Originally Posted by
Terpe
It's probably true that most folks have days when they wake up feeling crap and wonder if their lives could be different.
Especially if those same people are thinking that the UK is somehow ‘not working’ for them.
It could conceivably be the case that some folks have more of those days than I do living here in Davao City in my beautiful house in clean quiet surroundings living like a king on my perfect diet!
It doesn't mean that a decision to move is either easy or in fact the right one anyone as an individual.
It's my opinion that just having a few days of not liking life in the UK and a desire to be somewhere else isn't a good enough reason to retire abroad. Nor is considering retirement overseas solely based on financial reasons.
For me, I didn't wake up think the UK is crap and decide to leave. Personally I don't think the UK is anywhere near being the "broken Britain" many of the media would have you believe.
It's an individual choice.
Retiring abroad will never be right for some individuals.
For me it was always going to happen. I remember from a very early age my larger family gatherings and the inevitable Sunday afternoon discussion on where to live. My dad always wanted to go live in Italy. As time moved on it became a retirement dream.
My mother wanted to live in France. She spent years learning the language, until she was fluent, in the hope that dad would come around to her way of thinking. He never did.
My grandfather was Spanish and hankered for spending time back home in his twilight years. My Grandmother was Irish and only had desires for the old country.
My many uncles and aunties also had there own dreams. My grandfathers brother left for Canada and lived out his entire life in one adventure after another. He lost contact with the family and passed away in a care home alone and unmarried.
As for me I spent 35 years living in other countries and somehow never quite reconnected with the UK as "home"
I had visions of marrying of Japanese lady and spending a simple life somewhere in the mountain areas.
As it happened I met and married a wonderful lady from Mindanao and am here in Davao City living a simple life.
Since my parents passed away I was left alone with no family ties at all in UK.
Virtually all my childhood pals had either moved overseas or, sadly, had passed away.
My younger brother had lived for many years in the Siera Nevada mountains of Spain until his untimely death. He died alone with no family.
The only family I have is here in the Philippines. Despite my family circle getting smaller due to selection.
Do I imagine I'll ever return to the UK?
Well if I'm honest, possibly.
If I had a very serious life threatening illness that could not only be treated but where only the continued long term maintenance treatment would allow me to continue for a good few years and with an reasonable quality of life, then I could see me taking the opportunity to return.
Let's hope that I will never need to make that call.
Those lucky ones of us will face a few creeks and a few aches and pains
Others will face something more debilitating.
Before finalising on any decision ask yourself just what is it about your life that you don't like?
Give honest answers as to why you want to move abroad. Are you running away from someone or something or perhaps over-reacting to circumstances.
How about family ties? Grandchildren for example.
How about those true friends you'll leave behind? Such friendships are rare and hard to find.
Think about health, think about wealth. Retirement life can last a very long time these days.
For most folks the UK is what you know and love the best.
For me it never was.
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