“Sometimes your gut knows before your brain catches up,” Sandra Mayernik says, summarizing the moment she and husband Jeff made the radical decision to sell nearly everything they owned and leave Oregon behind for a new life overseas. Years of rising stress, health scares and costs finally coalesced into one overriding realization: staying put meant more burnout – and less joy.
For Americans in their 50s and early 70s, retiring abroad is at once a liberating and daunting experience: an alluring promise of a lower cost of living, slower days, and new adventures, but by no means bereft of problems. The rewards run from challenges around navigating foreign healthcare to the toll on emotional well-being from being far away from loved ones.
Wrapped in the Mayerniks’ experience and insight-just as it is in that of many other expats-are nine key truths about retiring abroad, speaking both to the beauty and complications of such a leap.
1. Lower cost of living may change your lifestyle.
Probably the strongest overseas draw for retirees is affordability. The Mayerniks rented a spacious apartment in Albania, its balconies offering views of Lake Ohrid, utilities and high-speed internet included, for about $1,100 per month-which was less than they were paying for a tiny studio in Oregon. Comfortable apartments in Tirana, Albania’s capital, are still available for less than $500 a month, according to expat networking sites.
Grocery, dining out, and healthcare costs are but a fraction of what a retire might pay back in the United States. A strong dollar goes further in enhancing quality of life in ways they can seldom achieve back home.
While these savings are very real, retirees must also consider fluctuating exchange rates and local inflationary trends that can impact long-term affordability.
2. Often, healthcare abroad is very good and at reasonable cost.
This is a big concern for retirees. Jeff did learn that the prescriptions in Albania were under his U.S. copays, and the process was quite easy. Many countries have excellent facilities with trained physicians at much lower costs than in the States.
Medicare does not generally cover care outside the US. The retiree would take private international or local insurance. Research any local rules about access to emergency services, specialists, and how prescriptions are available well in advance of the move.
Planning ahead really pays, and besides peace of mind, often considerable savings can be made by taking comprehensive cover.
3. Distance and how it takes an emotional toll on the people in their surroundings.
Still, with video calling and social media, it’s tough to really do without the personal touch. Sandra misses kayak fishing with her sisters. “There’s just a ‘lack of face-to-face connection'” that makes them less involved in friends’ and family members’ day-to-day lives, Jeff said. It can get very lonely-especially over holidays or in an emergency-which is another reason why the local support network through expat meetups, clubs, or volunteering can fill in. But retirees should also brace themselves for the fact that, with intervening oceans and time zones, there are relationships which may feel different.
4. Getting used to novelty of language and new currency is not as easy as it seems
Add to that additional needs you have for learning how to navigate grocery stores, read labels, and cope with currency so different from what you are familiar with, and the day-to-day friction builds. Jeff remembers one time when he bought what he thought was ham but later found wasn’t. Mistakes like those wear patience thin over time. Experts say some of the barriers are cognitive-more about stress and shifting identities than gaps in vocabulary. High-pressure situations can bring on anxiety and make recall even of simple phrases more difficult. Language study combined with cultural immersion may make adaptation easier by embracing errors along the way.
5. Visa Rules Can Offer Flexibility-or Headaches
Probably, the biggest plus Albania offers is a lifestyle which can be enjoyed there sans visa for as long as 12 months – great for doing a “test drive” in life abroad. Usually, such a window provides enough time to determine whether one is staying long-term or elsewhere. Beyond the first year there is some paperwork to be done. Requirements can vary radically depending on the country, but they can include proof of income, health insurance, background checks, and renewals every few years. Go through official consulate websites periodically, and then make a plan regarding possible future rule changes that can prohibit surprises.
6. Slower Pace of Life Can Improve Health
The Mayerniks spend their days in Saranda walking along the promenade, reading, or catching rays on the beach. Jeff says probably the greatest advantage has been a “less hurried and harried” lifestyle that cuts down on stress. In the case of Sandra, who did not take long to realize she was a workaholic, after several months abroad she no longer wanted to continue with remote work; the different rhythm allowed her to focus on well-being. For many retirees, this shift can mean improved health, mental and physical, but is rarely easy to let go of old habits tying them to productivity.
7. Cultural Differences Require Patience and Curiosity
Everything from different greeting customs to meal times can feel very foreign. In Albania, pro-American sentiment and authentic hospitality greet newcomers, yet misunderstandings can still happen. Though often illogical, experts stress the observation of local customs builds respect and promotes easier integration into society. Observe, ask questions, and then join the community-that’s where one will learn how to bridge the gap. The key is in patience; cultural fit is a process, not a checkmark.
8. Food Quality Abroad Can Be a Pleasant Surprise
The Mayerniks have found out Albanian food contains less sugar, dyes, and preservatives. Actually, even packaged ramen contains less sodium than its U.S. counterpart. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients can lead to healthier eating without a restrictive feeling. This could be a big plus for retirees who have diet and health on their minds. Exploring the local markets and learning regional recipes can also be a very enjoyable activity through which to connect with culture.
9. Retirement Abroad Requires Redefining Purpose
Leaving a career behind can mean leaving a sense of identity. Sandra at first kept on working remotely as an administrator, then later opted for full retirement. Experts say the establishment of new goals-via hobbies, volunteering, and part-time work, for example-can help maintain purpose. Retirement isn’t an escape from stress, but the opportunity to invest in one’s passions and relationships. People who search for meaning usually adapt better and feel more fulfilled. Approaching retirement as a process, and not in itself, allows retirees to keep their energy and interest.
Retirement abroad can deliver the lower costs, slower pace, and fresh perspective that many Americans covet-but it’s no panacea. Indeed, the story of the Mayerniks underlines something very important: the rewards are real, but so are the challenges. Success is dependent upon one’s preparation and the ups and downs one is willing to accept. For those who are taking the leap, the journey may be as enriching as the destination.
