• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
FREE REPORT
BEST PLACES TO RETIRE
*No spam: We will NEVER give your email address to anyone else.
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • France
      • Colombia
      • Dominican Republic
      • Thailand
      • Mexico
      • Spain
      • Argentina
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
Live and Invest Overseas
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • France
      • Colombia
      • Dominican Republic
      • Thailand
      • Mexico
      • Spain
      • Argentina
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
No Result
View All Result

Retiring To Europe On A Budget

Live And Invest Overseas by Live And Invest Overseas
Jul 19, 2012
in Mailbag
0
Money and happiness doesn't necessarily mean big houses or apartments.
208
SHARES
3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

“Kathleen, first of all, I have to tell you that coming across your book two years ago was life-changing for me! All I could picture was a bleak existence, struggling to make ends meet. Now I am actually excited for the next two years to pass quickly so I can begin collecting my Social Security and begin living my life (I am 64).

“Which brings me to my question: All I will have is a small savings plus Social Security benefits of US$1,800 to US$1,900 per month. Could I realistically live in Europe–maybe Ireland, Italy or France–without just scraping by? I’ve been doing enough of that. And could I qualify to become a resident in these countries? I would intend to live simply–rent a small furnished apartment, no car, not bringing anything but my clothes. Medical costs/coverage are a concern, so would like to take advantage of low-cost or free care. At present I have no medical issues at all.

“I’m not a tropical climate person. The culture and ease of traveling in Europe has the most appeal for me, but I have considered Panama if Europe is too much of a stretch financially.

“I am an avid fan and subscriber. I recently bought the audio tapes of your Arizona conference. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to!”

–Vicki W., United States

Yes, it can be possible to live in rural Europe fairly well on US$1,900 a month (about €1,500 at today’s exchange rate). Languedoc or Midi-Pyrenees in France, Abruzzo in Italy, and maybe even some parts of Ireland at this point could be good options. It wouldn’t be luxury living, but you could enjoy a rich, full, interesting life.

The big concern would be the exchange rate. Right now, your dollars would go far enough. If the dollar-euro exchange rate were to go against you, though, it would become harder. With only a very fixed U.S. dollar-denominated retirement income, it can be safer to choose a destination where your local expenses would likewise be in dollars.

You seem to have an open-minded perspective, though, so here’s what I’d suggest: Find a small, affordable corner of Europe and give it a try. If the exchange rate does eventually go against you, move somewhere else, perhaps Panama as you’ve been thinking, where you wouldn’t have to worry about currency fluctuations. Meantime, you’d have had your European adventure.

Continue Reading: Day-To-Day Life In Medellin, Colombia

Comments

Tags: mailbag
Share83Tweet52
Previous Post

Corsican Dream Properties Turn To Dust

Next Post

Day-To-Day Life In Medellin, Colombia

Live And Invest Overseas

Live And Invest Overseas

Live and Invest Overseas is the world's savviest source for top opportunities to live better, retire in style, invest for profit, do business, and own real estate overseas. Established in 2008, the Live and Invest Overseas' editors and correspondents have more experience researching and reporting on top opportunities for living well, investing for profit, doing business, and owning real estate around the world than anyone else you'll find.

Related Posts

Aerial view of Fortress Vila Vella and Badia de Tossa bay at summer in Tossa de Mar on Costa Brava, Catalunya, Spain
Mailbag

Low-Humidity Retire Overseas Options

by Live And Invest Overseas
January 2, 2021
0

When searching for a place with “perfect weather,” many people look for locations in low humidity countries. People with arthritis...

Read more
Assisted Living

Assisted Living In Panama

December 11, 2020
Boa constrictor imperator

Malaria, Dengue, Bugs, Spiders, And Snakes In Panama

December 9, 2020
Establishing Retirement Residency In Portugal - Lagos

Establishing Retirement Residency In Portugal

July 6, 2016
The Tax Advantages of Operating A Business Offshore can be plenty in a country like Panama.

How To Live Tax Free In Panama

June 1, 2016
Man riding motorbike past Very colorful two story houses in Dominican Republic

Tourist Visa Versus Residency In The Dominican Republic

May 23, 2016
A bright green banking button on a computer in Panama

The Ins and Outs of Banking In Panama: Q&A

May 22, 2016
Next Post
Life In Medellin Colombia

Day-To-Day Life In Medellin, Colombia

A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas Today.

Start Your New Life Today, Overseas

how to retire overseas

LIOS Resources


  • New To LIOS
  • Ask An Expert
  • Media Center
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs

Quick Links


  • Best Places To Live
  • Best Places To Retire
  • Finding A Job Overseas
  • Real Estate

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and get your FREE report: The 10 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2021

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe

© 2008-2021 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Countries
  • Budgets
  • Archives
  • News
  • Events
  • Bookstore
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Members Area
  • Contact Us

© 2008-2021 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

WANT TO RETIRE OVERSEAS?

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll immediately send you a free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE in style overseas. Each day you’ll learn about the best opportunities for international living, retiring overseas, offshore diversification and asset protection, and investing in real estate around the world.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.