Is it cheaper to live abroad? Anyone done it?

Everyone, thanks again for your posts. There is a lot to think about. I think we will likely rent out our own house short term while we have a look around. We have an idea of where we would like to go. Spain is at the top of our list for the reasons I've said but its not the cheapest of destinations we could consider. Which is why i asked if shrine l anyone had done it. But as you all quite rightly point out, the decision can't be made on cost alone. If i had a choice i would close comments but since gransnet don't do this, I'm just leaving the comments myself now. Thanks again b everyone

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply Rexdog! 🍷

Bon chance.

Rexdog12, Bulgaria is beautiful, with friendly locals often fluent speakers of English. Even on holiday, eating in restaurants every day, with lovely rented accommodation, it's amazingly cheap.

I have lived abroad, but many years ago as a child. However I do have friends living in Spain and Turkey. Property still much cheaper, food cheaper (though inflation in Turkey is massive and economy unstable) However in every instance they moved out prior to Brexit and my understanding is it’s very much more difficult now and far harder to gain residency. In all cases my friends report cheaper and better quality of life and nicer climate.

Since Brexit, you can't just decide to live anywhere in Europe and go there.
I live in France but I was here before Brexit, only because I fell for a Frenchman.
Anyone who wants to come now has to prove they can keep themselves at a far higher level than the average French person on a reitrement pension, and the pension in France is approximately twice a British one.
And it isn't cheaper here. It's better, but not cheaper.
Before you get any further down that road, you need to research the requirements of all European countries for incomers from the UK. I gather Malaysia is cheap, though.

How I wish brexit had not happened! It’s a lot harder and more costly now to retire abroad if in European country. It’s an interesting thread, good luck what ever you decide.. I shall be watching replies on here.

As I write I am staying with friends who moved to Portugal 15 years ago. Both are now in the 80s
As a ‘critical friend’ I see that they have probably had a better standard of life than I have had in the UK but now lack many things I value eg close friends who speak the same language, family nearby. They struggle with issues of dealing with the health services in Portuguese as their health needs have become more complex. Their lovely 3-bed apartment is too big and in a complex where many are holiday lets, which leaves them isolated in the winter. All that said, they are happy that they chose to move.

Our plan is to downsize in around 4-5 years, move from Essex to Norfolk, nothing too rural but certainly edge of town or mid village and live a simple live, with our dog, and possibly single storey property, near to a shop and GP x good luck to you xx

We have a friend (78) who forgot to buy a property here in the UK, when his landlady wanted to get him out (17 years at a very low rent) he discovered there was no way he could afford Britain for him and his grand piano and the massive collection of other musical instruments. Long story short he is now living in Portugal in a property with its own vineyard and olive trees. The neighbours are lovely he says and very helpful but they don’t speak English and he does not (yet) speak Portuguese. (He started with duolingo only to discover that is South American Portuguese!)
He loves it there but is not daunted by the isolation of the property or lack of local facilities but he is realising that he will not be able to come back for gigs or band practice regularly.
Most of his stuff is still in store here including the grand piano. It’s a brave move at his age and I don’t know how he will cope if his health fails. Saying that things are so bad in Britain that its future does not look good - and probably won’t be again in my lifetime. Good luck !

Hetty58

Rexdog12, Bulgaria is beautiful, with friendly locals often fluent speakers of English. Even on holiday, eating in restaurants every day, with lovely rented accommodation, it's amazingly cheap.

I lived there for 5 years. We moved there 3 years before they joined the eu in 2007. Moved back to uk when the grandchildren came along, I missed them too much.

The most amazing Bulgarian we met was a customs officer.
Our goods left the uk in a removal van. The Turkish driver had a row with his boss and left the lorry and our goods somewhere in Hungary and went home. That wonderful man tracked down the lorry, got a driver to Hungary to drive our goods to us.

I am English and for many reasons have lived in 4 different countries only one being English speaking. To me it has always been a case of swings and roundabouts
What is cheaper in one country is more expensive in another. To fully appreciate the culture and customs of a country a working knowledge of the language is essential. Do your research well. The grass is not always greener elsewhere. Good luck for your future

We lived in Spain for 17 years, we found it much cheaper to live a nice life out there. Menu del dia in most restaurants was only £10 or 12 euros, this would be two or three courses and often included a glass of wine. The social life is amazing, lots of different social clubs to join, you could be out socialising 7 days a week if you wanted to. Train fares cheaper for seniors, we travelled all over Spain that way. Summers are extremely hot, so you may struggle with the heat then. The only reason we returned back to the UK was because my husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness so he wanted to come home. Since he’s died I find the social life here was the elderly is non existent, we don’t get together the way we did in Spain.

Since he’s died I find the social life here was the elderly is non existent, we don’t get together the way we did in Spain

That's not true for most places, do check out your local area, you may find that there's lot's going on.

lots
(Wandering apostrophe!)

Ive lived in Spain 34 years, and the health care and standards are totally amazing- the people are lovely, the country is more family and people friendly than UK! There is less street crime than I read about in UK- I have been back a few times to London and Glasgow to see friends , family, but no more! These beloved cities were alien to me. BUT other posters are right about the language, (you need to learn it) and the amount of time it will take you to establish a new life whichever country you choose. And to build friendships from scratch is hard. (because lots of British people come, make friends , then move on!) So think hard at your age, we were in our 40's when we came, now we have our girls married here, grandkids here, so we are settled, and UK holds nothing for us -- (yes we would get "benefits" but good grief, choosing somewhere to just get more money????

Ladyinspain

Ive lived in Spain 34 years, and the health care and standards are totally amazing- the people are lovely, the country is more family and people friendly than UK! There is less street crime than I read about in UK- I have been back a few times to London and Glasgow to see friends , family, but no more! These beloved cities were alien to me. BUT other posters are right about the language, (you need to learn it) and the amount of time it will take you to establish a new life whichever country you choose. And to build friendships from scratch is hard. (because lots of British people come, make friends , then move on!) So think hard at your age, we were in our 40's when we came, now we have our girls married here, grandkids here, so we are settled, and UK holds nothing for us -- (yes we would get "benefits" but good grief, choosing somewhere to just get more money????

and there you have it.. your daughters and GC are with you.. lucky you

One piece of advice I'd give to anyone considering living abroad- apart from checking the current legal situation and access to health care, post Brexit - is to RENT first- and for one whole year, and experience ALL SEASONS.

So many move after experiencing a few weeks in the Summer. Small village or town, everyone sitting on terrasses at Cafés on the Square- lovely atmosphere. And they fall in love with the lifestyle.

Then comes November- the winds are howling, rain, house not well insultated, bad roads, and no-one around anymore. Everything closed or empty- and depression sets in, booze takes over ... and it is a whole different story!

If you are interested in Spain, have you thought about the Canary Isles? The climate is good, most people speak English, there are extensive ex-pat communities and in general a more international population than in Spain itself. Law and order is good, however living costs are not cheaper. We have two sets of friends who live in Santa Cruz de la Palma and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria respectively and are very happy with their choices. They did move out before Bexit and both bought apartments in the U.K. before leaving so they have a toe hold in Britain. The Gran Canaria couple bought a villa with an annexe and have a lot of enthusiastic visitors from the U.K. particularly in the winter months. Their area of the town is quite heavily dominated by Germans, but there are also a lot of Brits.

We have lived abroad twice, Germany and Saudi Arabia, loved them both, Saudi much more. It's so true what many are saying that unless you speak the language you at a huge disadvantage. You can't integrate, you can't understand the political, social, benefits, media, medcal and countless more situations. Living abroad only made me appreciate England more, it might not be perfect here but at least I know it's not perfect and how it isn't. You'll never get that understanding in another country without speaking the language like a native and believe me the country you choose will be far from perfect, every country has it's problems, mostly the same as ours, we just don't know about them.

We have a house in Crete and yes I think it would be cheaper to live there than the UK although prices are increasing. Electricity is dearer and there is no competition so no choice. Living on an island a lot of things have to be imported and are quite dear. You do live outside more because of the weather and it is cheaper to eat and drink out than the UK.
I think as someone has recommended, read the expat sites and you will get a feel for prices or better still go and rent somewhere for a year, letting out your own house to cover costs. You can then see whether you would like to live there all year round and not just when the sun shines!!

Only one thought - too blinking hot!! Bad enough in the UK on some summer days, but Spain?? No thanks!! The climate anywhere else but the UK would make it impossible to contemplate a move.

I’ve also lived overseas in Germany for 12yrs you don’t get free Nhs and laws plus like others have said language is different unless you pick Canada or Australia somewhere that speaks the same language but some countries might not let in with your ages. You should go on holiday to see if you like the place. Also what about your family have you asked them how they would feel about you going overseas. Myself and ex hubby did everything to go to Australia when our son’s were younger but it was family that stopped us biggest mistake ever made. But we were young then. I’ve just moved over 300 miles to be near one of my sons and i found it quite hard going on my body and I’m similar age as you too.

During the last few years of my career I found that a lot of people moved back to UK the main reasons being health care and long term care. Brexit didn't exist and some had left families in Europe to move back. Also, Europeans who had settled here brought elderly relatives over, put them up for a couple of weeks then requested care assessments for long term care home placements. All above board at that time. The UK does have some appeal, even now.

We lived in Spain for 10 years before returning to UK in 2017. Loved it - but it took 5 years to sell our beautiful home. I was 62 when we went and it was a wonderful adventure that neither of us would have missed for the world! But I’m so glad we came back just before Brexit. I don’t know how it affects expats now.

I would suggest you think of keeping a small bolt hole here in the uk and going for something with a small budget abroad. Health care in Spain was superb - but you do need a good interpreter with you every time unless you can speak the language well.
But in answer to your question …. Oh yes! Our money definitely went much further in Spain! But we’re talking 2007-2017 .
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. We have no regrets even though we have had to downsize dramatically! The experience was well worth it!
Talk to people already there if at all possible. But don’t be put off by those who wouldn’t even consider it!
Good luck and pm me if you’d like to talk .