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Retiring Abroad Comes With Risks, Rewards

Norm Lanier
/
Flickr
Sunset on Costa Rica's Playa Hermosa is beautiful. But before you commit to any retirement destination, do your research, says KPLU travel expert Matthew Brumley.

Maybe you have been on a vacation where, when it is time to come home, you think, “What if I just stayed?”

For thousands of retirees every year, that is a reality. They leave the United States and become permanent residents abroad, often in some place warm and sunny.

KPLU travel expert Matthew Brumley says that has risks and rewards.

Rewards

“It’s sunny and it’s warm,” he said. “Access to medical care is a fraction of the cost. It’s less expensive to do everything – go to a movie, go to a play, dining out.”

Cheaper housing also abounds in many locations. Americans are moving all over the globe, but popular destinations include Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, and Uruguay.

“It’s a good way to live life to the fullest and beat inflation at the same time,” Brumley said.

Risks

Brumley says some retirees expect their life in a foreign country to be a cheaper and warmer version of what they were used to in the United States.

“There’s more bureaucracy in these places,” he said. “Bank lines are very long. Customer service can be very slow. And there are power outages and plumbing problems.” Be ready to wait for weeks to get something repaired.

Diving In

Which brings up another point. Brumley says he’s seen people move away and only talk to other Americans or Canadians. That can defeat the purpose.

“If I were to move overseas I’d want to somehow become part of the community,” Brumley said. “Volunteer at a school. And instead of inviting only your American or Canadian or European friends over … make a big effort to branch out and start inviting people from outside your immediate neighborhood and community.”

Meet the locals. Not only is it just good citizenship in a community, but friends who know how to navigate local customs, traditions and services can be your ticket to getting out of a jam.

Don’t Commit Right Away

When you find yourself ankle-deep in white sand, sipping a cocktail and contemplating your retirement, Brumley says you should take a step back.

“Don’t buy property, don’t buy a house, don’t fall in love with some sunny little beach town and say I want to live here now,” he said.

Instead, visit a few times – and in different seasons – to make sure you really know a destination before you commit to spending years there. Or to put it another way, date a little before you get married.

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"Going Places" is KPLU's weekly exploration of travel. Matthew Brumley is the co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions, which provides small group travel to clients including KPLU. He's been leading tours around the world for more than 20 years. 

Ed Ronco is a former KNKX producer and reporter and hosted All Things Considered for seven years.