Simon Legree

Yes.

Shard

Interesting post. What were your experiences or impressions in the UK that seemingly turned the tide?

montreal mike

ditto

I would like to compare notes

I suspect some aspects might be similar

Shard

Could be. People often underestimate how much a spell (or lifetime) of emigration has changed them. Not always. Some move back after a 30 year absence and slot right back in.

koalabear1

I think living abroad has changed me a lot, but I do dream of getting old back in England. I kept my flat there, although I'd have to build up a social network and everything more or less from scratch.

When I talk to my husband about retirement (he's 50 and I'm 46) we both agree it'd be nice to split our time between Belgium / Germany and London, if that's possible.

We don't earn loads of money, actually our income is very modest, and we certainly won't be getting generous pensions, but we do own a property in each place, presumably the biggest financial factor (?) Plus you can drive between our two planned locations.

Retirement sounds very good, I have worked so hard and experienced so much stress, it'd be amazing to be able to relax. But at the same time I get very anxious about the future, possibly something expats do more than people living in their own country?

Jingsamichty

I think retirement planning is kinda like reading a book and turning to the last chapter to see how it turns out.

I'll just wait and see what happens.

ultrarunner

Personally....once retired, I'll still have to find activities to keep me busy still, so volunteering more in the community and internationally will be one option

bats

So what do you do then? Volunteering?

MillieF

Yes, that sounds like à bit of what i was planning! Many thanks

Jerseygirl

I am probably being unfair to the UK because the trip we have just had was not for a vacation. We were visiting my 87 year old MIL who has just had extensive facial surgery for skin cancer. Therefore every day was spent visiting her in her home...rather than visiting other rellies and friends or doing other things. Also the grey, dark, dreary weather got to us...and sat in an elderly person's house day after day...she won't use the central heating and it was absolutely freezing when you stepped out of the lounge...really got us down.



Edit: Please, please...I urge everyone to have yearly skin screening for cancer. MIL was diagnosed with a benign type of skin cancer years ago. A small percentage of this type of cancer turns malignant...she was unlucky. A couple of months ago she was told there was nothing the doctors could do...then she had another consult and underwent an 11 hour surgery. She has lost an eye and time will tell if the cancer has been completely removed.

Shard

Yes, not the ideal circumstance in which to assess the old country.

What is involved in a screening?

Jerseygirl

Just go to a dermatologist for a check up. If the doc sees anything suspicious he will take a sample and get it biopsied. My husband had 3 AKs removed from his face this summer. They presented as a very small red mark that kept reappearing.

Sorry for taking your thread off topic UR.

ultrarunner

It's OK JG, as long as you acknowledge that you owe me one, it will seem contrary to popular belief that Mods are just humans too

That is right guys..get yourselves checked out!

Hawk13

+1

I'll work until no one wants to pay me as I quite enjoy my job. As to where - who knows

ultrarunner

Is it looking likely to be Canada though?