Don't Fear Choosing the "Wrong" Retirement Destination

From International Living comes this timely piece: Don't Fear Choosing the "Wrong" Retirement Destination By Edd Staton Couple friends we've known for several years unexpectedly announced to my wife and me recently that they're leaving Cuenca and relocating to a different part of Ecuador. A week ago another friend said she and her husband are going back to the States after 10 years here. We're aware of several other people who are presently looking to move from one part of Cuenca to another.

What's going on, you might ask? Life is going on.

When you're thinking about relocating abroad it all seems so...different (it is)...and permanent. (That's not necessarily true.)

People have asked me many times, "So, do you think you'll live in Cuenca forever?" My standard reply is, "I have no idea what forever means."

Who really knows what the future holds? In my case, I can honestly say that 10 years ago I had no thought of living in Cuenca. Heck, I'd never even heard of Cuenca!

Once you arrive in a new location, health conditions can change. Unforeseen family matters may surface. Or perhaps what you thought would make you happy just doesn't.

It's not constructive to put unnecessary pressure on yourself when the thought of moving to another country is daunting enough already. We knew a couple who decided to move back to the U.S. six months after they arrived here. They said to us, "Hey, we learned this isn't our thing, but you know what? We had a great adventure!"

But, unpredictable circumstances aside, there is a crucial question to ask yourself that will dramatically increase your odds of making a great initial decision:

What do I want?

People sometimes write to me and say they are coming to Ecuador to decide whether to live in Cuenca or on the coast. I always tell them they don't need to go to all that trouble—you've been to the beach, and you've been to the mountains—what do you want to wake up to every day?

After deciding where to relocate, I've seen so many people relax and let their guard down. I encourage you to keep asking that same essential question.

You fall in love with a particular residence. The view! The layout! The kitchen!

All those things matter, but what's more crucial is what your life is going to look like outside those walls 24-7-365.

Is the building in a desirable area? Will you be convenient to public transportation if you aren't purchasing a vehicle? What's going to happen with that vacant lot next door? Are there dogs/roosters/partiers nearby that will drive you nuts?

Be aware that what you want now can change over time. You always dreamed of living at the beach. You move there. You love it for a while; then you think maybe you'd like to try living in the countryside. Nothing wrong with that. Go for it!

Understand that your initial choice of a new destination isn't a prison sentence. If things don't work out for whatever reason, that doesn't mean you made a huge mistake. Or that you are a failure or a dummy.

Do the internal homework to provide your best possible chance of success with moving and living abroad. 

Then be kind to yourself if life throws you a curve ball.

Because it probably will.

Editor's note: A few years ago, Edd Staton was in the same situation as a lot of IL readers. He and his wife Cynthia had both lost their "secure" jobs...and with them, the nest egg that they were looking forward to using for their retirement. So they decided to make a change—the same one you're thinking of—and move overseas to find a better retirement.

Edd will tell you what they learned...and how you could follow in his and Cynthia's footsteps...at the 2014 Fast Track Your Retirement Overseas Conference. You can reserve your place—with a $200 Early Bird discount—here.

Or, to find out more about this massive event, click here.