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Lessons From Maria

Number One - don't be in a hurry to dump your landline.

On Puerto Rico, the cell towers are GONE. If the island were still using landlines, part of the service would still be available, even if some of the lines had gone down.

Some other things that have come out of that nearly complete disaster:

So, how does this relate to retirement?

One solution for stretching your retirement income is to move to a place where the cost of living is cheaper.

Some do that within the US; small towns and rural areas are often the choice of those leaving the cities after reaching the end of their working life. This can be a good choice, provided you consider these things:
  • Do you have a social network in that area? Or, will you be able to connect once you move? Without that social network, if a spouse dies or becomes ill or disabled, your life can be lonely, if not insupportable.
  • Do you have good access (within 1/2 hour or less) to good medical care? Are the hospitals known for cardiac care, cancer care, or other conditions that affect the elderly more than younger people?
  • Is the climate temperate? Will you be housebound in in the winter? is the heat too high in the summer to make outdoor activities enjoyable? Could you experience floods, hurricanes, mudslides, or other disasters on a regular basis?
  • Can you travel easily back to visit family? Will you miss out on seeing your grandchildren grow up?
  • Will you fit in, socially, culturally, religiously?
    • As a non-Mormon in Utah.
    • As a vegan in TX and other meat-eating, hunting locales.
    • As a proud, out cross-dresser or swinger or non-conforming person, who is determined to make sure everyone knows about your lifestyle. In many locations, they might not run you out of town, but they probably won't make you their best friend, either.
    • As an atheist in a small town. IF you can avoid proselytizing, you'll probably have few issues, but - if you insist on scouring the town of all traces of public display of Christianity, you might not fit in.
Am I saying that discrimination and social shunning are OK? No. But I am saying that if you're the one that's moving, you're the one that probably should plan on making the adjustments, just as you wouldn't plan on moving to France, and complaining that everyone doesn't speak English or stop smoking. That's not realistic.

All of the above apply to foreign countries, even those tied to the US, such as Puerto Rico. Additionally, you may find:

  • Hostility to US citizens, the possibility of being stranded in a country that has become involved in a war (not necessarily with the US).
  • Inability to buy a home - in some countries, you have to be a citizen
  • Inability to become a citizen - unlike the US, it can be difficult, if not impossible.
  • Laws/Rules/Cultural Expectations regarding women's role in society might provide a challenge for a woman who doesn't have a man to speak for her.
  • Language difficulties - yes, English is the most common 2nd language spoken. But, that means the basic communication, not necessarily the ability to hold forth on politics, culture, and other things. Not to mention medical terminology. The good news is MANY people in other countries welcome the opportunity to practice speaking English with Americans.


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