Ex-Pat in Ecuador Anna Bernstein

Episode Highlights00:00:03: Introduction to Christi Cassidy and Moving Along podcast, which focuses on travel, relocation and life transitions.00:00:35: Christi welcomes Anna Bernstein, discussing her past with Mantra Public Relations and moving to Ecuador.00:02:14: Anna thanks Christi for the introduction and mentions their use of audio for the podcast despite having a video connection. 00:02:17: Anna talks about her upbringing in Norman, Oklahoma, and the influence her parents' New York roots had on her. 00:03:19: She describes her early travels to New York and experiences while in college. 00:04:17: Discussion on how she ended up choosing the University of Kansas over schools in New York. 00:06:26: Anna shares her career shift from being a stockbroker in Kansas City to pursuing her passion for performing in New York. 00:07:44: Her journey to New York involved a detour to Italy, fulfilling her dream to be there. 00:08:22: Transitioning from a stockbroker to becoming a voice coach and founding Voice Success.   00:09:45: The birth of her teaching career in singing and exploration of brain function in voice. 00:14:04: Her success in accent reduction and subsequent focus on corporate training. 00:14:56: Discusses her career establishing a business in Seattle and working with major companies like Microsoft. 00:17:45: Details about her work and life in Seattle before moving to Mexico.   00:19:39: Decision to move to Mexico and experiences that followed. 00:22:24: Logistics of moving to Mexico discussed, including traveling with the car and a cat. 00:24:38: Learning Spanish and living in a small Mexican town. Experience in Mexican culture and affordability. 00:30:34: Her choice of exploring North Carolina when unsure about staying in Mexico.   00:32:59: Selling her house in Seattle facilitating further travels and transitions. 00:34:07: Addresses a lack of fear in moving and taking big life changes, viewing them as non-threatening endeavors. 00:41:15: Explores moving to Cuenca, Ecuador, due to financial concerns and safety considerations with the political climate in the USA. 00:49:41: Living comfortably on Social Security in Ecuador and the liberties afforded by financial stability abroad. 00:51:47: Recommends Ecuador as a favorable destination for retirees. 00:54:08: Closing remarks and encouragement to listen to Moving Along for more stories.Key TakeawaysFearlessness in moving and adapting to new cultures can lead to rich and fulfilling experiences.Focusing on professional skills that are transferable can aid in maintaining financial security while living abroad.Understanding the importance of financial planning, especially regarding Social Security and investments.   Considering alternative living locations for better quality of life and affordability in countries like Ecuador.Tweetable Quotes "It just never occurred to me to be afraid." — Anna Bernstein   "Just don't be afraid. Just try things." — Anna Bernstein "Any excuse for a party, that's Latin America or South America." — Anna Bernstein   "I know where I don't want to be, and right now it’s in the States." — Anna Bernstein   "You can always buy furniture. You know, who cares?" — Anna BernsteinResource for Those Wanting to Move AbroadElite Documents Apostille  CREDITSHost and creator: Christi CassidyContact: [email protected] by Phyllis BusellMusic by Eve’s Blue. Post-production help from Auphonic.com.Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai. LINKS:More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.comPast episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram