EX-Pat retirement

[James48843]

So....I am thinking of traveling a bit in retirement ahead (cross my fingers that I will make it that far).

And I am thinking I may want to spend some time living as an Ex-Patriot in a foreign country.

It would give me a chance to experience a little different culture, perhaps learn a foreign language.

I am thinking now- that I may just hop over to France and spend six months or a year living on a sailboat on the Mediterranean Coast of Southern France, or perhaps a small town in that area.
http://www.jimbsail.info/sites/default/files/charts/France Med.gif




Anybody have dreams of trying someplace different in retirement?

What factors are you looking for?

Have you done it? What stands out?

 

[tsptalk]

Very adventurous! When is retirement?

 

[clester]

So....I am thinking of traveling a bit in retirement ahead (cross my fingers that I will make it that far).

And I am thinking I may want to spend some time living as an Ex-Patriot in a foreign country.

It would give me a chance to experience a little different culture, perhaps learn a foreign language.

I am thinking now- that I may just hop over to France and spend six months or a year living on a sailboat on the Mediterranean Coast of Southern France, or perhaps a small town in that area.
http://www.jimbsail.info/sites/default/files/charts/France Med.gif

View attachment 44102


Anybody have dreams of trying someplace different in retirement?

What factors are you looking for?

Have you done it? What stands out?

My current idea/dream is to sell the house and move around the US, or where ever, renting furnished apartments, for say 6 months at a time. I would go where the seasonal weather is nice. Some folks like to RV it but I don't like that idea.
I'm not a boat person either so I'll leave that to you.

I have been taking 30 or so day summer vacations the last few years and driving across the country. I enjoy that. We just stay in hotels and AirBNBs. I may try a winter trip to warm climates like that after my wife retires. I could do that in Europe too. I don't think I'd like to live overseas though.

 

[James48843]

Very adventurous! When is retirement?

I don't know.

If you had asked me five years ago, I would have told you I was going to be gone by now. I hit my MRA and 30 years last summer.

But my TSP isn't keeping on track where I had planned it back in 1992 when I started- the internet bubble, and then the big one in 2008 both hit me pretty good. So I was thinking as recently as last summer that I was going to wait until Age 60 (19 more month) when my National Guard retirement (roughly $1,300/mo.) kicked in and then go. I have a 22 almost 23 year old son living at home (I hoped he would have decided to move out by now), and my wife quit her job last year, so I am not accumulating cash enough to be debt-free in a timely fashion as I had planned, as well.

But- this furlough really kicked me in the pants, too. That is tilting the scale in the "retire' direction again. It was a bear to have to come back to work, only to know that in another 13 days, that furlough stuff could be starting all over again. And my friend Burro's recent loss- that hit me, and reminded me that we are not here forever, and one should not work until they can't get around anymore. So I may just go, whether or not I have all the cash I wanted before i head out.

I can always fish off the back of the boat, and scuba dive for lobsters, while sipping inexpensive French wine. Who knows- if they do the repeat of the furlough thing, maybe I'll just go and see where I end up.

 

[nnuut]

Don't be afraid, you will be OK!

 

[TSP-roulette]

I don't know.

If you had asked me five years ago, I would have told you I was going to be gone by now. I hit my MRA and 30 years last summer.

But my TSP isn't keeping on track where I had planned it back in 1992 when I started- the internet bubble, and then the big one in 2008 both hit me pretty good. So I was thinking as recently as last summer that I was going to wait until Age 60 (19 more month) when my National Guard retirement (roughly $1,300/mo.) kicked in and then go. I have a 22 almost 23 year old son living at home (I hoped he would have decided to move out by now), and my wife quit her job last year, so I am not accumulating cash enough to be debt-free in a timely fashion as I had planned, as well.

But- this furlough really kicked me in the pants, too. That is tilting the scale in the "retire' direction again. It was a bear to have to come back to work, only to know that in another 13 days, that furlough stuff could be starting all over again. And my friend Burro's recent loss- that hit me, and reminded me that we are not here forever, and one should not work until they can't get around anymore. So I may just go, whether or not I have all the cash I wanted before i head out.

I can always fish off the back of the boat, and scuba dive for lobsters, while sipping inexpensive French wine. Who knows- if they do the repeat of the furlough thing, maybe I'll just go and see where I end up.

James, just wondering; Are you FERS or CSRS.

 

[TSP-roulette]

James, just wondering; Are you FERS or CSRS.

James, never mind, there was a previous post which answered my question. Good luck.

 

[James48843]

Yes, I am FERS, and this past October hit my MRA+30. So technically I can go at any time.

Unfortunately I have about 50k in debt that I was planning on being rid of by now. But I have a kid who , between him (2) and another young lady who was living at my house for a couple of years (wrecked 3!!), between them they have wrecked 5 cars over the last 4 years. He is living at home still. And his Mom went through 3 cars too, (only 1 wrecked, the other two just worn out) so the last five years or so u wasn’t able to curse the debt that I was planning on being gone too.

 

[James48843]

So, anyway, I’ve been looking at google earth, and picking out towns in Southeast France; and in Portugal, that might look good to try on to live for a while. Portugal is now rated as a best place to live, for low cost, yet good facilities and culture. Been looking at the Algrave region of Portugal.

Here is a little write up of Southern Portugal as a retirement option:

https://internationalliving.com/countries/portugal/retire-in-portugal/

I’m actually thinking of doing a short trip in the spring of a couple of weeks to go visit some of the towns and villages in Portugal and Southeast France, to try and decide what would be the best fit. Both have pluses and minuses. So I have to go and see if I can be happier in either place. And, of course, I need to find someplace I can out a sailboat nearby.️

 

[1965Vintage]

I love to hear about your plans.

As a single guy, I also have plans to travel or live abroad when I retire.

The Bahamas is my golden spot. But I love to hear about others ideas.

Please keep us informed, and best of luck to you and most importantly, congratulations!

 

[nasa1974]

The Southern Caribbean is nice. Almost no hurricanes. The get a bit touristy though. The wife and I have taken cruises to the ABC islands; Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.