| tart --> | | | | least factor in two things - one) the money needed |
| There are a whole series of factors driving a new | | | | to fly back every now and then and two) have |
| generation of retiree to consider emigrating, moving | | | | enough space in your new home to accommodate |
| abroad and settling overseas in retirement. Many | | | | one or two visitors. |
| surveys have been conducted recently on this | | | | 6) Get a support network in place as soon as you |
| growing phenomenon with one of the latest | | | | can. This will mean you have to get out and about |
| conducted in the UK finding that out of 3,000 people | | | | and meet people when you've moved abroad. You |
| surveyed who were all approaching retirement, 67% | | | | will need people you can call on for advice if |
| had definite plans to retire abroad. | | | | something goes wrong, you will need to learn about |
| If you too are considering your options and | | | | who's a reliable tradesperson and who should be |
| wondering whether you could have a better, more | | | | avoided! The sooner you make a few good friends |
| affordable cost of living in a lower cost country with | | | | the easier and more enjoyable your new life will be. |
| a better climate when you retire, this 'ten top tip' | | | | 7) Do not be seduced by the dream of living abroad |
| guide to 'How to Retire Abroad' should make your | | | | without spending some time researching and thinking |
| planning and decision making that much simpler. | | | | about the actual, practical reality of leaving behind |
| 1) Be realistic about the amount of money you will | | | | familiarity and setting out on an adventure at a time |
| have to live on in retirement and whether this can | | | | in life when most people will be expecting you to |
| and will afford you a decent quality of life in your | | | | settle down! Moving abroad is a great adventure but |
| own home country. If the answer is a resounding 'no' | | | | it is not easy and anyone who thinks it is all plain |
| then you either need to think about working for | | | | sailing will be in for a nasty reality check. |
| longer or moving to a lower cost country when you | | | | 8) Before you go consider going on the internet and |
| retire | | | | finding out whether there are any virtual communities |
| 2) If you are certain already that you want to move | | | | or forums where expatriates meet up and where |
| abroad you need to think about the countries where | | | | you can communicate with others who have made |
| you would be happy living. In a recent survey | | | | the same move you're about to make before you. |
| conducted in the UK, out of 67% of respondents | | | | Talk to other expats if you can and learn from them |
| who were definitely going to live abroad in | | | | about what the whole experience is really like. It's all |
| retirement, 24% had their sights set on a country | | | | very well you reading in an article that there will be |
| they'd never been to! This is not a good way to | | | | days when you think 'oh goodness, what have I |
| start planning your new life abroad - you need to be | | | | done' - you need to hear others say it and also hear |
| at least basically familiar with the country you are | | | | about how they work through negative feelings and |
| moving to. | | | | learn to embrace their new status as an expatriate. |
| 3) If at all possible visit your preferred country | | | | 9) Remember that by moving abroad you cannot |
| repeatedly in the years leading up to your retirement. | | | | and will not escape yourself! If you're thinking of |
| Go at different times of the year to determine how | | | | retiring abroad because you're bored with your |
| hot the summer is, how cold or wet the winter is. | | | | current life, depressed or just dissatisfied with things |
| This will help you when it comes to finding | | | | remember that moving abroad won't necessarily |
| accommodation - even in Mediterranean countries | | | | positively affect your emotions. Think really hard |
| where it is blisteringly hot in the summer, wintertime | | | | about the real, driving reasons behind your dreams of |
| temperatures drop sufficiently for retirees to need | | | | a new life abroad...if they are practical reasons then |
| accommodation with central heating. | | | | fine, but if they are more emotional based feelings |
| 4) Consider your health today and how it could fare | | | | then maybe you need to look inside yourself and |
| in the future. While you may be glad to escape | | | | sort out whatever it is that's making you feel like |
| crippling health care costs in your own home country, | | | | running away without actually running away! |
| will you be able to afford medical care in your new | | | | 10) And finally - no matter how tempting it may be, |
| country. What if you need specialist care, is it even | | | | don't burn your bridges or sever ties. Especially in the |
| available in your preferred country? You may find | | | | stress and excitement of planning a move overseas |
| you need some form of expatriate health care policy | | | | it can be all too easy to let off steam in the wrong |
| - look into what's available and the associated costs | | | | direction and tell people what you really think....but |
| and budget this in on top of your day to day living | | | | just bear in mind that one day you might actually |
| costs. | | | | want to return home and if you've just informed |
| 5) Think about your family and friends. How will they | | | | your entire community what you've secretly been |
| cope if you move to live abroad. Often hardest hit | | | | thinking about them all these years you may find life |
| are grandparents who move abroad leaving | | | | a little uncomfortable and embarrassing if ever you |
| grandchildren behind....you will want to see your family | | | | do decide to return to the arms of your family! |
| and friends you know! So if you are certain you can | | | | Furthermore, don't cut ties with family and friends |
| be happy only seeing them few times of the year at | | | | back home... |