Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Spain
      • Portugal
      • Italy
      • France
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Panama
      • Costa Rica
      • Nicaragua
      • Honduras
      • Belize
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
    • Others
      • North America
      • South America
      • Australia
      • Africa
      • Asia
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Spain
      • Portugal
      • Italy
      • France
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Panama
      • Costa Rica
      • Nicaragua
      • Honduras
      • Belize
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
    • Others
      • North America
      • South America
      • Australia
      • Africa
      • Asia
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

LIFE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

  • Your Escape Plan

7 Things to Consider Before You Retire Abroad

  • February 9, 2014
  • BY Don Halbert
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Retiring overseas with the ocean at your front door in Panama or in nestled in the foothills of Ecuador is a romantic idea in theory, but before you start packing, you’ll want to make sure it’s the right decision for you.   Here are a few things to think about to see if you’re really ready for the big move.

  1. First and foremost, if you’re even somewhat considering taking your retirement overseas, discuss it with your significant other if you have one.  Make sure you’re both on the same page for where and how you want to spend your golden years.  Overseas divorces can be a messy affair.
  2. Evaluate your daily routine and your hobbies.  Do you need that daily double shot mocha frappachino soy grande?  Do you regularly see the newest movie?  Does life without a garbage disposal make you cringe?  When considering if you want to move abroad, it really is the small things that will make or break you.
  3. There is no one “perfect” retiree destination.  You’ll need to deeply evaluate what it is that’s most important to you: climate, health benefits, proximity to your country of origin for loved ones, cost of living, etc.  Once you have this narrowed down, the ideal location is probably out there for you, but maybe not where you first thought, so stay open to new ideas.
  4. Be realistic about your expectations.  As amazing as your new locale sounds on paper and through visits, it’s going to be very different once you’re finally there.  Even if you’re living in a gated expat community, simple things like running errands probably won’t be as simple or as quick as in your home country.  Anything bureaucratic definitely will be more difficult, and probably in another language, so you’ll want prepare yourself mentally for handling these situations.
  5. Once you’ve selected a destination, consult with a financial planner or tax guy on both ends of the move to understand the implications living abroad might have and how you can possibly organize your finances to your benefit.
  6. Don’t buy; rent first.  Despite the amount of research you’ve done, you’ll never know if you truly like a place until you’ve had a few months to settle in.  Even if you like the general area, you might find that you like the neighborhood a couple kilometers over better.  Give yourself the time you need and don’t rush into anything.
  7. Trust your gut.  When preparing for your new adventure or even once you’ve gotten there, never be afraid to make the changes you need if something doesn’t feel right.  This is your retirement, no one else’s.
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • planning your move
  • quality of life
  • renting a home
Previous Article
  • Your Escape Plan

5 Ways Vacation Improves Kids Health

  • November 9, 2013
  • BY EA Editors
View Post
Next Article
  • Food + Culture

Typical Food In Paraguay

  • September 11, 2014
  • BY EA Editors
View Post
You May Also Like
Tourist visas remain the simplest path to setting foot abroad.
View Post
  • Plan B
Living on a Tourist Visa – How Long Can You Stay?
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • June 4, 2025
Moving abroad can be a fresh start—but only if you do it with your eyes wide open.
View Post
  • Plan B
Moving Abroad to Reinvent Yourself
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • May 28, 2025
Residency programs worldwide are undergoing rapid transformation.
View Post
  • Second Citizenship
Beyond the Golden Visa – The Future of Residency
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • May 7, 2025
Not all retirements are created equal—especially when taxes are involved.
View Post
  • Plan B
How to Retire Tax-Free Abroad
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 23, 2025
Choosing the right country can shape your investment strategy.
View Post
  • Plan B
How to Secure a Second Home Overseas
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 18, 2025
The good life in Belize.
View Post
  • Belize
The Plan B Strategy—Securing Lifestyle and Liberty in Belize
  • BY Michael K. Cobb
  • April 5, 2025
Investors diversify globally to protect their future.
View Post
  • Plan B
Why Every Investor Needs a Plan B Abroad
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 3, 2025
Tallinn, Estonia is Europe’s digital gateway for borderless business.
View Post
  • Plan B
The Best Countries for Financial Freedom
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 1, 2025
Trending Posts
  • Auckland’s peace begins with the landscape. 1
    • Field Notes
    Falling for Love and Life in Auckland
    • June 2, 2025
  • Moving abroad can be a fresh start—but only if you do it with your eyes wide open. 2
    • Plan B
    Moving Abroad to Reinvent Yourself
    • May 28, 2025
  • A new generation claims space through movement. 3
    • Africa
    How Ethiopia’s Girls Are Rewriting the Rules on Wheels
    • May 30, 2025
  • A large mural adorns the exterior of the London Graphic Centre. 4
    • Art & Culture
    The Coolest Art Scenes Around the World
    • May 26, 2025
  • Tourist visas remain the simplest path to setting foot abroad. 5
    • Plan B
    Living on a Tourist Visa – How Long Can You Stay?
    • June 4, 2025
Know Before You Go
  • A new generation claims space through movement. 1
    • Africa
    How Ethiopia’s Girls Are Rewriting the Rules on Wheels
    • May 30, 2025
  • Residency programs worldwide are undergoing rapid transformation. 2
    • Second Citizenship
    Beyond the Golden Visa – The Future of Residency
    • May 7, 2025
  • A typical crosswalk in Tokyo. 3
    • Blue Zone
    Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Moving to Japan
    • April 18, 2025
  • Photo courtesy of iStock/Kosamtu. 4
    • Digital Nomadism
    The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Digital Nomad
    • April 16, 2025
  • Every day life unfolds on Australia’s golden sands. 5
    • Australia
    Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Moving to Australia
    • April 7, 2025
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/