Anyone retired abroad...from the UK?

Can I just say how envious i am of you adventurous people! It has always been my dearest wish to live in another country but DH has always seen all the difficulties and downsides from learning the language to finding friends. I only got him to move to the southwest from the Midlands after years of nagging and then threatening to leave. He actually loves it now!

Can I ask though how do you fit in and how long does it take to make friends as opposed to acquaintances? I am horrified by Brexit and feel very unsettled in the UK. I have an Irish passport and we are going to see what Ireland feels like now at some point in 2017. I've always thought you probably needed something to bring such as a skill or interest that you could pretty quickly share with others regardless of language abilities? Would that be right?

I'd love to hear about ups and downs if anyone has time to share.

The people in Hungary (Hungarians) speak very good English

If you've got £5k plus a sense of adventure, I'd take the risk.

TriciaF. Hull is doing good preparing for City of Culture 2017. Lots of events planned for the year and very good for the city.

Hi Petra, we choose Hungary as the property there is so cheap. Our intention is to renovate (we have a team of builders)and use it for holidays, then eventually, if all goes well retire there. We have in the past looked extensively in Spain and before Bulgaria joined the EU we travelled there to explore what was on offer. In Hungary they have beautiful lakes (Lake Balaton) and thermal hot springs, the cost of living is cheaper than the UK and our pension will go further in the future. My husband is there now viewing properties, so shall see what the outcome is when he comes back.

Sueinhull I've lived in Spain and Bulgaria. Can I ask why Hungary.

*SueinHull" I agree with all the comments made so far but would like to stress a couple besides the very practical( insurance, keeping some property in the UK, having a 6-month trial renting there, etc.).

The ability to communicate in the language of the country is essential. You say your husband is multilingual, but does he speak Hungarian? And what steps do you plan to take to learn, bearing in mind that Hungarian is one of the harder European languages, unlike any other except Finnish, I think.

Some knowledge of the culture and customs of the country chosen is also essentiall. For example, what do you know of the political situation in Hungary now?

Some essential preparation will help you have a more successful move.

Good luck and have fun planning and preparing!

I did my nurse training in Hull eons ago

As another person who moved to France after retirement I agree with the points above. Especially language - you need to be able to socialise otherwise you might feel isolated.
And health insurance. Which can be more of an issue after retirement.
But take the opportunity while you can. Even if things go wrong you'll have enjoyed the adventure.
btw - how are things in Hull? Husband lived there most of his life, and I lived and worked there for 20 + years.

Thanks Margaret, fortunately my husband is multi-lingual. But I am not. I like the idea of renting, just for a taster. We do have 2 properties in England that we rent if everything goes wrong we can return to the UK. Properties in Hungary start at as little as £5000 for a renovation project. We are going for a viewing holiday over Christmas. In the bleak winter things look very different. Brexit is also an issue, we need to move swiftly I think, but as nobody seems to know whats happening with that, we shall just go ahead anyway. I like an element of risk, if we don't try we won't find out. As Christine in France said life is an adventure!

We moved to France when we retired, we are really happy here despite worries over Brexit . I would agree with dogsdinner and rent before you buy. Live there for a while to see if it is really what you want. The language issues could make you feel isolated and fluctuations in the exchange rate could be a problem. Things are different now from when we moved 11 years ago. I don't want to put a damper on your hopes, it could well be all you wanted and more so good luck with the adventure.

I moved to Greece when I was widowed at 60. Found it extremely hard to learn the language so maybe you too would need English speakers close by. My tip would be don't sell your home in UK or if not possible buy something smaller to keep. Rent in your country of choice first. Even if you are sure you won't want to return to UK life can change suddenly and you could find it impossible to sell your new home.

I returned to UK four years ago and never managed to sell my home in Greece so now I still go over several times a year. If it's what you want to do go for it, you only live once as they say. I loved every minute of my life there.

I live in Germany and so I am retired here. I speak the language fluently and over the past 40 years have got to know how the people in this part of Germany tick.

I recently saw a documentary about a woman who had gone to retire in Bulgaria and she managed well on her pension as the exchange was good. She stayed but felt secure only after meeting other British people.

If you are going to retire in Hungary you have to be sure you will get health insurance and eventually some sort of care in your final years.
Not everybody speaks English and if you don't speak the language then forget it.
Go for a long spell perhaps 6 months, put your house on airbnb and get a caravan. Only after that can you make a sensible decision or have you done that already?