Amazon.com
Looking to live somewhere where houses are cheap? Head to Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa, where the average home costs $75,700, and annual property taxes for that home are about $960. Perhaps a good job market is a higher priority. In that case, pick Phoenix, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada; or Riverside, California, as they top the list of places projected to have the highest-percentage increase in new jobs by 2005. Most of those jobs, by the way, are expected to have above-average pay. This and other detailed information can be found in the sixth edition of Places Rated Almanac, a helpful resource for people thinking of relocating as well as those with a desire to learn about cities and towns. Metropolitan areas are rated in nine categories: costs of living, job outlook, transportation, education, health care, crime, the arts, recreation, and climate. But don't go looking for statistics on Podunk--the focus remains on 354 metro areas, metro defined as a city or urbanized population of at least 50,000, located in a county with a total population of at least 100,000.
Places Rated is laced with intelligent and, unexpectedly, witty writing. The whole concept of judging places, the author notes, may seem the utmost of brass. "Yet everyone does it, privately. Some suspect that culture in Omaha or Des Moines or Saskatoon is a contradiction. Others surmise that daily life in Miami consists of surviving drug-trade shoot-outs..." Organized intelligently, Places Rated acknowledges that "livability" and "quality of life" are moving targets. Livable for whom? The artist who wants mountain vistas? The entrepreneur who wants low taxes and no red tape? With these limitations in mind, the book ends with a chapter titled "Putting It All Together," where the reader is invited to rate cities with a customized list of priorities. Arriving at your customized list, however, requires answering 72 questions that force you to decide once and for all what you value most--a low cost of living or good school districts or mild winters or some other criterion. And should you find that climate matters most, head for Santa Barbara, California, where winters and summers are mild and natural hazards are few, and stay away from Rochester, Minnesota, unless you're willing to endure 35 days when it's 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and 165 days of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, annually. --John Russell
Book Description
This blockbuster best-seller makes headlines coast to coast with its candid, fascinating look at all the factors that contribute to our quality of life. Sometimes controversial and always thought-provoking, Places Rated has been completely updated with the latest statistics. It's packed with timely facts and unbiased information on more than 350 metro areas in North America.Whether you're mulling over the idea of relocating, trying to decide where to start out, or just curious about how your hometown stacks up, you'll be intrigued by Places Rated Almanac. Places Rated ranks each metropolitan area on a number of essential factors, many of which are of vital interest in today's economy. They include:
- Job markets
- Cost of living
- Housing costs
- Educational standards
- Quality of public transportation
- Health care
- Recreational facilities
- Crime rates
- Environmental factors
- Climate
Easy-to-use charts help readers put this wealth of information to work to find the places that best suit their special needs and interests. Packed with unbiased, reliable and up-to-date information, this one-of-a-kind guide offers something to amuse or intrigue on every page. Newly redesigned this year with a two-color interior!
Customer Reviews:
Version 2000.......2007-03-12
Even the older editions give you a lot of valuable information.
I highly recommend it.
Extremely helpful tool in relocating.......2007-02-13
We used this book when we lived in New York and decided we wanted to relocate "somewhere else." It was extremely useful in narrowing the choices to places that had attributes that were most important to us, which in our case were things such as cost of living, weather, education, healthcare. It also offers a ton of info on other factors such as public transportation, the arts, employment, etc.
The book included a "quiz" you can give yourself, the answers to which will help you reveal to yourself which factors are in fact the most relevant to you.
In reading some of the other reviews, I must point out that relocating is not something you base upon a book alone. It was a great reference point, but once we narrowed our choices to several areas, we then did more specific research on those areas via the internet, sending for info from Chambers of Commerce, making phone calls, in-person visits, etc.
We ended up moving south and are extremely happy in our new area. In researching our new region, we found that many other people around here are also "transplants," thereby eliminating the aspect of feeling "foreign" in our new home town.
Definitely an excellent resource I would recommend to anyone considering relocating.
A city may be "great on paper" but beware! .......2004-07-23
These books are full of extremely helpful information, but I warn my fellow readers to take a place's culture into account before making a life-changing move. The books will not help you here. My husband and I bought a previous edition of Places Rated and devoured it while looking for a place to relocate from Los Angeles. We settled on a southern capital that seemed to have everything going for it, including consistently high rankings in Places Rated and every other city ranking we could find. Unfortunately, a city that looks great on paper may not be the place for you. Despite having lived in several states, we were unprepared for the surprising difficulties we experienced as "yankees" living in the south. From petty social and work discrimination to routinely being screwed over by one business after another hired to work on our home or car, etc., it became evident that we were identified as "yankees" on sight and treated accordingly. So much for southern hospitality! I assure you that we did our best to fit in and make friends, as we have successfully done in every other region of the country. After 2-1/2 years of this, we sold our home for a loss and got our "unsweet tea" out of there. Perhaps we were naive, not realizing that the yankee business is still such a potent issue in the south, but we will make future relocation choices with this experience in mind.
The best book of its kind........2003-12-28
It's tough to read a book of someone's opinions on where to live as its really a heartfelt decision each person needs to make for themselves. But most of this book is straight statistics, such as weather and crime. The book is big and leaves enough room for each metro area so you can read the climate graphs without too much eyestrain. It's the best book on deciding where to move that I found. I took tons of notes from this book, and it actually helped me pick an entirely new place to live than the ones I had originally thought of! The only section I didn't like was the arts and culture section. I'm into the artsy scene, but the authors rated cities based on number of symphonies and orchestras and operas - who goes to these anymore??
Love this book.......2002-08-17
This book is just great. I have bought every retirement-places-rated type of book that I can get my hands on and this author is by far the best. The millennium edition is twice as big as the last edition and every subject is covered that anyone would want to know about an area; cost of living, transportation, jobs, education, climate, crime, the arts, health care, recreation. I can't wait for the next edition to come out! We're not retiring any time soon so it's helpful to really be able to study and evaluate where we are going to want to retire.
Book Description
Praise for previous editions of The State of Working America "The State of Working America remains unrivaled as the most-trusted source for a comprehensive understanding of how working Americans and their families are faring in today's economy."-Robert B. Reich
"It is the inequality of wealth, argue the authors, rather than new technology (as some would have it), that is responsible for the failure of America's workplace to keep pace with the country's economic growth. The State of Working America is a well-written, soundly argued, and important reference book."-Library Journal
"If you want to know what happened to the economic well-being of the average American in the past decade or so, this is the book for you. It should be required reading for Americans of all political persuasions."-Richard Freeman, Harvard University "A truly comprehensive and useful book that provides a reality check on loose statements about U.S. labor markets. It should be cheered by all Americans who earn their living from work."-William Wolman, chief economist, CNBC's Business Week "The State of Working America provides very valuable factual and analytic material on the economic conditions of American workers. It is the very best source of information on this important subject."-Ray Marshall, University of Texas, former Secretary of Labor
"An indispensable work . . . on family income, wages, taxes, employment, and the distribution of wealth."-Simon Head, The New York Review of Books "No matter what political camp you're in, this is the single most valuable book I know of about the state of America, period. It is the most referenced, most influential resource book of its kind."-Jeff Madrick, author, The End of Affluence "This book is the single best yardstick for measuring whether or not our economic policies are doing enough to ensure that our economy can, once again, grow for everybody."-Richard A. Gephardt "The best place to review the latest developments in changes in the distribution of income and wealth."-Lester Thurow
The State of Working America, prepared biennially since 1988 by the Economic Policy Institute, includes a wide variety of data on family incomes, wages, taxes, unemployment, wealth, and poverty-data that enable the authors to closely examine the effect of the economy on the living standards of the American people.
Customer Reviews:
the hobo philosopher.......2007-06-27
This book is exactly what I wanted. I'm a part-time journalist writing for a small town newspaper and I like numbers. Nothing is better than a percentage or a statistic to support your story. This book has them all and an explanation to support their accuracy or inaccuracy. It is a great tool. It is a must for anyone who wants to know "The State of Working America" - which I do.
Change Is Needed Now and Here's Why.......2007-04-30
If you can wade your way through the statistics, this book is enlightening and edifying, often sad. The commentary and interpretation help clarify the wealth of information. It graphically illustrates that nothing has changed after all these years of hope and promises for change: the rich keep getting richer, the poor keep getting poorer, poverty is endemic to our tired, unimaginative economic system, etc., etc., etc.
This book caused me to re-read Kevin Phillips' book "The Politics of Rich and Poor," published in 1990. It provides statistical and anecdotal evidence of the negative effects of Reagan-omics on our social system, much as Bush-enomics has. I even went farther back and re-read Michael Harrington's "The Other America," the seminal, monumental book of its time in 1962 about poverty in America.
These books along with so many others make you ask, as we've asked so many times, "When will it ever change?" I guess making people aware of the problem, although it's readily apparent in everyday life, is the place to start. These books, representing 45 years of rhetoric, make you agonizingly aware that things have gone nowhere but down. So, read all of them.
Book Description
Had enough?
Whether you find the government oppressive, the economy spiraling out of control, or if you simply want adventure, you're not alone. In increasing numbers, the idea is talked about openly: Expatriate.
Over three hundred thousand Americans emigrate each year, and more than a million go to foreign lands for lengthy stays.
But picking up and moving to another country feels like a step into the void. Where to go? How to begin? What to do?
Volume 2 of the Process Self-Reliance Series, this smartly designed two-color guidebook walks you through the world of the expat: the reasons, the rules, the resources, and the tricks of the trade, along with compelling stories and expertise from expatriate Americans on every continent.
Getting Out shows you where you can most easily gain residence, citizenship, or work permits; where can you live for a fraction of the cost of where you're living now; and what countries would be most compatible with your lifestyle, gender, age, or political beliefs.
So if you've had enough of what they're selling here and want to take your life elsewhere-well, isn't that the American way? At any rate, it's not illegal. Not yet, anyway.
Customer Reviews:
So Informative.......2007-05-17
This book was written so well. It covers everything you will need to know about getting out, most importantly, legal issues and taxation. The educated and intellectuals of America are smart enough to realize what is going on - and they are GETTING OUT.
All the info........2007-03-07
I spent a couple of weeks just skipping through different parts of this book, and I don't regret it. It's like cruising through a buffet of food that you really like. Then I sat down and read it cover to cover. I learned a lot, I appreciated the many web resources that it presented, and I am much more prepared for my future move. A good tool for those of us that love our country, deplore our government, and need the best chance at survival for us and our families.
Very well done........2007-02-24
This was an incredibly fun book to read. I agree with other reviewers - this book covers a lot without going too deep in any one thing. But it does contain several references to outside sources which have more information.
It is as much a motivational book as a how-to.
Also, I found some of the most useful information in here to be the many letters from people who had already made the jump and were living abroad.
A good place to start.......2007-01-25
The strength of this book is that it favors breadth rather than depth.
If you are thinking about leaving the US but don't really know where you'd like to go, or if you have a destination in mind but don't really know what you don't know about emigration, this book is for you. Getting Out covers the top 50 destinations for US expats, with information about the quality of health care, cost and standard of living, and social permissiveness. Also included are brief accounts of the experiences of expats living around the world. There is also good general information about the different pathways available to the potential expat.
Reading it will definately leave you with more questions than answers, since any comprehensive emigration/immigration guide to all the countries in the world would fill a small library. Getting Out will give you the basics and point you in the right direction to find more in-depth information. You won't find anything here that will help you decide to settle in one country over another, but it will help you either narrow your list or give you reason to consider some place you otherwise would not have.
Great place to Start.......2007-01-23
My boyfriend and I have been talking about moving out of the states, if just for a few years. I found this book to be very user friendly - it doesn't drag on with just the boring facts & it has a lot of real life examples from people who have moved out. It gives a ton of useful websites, and some information about each of the 50 countries that are most popular with expats. It was very enjoyable to read this book cover to cover.
Book Description
The key to successful business and travel in today's Mexico In Mexico, as everywhere, details of etiquette, culture, and protocol can make or break any business or social interaction. This fascinating and informative guide provides everything you need to develop a solid working knowledge of the Mexican people, their unique customs and values, and their distinct world view. You'll learn:
- How to talk to superiors and subordinates in the work-place, work with bureaucrats and officials, and schedule meetings
- Crucial information on family, gender roles, bureaucracy, religion, time, manners, dress and appearance, meals, work, and leisure
- Distinctions between rural and city life
- The fine points of body language, socializing, conversing, making friends, dining out, romance, and Mexican humor
- Insights into traditional Mexican mores and how they are changing in response to rapid modernization
If you are planning to live, visit, or do business in Mexico, here is a reference you cannot afford to be without.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Source.......2006-08-27
I traveled to Mexico with Dr. Heusinkveld as a participant on one of her study abroad trips to the city where she wrote the book. I soon found out that not only is the book a must read for anyone interested in visiting or doing business in Mexico, but that the information that was published over 10 years ago is still very accurate in much of the country.
The book is a very easy read and not long at all. Its small size is very deceptive because the book is crammed with information that one should not go without.
Do not travel to Mexico without this book.
Most valuable next to Spanish-English dictionary.......2005-11-15
I love this book, as much for its conciseness and economy of words as well as all the sensitively considered advice and invaluable tips.
Though it is a deceptively thin book, it seems to touch on all areas of likely concern to one who visits or moves to Mexico. I wouldn't travel to Mexico without it, now.
Inside Mexico.......2004-01-15
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED--should be required reading for every American so they have a better understanding of our neighbors to the south. I bought this when I first met my wife who is from Mexico. I found it very enlightening and worth every cent. It's easy to read since it is not in-depth, however, it is still very enlightening. It talks about real Mexico and real Mexicans--not the life and culture that surrounds resorts. It may need to be updated (10 years old) cause the youth in Mexico are greatly influenced by media (TV, movies, etc) today just as American youth are--however, it still provides great insight of where Mexicans are coming from.
OK if you've never been to Mexico..........2003-05-20
...but if you know anything at all about the culture or have visited non-tourist spots you probably know a lot of this stuff already. I'm looking for something more in-depth, so I didn't find this book very helpful.
There'd be less misunderstanding if more of us read this gem.......2003-04-24
I've read and re-read this short book, and it has helped me tremendously to understand Mexico and Mexicans. Their culture is different enough from ours that our habits don't always work.For example, in the chapter on manners, the author points out that people often thank shop clerks when leaving a store. I tried this on a recent trip and discovered that it could lead to enjoyable short conversations.
Published in 1994, I found it very timely in 2003.
Book Description
If you have always dreamed of living in Nicaragua and are ready to take that step of actually moving there, nowhere else will you find a book that accomplishes everything you need to know in a smart, organized, and straightforward manner. Joshua Berman and Randy Wood both left the U.S. to make homes in Nicaragua. With their expertise, you'll receive the information you need. This guide includes essential information on setting up your daily life, including getting visas, arranging finances, finding employment, obtaining education, and choosing health care. Also included is practical advice on how to rent or buy a home that fits your needs and budget and vivid descriptions highlighting the most desirable living locations. Berman and Wood share firsthand insight into navigating the language and culture. This guide is perfect for tourists, adventurers, high school and college students, teachers, professionals, families, couples and retirees. Also featured are color photos, black-and-white photos, illustrations, and maps.
Customer Reviews:
My Nicaraguan born relatives were consulting the book for information.......2007-09-24
I bought this book in anticipation of my week long Nicaraguan trip. It accompanied me throughout the trip and it was invaluable. Being a non Spanish speaker accompanying my Nicaraguan-born relatives on the trip, I found it funny that I was constantly being asked to look in my book to get information on where we should eat, where we were going and what certain rules were. I especially loved the sections on cultural norms. At 29 years old, I read these sections and thought, " So that's why my mom does that!" Especially the part where it says Nicaraguans point with their lips. My mom was the only person I knew who did that and the realization that there is a whole country of lip pointers was funny to learn about. Even if you are not going to live in Nicaragua, I highly recommend this book as a prerequisite before traveling there. Yeah, you may not care for certain sections dealing with home buying and obtaining visas but the parts that deal with describing certain areas and the maps provided are very helpful. A Great Buy!!
Much needed information.......2007-05-12
The info in this book is really helpful ... contains things you need to know but may not have thought to ask. It is easy to understand and is also entertaining. It's worth buying, especially if you're considering living in Nica.
Great Book on Expat life in Nicaragua.......2007-04-04
Moon Living Abroad in Nicaragua proved to be a wonderful resource as my family and I began to make our fanatasy of living (at least part-time) in Nicaragua a reality. The authors provide lots of details on daily life as well as extensive profiles of Nicaraguan cities and towns across the country. I most appreciated the diverse voices of the expat community that are included in this book. While both authors seem to have many years of experience living in Nicaragua between them, the additional perspectives increase the book's breadth. This book got me through a long winter in Seattle!
WINNER of the Best Place-Based Guidebook of 2006!.......2007-01-14
I'm pleased to announce that Moon Living Abroad in Nicaragua was voted the *Best Place-Based Guidebook of 2006* on the acclaimed eco-tourism website, Planeta.com:
http://www.planeta.com/planeta/06/0612bookoftheyear.html
"With essential information and practical advice on obtaining a visa, renting or buying a home, learning the language, and navigating daily life in Nicaragua, Moon Living Abroad in Nicaragua gives those dreaming of moving abroad the tools they need to actually make the move. This book is the ultimate ex-pat survival guide!"
Awesome book!!!!.......2006-12-31
This book provides PRICELESS information to those traveling to or planning on living in Nicaragua. Joshua & Randy have a way of describing the country and its' beautiful inhabitants with a charming mix of personal experience and important facts. I read the book about 2 weeks before my Nica trip and would have been a bit lost without the book- especially the section on cultural norms. Thanks for the book, gentleman. I highly reccomend it!
Book Description
Imagine living in Belize. Author Lan Sluder left his life as a newspaper editor to make a home there, and shows readers how to make their own dreams take shape. With Lan's expertise, future expats will get the information they need on visas, money, jobs, housing, health, language, culture, and history. Whether it's a thatched cabaña in Placencia, a jungle hideaway in the Cayo District, or a retreat in lively Ambergris Caye, there's a place that matches their budget, needs, and dreams. With Living Abroad in Belize, it's easy to make the dream become a reality.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2006-11-03
Mr Sluder seems very knowledgeable about every aspect of moving, living and getting along with the people of Belize. I found his book left nothing out about making a decision to move there. All that remains is taking a trip to the country and making up your own mind. I have been to Belize on vacation and found the country and people very pleasant. However, after reading the book I have decided to stay in the USA.
Hilarious!! The "Plan 9 From Outer Space" of travel books.......2006-07-04
This "travel book" is one of those rare items that crosses the line. It is so wretchedly bad, its really quite funny.
For those unfamiliar, the movie "Plan 9 From Outer Space", is widely regarded as the worse movie ever made. The parallels with this book are striking.
First off, forget the title "Living Abroad In Belize". It has absolutely nothing to do with the book itself. You have to admire the publisher and/or writer for not even attempting to build a story around the title. Instead, they ignore it completely, perhaps hoping no one notices.
Next the pictures, there are many throughout the book. While most travel books have professional pictures directly relating to the country, these appear to be someones vacation snapshots. You could enjoy yourself just browsing through these photos wondering "What were they thinking"
Finally the writing. What seems like an attempt to copy Mark Twain, is more reminiscent of articles found in the free Supermarket shoppers or the over the top language of diner menus.
I could go on, but don't want to give away too many details of this wacky, wierd and wonderful publication. Its more fun to discover them yourselves.
Bizarre is an understatement.......2006-05-02
After reading some of the following reviews, let me first state the following. I am not a part of any coordinated conspiracy against the author, nor do I know the author. I do not live in Belize, have no business interests there, and have only visited once. (in 2003 for a training seminar.)
With that being said, this book does not get a good rating. There is no ulterior motive against the author, but this book is not worth the money paid. I was at first disappointed when it became evident that "Living Abroad in Belize" had nothing to do with the title or even description. However as I read on, my opinion changed to this is one of the truly strange books I've ever encountered.
When I began reading, it was "Deja Vu all over again" The introduction was too familiar as were many of the articles. When I got to the story about a couple building a luxury resort in the jungle and all the problems they faced, I finally remembered where. They were from a book I read several years ago called "Belize Adapter Kit" by the same author, Lan Sluder. (I had purchased it in preparation for my 2003 visit.)
Basically "Living Abroad in Belize" is "Belize Adapter Kit" with a new title. The question is why? "Living Abroad" is advertised as "Author Lan Sluder left his life as a newspaper editor to make a home there". Clearly he did not. There is no story about a move, only many of the same listing of facts about Belize and people he says he met as in the previous "Adaptor Kit". So why have a new book saying you did "make a home there"? The original "Belize Adapter Kit" had useful information for someone thinking of moving to the country or living there for a short while. "Living Abroad" has nothing about what's its like to actually move, it's a simple guide book.
I'm left with several questions:
a]Why publish this under such a grossly misleading title? Is this a vanity book? Is the author actually trying to convince other people or himself that he is a Belize resident?
b] Can I get my money back?
c] What has Mr Sluder done to anger so many people? As one can ascertain from other reviews, there does seem to be a lot of "animosity" toward him. Thats quite an accomplishment by itself.
The One Star Reviews Are Utterly Bogus.......2006-02-22
I own land and a house in Belize and have been involved in Belize related business for many, many years. I also have many friends all over the country, including a close friend and business partner.
I am totally disappointed in the unfounded attacks I am reading here. It is no surprise several just offer a sentence or two and are not even "reviews" by any sense of the imagination. I have no doubt it is some sort of (co-ordinated?) personal animosity towards the author. I am not going to waste time reviewing the "reviews," I think most astute readers can see them for what they are - hateful trash.
This work is absolutely useful in relating information to anyone interested in moving to Belize or even doing business there on a regular basis. I can say this from many years of personal experience in Belize.
Lan covers large and small issues and provides very keen insight in business, cultural, and sociological areas. For instance, individuals meeting business partners or friends may be confused as to the relatively weak handshake compared to what most North Americans are used to. But that is just the Belize way. The book is filled with this kind of very helpful information that foreigners would never know.
Anyone that has used one of Lan's books or website knows that he is a serious student and friend of Belize. This book is another reflection of that.
The Real Belize.......2006-02-13
This is the title to my new book, not yet out. I have read lans, if there were ever a time for an honest look at Belize and the people that want to live, play, own or sell it. The time is now.
Book Description
Passionately written by authors who have taken the plunge themselves, the exciting new Adapter Kit series helps travelers extend their journey and live like the locals in select international destinations. Adapter Kit: Belize author Lan Sluder introduces the most scenic and interesting regions in the country, presents different housing options like thatched beachfront cabanas and small farms, and covers travel, transportation, and recreation possibilities.
Customer Reviews:
A disappointment.......2004-06-29
Based on the title, I had been hoping for something different, but found this little more than a glorified Tour Guide. Much of the information is the type shown in your standard Tourist Brochure or website, and I thought the overall tone a bit condescending.
A much better book for these purposes is "Inside Belize" by Tom Barry. It offers a well researched, in-depth view of the Belize economy, politics and culture.
Indispensable!.......2004-02-13
I've been to Belize many times and read most of the guide books available.
Although not technically a tour guidebook, it's suitable for that purpose, in addition to its stated goal.
And as for that, it's absoultely the best thing out there for anyone considering investing, working or living in Belize.
Lan loves Belize and its people but he gives you straight talk and advice, nothing is glossed over or ignored.
The book covers everything one might need, such as the scoop on getting medical care, dealing with real estate transactions, finding attorneys, what businesses are best to invest in, and all the everyday needs that one will encounter.
And, of course, there is plenty of information on fun things to do and places to see while visiting or living in this friendly country.
A must have book!
Excellent Unbiased Introduction to Belize.......2002-11-02
The Belize Adapter Kit will not disappoint you. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Belize or a seasoned traveler considering permanent residence, you will find a great deal of helpful information here. Mr. Sluder has managed to create a guide that is as useful to the novice as it is to those with significant knowledge about the country.
You will learn the pros and cons of life in Belize and gain a respect for the practical aspects of living and traveling in the country. This is not a romanticized look at a tropical paradise, but an unbiased and truthful guide to daily life in a place that may inspire you - or frustrate you.
If you wish to know whether you should consider relocation to this remarkable country, the Belize Adapter Kit will be an invaluable resource. It is also extremely useful to those considering a vacation here.
Great Practical, Even-Handed Guide.......2002-07-16
Mr. Sluder is very knowledgeable about his subject, but does not try to sugarcoat the country to be an island paradise where you can live like a king on a peasant's budget. Unlike some of the other Belize-related expatriate or retirement articles I've seen, Lan tells you more of the difficulties and intricacies of this country!
Good Information.......2002-05-24
As the author of several travel guides to Belize (the latest of which is Explore Belize) and the author of Explore Costa Rica, I've been familiar with Lan's writing for many years.
Lan has consistently been one of the most prolfic writers about Belize and one of its biggest boosters. This book offers a compact summary of what life in Belize might be like. He interviews a crew of resident expats (many of whom I know), and there are plenty of maps, charts, and other info.
Personally, I've learned a lot from Lan about Belize, and I encourage you to buy this book. And do keep Lan and myself informed of changes and your own experiences. Because this is the way to improve travel guides.
Customer Reviews:
Very Complete and Precise.......2000-06-01
This book was very helpful in making our decision to retire to Honduras. It provided us with valuable and insightful information on what to expect and how to go about settling into our new found country.
Save your money!.......2000-04-01
At the beginning of this book the author states that Honduras is the only logical choice for living in Central America. He bases his view only on the low cost of living and not the quality of life. Costa Rica is more expensive than Honduras but has better infrastructure and the quality of life. The weather is also superior in Costa Rica.
Excellent Resource.......2000-02-16
This book is well written and easy to follow. He covers the culture, history, towns/cities, regions, health/medical, laws of residency, etc. In all of my research of living in Honduras this book is the most comprehensive. I especially liked his "Prime Living Choices" where he covers the capitals, the islands, mid size towns, and even small towns. When I go and visit I am including the smaller places. Places I would of never considered before this book.
Very informative! A must read!.......1999-04-09
Gives down to earth information without the hype
Book Description
Written in an entertaining style with a touch of humour, Living and Working in America is designed to provide newcomers with the practical information necessary for a relatively trouble-free life. It contents include finding a job, permits & visas, health, accommodation, finance, insurance, education, shopping, post office and telephone services, public transport, motoring, TV and radio, leisure, sports and much, much more. It is packed with vital information and insider tips to help minimize culture shock and reduce the newcomers rookie period to a minimum. Living and Working in America is essential reading for anyone planning to spend an extended period in the USA.
Customer Reviews:
I have found essentials in this book.......2007-08-13
I have found all essentials in this book I needed, but rated it by 4 stars because of two things:
1. lack of some more detailed information;
2. design of this book. Text arranged so flat, that sometimes it gets hard to read.
I would recommend this book to anybody, who plans to move to US and has no information where to start from: from arriving, arranging visas to renting or buyng property.
Great resource..........2007-01-12
This is a great handbook for those wanting to head to the USA to live & work. It is very detailed and seems to cover everything you would need to know.
Books:
- Power Networking, 2nd Edition: 59 Secrets for Personal & Professional Success
- Power System Analysis and Design (with CD-ROM)
- Professors As Writers
- Programming a Multiplayer FPS in DirectX (Game Development Series)
- Running a Restaurant for Dummies
- Secrets to Winning at Office Politics: How to Achieve Your Goals and Increase Your Influence at Work
- Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary (Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetics Ingredients Dictionary)
- Smart Moves for Liberal Arts Grads: Finding a Path to Your Perfect Career
- Software Systems Architecture: Working With Stakeholders Using Viewpoints and Perspectives
- Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care about Has Borderline Personality Disorder
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- History: Fiction or Science
- The Well: A Story of Love, Death & Real Life in the Seminal Online Community
- Inside the Not So Big House: Discovering the Details that Bring a Home to Life
- New Bar And Club Design
- Lover Unbound
- The Toyota Way
- The Hague Conference Guides: Guide to Good Practice Under the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on
- Imperial Nature: The World Bank and Struggles for Social Justice in the Age of Globalization
- Rooms Outside the House: From Gazebos to Garden Rooms
- Mosses of Southern Australia
General
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Cities Ranked and Rated: More than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. and Canada, 1st Edition
Retirement Places Rated: What You Need to Know to Plan the Retirement You Deserve (Rated)
Making Your Move to One of America's Best Small Towns: How to Find a Great Little Place as Your Next Home Base
50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family: Lee & Saralee Rosenberg's (Lee and Saralee Rosenberg's 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family)
Best Places to Raise Your Family, First Edition (Rated)
