COULD YOU? WOULD YOU? RETIRE ABROAD?

Boy, oh, boy, am I ever excited. As I'd mentioned in my last post, I'm on my way to a new adventure creating a website for those who aspire to retire abroad. My greatest hope is that you'll come along, too!

Our first home in Ojochal, Costa Rica

For us, the idea of retiring overseas started out with one seemingly innocuous question: "Where can we go for a simpler life??" 
Jeff posed it one night after we'd spent hours hashing out all the frustrations and pressures of our respective jobs. At that point we didn't know how much more we could - or wanted - to take. Maxed out and suffocated, it didn't look like  there was any hope of our situations getting any better. We were on that proverbial treadmill, and retirement seemed only a distant dream, most especially financially.
Unless...

The more we composted the idea in our minds, though, the more we realized we had to make it happen. Distant lands were teasing us, and so was the appeal of not having to work forever if only to survive. But where to, and how? And the most daunting question of all, what if it didn't work out? Then what?

The more excited we became as we tried to put it all together, the more overwhelming it seemed as well. In essence we needed to wrap up one life and prepare thoroughly and well to create another. The details kept piling up and yes, a few times we came close to giving up on the idea. Those moments were very real, but thankfully also fleeting. Something in our guts told us it was right. 

Sunset from our new home in Ecuador. From sea to mountains,
living abroad has brought great joy, and yes, challenges sometimes,
to our lives.

But gut feelings aren't enough. We had to get real answers to real questions about the  what if's and how to's. And if we had those qualms, I imagine you do too, if you're considering the great leap to the other side of the pond. You see, no one was talking online about the possible challenges and wonderings of retiring abroad when we did it in 2007. We could access a lot of the positive "on your way to paradise" information (mostly presented by real estate sites), but we couldn't find any real clarity about what life would truly be like. 

So, here's where you come in. I'd like to know YOUR most pressing questions and concerns about moving abroad so that I can address them in future blog posts & on the new, upcoming website. Or, if you're already retired overseas, can you share some of the most poignant issues or questions you had, or perhaps the challenges you've faced along the way.

Muchas gracias, amigos. I look forward to hearing from you so that I can make my blog site the best it can be!

IT’S ALL IN THE JOURNEY Life & Purpose in the Expat Lane

I know I’m not alone on this one. We retired people - no matter who, or where, we are -  want to to lead purposeful lives. For some that means traveling and climbing new mountains; for others getting into hobbies or developing hidden talents; yet for others developing a small business venture. We may not want the pressures of the go-getting professional life anymore, but it’s incredibly life-affirming to be hungry for new goals and discovery. Isn't it amazing to be free to re-create ourselves any way we wish?

Recently a friend of ours sparked a brand new adventure in me I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Stan and I had been talking about the book I’m planning to write about the personal, emotional impact of living abroad. The gleam in his eyes intensified. “That’s a great idea,” he exclaimed. You’ve got years of overseas living experience, and much to offer others. You’re an expert!”

The Wealthy Adventurer's
University

Expert? Me? In an era when every “expert” online or on TV appears to be under the age of 35,  maybe after all these years I do have something to share. But “expert”? That’s a tough one to wrap my head around. Besides, if there were ever an expert on the expat life, it would be Stan. He’s traveled and lived all over for the better part of his, and has established a wonderfully interesting website called The Wealthy Adventurer's University. Now he’s an expert.

And then he lit the fire. Pressing me further, Stan asked, “What if you do a split-screen podcast interviews with other expats on your blog?”

Whoa. It took only a second for me to realize what a great platform that would be. Then I could really get to the heart of how expats live ~ and feel ~ negotiating every day in a foreign country, often in a different language. There are plenty of “how-to” books and resources about overseas retirement, and yet very few shine light on the ups and downs of what it’s really like. My main goal is to help others ask themselves not only, “Would I?”, but most importantly, “SHOULD I?”

The expat life is many things - exciting, daunting, overwhelming, fulfilling, and more. We retired expats also come in all colors and personalities. For some this life fits like a favorite shoe, and for others, it’s like wearing them two sizes too small. It pinches and hurts. By listening to the stories of those who’ve taken the brave leap, I’m certain there’d be an abundance of insights to help those interested or who are contemplating it themselves.

So, dear reader friend, this is where you come in. Would you tune in to expat interviews? I love hearing peoples’ stories of their brave leap abroad, and what it’s been like for them. Would that be true for you? And if you’re not quite an expat yet, do you think the interviews would help in making the decision? Please tell me what you think in the comment area. 

Such fun ~ I think my dear amigo Stan has led me to a unexpected and oh-so-exciting purpose. Now I’d simply appreciate your help in answering my own big question: “SHOULD I?”

LONELY IN THE MOUNTAINS? NOT A CHANCE!

I knew friends and family would begin to worry the minute we mentioned moving out of Cuenca and up into the mountains.  What would we do without friends, much less neighbors, nearby? Without a social life? Without a Supermaxi supermarket to run to? Like Zsa Zsa Gabor in Green Acres, they probably had visions of me telling Jeff, “Dahlin’ I love you, but give me Park Avenue.” 

Truth be told, I definitely entertained those questions, too. But as with any other major decisions in  life, I dug deep down to explore what I really felt about it all before agreeing to take the leap. For Jeff it was a no-brainer, but it was important to both of us to make sure the move was right for the both of us.

Four months later, there’s not a doubt in my mind. I’m completely in my comfort zone too. But how has everything unfolded? How do we spend our time?

Well, for Jeff that’s an easy answer. I’ve never seen anyone more excited to get up in the

morning and get into one project or another. For him living in the country is a natural. The more to do, the better. 

For me, being happy in life is all about having PURPOSE. Retirement may give the gift of relaxation, but I’m definitely tuned in to making sure that doesn’t turn into boredom. So for the first month here, I did what I love to do best: nest. I got to create a home out of the new house and settle ourselves in. And then the writing itch came back. I’ve been wanting to write a book about living abroad, and here’s the perfect opportunity. Beautiful views, lots of time and quiet to focus, and a great loft to spread out in. I started by taking an online writing course. I’m now working on the planning stages of the book and getting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Now that the passion is back, I’m ready!

And then of course, I had to throw a monkey wrench into everything. The house was almost too

quiet. What was missing? Right. A dog! I couldn’t resist the ad on a local expat site called the Gringo Tree. That one threw Jeff for a loop because I’ve never even had a dog. He warned me that it would change our lives in a wonderful way but would also limit our freedom. Still, that afternoon we came home with an adorable German Shepherd puppy. So now in between writing and nesting, I take Dina for walks on the farm and train and play with her. I love it.

Oh, but wait. You’re thinking it’s still gotta be way too quiet around here, dog or not, right? NOT! We’ve never had so many visitors in our lives. It’s a blast ~ and very, very busy. Our friends certainly make sure we don’t have time to be lonely. They’ve all been great about getting out here, even those without cars. A bus comes and goes for $2.00 each way if all else fails. It’s been a joy. We’re also meeting other expat and Ecuadorian friends living nearby and feel more and more part of the local community - despite being spread out all over mountains. There’s a tiny town on the main roadway about 9km away called La Paz (Peace) where we’re getting to know small shop owners. Love it. And yes, the visits will probably taper off a bit, but knowing our friends, they’ll help to make sure we don’t lose touch. Besides, I’ve got my Ecuadorian driver’s license, so I’ll be heading into Cuenca for some play time, too! 

What do I miss most? Being able to go out to dinner and socialize “out” every once in awhile. Who likes to have to cook all the time? In Cuenca I used to rue not having take-out places. Here I rue not having any restaurants at all  (although there is a great lunch place owned by some new Ecuadorian friends, a daytime treat). 

I also miss not having the convenience of the Supermaxi a few blocks away.  I now buy in bulk when we go into the city for our food shopping and freeze a lot to make sure I’m not caught without the necessities. No doubt, that weekly trip is also ridiculously hectic because we do all our other running around, too, and it affords little time to visit with friends there. Oh, well. You have to take the good with the bad, right? 

Still, are we Lonely? Bored? Not in a million years!

BACK AT LAST Introducing Our New "Home Dulce Home" in the Andes

Can you belive it? I'm finally back to finish the tale of our house-building journey, and to humbly show you the final result ~ our new "Casa Andina" (Andean house). If you're reading this, it's either because you're a faithful reader friend who hasn't yet given up on me, or you've stumbled upon Fancy Free Retirees for the first time. Either way, thanks so much for being here!


My last post (shamefully!) was almost (gasp!) 10 months ago. Since then Jeff and I have been lucky enough to be able to create an entirely new and different life here in Ecuador. We had really enjoyed living in Cuenca, but are now happy to be "campesinos" (country folk) living at 10,800 feet. Here we are, high in the Andes, where breezes are cooler and those same winds are pretty much all you hear besides the occasional bird. We love it!

Much like any other such venture, the building process here suffered from its own set of "hiccups" along the way. Nothing major, but certainly no fun. Our first crew quit because of the cold (around 40F in the rain and fog which was common the first couple of months); an architect/builder who insisted on calling everything an "extra" (even though we ended up buying most materials anyway and Jeff installed the plumbing and built the fireplaces and pizza oven); and we had a head worker, or "maestro", who continually butted heads with Jeff because Jeff had his "Gringo" way of doing things. But as Jeff says, "we got her done".  And although there's still a ways to go to finish details, we're really happy with the results.  Here's a peek:

The view from the terrace and guest bathroom.

The fantastic pizza oven. I get to cook everything in it - breakfast, lunch and dinner. 
It heats the house beautifully, too!

   

We're getting there trying to make the house a home. A local artist did the special art glass scenes - chickens and all!

Here's a look at the inside rooms. As I said, there are plenty of details to finish, but it's a start. 

I know what you're 
thinking. "What the heck do you do all day up there?"

Aha!  I promise to tackle that one in the next blog. Hope to see you there!