitals, yellow pages, Internet service providers, maps, courier and cargo services, and overseas living and expatriate blogs—all listed by country. Also, real estate listings for almost every country in the world.

• Sovereign Man—Avoid This One is run by Simon Black, an, “international investor, entrepreneur, permanent traveler, free man. This free daily e-letter is about using the experiences from my life and travels to help you achieve more freedom.”

PT Sites

The following links are dedicated to resources for those choosing the Permanent Traveler route to freedom. Use with caution.

These sites assume a permanent traveler will be traveling to different countries, but that may not be necessary at all. There are PTs living in the use with no permanent address. Some live in different cities for different parts of a year. Some others are truly permanent travelers, living in mobile motorhomes or trailers, and some make their homes on boats.

• PtClub—Uses exactly the same PT description as the “offshore manual” described above and comes with the same warning from me.

• Q Wealth Report—”We empower our members with the know-how and the nuts and bolts necessary to keep your affairs private, preserve your wealth, and let it blossom in a secure environment away from taxation and government interference!” (Note their very different take on PT.)

Expat Sites

These sites all describe themselves as dedicated to expats. There are many others, but these seem to be the most useful. Always willing to entertain suggestions, nowever.

You might question why I include “Not Recommended” sites. It is because they a ubiquitous, and you are very likely to run across them on your own. I include them as a warning—not everything is as advertised.

• Contact Expats—I have not used this site. It is supposedly a way for expats to communicate with each other. May be good for some. Their links page may be useful.

• Expatnetwork—Especially for those looking for work as expats.

• Expat Shanghai—Obviously dedicated to expats in Shanghai.

• ExpatsCZ—Dedicated to expats in the Czech Republic.

• EXPAT WORLD—Not Recommended! (Apparently another version or part of “offshore manual” discussed above.)

• Freebooter, The—Offers some real, if somewhat radical, solutions to offshore investment and privacy, especially for the PT type freedom seeker.

• genXpats—”The ultimate resource site for the new generation of young, single, internationally mobile professionals—GenXpats. This is the place to learn more about living and working abroad, get support when the going gets tough, and connect with other GenXpats.”

• Live and Invest Overseas—Definitely worth researching. Info on lots of countries others neglect.

• Orient Expat (And Occident Expat)—For expats to all parts of the Orient. Both the “Country Guides” and “Country Forums” may be useful. The Occident Expat is for expats from the orient.