Retirement is Changing…And the Options for
Overseas Living are Wider Than Ever

In the 40 years since International Living was established, what it means to “retire” has changed. Once, it meant giving up work and spending your days puttering around the garden or sitting on a porch watching the world go by. Nowadays, retirement doesn’t mean the end of something…for many, it’s a time of reinvention, a time to create a life that looks the way you want it to. Overseas—it’s easier than ever to do.

In this month’s cover story, we look at the changing face of retirement and delve into five current trends we’ve been tracking…different ways retirees are exploring the world and finding their perfect overseas havens. We’re seeing folks move overseas with family, others spend just part of the year abroad, and increasingly, we’re watching folks go solo.

Another trend we’re seeing both in the U.S. and overseas is retirees downsizing and moving to a big city (where a car isn’t necessary, and a yard needn’t be tended to). That can prove pricey in the States. Overseas, however, you’ll find great bang for your buck in cosmopolitan cities. Steven Yates, for instance, lives in the bustling Chilean capital of Santiago and enjoys all the amenities of this city of 6.3 million people. “My wife and I often eat out,” he says. “Restaurants here cater for a wide variety of tastes. And public transportation is modern and efficient so you don’t need a car to get around. We take the metro mostly.” Yet they spend less than they would in the States.

But you don’t have to pick just one spot to live in for an overseas retirement. Janis Bokar moved to Ecuador in 2000 and met her partner Gary. Though they both shared a love of travel and adventure, they had different tastes when it came to climate. “Gary loves cool, crisp mountain air,” she says. “I, on the other hand, love the sea.” They compromised by settling on the central Ecuador town of Banos (not too far from the ocean), and Janis thought to sell the beach home she owned. But then, she says, “We had a breakthrough moment and said: ‘Why not both?’ In Ecuador, you can afford to say that.” So now they keep a home in the hills and a home at the beach. Talk about expanding your quality of life overseas…

No matter what you want your retirement to look like, the point is: Your options expand overseas. Read on to find out how…