I couldn't afford retirement in the US on $3,000 a month, so I moved abroad. I've lived in 43 countries and am happier.

Tech Insider : Travel
Norman Bour (left) and his wife, Kathleen Plumley (right), enjoying a moment by the Pacific Ocean.
Norman Bour (left) and his wife, Kathleen Plumley (right), enjoying a moment by the Pacific Ocean.

Courtesy of Norman Bour

She felt trapped in her corporate job in NYC, so she quit and moved to South Korea. Now, she lives alone in a $640-a-month loft.

Tech Insider
A top-down view of the living area, as viewed from the loft.
Chen Teng's loft-style apartment in Seoul.

Chen Teng.

They moved to Scotland from California with their 3 kids. It's safer, slower, and they have a better work-life balance.

Tech Insider
A couple taking a selfie in front of a stall at a fair.
Zack and Annie moved to Scotland from California with their three kids.

Zach and Annie/Simple Scottish Living

A Gen Xer quit his corporate job in SF and moved to Colombia. He said Medellín is more affordable and he's been able to launch 2 startups.

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
Photo shows Jason Bennett in Medellín, Colombia.
Jason Bennett, 46, moved to Medellín, Colombia, from San Francisco in 2018.

Courtesy of Jason Bennett

The top countries US retirees are flocking to

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy, Travel
the amalfi coastline in italy
Many Americans are still retiring in Italy.

Aleh Varanishcha/Getty Images

A Texas boomer couple who retired to an expat hot spot in Ecuador explains how it helps them save money

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy, Travel
Karl and Brenda smiling on a mountain
Karl and Brenda love to travel in retirement.

Courtesy of Karl and Brenda

I moved from the US to Spain, where life is more affordable and relaxed. I finally feel like I belong.

Tech Insider
Cepee Tabibian on a roof top in Spain.
Cepee Tabibian moved to Spain in 2015.

Courtesy of Cepee Tabibian

A boomer who moved from Minnesota to Mexico said his cost of living dropped by 50% — but transplants need to respect the culture

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy, Travel
Mark LeGeros on his bicycle in Mexico
Mark LeGeros, pictured on his bike, loves living in Mexico.

Courtesy of Mark LeGeros

I had my first baby in Switzerland and the second after moving home to Chicago. Giving birth in the US left much to be desired.

Tech Insider
Woman in winter clothes pushing baby carriage in Switzerland.
Chantal Panozzo had her first baby in Switzerland and the second after moving back to the US.

Chantal Panozzo

I've lived overseas with my European boyfriend for 3 years. We still can't agree on dinner time, investment strategies, or how to talk to each other's families.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman and man standing in Uplistsikhe, a rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia.
Elizabeth Lavis and her Georgian boyfriend often face culture clashes, but they are finding ways to make it work.

Elizabeth Lavis

Subscribe to living-abroad