Retiring overseas for the adventurous spirit
Monday, June 30th, 2008Retiring to a foreign country can be a cultural epiphany if you’re seeking exotica. But without realistic expectations and careful planning, your move abroad could be fraught with frustration.
Even mundane tasks like opening a bank account or getting a plumber to fix a leaky sink could take ages for people used to getting things done quickly in the U.S.
“It’s vitally important to relate your pace to the culture,” says Rosanne Knorr, seasoned traveler, expatriate and author of “The Grown-Up’s Guide to Running Away From Home.”
Before taking the expatriate plunge, spend a minimum of several weeks in a country immersing yourself in the local culture and honing your foreign language skills, experts say.