You’ve just returned from a wonderful vacation in a foreign destination and the question just keeps rerunning in your dreams and daydreams, “Why don’t I retire there?” It doesn’t matter if your destination was in the Caribbean, Europe, or any other foreign locale. You should ask yourself a lot of questions and be satisfied you can live with the answers before you put your house on the market and join the expatriate ranks.

First and foremost, remember you have just returned from VACATION! More than likely you were checking out the restaurant and nightlife scene, sightseeing, relaxing, and, if anything like most vacations, avoiding all thoughts of the reality of everyday living. (How many times did you do laundry, yard work, pay bills, etc. while you were on vacation?) Yes, for a week or two, maybe even a month, we can all go on vacation and forget some of the drudgery of daily living. But, when you start thinking about living full-time in a foreign destination, there’s more to consider.

Often it is much more difficult to get the proper visa for living in a destination rather than traveling there. For instance, there’s little difficulty in planning a vacation visit to Bermuda but it is almost impossible to get a long-term visa for residency. In some areas, Americans are welcomed as visitors who infuse the local economy with cash; however, the welcome mat might disappear when the locals realize you’re moving into their town on a permanent basis.

Just how long will your money last is an important consideration. In many places around the world, the dollar goes a long way for many of life’s essentials. Housing, domestic help, insurance and medical costs may be significantly lower than costs in America but these same services (and other expenditures) may also be more expensive. Consideration should also be given to the economic stability of the area since currency fluctuations may erode your purchasing power. And, even though you’re living on foreign soil, the U.S. government has agreements with more than 50 countries regarding income taxes so you’ll need to remember your tax burden when determining how long your funds will last. Also think about the costs of returning to the States for visits since airfares can add up quickly.

Speaking of stability, just how stable is the government in the land of your dreams? A change of leadership or major shift in the local mood regarding Americans can make a dramatic difference in your daily life. How safe will you be if the local political winds shift from loving the U.S. to hating American imperialists? Can you deal with such change?

Can you speak the local language? In many parts of the world, you can get by while on vacation because the tourism industry typically has English-speaking employees. What will happen when you move to that quaint little village where the only English speakers are at the train station? Knowing a few phrases in the local tongue is helpful when you’re on vacation but do you know the language well enough for everyday living?

As mentioned earlier, health care may be much less expensive in a foreign country but you’ll have to return to the United States if you plan on Medicare picking up the bill. It may be possible to purchase health insurance but coverage can vary so do your homework. Quality of care is another consideration. Although many people now travel to foreign countries for procedures, the larger cities will probably offer more specialists and have more current, high-tech medical equipment than is available in small villages. Just like it is in the U.S., care can vary from one practice to another so you’ll need to choose your healthcare providers carefully. Visiting medical clinics and hospitals should be a part of your fact-finding mission.



Talking with your family (especially your spouse) about making the move to foreign soil is essential. Make sure both of you are in agreement. What are your priorities for your new abode? Do you want lots of activities? What kind of climate? Are the activities you currently enjoy (golf, theater, going out for pizza) easily accessible? Can you change your lifestyle to fit your new environment?

One last, but important, task is to develop a return plan. I know you’re thinking that this move is for good but things can change. Think about how you will reestablish your residency in the United States. Will you be able to afford housing on your return? Where will your family be? Can you get insurance coverage? What about your credit ratings? The list goes on but consideration must be given to a possible return.

Visit your proposed new home in all seasons. An area that is simply marvelous in summer with outdoor dining and concerts may turn into a frozen, deserted ghost town in winter or be better suited for a web-footed duck during monsoon season.

There’s lots of information available on the Internet but be sure to confirm the information is current by checking with government offices. Making the big move to a foreign land is all about knowledge. If you do your homework and your findings pass the test, you can enjoy the adventure.