Reaching retirement age no longer means that you need to slow down and spend most of your time in the same four walls. With lifespans extending and the quality of life improving, there’s now more opportunity than ever for seniors.
If you’ve lived in the same country your whole life, you might be curious about what else is out there. Even if you’re happy with the way your life is going and where you currently live, there’s no better time to explore than in your senior years.
As scary as it might sound to pack up and move to another country, it’s also an exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The world is your oyster and there is so much out there for you – sights to see, new foods to eat, and new people to meet.
The Logistics of Moving Abroad
Moving abroad isn’t always simple but it doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering. You’ll need to do some in-depth research before you relocate to figure out the logistics.
Get in touch with the government or local authorities if you’re not sure which legal documents you need to relocate. I’m general, as long as you sort out a visa and senior’s travel insurance before your move, things should go smoothly.
You’ll also need to consider finding a property in your new country and what you are going to do with your current property. You might wish to keep it and live between two countries or maybe you’d prefer to sell it and use the money to buy a new home abroad.
If you plan on shipping all of your belongings across to your new country, contact several international couriers to find the cheapest quote. Organize the courier once you have finalized the accommodation in your destination country.
Reasons to Live Abroad When You’re a Senior
Now we’ve covered some of the logistics of moving to a new country, let’s cover four of the main reasons why should consider living abroad as a senior.
-
Life Experience
It’s never too late to gain new life experiences. When you reach your senior years, it’s the perfect time to reinvent yourself and do things that you’ve never had a chance to do before.
Moving to another country means you can experience a brand-new culture and see new sights. You can meet people who have completely different views from you and learn about how life is in another country.
If you’ve wanted to try new things over the last decade or two but work has been holding you back, you can make the most of your retirement and ticking things off your bucket list. Moving to a new country provides a wider range of opportunities that you might not have if you stay in your home country.
-
Financial Benefits
Moving to another country might seem like an expensive task but it could save you money in the long run. If you relocate to a country that has better benefits for seniors and retirees, you can get more for your money.
Housing can often be cheaper abroad and so can the cost of living. Because you will be spending less money, you can use your savings to treat yourself to expensive gifts or all-inclusive vacations if you want to enjoy a more luxurious lifestyle.
-
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
As scary as it might be to move to a completely different country, it’s one of the best ways to get yourself out of your comfort zone. You can still spend your retirement comfortably while creating new experiences.
You may have lived in the same town for your whole life and rarely ventured far from home. However, when you reach senior age, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and exploring a country elsewhere in the world.
-
Confidence and Independence
There are very few things that will boost your confidence and independence more than moving abroad. Diving into a completely new experience is scary but it’s also one of the best ways to find who you truly are and learn more about yourself.
Life doesn’t stop when you reach senior age and you never stop growing as a person. You can gain more confidence in yourself than you have in the last few decades by relocating to a new country.
Whether you’re moving on your own, with a partner, or with your family, it’s time to embrace change with open arms!
Retirement in a new country also means that you can explore your hobbies and passions. You can take up painting, go to pottery classes, or run your own vegetable garden. There’s so much time to do the things that you’ve not had chance to do, and why not do them in a new location?
