About 15 years ago, a girlfriend from my high school class and I started a group of women from our 1972 graduating class. We meet one a month for dinner either at each other’s homes, in a community park, or a restaurant. We don’t collect dues, so each person brings a dish or pays for themselves if we go out. It’s been a life changer ! We have several widows, and many are lonely, but we give plenty of hugs 🤗. Many of the ladies have told us that they are so glad that we did this. At least no matter what is going on in their lives, they know they will be loved by us.
I'm loving your videos. The perspective of an older single woman is often overlooked so I particularly appreciate hearing how the world looks from your eyes. I'm still working full-time. At this point retiring overseas is a fantasy. But I appreciate knowing that it's an option that opens a whole range of possibilities.
Loved hearing your very inspiring story! My ancestors hail from a northern Swiss canton and I would love to visit that area some day. Having grown up in NY, I've been living and working in Japan since 2000. I have since married and retired here and love my life. Japanese people are terribly kind and caring. I was a 51 year old widow when I first arrived and have found this to be a fantastic culture for older women to feel valuable. We are not treated as invisible here. People of all ages seem to treat us foreigners as celebrities and are curious about us. And as a bonus, English is the second language, so many road signs are in English, etc, as we get ready to host the 2020 Olympics. A further bonus is the astounding longevity curve here. We have several centenarians in our neighborhood and many neighbors are active 70, 80, and even 90 year olds, out walking, bike riding, and even surfing at this beach community. I know a group of Japanese friends in their 70s who surf all year here and take an annual 2 week trip to either Hawaii or Bali - for surfing! It is very inspring to go to our local community (city facility) gym and see most elders in fabulous shape. I think living overseas has definitely turned the clock back for me on my thinking and way of life. And I should think that you might agree thst learning new languages is definitely mental gymnastics - no time for Alzheimer's for us!
13 months ago, I moved to Shanghai, China to be near my oldest son & his family. I have met several new friends and I am quite content. Of course, I miss my other children and grandchildren in the U.S. But, seriously, I didn't see them much more than I do now. Tonight, my daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and I went to a restaurant for dinner. That was delightful! Monday I have plans to go out with friends. Wherever you hang you hat, you will always miss someone; so, I say just "go for it" and have new experiences.
Margaret you are such a joy to listen to. It's wonderful that you have this community going to help with this time in our lives. I would love to retire overseas, hopefully someday
So nice to stumble upon this video. I'm looking to live abroad and I'm doing research to figure out how to make it happen. Where to go and how to pay for it are my main concerns. Retiring is not an option for me at this time. I've found a tremendous amount of articles and videos for and from folks in their 20's ... and maybe 30's. Nice to hear from someone over 50 living abroad and sharing insights and experiences.
Hi Margaret, I always enjoy your videos. You have even made me adventurous about tea! I used to turn my nose up at anything that wasn't "real tea"--English black tea. But now I try everything and love most of it. Places to live are like tea. There are lots of possibilities, and trying new ones makes life more interesting. I'm a military brat, so we moved a lot when I was a kid. Now, I'm retired and getting ready to move to Malta. My mother was Maltese, so I've always wanted to go there. Also, I'm a historian, and Malta is like a giant open air museum. I've already made friends there, through professional organizations and Facebook groups. I tend to get bored if I don't have some kind of project underway. Researching and preparing for this move has given me several interesting and fun projects.
Thank you for telling a little about your life. I admire your sense of adventure and openness to other cultures. For so many people , as they age, life gets smaller and smaller. It can be an effort to venture out into a world that is unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable. So encouraging to have the example here, on this channel, of a woman living still, with purpose and openness into 60 and beyond. We need this Margaret! Thank you again! Much love.
I have noticed I am not as keen to travel now and I have traveled many places and loved it ... but now not so keen as I used to be ... not happy about the feeling... will have to kick my own butt out the door
I don't comment much, but enjoy you so very much. You are doing such an amazing service to women of our age. I'm grateful that you are there for us in such an accepting and loving way. Kathy
Hello Margaret well done you! I admire you very much and appreciate your advice about getting out and about, you are very wise. I am an expat too, I live on Lake Como , where I have started a bed and breakfast business. Your upbeat advice is helping me a great deal, I am going through an unpleasant divorce at the moment which will ultimately take away both my home and business, for which I have worked very hard, and am finding it painful to let go.... your thoughtful advice is very much appreciated, I know many people must be lonely, even in a crowd, your words can help to spur them on to making contacts, and so to a better quality of life, once again, well done! warmest wishes for the coming holiday season
Hi Julie, please send me a note to margaret@sixtyandme and let me know more about your business in Lake Como - I visit often :-) and it would be lovely to meet you! Wishing you luck with the transitions you are making! All the best.
I married my husband at 22 years of age and off we went to build our lives together. We have lived all over the world until his retirement last year. So for us, moving BACK to the USA is moving "abroad" ! HA! HA! We have been out of the US for so long that retirement here will be a new adventure !! I am American but I have lived abroad longer than I have lived in the US. We are looking forward to this time of our lives and I can't wait. Thanks for sharing your story and for your good advice and encouragement. God Bless..........
This was so much fun! I just watched you for the first time. I'm a young 72 year old and often feel as tho I'm talking about someone else when I give my age. Thanks for what you do here and I feel like I have a new friend just listening to you. I too have started over in a new place a few years ago and I do find it hard to start over making new friends. Thanks for being you.
I am looking to buy a small apartment in Italy. So when I retire I have a place to live for months at a time just taking a train around to travel to different places. It would be a home base as I plan to downsize my house in the US. I have learned quite a bit of Italian and have gone on a few trips there. I have about 7 to 8 years to retire so I'm trying to plan ahead. You have a very interesting channel. My boyfriend has recently moved in with me after i spent 20 some years alone. It's always a surprise when nice things turn out well in our older years!
So enjoyed your story, thanks for sharing. I've just returned from Caiforinia visiting my daughter and son in law. He is working on his second masters degree in philosophy in Berkeley. I had not seen them in a year! I live in Hershey, PA and the trip was a total gift to me. I thank the Lord each day for my daughter and this recent gift. I've made friends through our church's home group plus I attend another ladies Bible study in Hershey with women from various denominations. Really enjoy each other and the love we share. Blessings to you today!
Switzerland has always been somewhere I'd wanted to visit. Didn't realize there was 3 different areas with 3 different primary languages. How neat. I always learn something new from your videos. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Margaret. Your intros aren't long enough for me! I love everything you talk about and love seeing your different mugs and tea types. Thank you so much. You are looking lovely as always xx
Hello Margaret, I just found your channel. I am 61 and retired at 56. My husband retired last year and we moved from the US to Central Mexico. Everyone we knew tried to talk us out of it and called us crazy! We absolutely love it! We are taking Spanish lessons 2x a week. We engage and talk to people all of the time...I don't let my lack of Spanish hold me back. Every day is a new experience. We choose to not have a car and live in a walkable City. I wish we had done it sooner. I love your videos and am working on viewing the past ones. Thanks for having all of us be a part of this kind of community.
Wow! I am so inspired by your story here. I am living in the US right now and hopefully, will someday in the not too distant future, retire to Portugal. People are already telling me I"m crazy. I don't let that deter me from my dream. You have inspired me here tonight. Thank you! Do you have a blog or channel here where you are sharing your experience of relocating?
+Cynthia........I sold most everything and moved lock, stock and Harley to Portugal in Jan '08. Worked 6 years and retired. Lived there another 4 years and last Oct moved to Serbia. Portugal is a pretty nice place to live but it's getting more popular with Americans and in my view that's not a good thing. (Given everything else being equal I'd chose Spain over Portugal.) Not a big city guy I lived in the rural countryside in the middle of the country. (Off IP3 between Coimbra and Viseu) 1 1/2 hours driving from Porto and 2 1/2 hours from Lisboa. Purest, cleanest drinking water I ever remember seeing straight from the tap. Good people, great food, superb cheap wine and if you enjoy learning a bit about history there's much to see from Antuãs sitting openly around the country, Roman ruins to many castles. And only 5 hours by road to Madrid or 4 hours to the history of Valladolid (where Christopher Columbus lived and Miguel Cervantes printed the first copy of "Don Quixote".) Even secondary roads are good if you have a car but mass transit is widely available, inexpensive and a comfortable way to travel. If you're serious about moving to Portugal I'd start taking Portuguese language lessons online now. Learning the language of any country you're wanting to move to will give you a leg up on all the typical Americans that move somewhere and EXPECT everyone to speak English. Hope this helps you to keep following towards your dream.
Wow! That is awesome and inspiring. Thanks for the tips. I definitely need to learn the language or at least get a working "handle" on it. I plan on going back this summer and even my daughter said, "Mom, you need to learn to speak Portuguese." I could see that even though many know English, they still were a bit miffed that I could not speak any...I did try, though! I plan on going for a month this summer and visiting the rest of the country. I can't wait and I will definitely check out the area you were in. I've been wanting to see Coimbra, so that will work. Yes, Lisbon was jam packed with tourists...mostly from Europe, though. We did not see many Americans at all while we were traveling. But I keep reading about Portugal being a popular retirement destination...Ugh! I know what you mean about more Americans not being a great thing. I get it. :)
Couple of things i forgot or should have mentioned earlier. One, gas/diesel is a bit expensive compared to Spain. Cross the border and save €0.10-€0.15/liter. When you visit next for a month you can rent a car very inexpensively from a local rental place instead of someone like Hertz or National. I rented for €25/day (granted it was 10 years ago) mileage included. A US Driver's License is valid in Portugal and you'll find out they are much nicer to deal with than US rental companies. I don't remember the name of the place but it was across the main street from the Hard Rock Cafe in a very small mall. The Ibis is a pretty decent hotel chain and has locations all over southern Europe. In Lisbon it's about €60/night. There is also an Ibis Budget a little cheaper but I've never stayed there. When you start to learn Portuguese don't make the mistake of getting a course of Brazilian Portuguese. I paid $500 for what was billed as the best at the time (Rosetta Stone) but it was Portuguese (Brazilian). Big mistake. To get around and at least show you are trying to speak Portuguese you only need to know 3 things......I have (eu tenho), I want (eu quero) and I need (eu preciso). Or, if you really wanted to be nice you could say I would like (eu gostaria) Next year in mid June the annual European Harley Rally will be in Cascais next to Lisboa. It was last there in 2012 and they expect 50K Harleys from around Europe and the Middle East. I'll be riding over from Serbia for a week or two. And lastly, Faro and the southern coast is a huge British expat enclave. It is the least Portuguese part of Portugal in existence. It is a little uncertain at the moment what will happen to the temporary residence status of Brits after Brexit and how friendly the EU laws will be but I don't foresee much change.
Your a darling. Crazy is right. Me, 67 starting from the beginning. I have appreciated your channel. I am a subscriber from early on. Hope to meet you one day in the USA. I live in Florida. Hi to you and all the wonderful ladies on the sight. Your doing marvelous and now, great guests..That"s a perk...Thank you again for your channel.
Margaret - excellent advice re finding friends and retiring abroad. I jad been researching the possibility of moving to Portugal, but the bureaucracy seems too much. Everyone who has done it, says it takes several years to jump through all the hoops to get permanent residency. I have file folders full of detsils! And if I DO get there at last - if I don't like it, at some point, there's nothing to go back to in the US - no fsmily or property - and no money to make a reverse move. I am too old for any more 'adventures' - I am heading toward my 72nd birthday. So i am looking for a more suitable place in the US than my presrnt location. I am reminded of my Austrian greatgrandfather who left the family farm in Bohemia c.1890 and made a life, not always a happy one, in the US. He was asked, after WWIi, if he would go 'home' now. He answered - 'There's nothong to go bqck to.' The world he had left as a young man was gone. And he was no longer who he was as a lad. We change over time - and finally simply stay put somewhere because we are too old or tired or poor for more adventures.
I'm glad I found your channel and enjoy learning about our community. I have a permanent disability (retired after 30 yrs of service at a corporation) . I have a good support system from husband and siblings which is a blessing. Retirement wasn't easy but staying positive is key!
I'm looking at retiring abroad too. So glad I came across your channel! I'm 51 and ready to go. I helped my ex purchase his place in Thailand (which he now uses for rental income and had a small village of homes built out in a rural area). I also helped a former boyfriend buy a home in Costa Rica. (He bought land and had a beautiful home built.) It's time for me to get my own place! I'm having a hard time picking which country + I need to find a good CPA who will help me understand the tax implications. I'll be looking through your video list to see if you've already answered these questions. Thanks so much for your work!
Contrary to your viewer below I don't think your intros are too long at all. I love everything about your videos, the intros on your teas are quite informative! BTW your package should be arriving any day now 😉. I don't want to live abroad but I love visiting different areas. I spent 4 months in Campinas, Brazil on a missions trip in 2011, I was very happy to come home. However I did make some great friends and happy to say we stayed in contact over the Internet. Love your channel. Keep up the great work, including your intros 😘
Hi there - thank you soooooo much for the little box of goodies!! I did send you back an email - did you not receive? Everything is being treasured and i value you very very much! Thank you again for your kindness and generosity! Hugs from me to you!
i love hearing about your history, what led you to switzerland and "retirement". also your warm introductions. i love the woman you are and your warm hearted positive nature. thanks for all you do for us. ~k
You are an inspiration to women everywhere on so many levels! Always amazed at the complainers who have probably never gotten in front of a camera and done free videos. ha ha. I get it:) You rock!
"Live your life based on your passion not age or gender" great advice. Always an opportunity to meet people at free or inexpensive places or event. Just start up a conversation.
Thanks Margaret, I plan to retire soon and I’ve always wanted to move away. Not to another country but another city or province. Most of my friends who’ve retired are already gone away. Only problem is both my kids and grandkids are here and if I moved, anywhere I want to go I know no one. It’s such a hard decision. Thanks for sharing your story. I often wondered about you and your life. Share more stories, it’s interesting getting to know more about you.
Margaret such great advice! Just because you're over 50 doesn't mean you have to be boring. Loneliness is a huge problem in the US for young and old alike. There are plenty of other people in the same boat. You can't expect friends to come and find you, I agree!
It’s been my dream since my first trip to Italy in 1997 to live there. As a Canadian, I would be limited to six months at a time. I rent so it’s more challenging but I remain ever hopeful 😎.
Thank you, Margaret! You are sweet to share your personal stories with us. It's always helpful to hear how others are doing this life in retirement thing. It's uplifting to hear how you do it, especially since you are so real and not fake about your journey. Many blessings, my friend...
Thanks for the videos. You are an inspiration in so many ways. By the way, I love your Apartment, the jewel tones are gorgeous!!!! Your makeup always looks so nice, you've brought me back to wearing makeup again. I find you are an inspiration in many ways. Cheryl
Great back story on your history. I didn't realize that you were in Seattle...I was in Redmond once, and it looked as if Microsoft took up the entire town! I love the thought of moving to Europe...I lived in Marbella, Spain for a year and really enjoyed it. Thank you for giving me something to think about...once we get a handle on the pandemic. It's still challenging to start up conversations when you don't know if that person is Covid-positive! Take care and be safe!
Goog morning Margaret. Just finished listening to your video with my cup of coffee. It brought back fond memories when this Canadian lived in Perú for ten years. I made the decision within two months, sold everything, and there I was! I didn't speak the language and knew only myself. From my experience, when moving abroad, it would be a good idea to pack lots of flexibility, adaptability, and some patience. Embracing the Peruvian culture with all its glorious positives and not so positive aspects, allowed me to really enjoy my time there. You become somewhat of of a social anthropologist! I certainly want to retire in another country. I'm not sure where yet. Vietnam is in the back of my mind because of an interview I watched with Anthony Bourdain. That is his #1 spot.
Kak dela, Margaret?What a small world!!! Here I'm listening in English about living abroad and hearing your perfect 'how are you?' in my mother toungue!!! Best wishes from a Ukrainian woman in South Carolina!
Hi Margaret! Yes, my fiancé and I are going to be moving to Australia! He is Australian and I am an American; we live in the US at the moment and plan to move Down Under hopefully by the end of the year. My SO has seen my part of the world; now it is time for me to see his. It will be hard as I have all my family here. But it's time. I like your channel and have subscribed. :-)
It is nice to listen to you because you know a lot of things and is in the best place in the world. Switzerland I love that place so much it's the cleanliness in that place that I love and even the weather I love. Thanks a lot for sharing how to meet people and find friends and how to enjoy life with people you know it helps a lot
Hi Margaret, i love your channel. I'm 29 and I immigrated to New Zealand with my parents 8 years ago. English is the main language here and it's still taken a lengthy period to adjust! I think you are doing amazingly. You have inspired me to stay positive and optimistic through your videos. Thank you. Hugs! Love Cheryl and Aladdjn xox
Hi Cheryl. My friend is retiring next year but coming to New Zealand this summer to explore possibly retiring there. She said they may accept her for a Visa because she can teach English as a second language because she's an educator. She indicated that otherwise people are not necessarily able to just relocate there unless they have something to offer the country. Do you think this is accurate information? Thank you, Glenna
Hello from California. I switch ur channel on every morning and watch as i sit at my vanity getting ready for work. Only sux more months and i will retire!!! I enjoy your tips and guests!
Thank you Margaret for the whole thing you do. I have been watching you for ages, 2.5 years. I love to see your smile each day. I'm off to Disneyland with my children and grandchildren on Monday, LA here we come. Have a lovely day. Maureen from New Zealand x
I loved hearing about your experiences in living in Switzerland-such a beautiful country! My husband and I lived for years in Germany and totally enjoyed it. You gave some great tips-even for moves in the US from one state to another. 😊
My plans are to just simply live the life of a nomad. I live in Canada and am a seasoned traveller. I'm not sure where I'll start yet, somewhere in Europe. I plan to do it with a dog and cat, even though I know that will present some challenges, but I'm not leaving them behind. Should be interesting, as I won't have a community because I'd like to keep moving on, until I don't want to.anymore.
Volunteer! when I moved to a small village in Alberta 8 years ago after separation, I started with volunteering at the thrift shoppe and still am, then the museum board and the friends of the library, and I did 4 years as part time baker at the small grocery shop. Trying to slow down now and looking in desperation at all the boxes that I should go through and break with the past. thank you for your sound advice that always rings a bell. I also am a tea person and like to try new ones like chaga and chai.
I moved from a big city to a small town. I have been here for 6 years and still find it difficult to find the right person to be friends. It's easy to meet people but not easy to make friends, as most woman already have their group of friends, some are cliques, and others are too busy working. It 's been hard because i am away from my daughters and family. I have my husband but i find it would be nice to have a friend. It certainly would make it more fun. I carry on doing quite a bit on my own or with my husband. There are women I talk to in my volunteer groups and other social groups, but again, most have their cliques groups and it's not easy to get in. I sometimes feel lonely as I see other woman getting together for coffee or a night out with the girls. i guess I am going to have to be more creative, and you have given me some good ideas which I will try. Looking forward to yet another adventure in finding friendship.
PS. I am like you and chat to everyone! It makes me feel good and for all we know that chat may have been the only human contact that person has had all day, especially older people. It is so great to meet another 'compulsive communicator' as a former boss once called me😊😊
I love your videos with my morning coffee. You are such an upbeat and inspirational person. I live in Jacktown Oklahoma. My children live & work in Shawnee Oklahoma. The closest city. So I am close to my children & grandchildren. I have good neighbors who are good friends. I love hearing of your adventures. I want to visit abroad someday, it's on my bucket list. You are so beautiful inside & out.
You are just a lovely person. I can relate to you on so many levels. I recently retired at 59. I have a wonderful husband but not many friends. We have lived on the East coast and West coast of the US in our 40 years of marriage. Now we live in the midwest and I sorely miss all of my old friends and family on both coasts. Most of my friends here are much younger and still working so its hard to get together. My husband also has some health issues that make it hard to socialize but you give me a lot of hope and ideas and kind of a kick in the behind to get moving!
Margaret your looking so greasy and pretty these days and I am so glad you are doing well and thanks for sharing your story. I love what you have done with your community stay happy and most important healthy.
Margaret, thank you so much for sharing some of your story with us. I have no plans to retire elsewhere. I enjoy hearing about the train group you started. Being an introvert, finding ways to be more social is a challenge for me.
I moved to Israel 15 years ago. I just turned 69, and have been through many changes here, including sadly, a divorce 4 years ago. Finding Sixty and Me has been a real encouragement to know there are women in so many places who identify with the need for community and friendship. Just knowing that alone has brought comfort. I've been slow with progressing with learning the language but am now looking at finding an ulpan -- a Hebrew language class at my level -- which is very common since this tiny country has absorbed immigrants from countless places, and speaking the same language is the common bond. I now feel a sense of hope and happiness that I can find ways to build friendships in my new beautiful city on the Mediterranean shore. Thank you for starting this group; you are providing such caring and inspiration. I loved learning about your train group -- that sounds like so much fun! And thank you for sharing about meetup.com. I have just begun to look into it, thanks to you.
Thanks Rachel - I am glad you found us! Please be sure to check out our website and the other channels where our community meets! www.sixtyandme.com/start
Thanks for sharing your personal story about moving to Switzerland. That took courage and I admire your tenacity. Glad to hear you're enjoying your new life. I'm not sure I have the courage to move abroad, although my husband would love too. I think we're a bit too old for that now. But we'll figure it out.
Hi Margaret, I feel like you were talking directly to me in this video I just turned 56, and like tonight, I couldn’t figure out where to go... Your message is so very heartfelt and hearing you is encouraging.. I live in Miami and I check out meet ups but music like jazz and blues is more common in Ft Lauderdale I will keep looking here to see if I get some ideas from your other followers Thank you Ana Sophia
Hi Margaret. I love your chats. I have just done a binge watch! I looooved your necklaces, bracelets and scarves talks! I have just watched your 'why I live in Switzerland' piece'. I enjoy seeing how you change the background with cushions and flowers. I adore that colourful picture on the wall behind you. I love your tops!! So many different colours!! You have inspired me to go out and 'get a life'. Kindest regards. Jo (an expat Kiwi in Queensland, Australia).
I am amazed and impressed by your story. I am thinking about traveling around Europe. I am 60 and planning on my future. especially after my retirement in order to stay busy
What an interesting topic! I didn't realize you lived and worked in Seattle. I live in Washington state myself. Straight down I5 in Vancouver, WA. That's so cool, you moved to Switzerland! Sounds very challenging, my hats off to you. I am 60yrs old and have thought how neat it would be to live retired in another country. Don't know if that's possible when you are on Social Security Disability. Maybe i need a Life Coach! Great video, be blessed my dear
Oh how I wish I could retire to Switzerland. .near you...I would have such fun with your Train club....What fun....Unfortunately money would never allow it to happen......Thank you for sharing....Enjoy the Holidays....
If I had the money to retire in Switzerland I will but I don't have so I will just have to stay in my country. As of now I am taking care of my house that when I am older it will be easy for me to move around. Some people have better options than most. My option is not better but it is okay.
My husband and I moved from California to Israel over 20 years ago. I had visited Israel as a tourist and really appreciated the lifestyle here. I felt it a very open society and close knit communities. There are people here from all backgrounds. It's fascinating. I have worked in interfaith relations and have met interesting folks from many cultures. While I've learned some Hebrew after all these years , I tend to form friendships with those expats from similar backgrounds ( in English.). I think it's natural. People generally hear only about attacks and bad news here on the news -- because it's the Holy Land -- but its quite peaceful actually. ( obviously there is high security as a preventive measure) If you are considering a visit to the Jerusalem area, please be in touch. My neighbor has an Airbnb right next door!
Enjoyed your story. I am toying with the idea of moving to another state where my best friend lives now. She and I agreed a week or two visit would be a good idea to see how I like the area and weather - much colder than I am used to in the winter, etc. However, I have a disabled son who lives with me and I'm trying to encourage him to consider the possibility of a move to a much much small town but with most of the amenities we have now. The pace of life in my friend's town is much slower but they have a huge indoor pool, yin yoga and other classes including drumming and two theaters, museums, as well as larger stores, etc. It seems from photos and my friends description that people are friendly but respectful and not intrusive. I am craving more time for walking, reading, and hoping my son might find a part time job and make friends.
That sounds quite the adventure Meera! Good for you for thinking ahead and outside the "box" as they say. Your positive attitude does you credit:) I grew up in a very small town, almost a village in central California. I loved moving to a big city and all the advantages the comes with it. But that was over 60 years ago; Now my small village is much more attractive as internet has made an impact on every corner of the globe - I can visit "virtually" through google maps and see the changes and the things that have stayed the same. But for certain there are far more opportunities for folks in small towns now than there used to be. A two week visit sounds a wonderful idea. Let us know how it goes!
Thank you, again. I live in Victoria BC and lived in Italy 3x, Venezuela 3x, Canada 3x, US 1x. Now retired without family I'm pondering on where I better hang my hat next. Your videos are refreshing.
Ask strangers in the park about their dogs because everyone has a story about their pet that they enjoy telling people.This is an easy way to talk to start a conversation.
thank you ! you inspired me a lot! - you moved to another country without knowledge of the language! wow ! really inspiring! you aren't afraid to create your life!
Enjoyable video as always. Hugs from Arkansas. My parents never allow the words” I’m bored” to be spoken in our house. Just yesterday my oldest daughter spoke about those words weren’t allowed in my house …even now at my age of 70.
I want to retire to Portugal. I just love it there. Thing is, I do not speak Portuguese, and I realized this is very limiting on my last trip to Lisbon and Cascais this past summer. I need to learn. Also, I do not know anyone there. I imagine it will be lonely, but I am friendly and outgoing...a teacher. I plan on hopefully working, joining a church and meeting up with others.
I love the fact that Switzerland has created some great animal laws in favour of the dear precious animals. Look up guinea pigs in Switzerland and read the article (concerns dogs too). It sounds a decent place. Off the topic a bit here but just saying ha.
I love hearing what tea you are drinking for the day. I try to drink Egyptian Licorice at least once a day. My wellness Dr says it is very healing for your adrenal glands.
I loved this video and all of your tips and ideas. Very creative, yet pragmatic too! Thank you, Margaret! I love tea too, Although, I usually just stick to Earl Gray or English Breakfast tea.
Your train group sounds great! I have a friend who leads a monthly eat out group for gay men -- once a month they try out a new restaurant for dinner. Personally I find volunteer work and church are easy places to meet nice people. Libraries often have low cost or free events. No, I wouldn't settle abroad -- my family is here, and I like being well settled in a familiar "home town" I have found that in Europe if you know English and French you can get by most places.
We've thought about retiring abroad but I couldn't be away from my kids and grandkids...they r my world so Houston, Texas it is til they decide to go elsewhere...we r a fairly small family...my husband and I, son, daughter, daughter in law and 3 grandkids...but we are very tight..we spend lots of time together...we got this from my mother and her family...a very southern thing I think...and my Italian friend says that Italian families are very close
I just turned 60 and retired, I moved to a new city but not too far from where I was. There are so many activities I have already found to do in the month since moving here. Newcomers club has many activities to do from walking groups to cards to book clubs, I am sure these groups are all over at least in North America. Also the local university has seminar series for this age learners, I have signed up for the fall series on Art coast to coast (Canada) 8 seminars for $45 a great deal. There are also senior centres and art schools and so on that I could be busy every day if I wanted. Oh and I was also told that the local hall that puts on shows and concerts loves senior volunteers so there is that as well. My move did not require me to learn a new language as yours did however I did need to look farthings to do so I would not be by myself all the time. I live in Guelph Ontario
Hi Margaret, thanks for another upbeat video. I hadn't heard of Meetup until I saw mention of it in one of your previous videos. I checked it out and was happy to see there are various groups operating in my area.
super cool i am now 72 and living in thailand and have a great time every day.ok not so easy as i dont speak thai and it takes a lot of money to get a visa!But to ride my motorcycle 365 days a year,beats my old cold country!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences including advice you live by. I am taking my first solo trip to Austria soon and even for a holiday- this video was helpful snd encouraging.
Hi, I am researching Panama...i found a Panama relocation tour. I am in contact with Jackie Lange often getting ready for the tour this July 2022...thank you and Shalom!
My husband and I have spent enough time in Italy to become very familiar with its peoples and places. We often talk of moving there, now that we are retired, but, I do worry about the language difference. It is easy for me to learn languages, but, my husband sees patterns in numbers, not letters. Having said that, we relocated from CT to FL, which does seem foreign to us at times. And, of course, even here, we have struggled to meet new friends. Engaging in activities we enjoy has been key. We have met people through ballroom dances, political groups, my love of boxing and my husband's love of orchids and painting. I think re-starting your life after retirement is difficult anywhere you are. It's not as though everyone of your friends retires at the same time and has time to "come out and play", no matter where you live.
Thank you for uploading this interesting topic! I make friends easier when I don´t know the language so well, because I tend to have lighter conversations, haha! To speak more English, you could give some course in that language for example. Just a pronunciation tip: To pronounce well in German, one has to "hit" every individual letter - opposed from English, where you kind of "roll over" the letters with the tongue. If you try to pronnounce like that, you will sound German. To sound Swiss, some vocals like "i" and "e" are pronounced with the mouth more closed as in English or being in Germany.
Interesting observation! I spent extended periods in Germany in my 60's (about 12 or so years ago) and the experience was a revelation. At first I felt SO isolated, walking down the street, and as Margaret said, hearing at least 3 different languages. But I enrolled in a Euro-schulen which helped a lot, meeting people from Russia, The Ukraine, China, South America and Africa. My "ear" for German must have been ok, but like Margaret, a lot of fun and laughter over my grammar; but they understood and so did I!
Thank you, Margaret, for sharing your story about Retiring abroad . I moved to Switzerland when I married LONG time ago. Your video is very encouraging because I do struggle at times being caught between 2 countries - Thank goodness for Skype and/or instant messenger! Anyway, after all these years I still can't believe the apts over here don't have window screens and built in closets! 😊
I love your story! The truth is, I am right now in the beginning stage of where you are. I have finished my career, retired and separated from my husband seven years ago. My three children are all grown up. Two of them have their own families, the unmarried one is living on his own. As for me, I love to live on my own just like you, which I used to be until I became hypertensive and my eldest has to get me to live with her family. At first, I was hesitant to live with them because I value my freedom and my independence from my kids. But my three kids were able to convince me to stay with their eldest sibling here in Singapore, which is not my country (I am from the Philippines). I have actually no major problem living with my eldest daughter but I always have this feeling of being uncomfortable. I know you know what I meant. I miss the day that I am fully in charge of myself in everything be it food, schedule etc. I like to go back to my country, travel the world on my own or live in another country on my own but I have limited financial resources. What do you think are my choices? I'd love to hear from you. Thank you.
