Your interest is piqued. You’ve raised your children and/or have met your responsibilities. You even managed to put some money aside for those elusive times ahead. Despite all the retirement planning and preparation, you still aren’t sure how you want to spend those years.
Your mind wonders and the next thing you know it has taken you to a beach on a tropical island. I am surprised you didn’t see me there – LOL.
But really, how practical is that? I’ve met so many other expats since I started my journey, many with lifelong friends and families at home. When I ask them how they are doing so far from those close to them, they tell me, “This is our/my time. We took care of everyone else for so long and now we are going to take care of ourselves.”
Dreams May Vary Widely
So now that your curiosity is aroused, the next question is: which tropical island?
Or does it even have to be an island? For each person/couple that enters this realm, the reasons and places they choose will vary dramatically.
There will be a myriad of factors that will play a part in the decision-making process. Is there only one of you or are you part of a couple?
It is obviously easier to make such a life-changing decision if you are just making it for yourself rather than having to take into consideration the wants and needs of another person. That is unless you both are having the same gnawing feelings. If there are two of you, there will most likely be many discussions about moving abroad period, much less where.
Time to do your research
You’ve bounced around the idea of moving abroad in your head for a while. It really intrigues you. You feel that spirit of adventure that you haven’t felt for a very long time.
Maybe it’s time to do a little more research. For me, that started with searching “popular retirement locations abroad.” on the internet.
Now, it wasn’t the first time I had done that. I had searched the same thing probably three or four times prior to my retirement, but never really took it seriously. I even found what I thought was going to be a great retirement place in the States. To my chagrin, once I settled in I found out it just wasn’t what I was looking for.
Well, back to my computer, and the last internet search was the charm. For me, it was definitely the right decision, and here I am, in Ecuador.
Are there questions that are popping up as you read this? Let me know. Post them below – we look forward to hearing from you.
by: Cathy McKay
