Sal T. Says:
I am a single person aged 71. What are the places that have established senior communities of expats where I can meet people?
IL Panama Correspondent Jessica Ramesch Says:
Dear Sal,
It’s a great idea for you to focus on established expat communities. That’s generally my recommendation for singles of all ages—I myself am a single, and I chose the beach hub of Coronado in Panama. It’s home to a well-established expat community and incredibly welcoming.
You could also consider the expat-favorite mountain town of Boquete here in Panama. It’s a popular spot for expat retirees. Just wander into Mike’s Global Grill during happy hour to find a ready-made community of welcoming expats to share a beer with. The local Panamanian population is also friendly and welcoming. And although it certainly helps, you don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to make friends here because the locals are so used to English speakers.
There are a great many other singles-friendly communities around the world, from Quepos, Costa Rica (home of the ROMEO group, which founding member Bob Normand says stands for “Retired Old Men Eating Out”) to Hua Hin, Thailand (a healthcare mecca and lively seaside town).
In fact, I’ve put together a report titled Single and Ready to Move Overseas: Your Guide to Joining Happier, Healthier Expats Abroad, covering destinations in Mexico, Ecuador, France, Portugal, and more. You can find it on the IL Bookstore here.
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