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

[Farmgirl1961]

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!

[stuck in the middle]

1. My spunk expired a long time ago.

But Colombia it is for us.

[Farmgirl1961]

3. Thanks!

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....

[stuck in the middle]

7. Family

My wife is from Colombia.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Anyplace? St Maarten or other Caribbean islands, Scotland...

Maybe Bavaria...

I dunno, maybe just keep traveling...

[Farmgirl1961]

4. Maybe being a Senior Nomad is the way to go...

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]

5. Most of my friends that have moved abroad moved to either Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rico, some...

even to the Philippines.

[Farmgirl1961]

8. That's nice...

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]

6. Our plan

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]

9. We've never been to Costa Rica

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]

10. DUer Lake Arenal and her husband retired to Costa Rica

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]

11. Thank you!

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]

12. My friend drives from WA to Mexico

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.