Initial research pointed towards Panama and Ecuador as the top recommended locations for low cost and expat friendly locales. With anticipation of a $2500 to $3000 monthly budget based on proceeds from our Social Security payouts, both countries would allow a better lifestyle opportunity than our Plan A would here in the States with its income requirement $1500 higher.
Part of that is U.S. general cost of living. It appears housing costs including rent and utilities are about 50 cents on the dollar compared to where we live now in Texas; fresh food is definitely less and healthcare should be cheaper too. Another big part of the savings (about $800 a month less) would result because strategically placed housing in many Ecuadorean and Panamanian cities (close to the beach, shopping, services) may not require owning a car which is normally a must in most sprawling U.S. cities. In the Dallas-Ft. Worth where we live in now, often two cars are a necessity particularly if one is used for commuting.
After digging a little deeper, Ecuador jumped to the number one spot for me. On the whole it is a little cheaper, can have a more climate options, and -- at least for now -- is a more cannabis friendly environment. The last reason is not because we are pot heads (although after living through the Seventies, we are no strangers to that lifestyle), but rather because medical marijuana pain therapy would be part of Brenda's overall healthcare plan if we can get her off her current opiate-based infusion pump regimen that marginally controls her pain levels. The basically non-accosted availability of the herb that goes with unofficial decriminalization along with an easy and inexpensive tie in with the country's national healthcare system would definitely be a plus.
Our love of the ocean and beach life, and a warmer year around climate narrowed the focus to coastal areas of Ecuador's three distinct climate regions. While a high percentage of expats tend to settle in the central higher elevation region -- which divides the coastal plain from the rain forest on the east side of the country -- in the more temperate cities like the national capital Quito and more renowned expat-haven Cuenca with their perpetual Spring-like temps, the Pacific coast's 75 to 95 degree range and the availability of unbroken water aerobics would suit Brenda's many ailments including Rheumatoid Arthritis much better. I think I could handle year around shorts, T-shirts and flip flops.
So now the focus will be to choose where along the coast to do our preliminary visit. If all goes well, we will schedule a that visit later in the Spring (hopefully by May for a week) to get the lay of the land. Before any move to our retirement destination occurs a thorough hands on visit is necessary. Our best option at this point appears to be Manta, located just north of the midpoint on the country's Pacific Coast.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Friday, January 1, 2016
Day one of the rest of my life
A cliche maybe; a truth in reality for sure. Coming off probably the worst year in a series of difficult ones, 2016 is sure to be a crossroads for our family.
When my wife Brenda became sick six years ago this coming May, our lives and future became sidetracked from our expectations of what our Silver years might be like.
In the Spring of 2010 we had some money in the bank, were for the most part debt free, Brenda was half way through training for a second career in the legal field and I was well established in my industry of choice. Life was good and the future that we hoped would take us into our retirement years looked set. But while Brenda was able to finish school, permanent disability replaced an expected career $50,000 a year of income earmarked to savings. I would end up needing to take a couple extended breaks from work to help with her care and logistics to try and stabilize her condition. Our savings eroded and today, as I enter my 62nd year, retirement would seem to be as far away as ever.
A few years back I had started a passing interest in researching life outside the United States as a more affordable option as we grew older. I never did stop the International Living Website "postcards" I received periodically but that focus waned as work, caregiving and just plan survival took precedence. A plan developed after I turned 60 that by taking early Social Security payments and supplementing them with part-time income, Brenda's disability payments and maybe a small home-based business income could allow us to manage a modest lifestyle here in the States.
This Plan A became superseded by the re-interest of an expat retirement when a recent decision to reevaluate Brenda's care regimen that would allow a simpler treatment protocol and open up healthcare options.
More later on how we got to this point in the story but a new plan has developed a focus of efforts on being in a completely different environment when we celebrate the new year 365 days from now. A year round tropical climate, and a cheap cost but modern standard of living would fit the bill.
This blog is intended to chronicle that journey and provide the background of one baby boomer generation couple ( and their two four-legged children) as they navigate to survive the modern world while they enter the last chapter of their lives.
When my wife Brenda became sick six years ago this coming May, our lives and future became sidetracked from our expectations of what our Silver years might be like.
In the Spring of 2010 we had some money in the bank, were for the most part debt free, Brenda was half way through training for a second career in the legal field and I was well established in my industry of choice. Life was good and the future that we hoped would take us into our retirement years looked set. But while Brenda was able to finish school, permanent disability replaced an expected career $50,000 a year of income earmarked to savings. I would end up needing to take a couple extended breaks from work to help with her care and logistics to try and stabilize her condition. Our savings eroded and today, as I enter my 62nd year, retirement would seem to be as far away as ever.
A few years back I had started a passing interest in researching life outside the United States as a more affordable option as we grew older. I never did stop the International Living Website "postcards" I received periodically but that focus waned as work, caregiving and just plan survival took precedence. A plan developed after I turned 60 that by taking early Social Security payments and supplementing them with part-time income, Brenda's disability payments and maybe a small home-based business income could allow us to manage a modest lifestyle here in the States.
This Plan A became superseded by the re-interest of an expat retirement when a recent decision to reevaluate Brenda's care regimen that would allow a simpler treatment protocol and open up healthcare options.
More later on how we got to this point in the story but a new plan has developed a focus of efforts on being in a completely different environment when we celebrate the new year 365 days from now. A year round tropical climate, and a cheap cost but modern standard of living would fit the bill.
This blog is intended to chronicle that journey and provide the background of one baby boomer generation couple ( and their two four-legged children) as they navigate to survive the modern world while they enter the last chapter of their lives.
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