Retirement abroad

it seems to be that you should go find success stories in the places you are considering. if you talk to people online or in your home town, they are probably not the most successful stories. if you go to the places you like, and see a white person who looks like you, then there is your success story. or, talk to foreigners around you and ask them if they are staying in your town? that could be a success story. i

When this thread first started it reminded me of the poster by the name of Infomex. (Roberto)
He moved to Banos Ecuador several years ago and has seemingly fully integrated into the
local community. His "retirement" is definitly an active one, and very busy for someone over
70, but he seems to be loving it. Even the earthquakes and belching of the local volcano has
failed thus far to cause him to consider leaving. His blog address is on his profile page, although
he doesn't take the time to post here much anymore. I think someone would have a hard time
making the case he'd moved to another country in retirement and wasn't happy.

Don't buy a house for the 1st year and a half. Don't fall in love too much with the first place you land. More magic is down the road.

And if you think that things really work by regulation or law alone, guess again.
There may be inadvertant gratuities involved...
"La mordida".

You have to learn to see things from a little different point of view.

Like the body language. Or what we may consider rudeness, may just be thier being absorbed in thier own business.

When you get stuck behind an old couple or baby carrage, etc., on a sidewalk; Its your chance to look up at window decor or architecture details.

And ask yourself again, "What's my hurry anyway. Slower lifestyle is one thing we're after."

This Texan has lived in Sevilla 4.3 years in total. I took 6 months off, to return to Texas. Then wound up in Quepos, CR for 6 months (very happily). Serindipty rules!

But Sevilla and new extended family kept calling me back.

And
I no longer have to be slave to a car ! Libertad!

Like the Spanish say, "I'd rather be happy than rich."

of course any texan...other than maybe the exceptional autinite... would feel comfortable in quepos....but for the rest of the world quepos is the 51st state...it's been exposed for decades

.. spain is long past its heyday of freespirits as well

...the places to go today are rarely suggested on the thorntree

Like the Spanish say, "I'd rather be happy than rich."
It reminds me of another Polish saying "Happines lives under thatched roof".

.. spain is long past its heyday of freespirits as well

It's not only Costa Blanca. The country is big enough for every freespirit. Any country is.

Why do people always assume things are either/or? I'd rather be happy AND rich.

Another reason not to buy a house; I understand most expats last about two years. Then for whatever reason (pay back time with aging parents, business, depression over missing home or crosses drug from the past ) they go home or try other supposed paradises.

Ya gotta make amens or settle account before this huge change in your life. Otherwise it'll drive ya nuts.

In AA they have us make amens when possible. Half the time we got the wrong impression in the first place. Sure makes one thirsty.

....rich, healthy & anonymous

Home is where the heart is. If you are not content with your life for internal reasons, living in another country is not going to be a success.