For those thinking of the Caribbean a couple of negatives. In the Eastern Caribbean the English speaking islands have security concerns. Differs from island to island but it is a definite concern. Homeowners/renters frequently maintain 24 hour security guards to protect their property.
Medical care is another issue. A retired person / couple has a greater need of medical care than a 40 year old. Medical Care on the English speaking islands is not up to North American/European/Australian standards.
The French islands are better with both security and health care. These are departments of France (broadly similar to US states/Canadian provinces) and the national government is directly involved with the health care and the security.
Another factor for the Eastern Caribbean island is the difficulty in buying many items, many things are just not carried and thus must be imported when wanted at high cost of shipping, duty and taxes.
Weather is great, the islands are beautiful. The boating community is of significant size but the land based full time expats are much fewer.
Wifey B: I think your post points out a lot of things on which this imaginary move would be based. It's imaginary so we imaging working all those things out. Health and age are huge factors. Finances are as well.
The grass is always greener over the septic tank but not until you get close do you smell it.
A lot of places would be great for a while, but then you'd miss things.
I hear people talk here and elsewhere about going back to the way thing were in the 50's or 60's. Well, they weren't for me because I wasn't born. But you guys who were remember an idyllic existence that wasn't. If you did go back, you'd suddenly realize how many things you take for granted that didn't exist then.
It's like owning a private island in the Bahamas. First, figure just the cost bo build anything and then have your own utilities. The quiet would be great perhaps but for how long. I'd be coming across to the US constantly for things my island didn't have. If you were older I'd think a helicopter and pilots for medical transport.
I think of places that are relaxing and move slow. Well, can someone use to moving fast cope? Can a person use to getting things done adjust to those who are in no hurry?
We chose where we live. Could have been anywhere in the world. However, this is our paradise, our Xanadu, our Camelot, our Nirvana. It's where our life is perfect, it's where our family and friends are. Is it perfect? Well, it's like looking at each other, we don't see any imperfections as we love it here. Would we feel the same if we were just getting started, trying to struggle and find jobs and build a career? I have no idea. What if's are all guesswork.
Medical makes me think. We have some older people with us and we've examined it. Not the best. Oh, if it was eye issues, Miami is the place to go. But what if other major conditions? Maybe it's just our prejudice but we'd go to a major center for that condition and they're not in South Florida. Perhaps Shands at U of FL for some, but most we'd feel better at Duke or in NY at Columbia/Presby or U of Pittsburgh Mayo MN, not FL, or Johns Hopkins or Brigham and Womens/Harvard.
So, it's still tradeoff's wherever you are.
History lesson time. A few decades ago, people with kids with major allergy problems were flocking to Arizona. For some allergies, the dry desert with the lack of pollen and growth was great. (Hubby's backwards, his allergies to best with the moist salt air). But then....yes, then. Idiots moved there and then missed grass and plants and what did they do? Started planting the stuff. All the stuff they moved to get away from. Oh, and then genetics. You bring kids with allergy problems, they marry other kids with allergy problems, they then have kids who marry the kids of other kids with allergy problems. Suddenly you've done genetic engineering of the worst kind. So, today, the same areas have some of the highest allergy rates in the country.
So, find the place you love just as it is. Don't go in thinking it's going to be anything it isn't. I see all those who live in and love the PNW. If one does, then I absolutely would never advise them to move elsewhere. I loved it short term, but long term, I'd find it depressing. I'd miss the sunshine and warmth.
It's even more complicated than boat shopping, almost up with anchor selection.
I'd say be happy where you are and if you're not, then find somewhere you can be. But if life today is wonderful, marvelous, fantastic, then don't fix what ain't broken.
Think attitudes too. Like Australia. Now, we'd fit in well with all the Aussie's. But if you're uptight button down, close minded, I wouldn't suggest it. And don't evaluate on what it's like to vacation somewhere, figure out how it is to live there. Then if you don't know where you want to live, there's one very simple solution.....drum roll please.
Move on to a boat and then the world is yours.
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