Retirement abroad?

[thirdage]

I think what it all boils down to is "Wherever you go, there you are." I agree that you can find a lot of misfits and hucksters in expat communities. That is why it is better not to isolate yourself in one, if that is possible. It sounds new-agey and stupid, but on some level we do create our own reality.

If you are happy with the idea of doing something completely different, and can adapt to change, then retirement in a foreign country could be for you. I am convinced that it is easier to live abroad than in most places in the states that I would want to live in. Less expensive health care, medicines, a more accessible social life on certain levels than we have here in the states are some of the benefits. Life doesn't seem to occur so much within the confines of the home; take, for example, the paseo in Spain, when the whole world goes for a walk at twilight in the main square. BUT if cultural differences, body language that you have to work to understand, not to mention probably a foreign language, etc. stress you out, then it just isn't worth it, no matter what the financial advantages are.

I taught English in Spain some years ago, and I found it both exhilarating and exhausting. I learned a lot about myself through trying to exist in a culture where I could take nothing for granted. I would do it again in a New York minute.

I don't know if this is on point, but thought I would throw in my two centavos.

thirdage

 

[dex]

thirdage
Can you elaborate on teaching English in a foreign country?
I lived in Hong Kong (and London) and met a few people who taught English in HK. Not a bad life - you won't become rich but, you get to live in a foreign country, meet other people and have time to enjoy the country

I'm an executive in accounting/finance I thought there might be a market for people with my background to teach English. I don't have any advanced degrees in teaching or English.
Thanks

 

[thirdage]

Here is what I can tell you from my experience.
There might be opportunities you could create teaching business English. It is less predictable, but you have the freedom to create your own curriculum. A school has benefits in that it provides curriculum and course materials. Teaching English is not that easy. Students don't respect someone who isn't on top of grammar. I learned that the hard way. There are 6-week courses out there that provide you with a certificate and some teaching strategies (insist on a grammar course). Might be worth looking into. I liked the school approach because it gave me an instant community and some backup in case anything happened. For example, one night my then boyfriend and I were happily singing Broadway hit tunes walking home from somewhere, and we got picked up by the police. In Spain when people sing in public they apparently assume you are drunk. There are signs in bars in the south of Spain that say "Prohibido cantar." I never understood why till that night. They escorted us home and made us produce our passports, no big deal, but . . . .
The best stories about traveling are the times when things don't go quite right, and that is why I find travel appealing. Of course, I didn't languish in jail for singing even though I can't carry a tune, or perhaps I would feel differently. Also, a lot depends on where you go. Friends who taught in Japan felt isolated by the culture and language difficulties, although they made a lot of money.
thirdage

 

[Saver]

Wonderful site you all have created! I've been "lurking" for a while and decided to register.

I was intrigued by the comment above which states that living abroad provides a more accessible social life on certain levels than we have here in the states.

I hope to stop working 5 or so years from now in my late 30s. I expect to retire to a foreign country but I have not chosen which one yet. I hope to start visiting potential spots this year - at this point Im thinking of Barcelona.

Aside from pursuing personal interests, I want my retirement to be filled with a great deal of socializing, and I would greatly appreciate it if some of you would comment on the following belief: My thinking is that compared to the US it is much easier to make friends with both the indigenous population and other expatriates in many foreign countries. As for making foreign friends, being an American in a foreign country tends to make one stand out - partly because of the ability to speak English, and as for expatriates, I think that being an English-speaker in a foreign land is a bonding force in many cases.

Does any/all of this ring true?

Saver

 

[dory36]

My thinking is that compared to the US it is much easier to make friends with both the indigenous population and other expatriates in many foreign countries. As for making foreign friends, being an American in a foreign country tends to make one stand out - partly because of the ability to speak English, and as for expatriates, I think that being an English-speaker in a foreign land is a bonding force in many cases.

That matches my experience (~15 years overseas). The effect is considerably dampened if you live in a community of mostly English-speakers, and if you are in an area frequented by English-speakers.

Dory36

 

[TheFIREman]

My experience is that it depends more on what sort of person you are than where you come from. If you are affable and outgoing, you are going to make a lot more social contacts than if you are socially shy or prickly. At some point you will encounter anti-Americanism just because of your accent, but it is less common than thought, even in France (except for Paris )

 

[unclemick]

After 25+ yrs., the rare 'anti' encountered because of my accent, I ignore - also I no longer argue that New Orleans has been part of the U.S. ever since Napolean sold to Jefferson - especially during Mardi Gras season.

Another subject - anyone read the AARP magazine article on living in Mexico. My take - the areas covered are subject to 'discovery inflation' - ex- pats discover and inflation rises to meet demand. Surprise to me - keep your Medicare B and 'a good airlift insurance policy'. I never heard the term airlift insurance before.

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

author=Cyclops link=board=lifestyles_board;num=1031082988;start=0#6 date=01/01/03 at 13:58:54]I agree. For some people, what some of us call adventure, could be perceived as hassle by others. Some folks just don't like changes in their life or lifestyle and living in another country requires some changes, sometimes, even in one's thinking. Most of the ex-pats that I have met have several things in common. They are very curious people, love adventure and are quite adapatable to change.

Making a living as a professional engineer in the U.S. is no without it's hassles. Let's see, I have lived in NY, MI, CA, CO, and PA all within the last 10 years. I LOVE it. It's never boring and always new. Each place has it good points and bad points, but that's what makes each place different. I don't foresee living abroad to be any more hassle than moving across the U.S. at the drop of a hat.

 

[TheFIREman]

Depends where you choose to live. Its a big world out there and "abroad" is, "a broad" definition.

 

[BunsGettingFirm]

Depends where you choose to live. Its a big world out there and "abroad" is, "a broad" definition.

I did not elaborate greatly in this thread because I have already done so in others, but to makes things clear, I'm talking about Costa Rica and Thailand. I like the lower cost of living and the more relaxed attitudes.  Unlike some folks on this board, I'm not a conservative. I'm a libertarian. I think the U.S. is way too uptight and invasive for my taste. BTW, I'm not originally from here, and I have only lived in the U.S. for 20 years, so I don't think I'll miss it quite as much as others will.

 

[Saver]

FIREman wrote: My experience is that it depends more on what sort of person you are than where you come from. If you are affable and outgoing, you are going to make a lot more social contacts than if you are socially shy or prickly.

Thanks. I see what you are saying FIREman, but all things being equal would you agree with the idea?

Saver

 

[TheFIREman]

Certainly do. Especially if you make the effort to absorb the local culture.

Just for reference, even if every one else speaks English, if you have a different accent from them, you might as well be speaking Swahili sometimes.

 

[Steve]

Just to put in my two cents...
I've been stationed in Europe, mostly the Balkans and Eastern Europe for the past nine years and I've decided to retire in Hungary. I'll probably travel to the states a few times each year, but having been born in Hungary and having a Hungarian wife I will get on their healthplan basically for free, although it does not come close to American quality.

Being a member of the EU will make things a bit better, although many people are very anti American since the war in Iraq.

The Croatian Coast is only five hours away, and the rest of Europe is not far away.

Being away from America for so long I have observed that we are too money oriented and are workaholics with too much debt.

I'll try it in Europe for a while and will eventually end up in Florida...maybe.

Is there anyone else out there that is retired and spends most of their time in Europe?

 

[Steve]

Just to put in my two cents...
I've been stationed in Europe, mostly the Balkans and Eastern Europe for the past nine years and I've decided to retire in Hungary. I'll probably travel to the states a few times each year, but having been born in Hungary and having a Hungarian wife I will get on their healthplan basically for free, although it does not come close to American quality.

Being a member of the EU will make things a bit better, although many people are very anti American since the war in Iraq.

The Croatian Coast is only five hours away, and the rest of Europe is not far away.

Being away from America for so long I have observed that we are too money oriented and are workaholics with too much debt.

I'll try it in Europe for a while and will eventually end up in Florida...maybe.

Is there anyone else out there that is retired and spends most of their time in Europe?

 

[LEX]

All:

Note the Burns advice on retirment savings strategy in this era of cheap dollars versus Euro's for Spain/Europe:

http://www.uexpress.com/scottburns/

 

[louis]

Just to put in my two cents...

Is there anyone else out there that is retired and spends most of their time in Europe?

I hear Eastern Europe is a great place to invest (real estate wise). Do you have any thoughts on this?

 

[louis]

Just to put in my two cents...

Is there anyone else out there that is retired and spends most of their time in Europe?

I hear Eastern Europe is a great place to invest (real estate wise). Do you have any thoughts on this?

 

[louis]

Just to put in my two cents...

Is there anyone else out there that is retired and spends most of their time in Europe?

I hear Eastern Europe is a potentially great place to invest real estate wise. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Janie]

We've spent long winter trips (6-7 weeks) backpacking through Thailand, Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize, so I can agree enthusiastically with those who wish to spend their ER in these countries. We especially liked Thailand and Panama-- both were clean, had potable water from the tap, excellent public transportation, and incredible friendly-- oh, and really cheap, although Panama is a little bit more expensive than the other places (so is Belize).

The highlands in western Panama around Chiriqui are not to be missed. There are a lot of vegetable and coffee farmers of European descent (many generations ago) who settled up there, and it's easy to see why- gorgeous rivers and mountains, flowers year-round, pleasant climate year-round.

We thought about buying a place overseas (for a brief moment) but the hassles aren't worth it for us. We would rather just rent a bungalow at one of the inexpensive family-run lodges in one of these places for $200-300/ month and have a base from which to travel and explore the countryside. That way, we can try a new locale every winter or stay at one repeatedly if we really like it. We envision spending 2-4 months overseas in the winter.

 

[Eagle43]

DW and I just made a short trip to South Texas, and crossed into northern Mexico. While down there a tourist told us about kidnappings, and I scoffed at the idea. Now we hear the State Dept is warning about same and worse. I know these warnings go out a lot and can be just crying wolf, however tis best to beware. The game of kidnapping and making you empty your ATM/credit card account is prevalent. On the other hand, there are thousands of US and Canadians living in San Miguel and Guadaljara.

 

[unclemick]

I understand the same thing occurs in a lot of American cities - heh,heh.

 

[Hyperborea]

The game of kidnapping and making  you empty your ATM/credit card account is prevalent.

If it happens (either in Mexico or in the US as UncleMick points out) the best thing to do is to comply. Even a couple of thousand bucks can be replaced but your money will do you little good if you're dead.

When I FIRE and become a full-time traveller the account that I will have an ATM card on will only have a limited amount of money in it - perhaps enough for 2 months living expenses (at most). I will have it set up so that the monthly allowance gets automatically transferred in from the larger brokerage account but there will be no way to request transfers in from the bank account. If I lose it then it won't really hurt that much though I won't be happy about it.

I wonder if the theft loss limits on the credit and debit cards applies if you were coerced into withdrawing the money?

 

[haha]

I understand the same thing occurs in a lot of American cities - heh,heh.

Uncle M, you are right. But this also neglects an important difference. In most areas of American cities where you are likely to be, the would-be perp can't single you out of the crowd, unless you are acting in some way so as to draw attention.

Away from home, especially if the base ethnicity is non- European, you are singled out loud and clear. You automatically join the class of limping antelope.

Eagle, to get a follow-up on border kidnapping, rape and murder, read the Laredo newspaper. Ay, que mala cosa!

Mikey

 

[Cut-Throat]

If it happens (either in Mexico or in the US as UncleMick points out) the best thing to do is to comply. Even a couple of thousand bucks can be replaced but your money will do you little good if you're dead.

This reminds me of the Jack Benny joke where the mugger says to him "your money or your life".

After a few moments of silence, the mugger yells. "What are you waiting for - I said Your money or your life".

Benny says "Hold on - I'm thinking about it"