A lot of old people often accept the fact that eventually, they will live out the rest of their lives in nursing homes on their pensions. With all the hard work in the past, it may seem fair that retirees should live in more favorable conditions that each of them would personally choose. They often buy a lot of properties, enjoy time with their family, and relax for the rest of their lives.

Families choose a nursing home because of, mainly, safety and security reasons. With numerous professionals adept at taking care of the elderly, many families opt for this path, considering it would be safer and more secure for retiring. The advantages that come with it are also considered good.

One of these benefits is the relatively short distance it requires for families to visit them. A nursing home that is in the heart of cities and near countrysides makes it even more ideal for the perfect retirement plan.

Another advantage of nursing homes is that when it comes to medical treatment, families can be sure that they get what they paid for when it comes to the quality of services. Geriatric care is certainly making more and more presence in healthcare due to the rising numbers of pensioners opting for homes for the aged. This particular attention in the field requires for stricter guidelines and implementations further cementing the fact that the care rendered in these places are second to none.

The “real” countryside makes perfect sense when people choose it as a place to retire. The simple ways of living often attract a lot of retirees. It gives them a sense of nostalgia of the old ways that they experienced. From getting water from wells, starting a fire from matches and tinder, and raising farm animals, pensioners simply cannot resist the ways of old.

Another thing that the countryside boasts is that pollution is minimal. Ideal living conditions which retirees also find quite attractive are the good weather, equal amounts of warm and cold climate, clean water, and the cozy feeling that the country breeze brings with it. When families also visit, some areas are a perfect match to their dream vacation resorts.

For some, meanwhile, retiring and old age are opportunities to travel and live overseas.  The chance to face the unknown certainly makes it hard to resist. A change in the landscape also adds to the excitement. Although there are countless reasons as to why one should retire in a different country, here are some of the most attractive ones:

Change in Climate

For some, one’s home country might be subject to cold weather. With ailing knees and increasing aches, some might want to get out and experience something more tropical. A lot of Eastern and Asian countries would meet the criteria.

Do not be hasty. Some should know how warm or hot a country gets. A lot of incidents happen where retirees retreat to tropical countries which seem ok for the first few days only to turn out miserable in the coming weeks or months. Options concerning health must be considered in choosing the right country which pensioners want to retire in.

Saving for the Rainy days

With just pensions as the only means of financial support, the rising prices of gas and electricity bills make it worse for old people. To make conditions more suitable to their liking, retirees often cut their usage to save up. Living like this would make a more challenging life rather than being able to enjoy a more comfortable one.

Retiring abroad, however, opens up the possibility of lower energy costs. Instead of saving for a more comfortable life, pensioners would live to their heart’s demands and save more for the things that they want to enjoy. Choosing a country that would suit their need would certainly be an attractive reason for them in retiring abroad.

Home is where the heart is

The rising costs of housing in some countries understandably makes it difficult for pensioners to live well. A study by The Guardian details that rising prices for houses tend to build up to six figures, well above the typical pension retirees receive.

Some countries have lots allocated to international buyers for the purpose of increasing sales and raising the economic values of some areas. Situations like this, make for low costing allocations which are more affordable than the rates that exist in a retiree’s home country.  

Security and Care

Most retirees choose countries that treat them better with multiple laws that concern their protection and welfare. The United States, in particular, is a preferred destination for a lot of people to retire. Homes in Florida and Houston have a warm approach when it comes to retirees.

Accessibility

Another research done in the UK states that a lot of houses are inaccessible. This study makes other properties much more expensive due to their advantage in convenience. In other countries with specific building codes and unique architectural styles, retirees can have no problem whatsoever in finding a new home.

An example of such country is Australia, where bungalows are the housing trends. These houses are modeled for modern tastes and are restricted to a single floor allowing retirees to live safely, comfortably, and independently.

Tourist spots

Another attractive reason to retire abroad is for the numerous tourist attractions a country has to offer. For those adventure type pensioners, this can be perfect if the costs in getting to those places are relatively more reasonable than taking a full-scale vacation from their home countries.

In some cases, the journey itself becomes the destination. New ways to travel emerge, a car may surprisingly be absent in a country, but a Kalesa or a rickshaw could be much better.

Warmest Embraces

Surprisingly, a lot of Countries can be more welcoming to foreigners compared to others. This fact surely becomes one of the driving points in deciding to retire abroad. Countries such as New Zealand which tops the world in “The most friendly country to foreigners” can be a choice.

Another Country which is known for its warm acceptance of immigrants is the Philippines. People are friendly and warm to its visitors. Also known for having numerous natural attractions, this country also boasts of its tourist spots considered by most foreign retirees.

Food

Another essential part of living abroad is trying out the new delicacies a new country has to offer. For the daring types, trying to eat weird food may become routinary once they get accustomed to it. Thailand, which ranks #8 in CNN’s top countries with the best food is a good example of this.

Other things to consider

While there are a lot of attracting advantages to retiring overseas, one has to think about the possible difficulties it brings. Conditions of visa eligibility, distance from other family members, and adjusting to a new life are just some of the things to consider.

Medical Bills

Medical treatment and insurance undoubtedly differ from country to country. For example, UK residents may have to give up their rights to EHIC health care just to move to another country. Certain destinations may have shared services, while others do not. Private Insurance Companies may also offer similar health care plans and become the only means to a quick and easier way in accessing medical services.

Pension Problems

Upon reaching the right conditions for receiving pension abroad, retirees might be in certain constraints once they begin living overseas. A perfect example of this is the UK state pension. Should it be drawn elsewhere, the amount becomes frozen.

Financial support from pensions that are frozen remains frozen unless the UK has exclusive agreements concerning social security with the new country of residence. Several Countries like Switzerland, Jamaica, Barbados and even the United States are countries which do not have social security agreements with the UK.

Regrets

For some retirees, the thought of losing home and family might not sink in immediately. Coupled with new ways of living, new people and new culture, some consider moving back to their country of origin and end up suffering because of the choices they make.

Takeaway

With the rising number of retirees every year, it is not surprising that a lot of them consider retiring to other countries. The routine and boring life in nursing homes become dreadful to them. Rising costs in properties, bills and increasing demands of just living in one’s country, while living off of pension alone, contribute to the increasing numbers of people who want to retire overseas.

Others may love the fact of embracing a new culture and way of life. They become so accustomed to it that they essentially become one with the people. The warm embrace of locals, the low-cost way of living, numerous attractions, and a new way of living makes them see it as a reward, making their move worth it.

For some, though, the regrets that come with moving to a far away and unknown land seem to follow them. They begin missing family that they usually see every day. Eating becomes a new thing as they struggle to keep up with the local delicacies. Health care also may not be on par with the care that they receive back home as others provide facilities with personnel assisting elderly clients. A lot of things makes them consider returning. Sadly, they move back to their countries of origin, settling to content with their usual ways of living.