A lot of people ask me about places to live in Europe. Where should I retire? There is no simple answer to this question because a lot of it is personal and what you are looking for in this new chapter. The same rules apply to moving abroad as an expat but on top of this, I think it is important to recognize that moving in the later years requires a bit more thought.
Medical Insurance is an important factor as we get older and you must investigate your accessibility to health care while living abroad. In general, you must be a resident to receive local health care. If you qualify for this, you can scratch this problem off of your list. Health care in all European countries is very good and it is stress free as everyone has the ability to go in and be seen by a doctor. If you are coming from the US, you will need to get International insurance that will help pay for your medical costs while in Europe. As far as the level of health care goes, there is no problem there. Health Care in Europe is excellent. I have first hand experience with this as I have lived in a few Europeaan countries and have given birth to 3 children, too. I have always felt very confident about the health care system everywhere I’ve lived.
Live Where There are Other Expats. It is very tempting to buy a beautiful house in the countryside. Yes, the prices are cheaper but it is very important to find a house that has access to a thriving town. You will want to enjoy local entertainment, cultural events and social outlets. Depending on which country you are thinking about living, you will find a Facebook group which will probably be able to answer any questions you may have about moving to the area. I have found this in every country where I have lived. Once you get connected with a few of these groups, you will start to know people and your calendar will fill up, too. This is a choice but I think it is always better to be connected to the local community and there are a lot of foreigners here doing exactly as you are. Don’t be afraid to stay within your language groups. There will be plenty of time to connect with the locals (if they let you in) but it is important to have a community of people where you feel comfortable. I speak French and have lived all over and I always enjoy meeting up with people who are native English speakers. In my opinion this is an important part of living abroad.
