Hi, Berdie,
I’m glad you wrote “IMHO”, because of course, respectfully, you are a data point of one. You are right that the number one reason for moving overseas is for a lower cost of living, but not by much. There are many, many quality of life reasons why people move overseas.
In the survey, we asked 389 expats this question: “Please check all the things you THOUGHT you could achieve by moving abroad.” Here are the top results:
Lower cost of living: 86.6% (you’re right on this one)
A simpler, less stressful life 82.0%
Better weather 73.8%
A less materialistic or more meaningful life 55.8%
A more romantic, exotic, or adventurous life 42.4%
Etc.
The magnitude of the quality of life responses are quite striking. Remember, these people are saying that they are not achieving these things in the US.
Here’s a direct quote from a woman who echoed what many, many others said:
The local people, in general, are wonderfully helpful. It’s like living in the US in the 1950’s. People stop for you on the road if you look like you need help. Older women are especially respected and helped with carrying things or given a hand for support in walking over rough terrain, etc. Doctors give you as much time as you need during appointments. They give you their cell phone number and usually appointments can be made with little or no waiting time. – Female, Age 65+, Married, Fully retired, from US, living in Panama for more than 10 years
Rightly or wrongly, I’m just reporting what so many people have told us.
There is no doubt that I am an inaccurate barometer. I live in a small, rural community (and plan to retire here as well) where the things the lady in Panama cite as being different...are everyday life occurrences and just part of one human being kind to another. So I take this behavior very much for granted. Now...I do work part-time in a nearby large city and the difference is stark. So I can see why people don't think the kind of life they wish to achieve exists.
On the survey, I would think that most of the situations will be obtained once one retires? With the exception of better weather (subjective since different people like different types of weather) and romantic, exotic more adventurous life. Nothing wrong with wanderlust.:)
I guess it all boils down to...different strokes for different folks.