What has been your experience living overseas in retirement?

2023-09-25T00:44:40-04:00

I won't retire for a quite a while, but I have started research on retiring over seas. I intend on sailing for 5-6 years and then settling down in southeast Asia or or south pacific area. Have any of you done something like this?
know anyone that did?
What kind of issues came up early on?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 25 at 2023 8:45 AM

2023-09-25T08:45:19-04:00

My only experience with overseas retirees has been while on Embassy Duty. At every Embassy/Consulate I worked there was a list of local regulars who were Military Retirees who had their mail delivered there. One of the perks. They would have everything from checks, medication and any other sort of thing sent there which would come through diplomatic pouch mail and would be outside of the regular mail service pipeline. They were also on a short list of contacts so if something happened in the country and we had to notify known Americans to evacuate they were on the top of the list.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 25 at 2023 11:58 PM

2023-09-25T23:58:08-04:00

I currently live in Denmark. I found having my retirement pay/VA benefits sent to my U.S. bank the best. It is rather expensive living here, but quality of living is good. For VA benefits/ U.S. benefits I have to work through the embassy in Oslo, Norway, not a problem.
I got a VN Vet friend living in Mid Portugal, east of Coimbra in the mountains. Cost of living is about half of what it is in Denmark. He does ok.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 26 at 2023 10:15 AM

2023-09-26T10:15:49-04:00

I have seen healthcare and living in Germany (LRMC), Korea, and the Philippines and the only place I would consider growing old is Manila. Germany did not seem to care about our old retired vets and I would see them towards the end just dumped at LRMC. So much in healthcare depends on you being able to communicate well with you care providers and that is just not happening in Asia. Even in Korea if the staff spoke English that does not mean what you are thinking is going to be understood by them. My wife is pinay and while she is fluent in English (zero accent) we still communicate at times differently with how we think. My Father in law had a GI bleed in a good hospital in Manila (family there has $$$) and he died because they felt he was to unstable for a colonoscopy. I was on a video conference call with a resident in Manila, his sister who is a US physician and I can almost guarantee he would have survived in the US. Long story short when you think your body is needing more and more assistance to stay healthy come back to the US. Half of my decision to retire to San Antonio is the almost free healthcare I receive and the quality of it as I am not getting younger. The other reason is I am a retired Army Nurse and the job market here is great. I am not here to bash on Asians as I went from Hawaii to Manila to meet my wife for a reason. I love Asia and have had some great times on that side of the world however you did not ask how I feel about that part of the world, you asked about retirement there and I have seen it. If you were to find a wife 20-30 years younger than you from the country you retire there is a decent chance she will ensure you are taken care of when old and not forgotten about. My wife is only four years younger so that is not a good plan for me but if not married could be a great life for you.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Sep 27 at 2023 6:23 AM

2023-09-27T06:23:32-04:00

I LIVED Overseas, Not In The Military, But As A Civilian.
I Lived With My Brother For 3 Years..As A 14 -16 2/2 Year Teenager.
Attended School, Worked At One Of His Business & Lived ONLY In Panamanian Areas.
My Suggestion Is Living In Costa Rica... "San Jose" Area, Specifically;~ As In That Area, 2,500 Feet Above Sea Level, The Humidity Is Much Lower, The Temperature Ranges ~ ALL Year, Between 70 - 80 Degrees ONLY ..The MOST Stable Government In Central And South America;, Relatively Great Costs Of Living, Gringo Friendly, Etc.
And One MORE Suggestion...Learn To Speak Spanish.
(Same Applies To Any Other Country You May Select).. Even If NOT Necessary, The Locals WILL Appreciate It, And Your Life Will Be Made Better For It, And You May Command Even More Respect...
"Command... NOT "Demand".... One Of The STUPIDEST Things To Say Is; "You Can't Do That To Me; I'm An American & I Know My Rights"......OOPS~ You're SCREWED. ~ That'll Get Ya 30 Days, Just for Being THAT Stupid.
You HAVE NO Rights In THEIR Country...And Our Rights Do NOT Apply Anywhere Else!
Muchchimas Gracias Y Hasta Luego. Ahora Vayences A Costa Rica Para Ver; Buenas Suertes a Ustedes