Jay goes into detail discussing the primary challenges of moving overseas, listing many things to consider when choosing the appropriate country.  Such challenges include climate, a reasonable infrastructure, language, whether the country enables you to obtain permanent residency or dual citizenship, is affordable and realistic, and most importantly, the ability to work. He warns of trying to obtain citizenship in countries like Guatemala offering “Greasy Palms” passports in excess of $50,000 with no government sanctioned programs in place for public scrutiny. For these reasons, Jay highly recommends the Dominican Republic. For $9,500, they have a well-established citizenship program and it’s the least expensive country in the world in which to obtain dual citizenship and a second passport. The Dominican Republic Articles state that a citizen can be “a person who is naturalized as a Dominican national,” permits dual nationalities, entitles citizens the right to vote and run for public office (except for the office of President or Vice President), and grants foreign nationals the same rights and duties as natural born Dominican nationals. For those interested in more information about citizenship in other countries, visit www.AssetProtectionServices.com. Jay will be available in Santo Domingo February 13-25 for anyone interested in obtaining dual citizenship or to meet Jay in person for more information about this or other services they offer. The company will also soon be bringing on a law firm in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis for a higher end citizenship investor program.

Jay Butler is a Certified Asset Protection Planner and holds a BFA from Boston University. Mr. Butler was the former Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Corporate Support Services (CSS) of Nevada, Inc. He has provided customized business entity structuring for clients in all 50 states along with some of the most respected names in the industry including the Jay Mitton organization, “the father of asset protection”. While working with Wealth Protection Concepts, LLC under the tutelage of the former Las Vegas, Nevada city attorney Carl E. Lovell Jr. (now deceased from Leukemia), Mr. Butler was bestowed the title of “Certified Asset Protection Planner” for his competency and experience. He also co-authored a book with Dr. Lovell entitled “Cover Your Assets: Legal Authorities on Asset Protection, Tax Strategies and Estate Planning” © 2006. Jay builds his relationships through consistent attention to detail and reliable support. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States, visited over 30 countries worldwide and has lived in North America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Mr. Butler currently resides in southern Italy and is studying to obtain his Masters in Law (LLM) with a specialization in International Business Law through the University of London.

• A 727 fuselage stuck on the side of a mountain in Costa Rica.
• An undersea lodge in the Florida Keys.
• A 19th century prison in Sweden.

No worries. We won’t leave you hanging with that scant bit of information. Keep reading to learn more about these unusual hotels. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be making a reservation in the near future.

Hotel Costa Verde’s Boeing 727 Fuselage Lodging (description from hotel website)
The fully outfitted, meticulously detailed, two bedroom, Boeing 727 fuselage suite. We have refurbished a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe, which in its prior life shuttled globetrotters on South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines (Colombia). We salvaged this airframe, piece by piece, from its San Jose airport resting place. We carefully transported the pieces on five, big-rig trucks to the jungles of Manuel Antonio where they have been resurrected into a unique jumbo hotel suite. Our classic airplane, nestled on the edge of the National Park in our Costa Verde II area, is perched on a 50-foot pedestal. At this height, you will enjoy scenic ocean and jungle views from the hard wood deck built atop the plane’s former right wing.

The plane’s interior is Costa Rican teak paneling from the cockpit to the tail. Furnishings are hand-carved, teak furniture from Java, Indonesia. Our 727 home features two air conditioned bedrooms–one with two queen sized beds and the other with one queen sized bed, each with its own private bath—a flat screen TV, a kitchenette, dining area foyer; an ocean view terrace; a private entrance up a river rock, spiral staircase; and 360 degrees of surrounding gardens. Enjoy an evening on the terrace while sipping a glass of wine and observing your tree top neighbors: sloths, toucans and monkeys.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge (description from hotel website)
Jules’ Undersea Lodge has been featured on “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”, in “Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Issue”, in countless magazines and newspapers, and on every major television network in the world.
For the first time in history an authentic underwater research habitat is open to the average person–sport divers and even those who have never before dived. And although Jules’ still functions as a research lab, you will be pleased to know that it has air-conditioning, hot showers, stereo music, VCR/DVD, a fully stocked galley, and unlimited diving for certified divers! Visit Innerspace and experience what was once only a dream of science fiction writers: living within the sea! In fact, Jules’ Undersea Lodge is named after Jules Verne, and our goal is to be sure that Mr. Verne would be proud.

Langholmen Hotell (description from hotel website)
Långholmen Hotell is in a 19th century prison building on Långholmen Island in Stockholm. It offers free parking and unique prison cell rooms with flat-screen cable TVs and free Wi-Fi access. The modern rooms at Hotell Långholmen retain many authentic features. All have parquet floors and are equipped with a laptop safe and a desk. An attractive atrium gallery dating from 1866 is situated in the middle of the complex. Stockholm’s most captivating prison museum is open daily, and guided tours are given on weekends. The hotel is located in a relaxing park environment with jogging tracks. Långholmen Wärdshus Restaurant offers contemporary Swedish cuisine. The old prison entrance hall now houses a 24-hour cafe. Hornstull, with its bars, restaurants and metro station, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. A beach is located 330 ft from the hotel.

The Jetsetter Show’s final word on the matter is this. The world is full of boring people spending the night in boring hotel rooms. There’s nothing wrong with that. Boring is good from time to time, but don’t forget to allow your sense of adventure to seek out the unique and strange from time to time. You never know what you’ll find. And even if you decide not to reserve a night or three in an old airplane, underwater bubble, or old prison, there’s are plenty of pretty neat lodging choices if you expand your world of possibilities beyond names like Motel 6, Hilton, or Ritz.

The Jetsetter Show Team

Jet photo from CostaVerde.com (Fair Use Doctrine)

If you’ve never applied for a passport before, it’s not a huge deal. Just pay attention to the seven following details and everything should go smoothly. Keep in mind first time applicants must apply in person.

1. Form DS-11: Fill out Form DS-11. To get it, either contact the Department of State and have them mail it to you, or go online and print it out.

2. Submit in Person: To complete the process, go to the nearest passport processing agency – your neighborhood post office is a likely choice for most people – and tell them what you want.

3. Prove Citizenship: Be ready to prove you are either a natural born or naturalized citizen of the United States. A birth certificate or naturalization certificate works fine.

4. Primary Identification: There are several ways to prove who you are. A driver’s license or military ID are commonly used. If you don’t have either of these, a combination of secondary documents, such as a Social Security card, credit card, and employee ID card might work as well, though photo identification is always preferred.

5. Copies: Along with the original documents, you should provide photocopies of the documents (front and back) to the processing agent. You get to keep the originals.

6. Pay Uncle Sam: Uncle Sam doesn’t work for free. Fees to obtain a passport vary depending upon your particular situation but generally range from $130 to $160, unless you are requesting expedited service.

7. Photo: Last but not least, you must supply a color photo of yourself that measures 2 x 2 inches. This should be a recent face shot. Many post offices are set up to take the picture there if you prefer, though you should call first to make sure.

That’s all there is to getting your very own passport. Now it’s time to start filling it up with travel stamps!

The Jetsetter Show Team

Flickr / RLHyde

And lets not forget the artificial archipelago of islands created in the shape of a massive desert palm tree from sand dredged from the bottom of the Persian Gulf. This upscale hodge podge of residential, leisure, and entertainment selections might be worth relocating all by itself.

We noticed a recent blog post at EscapeArtist.com, which enumerated the top 20 reasons not to consider moving to Dubai. This generated a rebuttal by the Dubai Expats Diary. In the interest of fairness, we present excerpts from them both, along with links to visit the websites and read the opinions in their entirety.

Cons (read the whole thing here):

• There is no standard address system making mail-to-the door delivery impossible.
• The government blocks all web sites that it deems “offensive” to the “religious, moral, and cultural values” of the UAE.
• It is really hot outside. Not Florida in July hot; Hot as if you were locked in a car in Florida in July with sufficient humidity to make it feel as though you are drowning.
• There are too few trees, plants, and grass – or living things aside from us crazy humans, for that matter.
• This country prides itself so much on its glitz and glamour that it put a picture of its 7-star hotel on the license plate. Yet, the public toilets in the king-of-bling Gold Souk district are holes in the ground with no toilet paper or soap.
• This country encourages businesses to hire people from other poor countries to come here and work.
• There are traffic cameras everywhere.
• Things are no cheaper here.
• Speeding is an Emirati sport and Emirates Road is just an extension of the Dubai Autodrome.

Pros (read this entire opinion here):

• Great companies and great jobs: Dubai is now home to the whole gamut of corporations and companies who’ve scrambled to set up base here and get a slice of the economic pie. And they need talent.
• No Personal Income Tax: What more can be said? No TAX!
• Cultural diversity: Over 80% of the people living in Dubai are from other countries – you are guaranteed to find at least one person from the same city you come from…if not the same block! Really enjoyable if you’re scared to mix and learn.
• Great minds and great people: The best come to Dubai to be part of the show. You can learn from these great people and grow, have fun and compete!
• Hotels & Restaurants: Home to the best hotels and restaurants, some at the top of their game the world over. And plenty more to come.
• Sports, Leisure, Beaches & Fun: Great beaches, sports options, adventure and entertainment…from movies to cultural shows to group activities.
• Shopping: Depends on where you come from and what you’re looking for, but still a great place to shop!
• Accessibility: Dubai’s central location makes it very accessible from Asia and Europe, plus the rest of the Middle East.
• Infrastructure: Very decent and usable, constantly being improved to meet the growth and demand.
• Security: A very safe place to live in terms of personal security. Low crime rate.
• Political Stability: Very stable politically! Economic growth and political ties encouraging.
• Repatriation of Earnings: Earn and send back your money back home.
• A chance to shape the future: The need for talent and the extent of development actually means that you get to play a significant role in shaping the future in your niche or role, compared to working in boring saturated markets where everything has been done and the rules are already defined.
• Tolerance: All religions and beliefs tolerated – no condemnation and violence stemming from tolerance issues.
• Weather: Great weather most of the year! Summer can be a pain but then everything is climate-controlled indoors.
• Family Friendly: A great place to raise a family.
• Education: Superb academic institutions and universities already in Dubai, with more coming in every year.
• Business & Investment Opportunities: Take a part in the development / Investment opportunities and partner locally or start your dream business on your own in the free zones.

So the bottom line – should you or should you not consider moving to Dubai? Your call!

The Jetsetter Show Team

Flickr / thetravelguru

American expatriate executives in China used to be more figurehead than manager. Chinese workers were plentiful and ready to sign on with any American company that hung out a shingle. These days, the dragon is an economic force to be reckoned with, perhaps THE economic force to be reckoned with if, as many economic experts claim, China overtakes the United States as the number one world economy within the next few years.

Today’s expatriate executive heading to blossoming economies like China or India can expect to encounter a vastly different reality on the ground. A more savvy local workforce can afford to be choosier about which company they go to work for, and it’s all about the logo, or more specifically, global brand recognition. As might be expected, Nike’s swoosh and Apple’s once-bitten fruit are coveted employment positions. Expatriate executives without instant cachet from their company’s image might find it harder to make inroads into the market.

The bottom line is that the Chinese economy is hot right now and the world is paying attention. American executives can no longer sit back and dabble in the business now and then. They are forced to become managers again, and skillful managers at that, scrabbling and clawing for every business advantage available. Competition is fierce. As might be expected, expatriating to China is not quite so alluring to the lifelong company man seeking to while away the few years before retirement in a beautiful foreign land. Nope, relocating to China at the company’s request is more appealing to the hungry-for-more mid-level manager with instincts sharpened by keeping his hands fully immersed in the day-to-day activities of the business.

Expatriate executives – it’s not for grandpa any more.

The Jetsetter Show Team

Flickr / Dainis Matisons

Todd has a private equity, finance, and software engineering background. Before co-founding Globetrooper, he was a professional investor with a private equity firm in Australia. His team was responsible for investing $55 million into successful Australian businesses.  Prior to that, Todd ran a software development consultancy. He led a team of seven engineers on a highly classified military project and led the development of a proprietary learning management system, used by over 20,000 emergency medical training students. Todd studied at the Australian National University and holds a master’s degree in finance, a master’s degree in management and a bachelor’s degree in software engineering. Todd’s appetite for adventure developed in Australia’s Blue Mountains with annual rock climbing, canyoning and bush walking jaunts. He has since snowboarded, snowmobiled, trekked and travelled throughout Canada, Europe, Africa, South America and now India.  In 2008, Todd summited Mt Kilimanjaro and in 2010 he completed the 4,500m Lares Trail in Peru. Like Lauren, he joined the 17-strong team to circumnavigate India by rail earlier this year, and is now living in Bangalore.  Todd dreams of climbing Ama Dablam, skiing to the Poles, driving across Africa and completing many other epic crossings.

First – don’t panic. People have been in such situations before and not experienced complete vacation ruination. There are logical responses to each and every mini-catastrophe associated with the loss.

1. File a Police Report: This is your first order of business. You need a report in order to be able to file an insurance claim and, who knows, someone might actually turn in your bag. Local police are used to travelers who have been robbed and can help you find Red Cross-type organizations.

2. Get Online: Your hotel should let you use their office computer if there is no public access. Get online and find out where the nearest US Embassy office is located. You’ll also need your bank’s contact information so you can cancel credit and debit cards immediately. Do this within two days and your liability is limited to $50.

3. Replace Your Passport: This is a big one. You can’t leave the country without a passport. You’ll also find it difficult to check into new hotels or receive wired funds. The US Embassy office can help you get a replacement passport for about $140. If you’re suddenly penniless, they can have ways to help with the cost.

4. Replace Travel Documents: At this point, you’ve taken care of the critical items on the post-theft agenda. Now it’s time to get busy resuming your vacation. Many travel passes can be printed off on computers, though rail passes might require a new purchase. There’s also a good chance flight and hotel schedules might need to be rearranged, prescriptions refilled, new travel gear bought, and another rental car key acquired.

Remember the fabled travel equation: Tragedy + Time = Comedy. Oh yeah, don’t be too lazy to put your money belt on next time.

The Jetsetter Show Team

(Flickr / hellobo)

Here’s what Answers.com has to say about totalitarianism:

“Form of government that subordinates all aspects of its citizens’ lives to the authority of the state, with a single charismatic leader as the ultimate authority. The term was coined in the early 1920s by Benito Mussolini, but totalitarianism has existed throughout history throughout the world (e.g., Qin dynasty China). It is distinguished from dictatorship and authoritarianism by its supplanting of all political institutions and all old legal and social traditions with new ones to meet the state’s needs, which are usually highly focused. Large-scale, organized violence may be legitimized. The police operate without the constraint of laws and regulations. Where pursuit of the state’s goal is the only ideological foundation for such a government, achievement of the goal can never be acknowledged.”

Now you see why they wanted to change the name? And in case you need a refresher course in Bulgaria itself – this from the CIA World Factbook.

“The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People’s Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into the EU. The country joined NATO in 2004.”

Now that we’ve wandered hither and yon from totalitarianism to the ancient history of the region, let’s get back to why we’re here in the first place – the new Museum of Socialist Art. What exactly will be on display? Well, kiddies, hold onto your shorts because we can expect a broad array of statues, paintings, and other artwork from the Soviet period. Looking for a statute of Lenin? They’ve got it. Busts of Karl Marx? Check. An authentic Soviet military uniform? It’s there.

More than 100 works of art have been pulled out of basements, cellars, and warehouses across Bulgaria and stand ready for display in a swanky building in a Sofia suburb, all part of the government’s grand new marketing plan to promote the country as a travel and cultural destination. Whether the tactic will romanticize Soviet domination or serve to educate new generations of the horrors remains to be seen.

Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov claims the collection goes beyond mere propaganda and actually has high art value, though the last minute name change has many people looking at the project as an attempted whitewash job by the Bulgarian political elite who have deep roots in the communist past.

And if you’re not up for a day of totalitarian art, there is much more to this picturesque country. Don’t forget that the one border sits on the western edge of the Black Sea and has quite a variety of beach resorts treasured by European vacationers for decades. Despite the color alluded to in its title, the Black Seas boasts clean and warm water, fine golden sand, and first class resorts. Here are a few of your choices.

1. Cacao Beach in Sunny Beach(Slanchev Bryag) Resort
The beach strip of Sunny Beach is more than 8 km long and about 50 meters wide. The sand is fine and at some places natural sand dunes have formed. Clean water and gently sloping sea bottom. Restaurants, bars and many sport facilities are at visitor’s disposal. There are many opportunity for sports including surfing, water skis and parachutes, hang-gliding and banana, sailing, yachts, paddle boats, cutters, scooters, beach volleyball, sports tournaments for amateurs and professionals. Cacao Beach is also famous for the great DJ summer parties, that are hold each summer by the sea.

2. Golden Sands (Zlatni Pyasatci) Beach
Golden Sands Resort is very popular with its long and wide fine-sanded beach stripe. The name of the resort comes from the magnificent golden sand, which covers the beaches, stretching 4 km along the seashore. The beach is only 17 km away from the biggest Black Sea city of Varna and there are regular busses to it. For its pure and tiny sands and the hot mineral springs the resort is known as “The pearl of the Bulgarian Black Seaside”. The beach offers many opportunities for entertainment and is perfect for family vacations with kids.

3. Albena Beach in Albena Resort
Albena is a Blue Flag winning resort, ideal for family holidays. It is located away from the hustle bustle and is calm and green. The beach is up to 500 metres wide and is nice and fine-grained. The sea bottom descends slowly ay a small inclination. It is a nice place for people, who like sunbathing, but try to avoid the heats, as long as air temperature in the summer is around 25°C and there are typical light refreshing winds from the sea. There are many sport entertainments: water skiing, boat-driving banana riding, water skiing, para-sailing, yachting, surfing, jets, underwater fishing, beach volleyball.

4. Dyuni Beach at Dyuni Holiday Village, near Sozopol
Dyuni Holiday Village is located 40 m south of the city of Bourgas and 7 km south of Sozopol. The 4.5 km long and up to 100 m wide beach is covered with fine golden sand and natural sand dunes. The beach is hilly and forested, the sea is safe and calm, with a gradually sloping bottom, enabling even small children to safely splash about in the water. The bay is naturally sheltered against northern winds, making it an ideal place for all kinds of water sports. From early spring till late autumn the air carries the unique fragrance of both sea and forest. Dyuni Vacation Complex offers 7 tennis courts and a couple of swimming pools at guests’ disposal.

5. Primorsko Beach in Primorsko
Primorsko beach strip offers view to more than 80 holiday homes and summer camps. The 10 kilometers-sandy beach is amongst the longest on the Bulgarian Black sea coast. It is known for a place preferred by young Bulgarians who come here and stay in big number of rest homes, hostels, student dorms and campgrounds. The sand is fine and golden and the sea has a sandy bottom, shallow and warm. Tourist attractions are: going on a boat cruise, yacht cruise, underwater fishing.

We can’t help but notice that Primorsko Beach is noted for its UNDERWATER fishing (the preceding beach information was pulled from a Bulgarian tourist propaganda website – our bad)? As opposed to – OVERWATER fishing? But that’s nitpicking. The bottom line is that Bulgaria has a lot going for it as a European cultural destination as well as a beach lover’s paradise. Why not make sure your next ’round the world trip includes a stop off here?

The Jetsetter Show Team

(Flickr / JurgenBot)

Feel free to violently disagree with any of the choices. It’s a free country and, after all, this is a subjective list.

Louisville, Colorado
Population: 18,400
Unemployment: 6.3%
Don’t call it “Louie-ville” – it’s pronounced Lewis-ville and sits at number one on CNN Money’s Top 100. The city is described by the Chamber of Commerce as a blend of hometown atmosphere, high tech jobs and modern values. Lots of positions are available in the tech, telecom, aerospace, clean energy and health care fields, and more companies are moving into the area every year.

There’s no shortage of entertainment either. Go hiking on over 25 miles of trails, camping in one of the 27 parks or skiing down one of the many runs surrounding Louisville. If you’re feeling really adventurous, check out the world-class mountain biking trails in the nearby Rockies. Looking for something more relaxing? Catch a movie at the 12-screen movie theater, visit the Louisville Public Library or watch a game at one of the four fields in the Louisville Recreation Center.

All the charm and action of Louisville come at a surprisingly affordable rate – the median home price sits at $343,750 according to Trulia.com. With all the job opportunities, good schools and one of the lowest crime rates in Colorado, it’s no wonder Louisville is number one.

Milton, Massachusetts
Population: 27,000
Unemployment: 6.6%
Milton boasts the most privately and publicly conserved land within 20 miles of Boston, giving the town a country feel that belies its proximity to the greater metropolitan area. It was settled by Puritans in 1640 and retains its history in the architecture.

Though the cabins from the 1600s are long gone, several 18th and 19th century homes still remain to remind residents and visitors of the past. Milton history is also evident in the over 27 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Milton Cemetery – which dates to 1672 – and the Captain Robert Bennett Forbes House from 1833.

(A good friend of mine used to live in a converted barn where George Washington once stabled his horse, and supposedly spent the weekend – hopefully at the main house up the road.)

In addition to the tree lined streets, historic architecture and country charm, Milton also offers an outstanding school system and fairly stable housing market. Median sales prices hovered at $475,000 from May to July 2011, over $45,000 less than nearby Boston. Residents of Milton get access to all of Boston’s culture and jobs – it’s only a 25 minute drive – without the big city hassles.

Solon, Ohio
Population: 23,300
Unemployment: 8.2%
Solon is a small town with good job opportunities. Major employers include Nestle, L’Oreal and industrial equipment maker Swagelok. The affluent suburb is located roughly 20 miles from Cleveland and boasts a wide variety of restaurants, its own philharmonic orchestra and the highest-achieving school district in all of Ohio. Solon is also dedicated to “Going Green” and encourages residents to do the same by offering a single-stream recycling program that requires no sorting by the individuals getting rid of the waste.

The median home price in this quaint little town is $269,950. Residents have access to the booming park district, easily accessible downtown and three golf courses. In addition, Solon boasts the highest-achieving school district in Ohio for the 2010-2011 school year.

Leesburg, Virginia
Population: 42,600
Unemployment: 4.1%
The town of Leesburg is located just 45 miles from the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. and offers plenty of job opportunities in government, defense contracting, consulting and technology. While the commute from Leesburg to D.C. can be atrocious, residents get the perks of enjoying weekends in the town that calls itself “the gateway to D.C. wine country.” Citizens cite the city’s small town feel and access to a wide variety of recreational activities as key reasons for living in Leesburg. Combined with a startlingly low unemployment rate, it’s no wonder this historic settlement makes the Top 100 list.

Visitors and residents alike can enjoy Colonial architecture, fantastic restaurants and a charming downtown that is perfect for window (or real) shopping. Leesburg is home to plenty of Civil War history, and residents can walk along the same trails that Civil War soldiers used hundreds of years ago. All this gravitas comes at a reasonable price: the median home value is $363,500.

Papillion, Nebraska
Population: 18,900
Unemployment: 4.2%
Papillion is located just south of Omaha and offers the lowest crime rate in the state, a stable economy and loads of recreational opportunities. It’s one of the few remaining Parisian-inspired 18th century towns left in the Midwest and that European influence is reflected in its architecture. The town boasts two 18-hole golf courses, a 500-acre lake that’s perfect for fishing and tons of biking, hiking and horse trails. The quaint downtown is the perfect platform for many businesses, including restaurants and retail shops, to open their doors.

The economy benefits from the health care and transportation industries in nearby Omaha, as well as the agricultural boom happening in the U.S. right now. Papillion offers a quality educational system, tons of green space and plenty of economic opportunities in a variety of fields. Best of all, the median home price is $211,000 – an increase of 2.9 percent from last year. With the perks Papillion offers and the economic growth the town is experiencing, it’s possible home prices will rise even more next year.

Hanover, New Hampshire
Population: 8,600
Unemployment: 4.4%
This jewel of the Connecticut River Valley is home to Dartmouth College, a factor that contributes to its low unemployment rate: the college and its top-rated medical center provide over 12,000 jobs to the small town economy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory is also headquartered here, offering even more job opportunities to local residents. These employers, combined with the culture afforded by Dartmouth, make Hanover an anomaly in the world of small towns. While those that thrive are usually located within close proximity to a large city, Hanover is quite far from any large urban center.

Every season offers something to do in Hanover. Residents can enjoy colorful foliage and apple picking in the fall, cross-country and alpine skiing in the winter, festivals in the spring and hikes along the Appalachian Trail in the summer. Visit one of the many museums or galleries, dine at a delicious restaurant or see a play at one of the surrounding theaters. Housing ranges from century-old Victorians to new construction in close proximity to downtown, and the average purchase price is $421,000.

Discover the mystery of the final four best places to live…

Unlike John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band sang so many years ago, maybe things AREN’T so tough all over, especially if you lift your eyes and ears from the mind numbing doomsday chant of the mainstream media and notice a few pockets of resistance to the recession.

The Jetsetter Show Team

(Flickr / Nina Mathews Photography)

“…150 years ago was filled with petty thieves and prostitutes, sailors and sojourners, Chinese opium smokers and cheats; it was a city of ill repute. And the epicenter of it all was a neighborhood called the Barbary Coast.

Named because the neighborhood’s infamy reminded observers of the dangerous, pirate-swarmed North African waters and the feared Berber cameleers who lingered just off the southern Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast occupied what is today parts of Chinatown, Jackson Square, North Beach, and the Financial District. These days, the area is much more civilized. But there was a time when San Fracisco was the wildest city in America, thanks to the salacious and cut throat world of the Barbary Coast.

Unfortunately for fans of debauchery and unlawfulness (and, really, who’s not?), this infamous 19th-century San Francisco neighborhood eventually disappeared from the map; sunk by the 1906 earthquake and then its dark heart pierced by the silver dagger of political reforms and “vice squads” that wiped the grime from the area for good by the second decade of the 20th century.”

If that little trip down memory lane doesn’t make you want to up and book a flight to San Francisco, you must be dead inside. Recently, the city created a four-mile long Barbary Coast Trail to memorialize those wicked and thrilling days of yesteryear. Follow the bronze medallions embedded in the sidewalk as you meander past (and obviously stop to patronize) the historic pubs, restaurants, and cathedrals of Chinatown and Little Italy. It’s hard to fathom the thought now, but San Francisco used to personify all that was wild and woolly about the westward expansion of the United States. If you haven’t made the pilgramage in while – or never – why not make this the year you give the city a chance to overcome it’s unfortunate association with Diane Feinstein, among others? You just might like what you find.

The Jetsetter Show Team

(Flickr / http2007)