Where to go?????
 

Firstly, apologies for this going to several boards here but the same issues apply to different countries and the responses will likely be different. Not all residents of these countries may visit all the forums so it's a case of needs must

I have recently retired at 52 after working 33+ years in the UK and 3 years overseas in the UAE. For a LOOOONG time I have fancied the idea of living abroad and often felt that France would be my end point. I like the language, food, country and the people so it had quite a few ticks in boxes. Of late though a few things have changed. Firstly there is the 'inactifs' issue (the need to have private medical cover now if below state retirement age), then there is the position with the Euro and also on the personal front, I now have some different considerations following life in the UAE. The France specific issues are not show-stoppers but need careful consideration I think.

My desire to relocate is not so much on disillusionment with the UK (albeit there is a lot I'm not happy with - but similar issues affect everywhere), more a case of I'm not SURE it offers me what I want out of life now. Previously I thought ALL I wanted was a sunnier clime, good food, wine and good heritage and culture. I'm not sure though of those ingredients alone are enough now. To fulfil them, France would be ideal, albeit I think somewhere south of the Loire would be needed to benefit from better weather. So I considered Aquitane, Languedoc and Provence. All still viable of course. I also considered Spain and Italy, but I'm just not sure there is as much there as I'd like given that I don't think it's just warmer that I'm after.

Much about the UAE I did not enjoy. Stifling heat for 7 months of the year (50+ often and very high humidity), the cost of most things there (except tat, some food and spices), a somewhat restrictive life style and, at times, the squalor in the backstreets which is far removed from the shots of the beach and its promenade (the Corniche) that the brochures and magazines are full of!!! I did however like a few things there, some of which I miss here. The weather during the winter months, the fact that it was sunny a lot, being able to nip to a very well equipped gym and health complex on foot and being able to pop out for a drink or meal at any number of multi-cultural restaurants or bars in a variety of settings (inside/outside/beach etc etc). May all sound a bit odd but thinking about it now I'm not sure that even France offers ALL of those in the same way at least, unless it is for mega bucks near St Tropez, and even then, there is not such a great variety.

This got me contemplating other locations as potential options with a significant determining factor being the viability of it all, thus ruling out, by and large, places like Canada, USA, Australia etc etc as I have no plans to work (albeit I might if the right thing came along but then of course it's a different ball game and visa requirements vary considerably) and retirement visa options are limited or non-existant. Like I say, France, Spain and Italy are still options but I am now more actively considering:

1) Malaysia: Benefits of the MM2H visa, variety of food and cultures, cosmopolitan, good standard of living and lower costs. Cons include: concerns over area stability, yet to research services and availability/standard, more tropical climate, cost of cars etc. Considering Penang.

2) Phillipines: Similar option but more Phillipine from what I gather than the greater diversity of Malaysia.

3) South Africa: Good visa option. Real concerns over high crime/risk and the numbers of SAs who leave (for the same reasons).

4) Thailand: Again OK but it seems less advanced/sophisticated that 1 & 2 above and there are more concerns over stability.

There are also more general considerations which apply to all, some which are easier to deal with dependant on how close the point of relocation is. They include:

a) Stay there for ever or return as old age creeps in

b) Sell up the house here or keep a base either by keeping it and renting out, investing in a smaller foothold or whatever.

c) Ship all the belongings out, put them in storage or sell off?

d) Medical and other services in other countries.


So, sorry for the long rambling posts. I have been and will be reading as many threads as I can here but any pointers with regard to things I may have missed or other things to consider greatly appreciated. At the moment Malaysia is I think in number one spot, probably with France and Italy as a second above the Phillipines etc.

Re: Where to go?????
 

Hi,
As mentioned on the other European forums, you'd need to organise private health insurance here until you reach official retirement age.
Also, if you haven't got payslips or pension slips, you won't find it easy to rent anywhere here. Agents/landlords like to see proof of a regular income, as money in the bank one day may not be there the next....
As suggested by the other forums, why not take an extended holiday (at least in Europe!) to get a feel of all the regions?:)

P.S. As for warmer weather south of the Loire, we're in the third Arctic winter running in the Languedoc. Mild winters in the south of France are a myth...

Re: Where to go?????
 

Welcome to the Forum, Personally and this is very much my opinion spend 6 months in each of the mentioned countries if you can start with France and work your way out then see how you feel.


The summers are getting milder:lol:

Re: Where to go?????
 

I agree
Here in Toulouse I have always found the winters colder than in the uk. The difference to me is the quicker return to warmer days in spring and the slower return to colder ones (sometimes!) in the autumn. Summers are generally hotter.
Multi cultural restos do exist but I find that the french in the south have VERY conservative palates and even chinese food for example is very bland.
Good luck with your search !:)

Re: Where to go?????
 

The Indian around the corner from the Crown Plaza is not too bad, Although I think they may have changed hands or the chef. We spent last week end in Toulouse bloody hectic with all the sales shoppers.

Re: Where to go?????
 

Have you considered places like Romania or Hungary? They are nice, the cheapest EU countries and things are on an upward trend with services.

Since they are in the EU, you get all the facilities and benefits from staying inside the Union, most people there can speak more than decent English.

Re: Where to go?????
 

Thanks for the replies. I'll sure consider renting, regular income is not so much of a worry, happy to pay up front too.

IF I did go to Europe I think it would be France, maybe Spain or Italy if the weather needed to be warmer. I don't so much mind cold winters, just drab summers which come late and go early. Bit concerned that as the weather gets hotter so does the tourist influx of course. Not bothered per se but probably wouldn't chose to live in a popular tourist spot there anymore that I suppose I'd like to live in Windermere or Brighton here. That said, 18-30s don't hit the UK coastline much!!! :D

I doubt I'd consider Romania and Bulgaria and such like as to me it's back from France in terms of the things I want that maybe France no longer provides.

Re: Where to go?????
 

Wow, you have too many choices! If it were me, I'd take a back pack and just travel around until you fall in love.....

However, here are some thoughts: (I'm in the Luberon and this is how I see things).....Yes, winters are cold but here they are usually clear and sunny and by February the almond blossom is bursting. We've had a a bit of rain in recent winters but this makes up for more than a decade of dry winters. So, I'd say it's a wonderful climate. As for culture there is everything from history to concerts to theatre to VO films in Aix. ... for multicultural cuisine we have everything here - and it's not bland! We even have a decent curry house nearby!

Clearly I think I am in paradise!

But one consideration you have not mentioned is language. Unless you intend to move to an expat enclave somewhere you will have to speak the lingo to some degree, even if it's only to deal with officialdom. Are you willing to learn a language? If not, that will inform you choice. You would certainly miss out on all that France (and Spain and Italy) has to offer if you make no effort to integrate.

Also, are you tied to the Uk in any way by friends or family? Might you ever need to go back, and how often ... or suddenly?

Healthcare is also an issue, of course. Not the paying for it, so much, as the delivery.

Good luck. What an exciting adventure you have before you!

Re: Where to go?????
 

Have you considered Croatia (Europe)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/co...es/1097128.stm
and Morocco?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_ea...les/791867.stm
Many French are now emigrating to Morocco which would provide many of the more "exotic" (to the average European) possibilities such as souk, spicy meals, weather etc.
Perhaps worth investigating??

I admit the above profiles don't look too inviting, but one needs to dig deeper to get the current facts!

Re: Where to go?????
 

Morocco & Croatia would certainly be two countries I would consider :thumbup:

Re: Where to go?????
 

Morocco is loverly cycled across it a couple of times, With the exception of Tangiers everyone I met was really nice even got invited in to strangers homes to have meals.

Re: Where to go?????
 

Sounds great, I was actually thinking of biking it - I wouldn't have the puff to cycle it:lol:

Re: Where to go?????
 

It was a while ago, Last bit of Freedom prior to working for BT

Re: Where to go?????
 

Racaille,
You realize that now you'll be inundated with Brit Expats!

It's downright 'orrible where I am.........:sneaky:

Re: Where to go?????
 

Im all for using the expats around here as speed bumps:lol: Mind you we were in Mirepoix doing some shopping a few weeks ago, You could hear more English people than French at the market.

Re: Where to go?????
 

Thanks for thoughts. I'll put Morocco on the list (which seems to be getting bigger :lol:). I had thought of Morocco but have seen some very negative comments about it in places so would need to go and check it out, more so perhaps than France, the vast majority of which I'd probably generally be quite happy with, and having been there so much. I'd still rent there before buying though but it will take more perhaps for some countries to either make it to, or stay on, the list of possibilities than others.

I speak French already quite well and would like to take it to a fluent level. If I went to Spain or Italy, same there. Not so sure about Malay mind!!

Re: Where to go?????
 

Well, bit further forward now. Malaysia is topping the list. Panama has also come onto the list. Malaysia though is a lot closer to other places (Thailand, China, Phillipines, even Australia). Panama is kind of stuck on it's own so it's more of an 'eggs in one basket' place I think.

France is still on the list, Carcassone/Languedoc are favourite, maybe Biarritz, even La Rochelle but too far north I think. I can't seem to find anywhere that immediately appeals about Spain at the moment and what with the eceonomic situation, water and land-grab issues in some place, halted developments and ghost towns that some tourist estates have become I'm just not sure it's a viable contender. I don't just want beer and sun and equally I'm not ready yet for rural tranquility.

I'll get there.

Re: Where to go?????
 

Hi, as to central America, I would go for Costa Rica not Panama for multiple reasons, stability is one, climate is another, but top of my list would be the wildlife cos I'm a nature freak and Costa Rica is a Mecca for that!

As to the other, I'll reply to your PM as soon as I can get my wits together
in the next day or two!!

Re: Where to go?????
 

For a variety of reasons the attraction for Panama and that region is diminishing somewhat. Seems the more I read the less I like or find to like. OK it's easy to get a visa, the weather is OK, cost of living can be reasonable and there are some incentives tax/costs wise for retirees. While those things are all attractive considerations I'm not sure what Panama has to offer in terms of "big wins" over other places that may have those things also, even if to a lesser degree, but maybe more to offer on top, in some cases considerably more!!

Other places have easy visas (some perhaps better thought out), the EU (accept we don't need a visa but a visa is just a piece of paper entitling you to reside, in my case, for however long so it is a factor), lots of places have good weather, cost of living in other places I am considering is the same or cheaper and the tax/savings incentives are not a big pull, just a consideration or a bonus.

What concerns me in particular is that outside of Panama City (PC) it seems quite to very run down. The look of a lot of the properties doesn't appeal, or their surroundings in many cases, some of the neighbourhoods are very dodgy and again, aside from PC there seems to be a distinct lack of variety and little to do do. In places, and I know this can apply anywhere, it just seems downright dangerous to live and go out at certain times, with talks of people having gated properties, communities, sophisticated alarms and dogs inside and out that really creates an image of a life that I don't really want. There is also a high degree of corruption, con-artists and poor and antiquated services in some cases, which gets worse, rapidly, as you move outside PC.

I am sure everywhere has similar problems to some degree, even France (Cote d' Azur) and Malaysia, but it's the overall extent of this in Panama that's a concern, alongside the niggling question of just what HAS the place got to offer?? Indeed for some people on the forum the attraction seems to be going to live there to escape the US, live a bit more cheaply, and maybe attract a Latino girl who in al likelihood will (and there's nothing wrong with this) see you as secure prospect and/or a ticket out of the life she has there, an issue which is common to many Asian countries also. While I don't knock it it's not really what I want and I'm not sure Panama offers much else. I just wonder also how viable and attractive as a long term living prospect it will be. The other central American countries seem the same. :thumbdown:

I am starting to thing that if the the Latino aspect of the country appeals I may as well go live in Spain which seems more developed, more stable (despite its current economic problems), with a better infrastructure and less hostile, mostly.

Re: Where to go?????
 

I would still have a look at Costa Rica - it's very special and never a "Noriega" in sight!!
http://www.costarica.com/
http://www.tourism.co.cr/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/...es/1166587.stm
https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/cs.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2019.htm

I have no vested interest in the country, but if I were younger and not established here, I would have go for it!!!

However, if Spain, then I would choose La Gomera (Canaries).
http://www.vista-lanzarote.com/la-gomera/index.html
Portugal, I would choose the town of Setùbal (Atlantic coast about 50-60km south south east of Lisbon)
http://www.travel-in-portugal.com/Setubal/

Confusing....

Re: Where to go?????
 

I'll have a look. One thing I am sure though is that like I say, I'm not that ready for peace, tranquility or any kind of backwater or remote location or lifestyle yet. Wherever I go it will need some kind of buzz. OK I'd not want to be living smack in the middle of Panama City or Kuala Lumpur maybe but I'm thinking places like Penang, Antibes, Biarritz etc.

I'm not sure about the Canaries or small islands for long terms prospects. Too boxed in for me. There's loads of places to go if all I want is a bit more sun, relaxing all day and either eating at home or some quiet restaurant or bar at night. I'm just not that ready to live the life I might want to lead when I'm 70 yet.

Re: Where to go?????
 

It's interesting to ask and to get feedback from other more experienced globetrotters, but you really need to visit many places to get a real flavour for their suitability.

I spent some time in Beirut a short time after the long period of hostilities, and prior to departure was dreading it, and opted to leave OH and young child behind - at least for the first 6 months I was there. Notwithstanding the chaotic state of the country, it was a marvellous experience, helped in the main by the wonderful treatment I was given everywhere, great warm-hearted people, and in the workplace their amazing ability to make what seemed liked miracles given the very limited resources/supplies of specialized material. It was a sad day when my work contract came to an end. Yes I could certainly have stayed there for several years.

Similarly a few years later based in Asia, I was tasked with making frequent liaison visits to the national airline in Vietnam. I didn't relish the idea of this either. Until the first visit. Once having learned the secret of how to cross the roads as a pedestrian, it became a magical place. Local people were wary but cautiously pleasant, food was great, and I loved the job - a different type of challenge indeed, and regular follow-up trips were made with pleasure. As a place to live? Why not! I would willingly have accepted a long term contract, but like many places, I guess it wouldn't be suitable for all.

So the point is, try as many places as possible to see if it suits you before before settling.

Re: Where to go?????
 

I have a pal who was a BA captain. been everywhere, done everything and had the same dilemma. When the world is your oyster where do you live? For 3 years he lived on a yacht, staying in Majorca/Tenerife/Caribbean/USA followed by homes in Ireland, then Cyprus then in Oz then in Panama. Now he is looking at France as health care becomes an issue.
He is such a non-standard guy that he will never be satisfied as there are too many options and the Garden of Eden just doesn't exist. Everywhere has merits and de-merits so now he just wanders around the globe pitching his tent here and there until the grass appears greener elsewhere.
As Dorothy said 'There's no place like home' but you need to know where home is. Your heart has to know, not your head.

Re: Where to go?????
 

I lived there 9 years while working in Sophia Antipolis hitech park (Amadeus). Not cheap but plenty going on and easy to get away from it too for a quiet day. Antibes is definitely the best town between Cannes and Nice with a real atmosphere.