295: Offbeat Escapes: Exploring Contrarian Plan-B Locations – Brian Greco

The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup

Has your inner contrarian been nagging you to explore some offbeat Plan B expat locations? Today’s episode is just for you, as I welcome my good friend Brian Greco to the show. Brian is a world traveller, market researcher, and internationalization author who specializes in exploring lesser-known destinations and finding unique and compelling lifestyle opportunities across the Middle East, Eurasia, Eastern Europe, and more.

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH BRIAN GRECO

• Learn how Brian first discovered that the expat life opens up countless opportunities - and how helping others on the journey became a personal passion of his.
• Uncover the concept Brian refers to as “medium-term travel” - having multiple bases from which to explore the world, and why this concept is so much more accessible to people than being a pure “digital nomad.”
• Hear Brian and I agree on the value of “slowing down” while travelling and staying in a certain place long enough to start learning the cultural intricacies.
• How long does it take to “get to know” a city? Brian’s expert insights will give you an idea of how long it takes for a city to become familiar.
• Discover the reasons Brian has settled on the Eurasia region—including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa—as his primary focus.
• What’s the difference between “hard freedom” and “soft freedom?” Learn how Brian uses these concepts as filters to make judgements about how a particular region might meet one’s particular needs.
• Unlock Brian’s #1 “word to the wise” about how to stay sane and maintain a semblance of personal space while living in a bustling city that never sleeps.
• Learn about my superpower—the one key attribute that sets me apart from others when it comes to travelling and living in new places.
• Hear Brian lay out his view of the BRICS nation as not so much a military alliance or even an economic alliance as a greater move away from American/European hegemony around the world.
• Lastly, you’ll hear Brian break down which countries in Eurasia he plans to explore and which he is the most excited to return to.

HOW TO CONTACT BRIAN GRECO

Follow Brian Greco on X @GrecoGlobal Follow Brian Greco on Instagram

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CONCLUSION

It was so great sitting down with my friend Brian Greco on the podcast after knowing him for some time now. Brian brings such a unique perspective on not just where to travel but also through his own personal filter - his “spiritual” view of being an expat if you will. See you all next Wednesday!

Mentioned in this episode:

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After 17 months of bureaucracy, my partners and I successfully got our permits for Veritas Panama! This is the fully off-grid community we are building in the highlands of Panama. We have already started building the roads, subdividing the lots, installing the septic and water, and even installing solar panels, so everything is independent of the power grid! The site we chose is unbelievable; we are up at a flat plateau about a thousand feet up a mountain with incredible unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. To go to the beach, it is just 15 minutes down to the water. We have mature fruit trees on site, including these gorgeous 200-year-old mango trees and many other things, such as avocado trees, papayas, and delicious tropical fruits. You can find out more information and contact us at VeritasPanama.com But please be aware that there are only 100 home sites, and without even talking about this to the general public, a lot of the lots are already sold… So if you dream of living in a completely off-grid community, enjoying the beautiful weather, close to the beach, being food, water, and energy independent, and want to have like-minded and cool neighbours, people who respect personal, medical, and economic freedoms, then I want you to contact us at VeritasPanama.com today

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I have great news. After many meetings and explanations, the Panamanian government has agreed to keep the Investors Visa at a $300k Real Estate investment instead of nearly doubling the amount required, as they said they would. This is a massive win for our community who wants to move to or invest in Panama, but I am not sure how long this will last… If you have been thinking about Panama, then I want to make an invitation to you today. Come join me for a special four-day tour to see if the country I call home is right for you and your family. We have just released the next set of trip dates. You can find out more at ExpatMoney.com/fly. Come visit me and the Expat Money team, get a feel for the country and see if Panama makes sense for investment or as a new home.

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