Sorry for the disjointed thread - I moved some of the posts to start a new one.
To talk to people in other countries, you're going to need at least a General class amateur radio license so you can get on the HF bands. You have to start with the Technician test, then the General test. It doesn't sound like it will be very difficult for you at all.
Your antenna situation is going to be your biggest limitation/challenge, especially when the propogation isn't so good, like it is now. As the propogation improves, you'll find more and more distant stations coming in on your shortwave, also. BTW, the lack of consistent propogation right now is probably your biggest limitation to what is available to listen to on your SW radio. It comes and goes, and will get better over the next few years (it's a solar cycle thing).
When the propogation is good, any type of antenna will get you all kinds of crazy contacts, even that balcony antenna. You can make all kinds of wire antennas that will fit in your attic or run them through the trees so noone notices. Some people even load up their rain gutters as antennas! While you're going to have some antenna limitations, figuring out how to get around those limitations and still make contacts can be part of the fun. BTW, there are also "flag pole antennas" that people put up. Basically, your HOA or any CC&R's can't tell you (by federal law) that you can't put up a reasonably sized flag pole and fly the U.S. flag, if you want. So why not do that and turn it into an antenna? 
Force 12, Inc. Amateur and Commercial Antennas and Towers
As far as which radio to get, I'll probably leave that to others to advise you on. There are so many good older ones available. Before you decide on that, it might be helpful to find some local hams in your area and get some hands on experience with some of their equipment. Try the local ham club. You'll probably even find some people that have some equipment that they would be willing to part with at a fair price to help get a new ham on the air.
