What begins as a temporary move can become an entirely different life.
In this episode of Expatsi’s Americans Abroad podcast, Mike Cobb joins hosts Jen and Steph to discuss the journey that took him from the computer industry in Washington, D.C., to building businesses and raising a family across Central America.
The conversation explores what it is like to live abroad, how cultural immersion shaped Mike’s daughters, the unexpected origins of his international mortgage business, and why more people are creating a Plan B before they urgently need one.
Listen to the full conversation below.
“If We Live in a Fishbowl, We Don’t Know We’re in a Fishbowl”
One of the episode’s most memorable ideas is Mike’s description of culture as a fishbowl.
When we spend our entire lives inside one culture, its habits and assumptions can feel universal. We rarely stop to consider that many of the things we accept as normal are one society’s way of doing them.
Living between the United States and Nicaragua gave Mike’s daughters two different cultural reference points. Experiences at school, at home and with friends created regular opportunities to compare how things were done in each country. Instead of culture remaining invisible, it became something they could consciously recognize and understand.
Mike believes this awareness is one of the greatest benefits of raising children abroad. His daughters attended school in Spanish, learned German and spoke English at home. They became what are often called “third culture kids”: children whose worldview is shaped by more than one cultural environment. The value went beyond language. Living internationally taught them that customs, expectations and definitions of a good life can vary enormously from one place to another.
Creating a Plan B Through Panama Residency
The episode also discusses an option that combines teak ownership with a pathway to residency in Panama. Through this programme, a participant owns a titled parcel of land planted with teak trees and uses that qualifying investment as part of a residency application.
Mike describes the appeal as a combination of three elements:
- A tangible, land-backed asset
- A pathway to legal residency
- A Plan B that can be maintained without relocating immediately
For many people, the purpose of a second residency is not necessarily to move at once. It is to establish an option in advance, rather than beginning the process during a crisis or major life transition. The episode frames this less as an escape plan and more as peace of mind: the knowledge that another legal place to live is already available should circumstances or priorities change.
Because residency rules, costs and eligibility requirements can change, the published page should avoid hard-coding programme details without a final internal legal and sales review.
Why Community Matters When Moving Abroad
Moving overseas can be exciting, but the emotional and cultural adjustments are real.
Mike emphasizes the importance of building relationships with people who understand the experience. Friends, neighbours, other international residents and local communities can become an essential support network when cultural differences become frustrating or isolating.
The expat community is rarely limited to people from one country. During Mike’s years in Nicaragua, his family formed friendships with residents from many different parts of the world. That diversity became part of the value of the experience.
Events, small gatherings and educational programmes can help people begin building those connections before or during a move. The information matters, but so does meeting others who are asking the same questions and considering a similar path.
Key takeaways from the episode
- A temporary overseas move can become a completely different life. Mike’s planned two-to-three-year stay in Nicaragua ultimately lasted fourteen years.
- Choosing where to live is deeply personal. A destination that works beautifully for one person may never feel like home to another.
- Raising children abroad can expand their cultural awareness. Exposure to different languages and customs helps children understand that their own culture is only one perspective.
- International living can create unexpected opportunities. Mike’s daughters received world-class ballet instruction in Nicaragua and later became professional dancers.
- Overseas property financing is often collateral-driven. Loan-to-value and the value of the underlying property can matter more than a conventional domestic credit score.
- Long-term assets require patience. Mike’s teak business began with trees planted in 1999 and, decades later, evolved into milling and finished-product operations.
- A Plan B does not require an immediate move. A second residency can provide flexibility and peace of mind long before it becomes necessary.
- Community is one of the most important parts of a successful move. Relationships with locals and other international residents can help people navigate culture shock and feel at home.
If you’re exploring a second home, residency, or investment overseas, here are a few places to start:
