Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Farmgirl1961

(1,571 posts)
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 06:34 PM Jul 2023

Where do retired Americans Abroad live, or want to move to?

My husband and I are retired; he has dual citizenship (US and Irish). We've spent a year in Spain, time Portugal, England and have traveled throughout several countries in Eastern Europe and a few scandanavian countries. At the moment we live in Central Oregon (a lovely place!), where our oldest daughter (28) and son-in-law (29) live.

We have talked a lot about moving abroad -- maybe to Portugal, Spain, or should it be Costa Rica? Mexico? The why's are primarily political (duh) but what holds us back is that we truly love our daughter(s) and SIL and want to be a part of their lives. So, we've thought about spending several months abroad and having a place to land here in Oregon...

So my question(s) are this?
1)Where do DU Americans Abroad live, or want to/plan to move to?
2) Where do DU Americans Abroad recommend folks who are retired (but with plenty of spunk) live?
3) For DU Americans Abroad who are abroad, how do you deal with your family/friends back in the US that you DO want to be a part of your lives?

Thank you so much!

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Where do retired Americans Abroad live, or want to move to? (Original Post) Farmgirl1961 Jul 2023 OP
My spunk expired a long time ago. stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #1
Thanks! Farmgirl1961 Jul 2023 #3
Family stuck in the middle Jul 2023 #7
My wife is from Colombia. RipVanWinkle May 2024 #13
Anyplace? St Maarten or other Caribbean islands, Scotland... TreasonousBastard Jul 2023 #2
Maybe being a Senior Nomad is the way to go... Farmgirl1961 Jul 2023 #4
Most of my friends that have moved abroad moved to either Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rico, some... SWBTATTReg Jul 2023 #5
That's nice... Farmgirl1961 Jul 2023 #8
Our plan JustAnotherGen Jul 2023 #6
We've never been to Costa Rica Farmgirl1961 Jul 2023 #9
DUer Lake Arenal and her husband retired to Costa Rica mnhtnbb Jul 2023 #10
Thank you! Farmgirl1961 Aug 2023 #11
My friend drives from WA to Mexico mnhtnbb Aug 2023 #12

Farmgirl1961

(1,571 posts)
3. Thanks!
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 07:17 PM
Jul 2023

Yes -- our spunk is waning, but I feel the need for an escape plan should "he who shall not be named" somehow makes it back to the WH. Tell me more about why Colombia. We've never been....

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
2. Anyplace? St Maarten or other Caribbean islands, Scotland...
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 07:17 PM
Jul 2023

Maybe Bavaria...

I dunno, maybe just keep traveling...

Farmgirl1961

(1,571 posts)
4. Maybe being a Senior Nomad is the way to go...
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 07:20 PM
Jul 2023

I do belong to a FB group for senior nomads. It's interesting to read their travels. I also read a book several years ago by a retired couple from California who spend most of their time traveling abroad. At this point they re-visit many of the places where they've previously been and they do both short and long-term rentals.

We've never been to Bavaria...

SWBTATTReg

(23,991 posts)
5. Most of my friends that have moved abroad moved to either Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rico, some...
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 07:21 PM
Jul 2023

even to the Philippines.

Farmgirl1961

(1,571 posts)
8. That's nice...
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 08:43 PM
Jul 2023

We don't have any friends (Americans) that have moved abroad. We have friends from our time abroad in Spain and the UK, but I think a lot about the importance of having community.

JustAnotherGen

(33,286 posts)
6. Our plan
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 08:35 PM
Jul 2023

My husband's parents left us the home in Italy. Been in the family hundreds of years, low property taxes at etc. I have dual citizenship now.

We have purchased land on gas, electric and water lines in Parrita Costa Rica. We are going to build a tiny home there.

We'll dump our house in NJ and go between Acri and Parrita. Parrita is close enough to Quepos/Manuel Antonio and Jaco that we think we can do VRBO Rentals when we aren't there.

I love Costa Rica - but my MIL entrusted residency to me - and I really love that old house.

There are a lot of small fixer uppers in CR - but I want a really small footprint there.

Farmgirl1961

(1,571 posts)
9. We've never been to Costa Rica
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 08:44 PM
Jul 2023

and have an immense desire to visit -- or get involved with some kind of project. How nice to have a home in Italy, and to have some land in CR. You have lots of wonderful options!

mnhtnbb

(31,966 posts)
10. DUer Lake Arenal and her husband retired to Costa Rica
Mon Jul 31, 2023, 11:17 PM
Jul 2023

several years ago. Check with her.

GoneOffShore and his wife moved to Aix en Provence in France from Philadelphia several years ago.

I have friends --not on DU--who have lived on Bonaire for over 25 years. It is out of the hurricane territory and quite attractive to dive enthusiasts. My husband and I went through the process of gaining permanent resident visas in 2005 for Panama by building in the Bocas region, but we never lived there. When Obama won in 2008, we sold the house there, and in 2015 considered Bonaire as an option. I also have a friend who has a second home in Lake Chapala, Mexico with his wife. They live in Washington State.

After my husband died in 2018 I was planning to take some time to live for a month or two in Lyon, France, (where a younger friend lives) and travel some in Portugal to see if I wanted to move abroad. I kept delaying my plans because of not wanting to leave my very senior dog. Then COVID hit in March 2020--while I was on Bonaire --and the thought of moving abroad vanished when I decided to buy a small house here--close to my sons--and give up the dream of moving out of the US.

There are ex pat groups in lots of places. Check with ones located in the areas in which you are interested.

Farmgirl1961

(1,571 posts)
11. Thank you!
Tue Aug 1, 2023, 11:57 AM
Aug 2023

We loved living in Spain and are particularly drawn to the northern part. But Europe is far from Oregon and flying is a HUGE carbon hog. The idea of being closer -- such as Costa Rica, Panama (never been) or Mexico has appeal. Also because it's generally much more affordable.

mnhtnbb

(31,966 posts)
12. My friend drives from WA to Mexico
Wed Aug 2, 2023, 04:54 AM
Aug 2023

to winter with his wife (and dog)at Lake Chapala. They seem to really like it and it is quite a popular ex pat spot. I think they only spent about $75K for the house there, but that was several years ago.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Americans Abroad»Where do retired American...