It could be you're looking at Retirement, Relocation.....or you're just Ready to make a change in lifestyle.
For years retirees have been flocking to Central America for the good weather, low cost of living and medical care. After watching countless episodes of House Hunters International, I've cheered as young people (single, married, family and/or empty nesters) made the move to live abroad. Whether it is for a year, a few years or a permanent move, the experience is enriching. Many return back home, and quite possibly, just as many stay abroad embracing their "new" home. As one who has tested the waters, one toe at a time, I can say it is exciting; exciting to learn a new culture, a new language, new recipes, a new way of looking at life.
My first foray into living outside the continental US was St. Thomas in the USVI. We bought a
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| St Thomas USVI |
home there that needed renovating and furnishing. I learned about shipping materials and furnishings by containers that arrived by sea from Miami; completing documents stateside, finalizing documents at the Customs Office in St Thomas. And although I didn't need to learn a new language, I did have to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road! Yes! on the other side of the road!! The steering wheel is on the same side as it is here, but you drive on the other side - the reminder to stay on the "correct side" of the road was "Keep your shoulder to the shoulder (of the road)". With St. Thomas as a home base, I travelled to Puerto Rico, St. Johns and to the BVIs. Sometimes by plane, sometimes by boat and most often to St. Johns on a car barge! And on St Johns I had to learn to wait for the free roaming donkeys to clear the road....I kid you not!
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| Antibes, France |
A few years after St. Thomas the next "toe in the water" went a little further - across the Atlantic to France! It was always a bit of a dream "oh to live in France"....well, an opportunity presented itself and I wasn't passing it up. Did I know French? No...I had only one semester of French 101 when in college - all those decades ago! Did I know much about French culture? Not really. I did know that France had some great wines, cheeses, baked goods, fashion and perfumes. But, I had a few lessons to learn, though: lunch is served/eaten/completed between 12noon and 2pm; yes, two hour lunches. Everything closes down: shops, banks, offices etc. Only restaurants and cafes are open - that is when all of France eats lunch. OK, easy lesson to learn. Along the way there were a few other things to learned in order to assimilate into the culture and the lifestyle - and it was all worth it. There is a reverence for family, food and friends. Everyone has health care (quite excellent, rated #1 in the world), 5 weeks paid vacation to start and they take their work seriously (who wouldn't with such great benefits). And as for living there, I was amazed at the costs: car insurance was about $400 for the year (new car with great mileage of 62mpg), apartment insurance was a bit over $400 for the year. Internet with voice-over-internet (free local and international calling) was $30 per month. Food was also very very affordable; produce was abundant and great pride in marking items with country of origin, especially if it was produced, raised, made in France. For almost 10 years, France was second "home"....I spent time there, but always came home to the USA for family and work. What an incredible experience and so happy to have the opportunity.
Want another idea? Consider Spain. E-A-S-Y That's all I can say about Spain. First, English is
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| Valencia, Spain |
widely spoken unless you go deep into the country and rural areas. However, that being said, most young people speak English. Young people know that the world is getting smaller and smaller and movies, music and the internet have made it so.
Costs? Unbelievable! I've sourced out some costs:
Insurance? Car and apartment insurance are just over $700 total for both.
Health insurance? (including dental & eye care) about $2000 for the year -
for the year for two!
Hi-Speed internet? $24 month.
Food? If I thought France was very affordable, Spain is even more so! Really! (One would be hard pressed to spend over $10 on produce for the week whether at the giant supermarket or at the weekly market in town.
Dining out? Weekdays a 4 course lunch (salad, starter, main, dessert including wine/beer/or bottled water, coffee, tax & tip) is about $10 (Sat & Sun it's just over $12!). (Always leave a little extra tip)
Service? The Spanish have the lock on service. They are helpful, courteous and friendly.
Overall, there is a great opportunity to enjoy a very nice quality of life in quantity! So just in case you're curious or tempted to see what housing prices are, here's the link (more options below):
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/in-Spain.html Madrid is an international city and
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| Barcelona, Spain |
Barcelona is a young, hip international city. So much to do, easy connections (via air or train) to all of Europe.
Weekends in Amsterdam? Easy! A getaway to Ireland? Cheap! Crave pasta? Rome is so near! Within an hour or two, you can be just about anywhere in western Europe. Eastern Europe is a little over 3 hours and a gateway to whole other world!
Think Prague! Tallinn, Estonia Riga, Latvia
There is so much to explore, taste and experience....put your toe in the water -
you might be surprised how warm the water is!
Search to buy France properties:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/in-France.html
Search for
rentals in France:
https://www.french-property.com/find/rental/
Search for
rentals in Spain:
https://www.justlanded.com/english/Spain/Housing-Rentals
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