6 Reasons Why it’s Better to Live in Latin America

Recessions, attacks, political indifference and a staggeringly poor job market. Does this ring true to your lifestyle? 13 years ago I made the educated decision to up sticks and leave the “developed world” and follow a dream of travel, writing and whatever else I could manage to make ends meet. Now, as my own boss, I can offer you a few key reasons why you should thinking of quitting your job and moving to the best place on earth, Latin America. Where else can you party the night away, write to your heart’s content, never own a car again and all but banish abominably small liquor measures all to the soundtrack of a Queen album?

• Your neighbors are very unlikely to complain about loud music

It’s universally understood that one’s manhood is directly linked to the size and potency of your speaker system. You can have parties that are heard blocks, if not towns away and are not complained about. Of course, this comes with its negatives as well, perhaps you are not prepared for the party remate from your neighbors. Can you stand 12 straight hours of Colombian Vallenato?

• There are really no measures when it comes to receiving a cocktail

Maybe some places use the measure, albeit liberally. Expect the liquor to be spilling over the brim until you have been bestowed a gin and tonic or Cuba Libre with three measures or the equivalent whacked in there. Bring those drinking shoes or you will be flat out before happy hour comes to an end.

• You don’t need a car

Buses, collectivos, airplanes, scooters, lanchas, bicitaxis, donkeys, you name it, you can find affordable and quality (often the source of high octane stories) transport to get up and down and all over this continent. Not the same for UK, USA, Canada and so on. Just remember that it’s all an experience and that you should never take yourself seriously. Just wait until your neighboring traveller cracks open some local fire water everything will pass you by just fine.

• If you are semi equatorial, winters and seasons don’t really even exist

For those fearing the annual onslaught to the senses and extremities that is winter, remember, hit the equatorial regions and seasons don’t even matter. Rain is hot when it falls.  This is not a diatribe against winter sports; it’s personal and I just prefer wearing flip flops and shorts.

• You can entertain a writing career and live on very little income

Just look at the dozens of bloggers, writers, and journalists and so on who are listed on dozens of sites that make their living and get by plugging away at their laptops. But, be warned, stay too long, get married or start a business and then the game changes significantly.

• Queen is never out of fashion

And finally, you secret Queen lovers can come out of Freddie’s closet. Never before have I been to a region where Queen is so universally respected, so much so that many footballers of the 1980s or present day Argentina try and imitate the inimitable tangle that is so proudly sported by Brian May. No such luck for John Deacon (the bassist) though. Credence Clearwater Revival comes in a close second behind Queen, but then, we all like Credence.