Is retiring abroad still a popular option for people?

Retireby40

By my username you can probably assume I would love to retire as early as possible. At the moment I'm early 30s but the dream was always to retire full time abroad hopefully by 50 ( although my username is abit optimistic).

Out of boredom I was reading about the cheapest places to retire abroad and the pros and cons. South America/Asia/portugal and some places of Spain ranks very high. Obvious reasons in some choice why.

Obviously many people have family in the UK they want to stay close to etc and many have reason why they wouldnt want to live in say Costa Rica or Vietnam. 

However are there any people who have either made the early retirement move or are considering it? If so where are you thinking and why?

Or if you were considering it and decided against it, it would make interesting reading.

Happy_Monday

I’m almost 50 and would like to retire at 55. I’d really like to spend part of the year abroad, and then come home to see family and friends. I’m looking at mainland Spain, because I love it, and it can be a quick and easy to get to/from. I’m not sure I’d want to buy a property, I would be more interested in long term let’s so that I can travel round and have the flexibility to see other areas. 

I’ll watch this thread with interest, I’d love to see what others are doing/done 

Nebulous2

Not retiring early by your standards, but seriously planning it now, in late 50s, so about 9 years before state pension age. 

We’ve holidayed in France for about 30 years and latterly France and North / middle of Spain. Touring in a caravan for 3 weeks at a time. Three years ago we went to see several houses in the South-East of France, near the med. The whole process was very disappointing. The old rubbish which is for sale at the bottom end of the market was small, poorly located and very poorly maintained. A typical money-pit. 

We came home home and bought a cheaper second home in a coastal market town, with decent facilities, which is much cheaper than the small City we stay in. The plan now is to sell our main home, move to the new one, live here all summer and tour the continent all winter. The big risk is knowing how Brexit will pan out. If EHIC goes then insurance could be costly. The pet passports are going at the end of this year, which means instead of the 6 months we had planned we are likely to be limited to 3 months at a time. 

So so for a variety of reasons we gave up on the idea of a complete move, and I haven’t regretted that decision. The nomadic caravan / motor home lifestyle wouldn’t work for everyone, but as seasoned campers / caravanners, we know it works for us. 

Happy_Monday

Ohhh Nebulous2, the nomadic lifestyle really appeals to me. I’ve camped a bit, not much, but would love a caravan or a motor home, it’s been a dream of mine for years. Unfortunately OH isn’t quite on the same page! Your retirement plan sounds right up my street, I wish you well. 

ianthy

We purchased a property in Italy 15 years ago and currently use it for holidays only. Once we retire in April 2021, we plan to stay in Italy 5 months of year.  

cfw1994

I like the idea of some nomadic travelling....but waver between a small VW-style campervan to a larger one (with loo!)....then I wonder if a small caravan would do - already have a Volvo with tow bar, like the look of the barefoot campers one....but I’m not convinced I want to drag a wagon behind me!
I would still want a base where we are (& have no plans to move or downsize for some years) - many friends based here.  We are also lucky to have a bolt hole on the IOW to drop down to (but not peak summer weeks when it pays for itself by being let out!)
Not nearly so young as you though....mid 50’s with family almost grown up
Enjoy your journeys, wherever they take you!

letspretendforaminute

I seriously considered retirement abroad at State Retirement Age minus 10 years so 57.5 and FI/RE from 50 (I.e. still work part-time from the UK). I have friends who retired early in South America (Colombia) and the Philippines during the sweet spot 15-20 years ago and the bar to entry now is so high on the income front that to lead a Western lifestyle costs are comparable if not higher than the UK. My friend in Colombia says you need a minimum of $2,500p/month. If you want a car, new or second hand you'll be paying more than in the UK.
Mainland Spain, a few hours from the coast is still very cheap, not sure how the freedom of movement will work now we've left the EU. 
My intent now is to spend 6 months in the UK and 2x3 months overseas on a tourist Visa to places like South America or Spain. 

steampowered

When thinking about Spain/Portugal, you have to bear in mind that the rights which people have to move and work in other European countries will reduce due to Brexit. 

It is actually pretty difficult to get a visa to move to most countries as a retired person. You generally would not get a visa to move to the UK from a non-EU country as a retired person unless you are married to a UK citizen or get an investment visa. Nearly all countries want immigrants to be young, fit, working, paying taxes and not using social security/healthcare.

Exactly the same applies to the US, Canada and Asian countries.

atush

We will sepnd 5 months in winter each year in FL, and around 1 month in the EU/france in summer (I am a us cit and we have homes in France and Florida).  Once we sell the french gite we will spend around 2 weeks a year in the EU i think.

Crabby

Sat in an Aire in southern Spain  at the moment, (up in the hills above Marbella), watching vultures circling on the thermals. We're in the middle of a 3 month tour of Spain and Portugal in our 6m panel van conversion. It's the best of both worlds for us, the van isn't small enough to feel claustrophobic, or to big to manouve. Also we like touring the continent but wouldn't like to live here. 3 months abroad is enough for us (plus with Brexit we might be limited to 90 days anyway) so we'll be back for Easter.
Summer at home, a couple of months touring northern Europe in the autumn, back for Christmas, repeat.

lilysmum0151

The dream of retiring abroad (initially semi-retiring because my work is agile) is very real for me. Brexit is obviously a major spanner in the works, but I can see us rejoining fairly quickly once the reality really strikes those currently wearing rose-tinted specs! Thankfully, I am still approx 10yrs off even semi-retirement so there is time yet for it to be ironed out.