🌟 Living Globally After 50: 7 Reasons Why We Make the Move

Hi! ✈️

I hope all is well with you!

As a freelance coach, I'll be on the road for the next two weeks. I'm heading to Las Vegas for International Living's annual Overseas Bootcamp 2024, then back home to Costa Rica for our bi-annual Relocation Retreat in La Fortuna.

At both places, I'll talk with people considering a move abroad and help them consider continuing to earn income while they live and travel where they want.

According to AARO, about 5.4 million Americans were living overseas in 2023.

For this week's article, I am writing about why people like us consider moving out of their home country in North America to places around the globe.

Whether you're considering a move or just curious, here are seven top reasons why people 50+ move from North America to other locations around the world:

➡️ Lower Cost of Living:

Many countries offer a lower cost of living than North America, making retirement savings stretch further. While you can spend as much as you want anywhere, other countries can be less costly.

➡️ Better Quality of Life:

Many people feel more well-being in a new country due to less stress and slower-paced lifestyles.

Given some of the worries people in the U.S. have from guns to healthcare, other countries have different laws, i.e., strict gun laws, universal healthcare, lack of military, etc., that make some U.S. citizens feel more at ease.

➡️ Health Benefits:

Some destinations offer affordable healthcare and wellness options that aren't easily accessible in North America.

This has been true for us in Costa Rica, and we anticipate the same in Spain.

➡️ Adventure & New Experiences:

Exploring new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes can reinvigorate your sense of adventure.

Learning about other cultures and embedding yourself in them can lead to a greater understanding of self, humanity, what we all have in common, and empathy.

➡️ Finding Better Weather:

Whether it's cold winters or hot summers, finding a climate you love is a significant motivation for many.

➡️ A Welcoming Community:

Surprisingly, many find a welcoming expat community abroad, offering friendships and social connections.

Since living abroad, we've made more friends and had a busier social life than we ever had in the U.S. There is something all expats have in common — the desire and follow-through to try a new experience. We appreciate this about each other.

➡️ Personal Growth & Reinvention:

Moving abroad can provide a fresh start, allowing for personal growth, new hobbies, and the chance to reinvent yourself in a different cultural context.

Becoming a freelancer and a coach only became possible because we moved out of the country. This has opened a new world of opportunities—serving like-minded people, making an income based on something I love (coaching, teaching, and championing others), and allowing me to be relevant, engaged, and in better mental and physical health.

❓ I'll ask everyone I meet over the next few weeks why they're considering moving abroad. I plan to report what I learned, hoping to open new possibilities for you to think, dream, and consider what living in another country could mean.

➡️ A Final Thought

The journey offers exciting possibilities and unique challenges regardless of your reasons for considering life abroad.

As someone who's navigated this transition, I understand the value of thoughtful planning and having a clear path forward.

If you're considering making this change or exploring options for earning remotely while living abroad, regardless of where let's discuss your aspirations and how to make them a reality.

Reach out—I'm here to help you map a plan that aligns with your goals!

With encouragement and love,

Jeanne 🌺

Thrive through Transition