Retiring Abroad: Saving Money, Finding Adventure

"Your neighbors might have chickens or cows; roosters sometimes crow at 2 or 3 a.m.; wedding parties with loud bands can last for three days. I don't even hear it anymore," Haskins adds. "None of these problems are insurmountable."

Initially at least, it is the separation anxiety that presents the biggest hurdle. But modern technology can help. Skype, which allows the two authors to stay in regular contact with their new grandchild in the States, is one way to lessen the potential pain of separation.

Patience is also required. "Things just don't happen as quickly or conveniently as in the States," Prescher says. But there's a positive flip side, says Haskins:

"The rest of world is more polite. We're very informal. We forget to say: 'how are you? how's your family?'"

If a potential retiree has decided they are up for it, Haskins and Prescher endeavor to help readers determine where to live, and indeed their book's middle section looks at countries and, more narrowly, communities that might make sense.

The focus in not exclusively Latin America, though they think our southern neighbors have the most advantages for Americans who still have close attachments, as well as "birthday parties and funerals" to attend.

For example, they cite Malaysia and Thailand as the top two destinations in Asia (with Cambodia up and coming), with Malaysia being especially attractive for those who seeking plentiful access to English speakers.

In Europe, they focus, as Haskins puts it, "on areas that are more suitable because of better weather, lower costs and health care" advantages, such as the Limousin region of France, Spain's Costa del Sol and southern Italy.

"If money is no object you might as well settle in Paris or Rome," says Prescher, but since their book is written for those for whom money is an object, they focus on "places that are convenient, have good infrastructure and an excellent quality of life," he adds.

The final segment of their book involves what to do when you get to your selected community, based on the supposition that retirees no longer lie on hammocks.

One thing to expect is that expats tend to find each other:

"You tend to rely on each other," Haskins says, noting expats tend to ask each other for advice, "but we like to try to meet our Ecuadorian neighbors as well — because that's part of the experience, immersing yourself in the culture."

Expats also like to share their 'horror' stories about things that Americans take for granted.

"You can't get things done in Latin America in a phone call," Prescher says. "You make an appointment. If you're a Type-A American, you're not going to be happy."

But if you don't fall into that category, Haskins notes the extremely pleasant aspects of daily life, for example the fresh produce, which costs just pennies. "You not only reduce your cost of living but you'll be healthier, too," she says.

The couple's values have evolved as a result. Noting that U.S. "consumerism slaps you in the face" on visits home, they've grown to appreciate the simplicity of life abroad, and as "serial relocators" have come to acquire fewer and fewer possesions.

And with inevitable slip-ups like asking the bartender for "dos besos" (two kisses) instead of "dos vasos" (two glasses), the authors say having a sense of humor is one more requirement of retiring abroad.