ABOUT US
Hi, we’re Philip & Lin — the realist expats behind Independent Territory!
We’ve been living abroad since 2014 — through Europe, Asia, and eventually Latin America, where we’ve been based ever since.
Not visiting.
Not testing it out.
Living — through the bureaucracy, the infrastructure surprises, the moments where everything clicked, and the times where we had to adapt on the fly.
Independent Territory exists because when we were researching our own move, we couldn’t find the kind of honest, practical information we actually needed.
Most of what was out there was either too promotional, too vague, or written by people who had spent two weeks somewhere and called it research.
We built this site to be something different.
What we cover — And Why
We focus on Latin America, and specifically on the countries we know aren’t getting the attention they deserve: Paraguay, Belize, and Nicaragua.
These aren’t the flashy destinations.
They don’t show up at the top of every “best places to retire” list.
But for the right person — someone who values affordability, independence, and the ability to build a life rather than just buy into someone else’s version of one — they offer something most popular expat destinations no longer can.
Our hub guides go deep on each country:
- Living in Paraguay — South America’s most overlooked option for expats who want low costs, tax efficiency, and genuine space to build on their own terms.
- Living in Belize — the only English-speaking country in Central America, with Caribbean lifestyle appeal and a residency path that’s simpler than most. But also more expensive than it looks at first glance.
- Living in Nicaragua — Central America’s lowest-cost option for expats willing to trade polish for real affordability and a pace of life that’s almost impossible to find elsewhere.
Each guide covers what you actually need to know: cost of living, residency, safety, healthcare, best places to live, and the honest trade-offs that most expat content glosses over.
three things we’ve learned since 2014?
1. The postcard version lies. Swaying palm trees and white sandy beaches look incredible — until you live somewhere that other people only ever visit. We know the appeal and we know the downsides. We write about both.
2. Following the herd is expensive. The most talked-about expat destinations tend to be the most overpriced ones. We stay current on what’s actually happening across the region and update our thinking accordingly.
3. Do your own research. We take in new information, question what we hear, and come to our own conclusions. We provide living options in Latin America — it’s an honest, ground-level picture so you can make your own informed decisions.
Not sure which country makes sense for your situation?
Our free Latin America Residency Interactive Map lets you explore your residency options across the region in seconds— a fast way to narrow down where you actually qualify to live before you go deep on any one country.
Download our FREE Latin American Interactive Map
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Let’s Connect
Whether you’re at the “just curious” stage or already deep into your research, we’d love to hear from you. We read every message. Get in touch→