11. Will my computer, cellphone and DVD player work in overseas? Your laptop will work anywhere, as all laptop AC adapters should be dual current and work with 110V and 220V electrical systems. You may need a plug adapter for your computer cord, depending on where you're going. Most Central and South American countries use U.S.-type plugs. In Europe, Asia and Argentina, you'll need a plug adapter. You can find adapter sets in shops in most international airports.

Your cellphone may or may not work. Find out if your carrier has coverage where you're traveling and if your plan allows roaming in that country. In the long term, you'll want a local cellphone.

Every DVD player is programmed to play DVDs from particular zones. If you bring your U.S. DVD player to Europe, Asia or South America and try to use it to play local DVDs, it probably won't work. Unless you have a multizone player, leave it behind and buy a new one when you arrive in your new country. They are generally inexpensive and easy to find.

12. Can I drive using my U.S. driver's license? You can typically use your existing driver's license for the first 30 days to one year that you're a new resident. After that, most countries require you to qualify for a local driver's license or to have your U.S. license validated locally.

13. Do I really need to learn the local language? No. You can get by in most places speaking only English, but it could add to your experience to learn the local language.

14. Is there Burger King? Fast food has gone global. You can buy Coca-Cola almost anywhere on earth, and McDonald's can be found everywhere except in the most remote regions of the planet.

15. Can I get a job? Probably not. To work in a foreign country, you would need a work visa. This is not easily obtained unless you're sponsored for a job by an international employer and relocated to the country with the sponsor's help. You can, however, start your own business in many parts of the world. The easiest way to begin is with a laptop-based enterprise.

16. Will my U.S. credit and debit cards work overseas? U.S. credit cards should work abroad. Before you use them, research the fees you'll be charged. Some credit card companies impose such onerous fees when their cards are used in foreign countries that it can be worth switching to another card before you move.

17. How will my friends and family be able to stay in touch with me? The Internet has made it possible to retire overseas and still communicate with friends and family on a daily basis.

18. How much does it cost to move overseas? There is no one-budget-fits-all answer. Depending on your personal circumstances, where you want to move, and what kind of lifestyle you want to establish, your initial capital requirement could amount to a few thousand dollars.

19. What are my options if I don't qualify for health insurance? Most in-country health coverage providers will write you a new policy up until age 63 that can cost less than $100 a month, with exceptions based on pre-existing conditions. Bupa International writes policies up until age 79, which typically cost $200 a month or less, depending primarily on your age. Lloyd's of London accepts new policy-holders up until the age of 85 with renewals for life, but these policies aren't cheap.

If you don't qualify for in-country or international coverage because of your age or your health, you can choose to go without insurance altogether. This isn't as crazy as it may seem, because medical costs in many places outside the U.S. can be affordable.

20. Can I bring my pets? You can bring your cats and dogs with you almost anywhere. In some cases, a quarantine period will be required following the pet's arrival in the new country. Sometimes a pet must reside at a registered facility; other times it can be in a space you create at your new home, according to government specifications.

Other animals can be more complicated. Our son Jackson wanted to bring his pet turtle with him from Paris to Panama City. While this was possible, the associated fees to the airline and the Panama government were so high that we gave the turtle to friends in Paris instead. Once in Panama, Jack got a pet iguana.