SEARCHING FOR MY IDEAL RETIREMENT LOCATION

During the next five years I will be combing the face of the Earth trying to find the place I most belong. That can also include the options of continuing to vagabond about or to live in various places for extended periods of time. All options are currently on the table. France and England are currently a front runners, but there is a good deal more to see and experience. Below are the current contenders.

Having spent some time in Central America, it has become clear that my heart lies in France, and no amount of economical advantages can dissuade me from my Gallic obsession. Now it’s merely a question of visiting a few more areas in France and making a choice. Of course, I am keeping an open mind since there are a few places with potential that I haven’t visited, but I sincerely doubt they will eclipse the sheer beauty, culture, and lifestyle that France has to offer.

Two years into my world tour, I have found that I greatly enjoy a change of scenery throughout the year. After all as a child growing up in Tuxedo Park, New York I enjoyed the four seasons, and I summered in Bermuda for the duration of my pre-college years. In the wake of all of my vagabonding activities, I’m not sure I really want to settle down in any one single location. This brings up the alternate solution that I touched upon earlier.

I’m thinking of multiple locations throughout the year. Perhaps three to five would be a good number. Picking places based on the best one-three months for my stay, and then simply move on to the next. No problematic weather or long term visas, no property or cars to own, and best of all I get that variety which I so enjoy. Nothing gets stale, and given the instability politically and meteorogically in the world today, it’s not a bad idea to be flexible geographically. I think it’s a plan.

  1. 1. THE WORLD BUFFET – This Is The Winner!

  2. 2. Loire Valley, FRANCE

  3. 3. The Dordogne, FRANCE

  4. 4. UNITED KINGDOM

  5. 5. Bordeaux, FRANCE

  6. 6. Dijon, FRANCE

  7. 7. Riga, LATVIA

  8. 8. Central Valley, COSTA RICA

  9. 9. Ljubliana, SLOVENIA

  10. 10. Salzburg, AUSTRIA

  11. 11. Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS

  12. 12. Copenhagen, DENMARK

  13. 13. Panama City, PANAMA

  14. 14. Santiago, CHILE

  15. 15. Cusco, PERU

  16. 16. Varna, BULGARIA

  17. 17. GREECE

  18. 18. Bilbao, SPAIN

  19. 19. Cuenca, ECUADOR

  20. 20. NEW HORIZONS

4 Comments

  1. Faith
    September 11, 2015

    Out of the 4, I woulld narrow it down to Bordeaux area if you like the sea. Good transport options (plane and train). Secondly, the Dordogne area. Warm in winter avoiding the winter storms off the atlantic. Limosin area as not been spoilt by high prices and is also charming…close to the mountains and Switzerland. Medical system is extremely good. We lived 16 years in France (1994 to 2010). I really miss the weather livng n England!

  2. The Travel Zealot
    September 12, 2015

    Faith,
    I’ve got to admit I am leaning to the pastoral beauty and healthy expat community of the Dordogne. It’s hard to resist. The Loire Valley interests me as well. I just think that it would be more pleasant to retire there rather than in the heart of Southern California youth culture. Of course in 2016 I embark on my Central And South America tour during which I will visit some potential retirement destinations in Costa Rica and Ecuador.

  3. Yanni Babelis
    June 12, 2017

    Summers in Greece, the rest of the year whatever your heart desires, that’s my recommendation. There are some quaint, idyllic islands that you can escape and surrender completely!

  4. The Travel Zealot
    June 13, 2017

    Hey Yanni,
    Thanks for lending some credibility to this post with your Greekness. I’m not big on heat and crowds of tourists so I think I will return in the shoulder seasons in April, May, and October. That would especially apply in Santorini. I’m sure I could drift into June in some of those quaint less trafficked islands that you refer to. Your tips have come in handy. Today is my last day in Mykonos and will be spent exploring the hotel pool. I’ve been resting up for three weeks in Russia. That’s a cultural shift for you. Greece has been wonderful, and I even experienced some nice Greek hospitality on Tinos when the restaurant owner had me sit with his family and friends when I returned to use the bathroom. The sole was to die for as you were often known to say. Looking forward to future adventures in this great country.

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