A New Chapter in Life: Debra Taylor's Journey to Portugal
Debra Taylor has experienced a year filled with significant life changes. She went through a divorce, prepared for retirement, and made the decision to move from Southern California to Portugal with one of her daughters. This new chapter in her life was not just about starting over but also about finding a place that aligns with her values and future aspirations.
After deciding to live abroad, Taylor carefully considered several factors when choosing her destination. She evaluated tax implications, climate, and ease of travel within Europe, a region she loves. Spain was ruled out due to its wealth taxes, while Costa Rica was too hot for her liking. Ultimately, she chose Portugal, specifically the city of Aveiro, known as the "Venice of Portugal" for its beautiful canals.
Taylor's decision was influenced by more than just the location. Her youngest daughter, an 18-year-old transgender individual, expressed a desire to leave the United States after the election of the current president. Taylor supported this decision wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, her elder daughter, who is 20 years old, will remain in the U.S. to complete her college education. Taylor emphasized that this move is not permanent; she plans to use it as a base to explore the region further and eventually buy a home after gaining more experience living in different communities.
Experts in aging and relocation have praised Taylor’s choices, noting that they reflect a thoughtful approach to retirement planning.
Trends in Retirement Relocation
Retirement relocation trends vary based on several factors, including politics, housing affordability, and living costs. Although seniors tend to move less frequently than younger individuals, over 3 million Americans aged 65 or older relocated within the U.S. in the five years before the pandemic, according to Census data.
In recent years, U.S. politics has become a top motivator for retirees looking to move abroad, as noted by Jen Barnett, co-founder of Expatsi. However, many popular retirement destinations often prioritize working-age immigrants over retirees. While most American retirees choose to stay in their current locations, aging in place can present challenges such as rising housing costs, expensive home modifications, and limited access to community services like healthcare, utilities, and safety.
Rodney Harrell of AARP highlights the importance of planning for future needs, including health, mobility, and income changes. By 2034, the U.S. will have more people over 65 than under 18, marking a significant demographic shift.
Beyond Climate and Family
Selecting a retirement location involves more than just considering the climate or proximity to family. Lifestyle priorities such as access to universities, religious institutions, and community engagement should also be taken into account. Harrell advises retirees to consider social dynamics—whether neighbors are friendly or private—and to use resources like the AARP livability index to make informed decisions.
If being close to family is important, retirement planner Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons recommends open communication about involvement expectations and checking how settled adult children are before making a move. For instance, Casey and Dave Bowers, who relocated to Portugal's Silver Coast, appreciate the area's beauty and routine adjustments but find the distance from family challenging.
Assessing Your Lifestyle
Retirement coach Sarah Friedell O'Connell reminds retirees to think about how they want to spend their newfound free time. Wealth manager Chad Harmer advises retirees to begin with a "lifestyle audit," envisioning their ideal daily routine years ahead, including considerations like climate, social life, hobbies, healthcare, and family visits, before focusing on taxes.
Harmer warns retirees to budget for hidden expenses such as insurance in disaster-prone zones and frequent travel costs. Parsons encourages trying short-term rentals to test living conditions before committing to a permanent move. According to Harmer, if 80% of your desired daily lifestyle is achievable at your new location for 80% of the year, you've likely found the right place. Less than that might mean chasing unrealistic expectations.