Retirement home search started

[Torvy]

I think lots of people do it, but they tend to go to Costa Rica or Belize rather than back to the 'old country'.

I'd like to visit, but no interest in living abroad anymore.

@gsganzer Our fireplaces are wood burning, but have gas(lp) ignition. The best of both for us as we rarely need the extra heat and our farm is mostly trees. We had gas in the last place and traditional wood in WI. The gas is nice to warm the room a bit, but nothing beats real wood for ambiance.

 

[kenmbz]

The wife and I traveled for work and lived in many other countries.
I like being in other places but don't think I would retire outside the US.
Maybe rent a house for a month or 2 in Portugal, Spain, Italy instead of buying.

 

[Tomtint]

Taxes blindsided me making me rethink my plan…

Bought a place that checked the boxes about 20 years ago and at that time voters in Washington State approved a measure to limit year over year increases so I thought I was golden… that is until it was later gutted by one judge in King County.

6,800 property tax is now almost 24k… it is making California appealing…

Taxes of all shapes and sizes are my biggest expense…

Don’t know the answer but more than a few of my WA neighbors ended up downsizing due to the run up in property taxes.

We will be in the same situation.. Currently out home taxes are 19K..and it goes up every year. Looking in Fla ..but taxes on homes is high there as well..and insurance is...well..difficult and expensive. We want to get out of the North East for numerous reasons,, Taxes, crime, crowded, poor services for what we pay, liberal politics that we do not agree with.. and the weather. We want a simpler life and to be warm.. Not sure where that utopia is at the moment.

 

[gsganzer]

I heard that Portugal is a fast growing spot for expatriates and is really driving up prices. My wife and I really loved Spain when we were there in 2021. I'd like to go back someday and also visit Portugal.

 

[ultrarunner]

Neighbor down a ways was head chef for a very large hospital and upon retirement bucket list was time in Europe exposed to cuisine.

He and wife rented out their Oakland home and moved to Portugal for 1 year… they liked it so much they extended and then decided to stay selling their home saying no reason to return…

Nice couple… not sure if kids or not…

He was always on because hospital food service is 24/7

 

[Torvy]

Not sure where that utopia is at the moment.

It's in rural Texas, but applications and references are required.

 

[mark in portugal]

I heard that Portugal is a fast growing spot for expatriates and is really driving up prices.

Housing costs are rising fast; immigrants are often blamed. We're all too rich, driving up prices. No, we're all too poor, putting strain on services. Whatever.

As there are as many people leaving (emigrants) as there are arriving (immigrants), I think the cause is basic economic forces. People want to own homes, rentals are hard to find (the result of rent controls).

Anyway, when it comes to emigrating, there are a lot of things to worry about. Many details are specific to each individual person; taxes, medicals, wants and needs. Different sources of income are taxed at different rates in different countries.

In reality, not many people do it permanently. Most miss 'home', family, friends, the local sports bar, etc.

 

[riptides]

No one even seems to consider the idea of emmigating when you retire?
Your dollars can go a long way in some countries.
Obviously, it's a big step and probably not many people are suited for it.
Still, the concept is worth exploring.

I live on 10 acres near the sea in southern Portugal.

Maybe not emigrating full-time. A plan for next year is to start visiting a few countries and then decide where we can settle for three to six months during the year. I'd really like to get back to the Azores, soonest.