The Grown-Up's Guide to Running Away from Home, Second Edition: Making a New Life Abroad (6 page)

Mexico
. One of the winners for low cost, Mexico is a favorite of American expatriates. Several areas are filled with English speakers. Over 46,000 of them live near Guadalajara and nearby Lake Chapala alone. They offer a ready base of friendship and tips, plus they’ve already prepared the way with the comforts that you may be used to. The area’s culture is fascinating, with interesting history, architecture, and arts and crafts to explore. Mexico, however, is a generally less affluent country than many Americans are accustomed to, so be prepared to adapt your way of eating and drinking (though most expats here say it rapidly becomes second nature to keep bottled drinking water handy). Another negative has surfaced recently with internal troubles in some areas of the country, though not where most American retirees have chosen to settle.

The cost of living is so low in Mexico that it’s actually possible to live on Social Security there.

Portugal
. Very few Americans have discovered this country, though the British and Germans have. In the south, the Algarve is home to a large numer of English-speaking expats.

The range of lifestyles enables you to live frugally, work “underground,” or live luxuriously in one of the new golf communities. For greener acres than the dry Algarve in summer, the north of Portugal is less inundated by tourists and less costly. It can also be more interesting to operate within the true Portuguese culture, but you’ll have to learn Portuguese, which is a particularly difficult language.

Italy
. Many Americans rhapsodize over the joys of Italy, which range from Tuscany, with its lovely old villas, wine, and access to some of the most beautiful cities in the country, such as Florence and Venice, to the vibrancy of Rome or Milan. What begins as a love of the country for vacations turns into settling there, whether in a city or a quiet village.

Costa Rica
. Rain forests and friendly people, relatively low costs, and warmth year-round are some of the benefits of living in Costa Rica. Though a bit off the beaten path, and not for restless New Yorkers, for people who dream of an easy, tropical lifestyle, Costa Rica may be the choice.

England
. The language may be the same as that spoken by North Americans, but the culture is very different. Many people appreciate England’s charms, though many others are champing at the bit to leave due to the infamous weather. The countryside, however, is lovely, and with a cozy fire and afternoon teas, England may suit you just fine.

Ireland
. The people know how to spin a tale in this land of literary greatness. The country is lush and green (with the weather, there’s a reason), and the people are hospitable. There are charms, to be sure, in Ireland, and monetary incentives as well. Housing, except in Dublin, is reasonable. Residents are eligible for the national health program, and those over sixty-five can get a travel card for free bus and train travel.

Caribbean
. There are so many different islands you could travel to, and you can’t beat the weather if you like it warm year-round.

Panama
. Scenic, with a delightful year-round climate and low cost, Panama is starting to make news as the newest hot spot for affordable retirement. The U.S. dollar is used here. And although Spanish is the official language, the international nature of the Canal Zone makes English a relatively common second language.

Greece
. Life here can be leisurely and laid-back on a hidden beach or loudly crowded during tourist season in Athens. The Greek isles offer scenic but harsh landscapes and brilliant sun, rich archaeological treasures, and centuries of history. This is heaven on earth for those who are entranced by it, though quite the opposite for those who insist on modern efficiencies.

Spain
. Ah, sunny sea coasts, beautiful Barcelona and Seville and mighty Madrid—add Spanish wines and tapas in the late afternoon, and Spain is paradise for Americans who love the culture. Check the weather, though. Madrid, for example, is hot and dry in the summer. Too hot, in fact, for many people’s tastes. Most expats head for the seacoasts, east and south of Barcelona.

South Africa
. Exotic, scenic, and pleasantly temperate, South Africa is enjoying a resurgence since the fall of apartheid, particularly among African-Americans
who are interested in discovering their heritage. The country is still undergoing growing pains, however. Communication is not a problem, as the official languages are both English and Afrikaans (a variety of Dutch).

New Zealand
. A temperate climate, beautiful coastlines, scenic mountains, and lush flora make New Zealand a natural for anyone who loves the outdoors, and its isolation makes it a haven for independent souls. Southeast of Australia, New Zealand is composed of two large islands, North Island and South Island, plus a range of smaller ones, so water sports abound. The country is prosperous, and residents benefit from a high standard for social services. Anyone phobic about learning a new language can rest easy, as English prevails. However, unless you have a needed job skill, getting permanent residence status here is difficult.

Japan
. The language may present some difficulties, but language also offers an entrée for English speakers who want to work in Japan. English teachers are in demand for businesses and schools, so your native language may provide the means of working here. Outside of work, enjoy the thrill of an ancient heritage, a culture that exudes politeness and cleanliness, and a refreshingly low crime rate.

Do the above descriptions whet your appetite to find out more? I hope so. There are countless other destinations to explore, and you can uncover specific and in-depth details from countless sources. Don’t leave it to me. Study up on those countries that intrigue you.

If we were all rich as Bill Gates, running away would not be a problem. Not being so myself, I can only assume that the jet-setters of the world simply keep a few homes handy anywhere they want to be. If this is you, then forget this book and call a real estate agent.

However, at midlife the money issue is probably your number one concern when deciding to run away from home. We don’t want to wind up as bag ladies (or bag men) in our later years because we spent our retirement funds too freely while still in our forties, fifties, or sixties.

Happily, you may discover that your concerns about not having enough money to plan a long-term adventure may result from misinformation, false expectations, or fear of the unknown. A few years back, my husband and I never dreamed that we could afford life abroad, since we equated it with
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
. A little investigation uncovered the fact that ordinary people live overseas too, and many times less expensively than in the States.

If you want to get more out of your life, consider all the possibilities, examine the reality of your assets, and determine what you’ll need for a sojourn overseas. You may find that you can afford to begin an adventure now. Even if you fall short, there are ways to save or scale back that will eventually enable you to enjoy the lifestyle overseas.

One man’s wealth is another man’s poverty. You’ll have to determine for yourself exactly how much it will take for you to live comfortably based on the area you choose, your interests, and the type of lifestyle you require.

I can’t presume to offer exact numbers. In any case, I’m not a financial advisor. I do, however, know methods for determining expenses overseas that have worked for us and other runaways. These methods will help you
estimate your monthly expenses and cut costs. When all is said and done, you may discover that you already have more, or need less, than you think you do.

From the perspective of an American whose tradition tends to be “bigger is better,” it’s clear that most of us have spent our lives trying to make more money and have more belongings. A French friend calls it “
vivre pour travailler
,” or “living to work.” What you want, if you’re seriously interested in running away from home, is the opposite. You must work to live in a way that gives you joy, not just more material objects. Along the way, you’ll develop a more balanced perspective on money. Use it to provide the freedom and life experiences that enrich your life, not as an end in itself. (Incidentally, one book that’s a great inspiration and guide on this score is
Your Money or Your Life
, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin.)

Once you think of money as a tool, not a goal, you’ll discover that the cost of something is not always proportional to the pleasure it provides. It’s possible to live better abroad, if you’re willing to adjust your expectations and adapt.

Voluntary downsizing allows you to maneuver yourself into position to get off the treadmill and discover new horizons. You may think, “Oh, I can’t live without a new car every two years.” If you can afford that, more power to you. But material wealth is not relevant when you’re living an overseas adventure filled with the joys of discovery. Once you’re beyond the thirst for more material things, you’ll discover that you enjoy making do and doing for yourself—especially when it provides the freedom you’ve been wanting to write or hike, visit great museums, or just sleep on a sunny beach. But how much is enough?

A host of financial advisors claim that a person needs 70 to 80 percent of their working income to retire. Whether or not you’re of actual retirement age, running away may require quitting work. If so, use this figure as a starting point. Keep in mind, however, that this figure may be too low by a long shot or even too high. (If you’ve already got too much, don’t complain, just get going!)

Start with some honest soul-searching. You can’t live on 70 to 80 percent of your working income if you plan to spend more money once you have time to travel, eat out, shop—and if you insist on all the extra conveniences we Americans take for granted. Insisting on luxury, however, can delay your capturing the prize of enjoying life instead of belongings. Setting new priorities can cut costs.

You won’t need the 70 to 80 percent of what you’re living on now if you intend to simplify or live in a less expensive locale. Running away provides the ideal opportunity to free yourself from old constraints and expenses. No more three-piece suits and silk ties; shorts do just fine on a Greek isle. No need for a Mercedes to impress the neighbors when for the equivalent of a few dollars you can take the Mercedes bus (with TV and comfy seats!) through central Mexico’s colonial villages. And why pay that steep
mortgage for a huge house your kids have left, when you can get a smaller, paid-for home near a sunny Portuguese beach?

Your ability to cut costs depends on your plans, interests, and personality. Think about the type of place you want to visit or live in long term. Do you dream of running away to a country cottage in Ireland? Do you want to learn Italian in a villa in Tuscany? Will you work part-time to supplement your savings or simply lower your lifestyle to cut all ties with the corporate world? These decisions impact where you’ll live and your actual costs.

Some places naturally cost less to live in than others. When you’re working, you don’t have a choice: you must live where the jobs are. But when you run away, you can live outside expensive cities or choose a country where your dollars give you an advantage. Mexico, for example, is the choice of many U.S. expats and retirees. The weather is warm and sunny most of the year, and you can live nicely on as little as $15,000 a year.

The specific area of a country, even a generally expensive one, makes a big difference, too. Paris is as costly as it is beautiful. But in the French countryside, countless expats own farmhouses that they’re renovating for peanuts. Some friends of ours paid about $30,000 for a run-down property, which now has three bedrooms and a bathroom, kitchen, and living room. The secret is that our friends are both handy and they find joy in keeping costs down by being creative in their use of local materials—some even found for free—and doing most of the work themselves. The female half, however, did comment that, if she’d known better, she would have worked on the house while living somewhere else at first. Borrowing the neighbor’s bathroom while waiting for plumbing to be installed was not her favorite memory.

Don’t even think of running away until you are free from debt. Pay off your charge cards and any other bills—the one exception being your home if, and only if, you are able to rent it out for more than the mortgage costs.