For many Americans and Canadians, the question isn’t whether they want a different life—it’s whether they can afford one. With rising costs across the United States, $1,500 a month no longer represents comfort or security. In many cities, it barely covers rent. In Ecuador, that same amount tells a very different story.

Separating myths from truth about living abroad in retirement Fear plays a powerful role in life decisions—especially when those decisions involve change. For many Americans considering retirement abroad, fear becomes the invisible barrier. Stories about safety, language, healthcare, and “being far from home” often outweigh facts and lived experience.

In almost every relocation process, one document quietly determines the outcome long before a visa interview or application review takes place: the criminal background certificate. For applicants moving abroad from the United States or Canada, this document is not a mere formality—it is a legal instrument that anchors the applicant’s past to their future immigration status.