Best Ex-Pat area for full time residency
We are considering moving out of the US to experience another part of the world. We have thought of Mexico, Costa Rico, Belize, Panama each one has plusses and minuses. When reading the blogs it seems...
Forum Discussion
Hmmm. Tough question. We have seen a fair amount of the world and would love the opportunity to live in at least a few of the places we have seen. Sooo, in no particular order and for various reasons,
San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Culture, people, climate is perpetual spring time, things to do, facilities, medical etc etc.
San Sebastian Spain, for all of the above reasons although hotter in the summer. Close to France, Germany, Switzerland etc. However, you can only get a visa for 3 months at a time so three months in and three months out.
Tangiers Morocco, again for all the above reasons but you can stay 6 months at a time with the right paperwork. Excellent compliment to spain though as you can live in tangiers for 3 or 4 months and then go back to spain. Morocco is a very cool country with lots to see and do AND LEARN. Honestly it would be a great immersion experience for Arabic..however the country functions equally in french so one might find that a little easier to learn first. We would like to think we will live there once we are retired. Time will tell.
I think a few months at a time in one of the many smaller river towns would be nice. Again, three months in and three months out (of the Schengen zone) and again the off times could be spent in Morocco.
Many seem to be attracted to Costa Rica or Belize but although we think Costa Rica is a must visit it wouldn't be high on the list. Belize would be on the bottom, I think some choose Belize because it is English speaking (the only english speaking country in central/south america. But not our thing.
If you are planning on learning a language that will probably be useful in your newly adapted country, LEARN SPANISH. It is the second most spoken language in the world (in terms of how many speak it after mandarin), not hard to learn, lots of resources on line, and is readily spoken in many parts of the world. We found spanish speakers in Italy, France, Portugal and much of europe. In the north of Morocco it was commonly spoken and in Tangiers it was spoken as readily as french.
Re culture and language when living in another country:, NEVER give up your language or your culture...EVER. Enhance your life by embracing and respecting the language and culture of your new home but never give up your own and never let anyone tell you need to give up anything to become part of your new society. Culture and language are what make the world a rich and interesting place.
Oh, and learning other languages is an excellent way to keep your mind young. I am 55, speak four languages reasonably fluently and am working on number 5. All learned since I was fourty. I'll stop when I'm dead. :) I have nothing against english speaking people (its my native language) but I sure wouldn't want to live among them if I was wanting to broaden my horizons. We are 5 years from retirement. We will be going down that same road you are right now. Where to live. But probably for only 6 months to a year at a time. Then time to move on. Life is short, death is long, experience all you can.
Happy hunting. Get a passport and start exploring.
San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Culture, people, climate is perpetual spring time, things to do, facilities, medical etc etc.
San Sebastian Spain, for all of the above reasons although hotter in the summer. Close to France, Germany, Switzerland etc. However, you can only get a visa for 3 months at a time so three months in and three months out.
Tangiers Morocco, again for all the above reasons but you can stay 6 months at a time with the right paperwork. Excellent compliment to spain though as you can live in tangiers for 3 or 4 months and then go back to spain. Morocco is a very cool country with lots to see and do AND LEARN. Honestly it would be a great immersion experience for Arabic..however the country functions equally in french so one might find that a little easier to learn first. We would like to think we will live there once we are retired. Time will tell.
I think a few months at a time in one of the many smaller river towns would be nice. Again, three months in and three months out (of the Schengen zone) and again the off times could be spent in Morocco.
Many seem to be attracted to Costa Rica or Belize but although we think Costa Rica is a must visit it wouldn't be high on the list. Belize would be on the bottom, I think some choose Belize because it is English speaking (the only english speaking country in central/south america. But not our thing.
If you are planning on learning a language that will probably be useful in your newly adapted country, LEARN SPANISH. It is the second most spoken language in the world (in terms of how many speak it after mandarin), not hard to learn, lots of resources on line, and is readily spoken in many parts of the world. We found spanish speakers in Italy, France, Portugal and much of europe. In the north of Morocco it was commonly spoken and in Tangiers it was spoken as readily as french.
Re culture and language when living in another country:, NEVER give up your language or your culture...EVER. Enhance your life by embracing and respecting the language and culture of your new home but never give up your own and never let anyone tell you need to give up anything to become part of your new society. Culture and language are what make the world a rich and interesting place.
Oh, and learning other languages is an excellent way to keep your mind young. I am 55, speak four languages reasonably fluently and am working on number 5. All learned since I was fourty. I'll stop when I'm dead. :) I have nothing against english speaking people (its my native language) but I sure wouldn't want to live among them if I was wanting to broaden my horizons. We are 5 years from retirement. We will be going down that same road you are right now. Where to live. But probably for only 6 months to a year at a time. Then time to move on. Life is short, death is long, experience all you can.
Happy hunting. Get a passport and start exploring.
