Let’s say you’ve read our previous post about whether you should chuck it all and realized you’re not ready yet. Or perhaps ever. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck where you are. We suggest below a few ways to capture a meandering minimalist lifestyle without committing fully and without dooming yourself to being a tourist. This post offers resources for those interested in living abroad but not sure where to begin. We’ll address other issues, including how to chuck it all, finances, and deciding where to go, elsewhere.
For Sedentary Types
More and more people are retiring in other countries to enjoy glorious weather for less money. Costa Rica and Mexico are wildly popular, not least because they leave you conveniently located to the US. You can establish yourself in many countries with excellent healthcare and enjoy a vibrant expatriate community. And if Europe is your thing, there are plenty of countries, like Portugal, eager to welcome you. International Living and Live and Invest Overseas are two great resources. There are hundreds of websites, some focused on particular countries. Easy Expat has tons of information about making the move. And the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) is excellent on U.S. tax issues. They also offer in-person meetups.
For Property-Owning Maximalists
If you want to meander but have roots or are too attached to your stuff to chuck it all: you might rent out your home to fund travel elsewhere. Sabbatical Homes is the place to start. This option could include chucking some stuff and downsizing, or owning two places and renting one out when you are not living there. If you are counting on the rent money, it’s worth considering a move to a city that will always attract visitors. One way to cut down on costs and try this out is by housesitting for people with pets across the globe.
For Hardcore but Lazy Minimalists
If you hate unpacking but want to move around: we’ve just discovered a couple who will spend their retirement on cruise ships. They’ve budgeted $100 per day, which includes pretty much everything (food, transportation, lodging, entertainment, gyms, even an ever-renewing social life). This is not our jam, but we do admire the simplicity: read this article about retiring on a cruise ship.
For Not-Yet-Retirees
There are more options than ever before for those who want to continue working without location-dependency. Transitions Abroad and Remote.co are two places to start, but there are loads of others, depending on your field. Lifestyle Hunter has info about jobs, and also study and volunteering abroad.
Finally, feel free to ask us questions or let us know what you’d like to know more about!
