Anyone retired abroad...from the UK?

I lived in Spain and France for 14 years, and learned the language in both countries whilst living there. Its essential to do so because you integrate better and show more respect for the people of your host country. Health insurance is expensive and as you get older, it increases in cost. Conversion rates of sterling into the currency of your chosen country can impact on your spending power.
Bureaucracy can be a nightmare as there are so many layers to negotiate and this can be exhausting and frustrating.
However, the lifestyle in both countries is very different and a challenge if you embrace it.
The things I missed were such things as coffee and cake at any time of the day, the shops being all day, and being easily able to visit cultural events and sites without having to travel for long distances
However, the only reason I returned was due to the death of my husband as afterwards I felt very lonely and isolated, the adventure was no longer fun. This is something I hadn't taken into account, So, my advice would always be to try it first for two years and keep a property in the UK so that you always have somewhere to return to as selling your property abroad can be an impossibility.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, it's given me insight into areas that I hadn't considered. Sorry for your loss. I hope you are more settled now.

dianad- so sorry for your loss. I've known several women (and men) in the same difficult position - it is so hard. And as you say, selling a property abroad can be a nightmare. Most expats have bought homes which were 'cheap' as compared to UK as they were in rural areas where the French just do not want to live (Dordogne, Auvergne, etc) - and the only prospective buyers are expats. With the concerns over Brexit, £ exchange rates and future accessibility to health care provisions - that market is very wobbly. A friend has been trying to sell a wonderful house in the St Emilion area- lots of interests by curious (nosy) people - but no offers!?!

Different for us, as after 40 years in UK, married to a Brit- we decided to move here, in French speaking Switzerland near French border- in retirement. Little did we know that the Swiss Franc would keep going up, and the £ tumble so quickly- and now nearly 60% less than when we moved here 8 years ago- and with a possible further 10 to 20% in the offing if Brexit goes belly up, and the UK with it- and the possibility of also losing reciprocal health care and have to pay huge sums for private health care (around £500 a month each). We have many friends here, we both speak French fluently, etc, - but if I ever was widowed- I would want to return to UK to be near daughters and grandchildren.

Jura wrote
"but if I ever was widowed- I would want to return to UK to be near daughters and grandchildren."
We've reached that point now, our health is failing.
But we don't want to leave!

So so sorry to hear that Fennel - it is so hard isn't it. When you are young retirees, in good health - it all looks so different. The stress put on UK retirees at the moment re Brexit is massive- worry about reciprocal health care, huge housing cost in UK compared to France, Spain and even more so, Eastern Europe and the re-sale market just disappearing. Hope you find a way to make it work for you x

Where are you Fennel, if I amy ask?

Sorry ' may ask?

Of course we could never ever buy property near them in Surrey - and would have to go back to the East Midlands- we are so lucky that we were able to keep a small property there- so we could return at any time should we have to.

We live in France, in the Gers. Not far from where Carol lived at one time, though we never met.
It's so beautiful and peaceful, driving is a pleasure.
And we're going back to busy SE England.
But it will be good to be "back home", in spite of all the problems there.

Bonne chance

Our decision to move to France some years ago fell at the last fence as my OH was diagnosed with PD and we felt it was important to stay near our families, both for us and for them.

Before we went, these were some of the things we did/took into account:
- language - we both spoke passable French (I did A level and OH came from a family of linguists) and felt that it would rapidly improve when there.

- activities - we were both actively involved in music and we researched in great detail the opportunities there, even joining a choir as guests for an evening to get the feel of things. I also worked on a magazine and made contact with a local English mag, who said they would be delighted to have me on board.

- inheritance laws - very important to have full awareness of this.

- house buying protocols and tax issues

- culture and political system - we researched in some detail. You sound fairly casual about the political climate in Hungary - I would take a close look if I were you as this will determine the mindsets of your neighbours, and thus your communication with them.

- food - I am semi-veggy and the meat, meat, meat culture in France was something I had to take into account.

- grandchildren - as they came along we were glad we had not moved, as our involvement in their lives has been a privilege and a beacon of happiness in what has sometimes been a challenging life.

- health services - if you are retiring there, then you would do well to assume that your health will not always be as now.

- and lots lots more!!

And on our many trial visits, we listened to what was going on around us and took careful note of the attitude of the locals to the Brits - mostly very welcoming but not always what one might have hoped!

As you say, Luckygirl, being able to speak the language is the first priority. Also to read and write it.
I think the french accept the british fairly well in small numbers. It's when they begin to outnumber the locals, and make no effort to integrate, that they can become hostile. As in a few parts of France.

Trial visits can be very unrepresentative of the reality on the ground. The Gers and Auvergne for instance can be gorgeous during the Summer holidays- all the cute towns and villages with people sitting on café terrasses, sipping delicious local wine, etc- and then come late October and holiday homes are closed until Easter, many restaurants closed to, and everyone gone- then come the holwing cold winds and snow.