Recently I’ve been listening to the “Retire There” podcast where a couple from NYC interview people who have retired to various locations around the world. Most of the episodes I’ve listened to are with people who worked long careers in the US and then relocated to to a different area of the country or to a different country entirely. So far, some memorable episodes were with retirees who relocated to the Florida coast, the French countryside, a small village in Spain, Arizona, Portugal and California.
What I like about the podcast is that there’s no grift. The hosts began the podcast to learn from other retirees where they might want to relocate. The guests are all normal people, most of whom are not “promoting” something like a book, course, coaching or other MLM type skeezy service.
I was particularly keen to learn about the expat retirees lives as I’ve often wondered what it would be like to move to somewhere like Provence, Wales, Norway, Australia or New Zealand. Here are some things I’ve learned:
- Healthcare in most other first world countries is excellent, ridiculously cheap and accessible. Expats talk about paying cash of services like $25 doctor visits, $2 prescriptions, $50 ER visits and $100 MRIs where in the US these would cost hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. Health insurance is also unbelievably inexpensive and comprehensive for residents. It would be amazing to have this. Imagine not ever having to worry about being bankrupted by unforeseen medical expenses, or being unable to pay for treatment or having choose suicide vs. healthcare. Don’t believe the “freedom” bullshit and “best medical care in the world” that is spewed in the US. Our system is far from the best while being unaffordable for many and a source of concern for most.
- Obtaining Residency/Citizenship involves a morass of bureaucracy, paperwork, legal expenses, time, lines and frustration. There are legal hassles, banking hassles, homeownership hassle, visa hassles and more. Every expat had to deal with these.
- Many expats relocated for similar reasons: Walkable lifestyle with good public transportation and no need for a car. Easy access to dining, entertainment and cafes. Ability to travel by air or train from their home to other countries. Pleasant weather.
- Language fluency is always an issue. Expats who were fluent in their new county’s language seemed best adapted. Those who had rudimentary speaking abilities did OK, but never seemed as connected within the community and often needed to hire people to help them wade through both the bureaucratic complications of establishing residency as well as the complications of daily life.
- Everyone who relocated overseas (and many who relocated within the US) got rid of everything they owned except for a few suitcases of clothing, their pets and some small personal items. I was surprised by how many did this purging and death cleaning vs. hiring professional movers even within the US.
As I thought about the episodes I listen to, I realized that I have nearly everything I want right here in Raleigh. The things I don’t have, like a year-round Mediterranean climate with no frigid winters, easy access to beaches and a walk-centric carfree small town lifestyle, I could find within the continental US. I wouldn’t have to learn a new language, deal with another county’s residency bureaucratic issues, figure out a new culture, fly overseas, etc.
Healthcare, excellent public transportation and other social support systems are another story. I hold no illusions that I will ever find this in the US. However, this is where I live and so I make do with what I can afford and do without what I cannot.
Also it’s been helpful and illuminating to hear about the retirees’ former careers and their post-retirement activities. Many had careers that were not straight line paths. Quite a few meandered along different professional paths similar to my own – with different roles, industries, and responsibilities that were often quite different than where they started or what they went to college for. This supposed me too. Oftentimes, I think I’m one of the few in my generation who did this. I’m not.
Another thing that many had in common is that they lead simpler lives. They live in smaller homeland apartments. They write, read, eat out, birdwatch, go to libraries, sit outside to enjoy the weather and views, socialize, exercise and volunteer. Most developed new hobbies completely outside of their professional experience like writing, playing music, creating art and teaching.
Most of the guests were also fortunate enough to have decent retirement income that affords them a comfortable lifestyle. Cutting back on expenses undoubtedly contributed to this for many.
This sounds a lot like my life.
If, like me, you sometimes think about retiring to another place, I recommend the podcast.