Powerful and poignant post, Julia. There are many decisions I make differently today due to being aware of what you discuss in this article. For example, I won't live in the boonies on horse property anymore with no nearby help, enduring mind-boggling heat, when I was able to live this way just 10 years ago. A sad fact but something I had to be honest with myself about, which is one of the reasons I now live on the (much cooler and more populated) Oregon Coast.
I'm one of those odd people who have thought about death - and my death - on a nearly daily basis since early childhood. I've devised my end of life plan to ensure I do not end up as human storage in an inhuman facility as dying with dignity on my terms (if possible) is important to me. We live in a death-denying culture that believes it can also be somehow death-defying as well. Not gonna happen, at least in my lifetime. Good stuff here, and I'm now following Tim!
I have traveled enough to know that everywhere else is different from here. While my retirement income should remain, I have no idea what may happen to Social Security in the coming days. Even if it too remains, there are so many unanswered questions. Among the many things that travel has taught me is that you never understand what another country is really like without great research and/or moving there to experience it. I have enjoyed all the places I have been but would like to live in none of them. There are many things about this country that I am appalled by but at least it's the devil I know. I'm not going any place. No telling if I will regret that decision in the future but for now that's where I sit. I am also thinking hard about what I need to do to prepare for bad things happening. I'm not a prepper - no bunker, no 10 years worth of MRE's - but there is lots to think about. What food plants could I grow? What about storing water? I already can make clothes so that's valuable. Trying to maintain good health is high on that list. Along with building a community, as you mention. I've never been this cynical before but it has caused me to think more carefully about what I need and what will matter to me.
This is a great article, Julia! You raise some very important points that people need to factor in as they age whether they move to another country or not. The fragility of our health and the necessity of a support network are things I think many people overlook. And as you noted, our stellar and robust health can be lost in a heartbeat (literally and figuratively). I appreciate your insights.
This should be shouted from the rooftops. I've run into a few articles that are way too suspiciously rosy about how easy and cheap it is to relocate to Mexico -- and they never, ever, mention one whiff about lack of end-of-life care or that being an expat means being prepared to die in what will always be a foreign country, as long as you remain an expat.
thanks, Jan. I am trying my damnedest to be a realist. Even as I face the potential of doing this myself, I have to plan my death, here or there or anywhere. We are foolish to avoid the obvious.
Love this article. It’s backing up my own conclusions since at one time I considered moving to Mexico from Canada.
But it’s not that cheap. When we go down there, most things are the same price in Mexican as Canadian.
And up here, we have free healthcare. It may not be perfect but we have it.
Like you point out, we have a network of contacts, friends and family. We would have to rebuild that support if we emigrated.
We would be held hostage by the travel industry to visit our home country Covid showed us how you can’t rely on that.
And yeah, what about civil unrest? What if the US continues its descent into 3rd world country? Do I want a third world country between me and my homeland to have to fly over and possibly stop in while travelling?
What an excellent post, Julia, and I'm humbled to be quoted and featured. Thank you for doubling down on my message and helping me spread it further. You're right that it's about a good death in the end, but good coverage also gives you a better life since you have peace of mind that you won't end up in my parents situation or similar. Thank you ❤️
It was a really important viewpoint, Kaila, and it fit very well with Tim's material. So many people just don't think before they leap, and we really do have to take the planning seriously. You're most welcome.
Have taken out health care insurance cover within the last year as the UK National Health Service is now so broken. I'm 66 and it's expensive as a newstart but a necessary choice. Found people, even professionals, question my motives especially when I bought my own funeral many years ago for half the price it costs now. But I happily live alone and have no intention of changing this situation. The community? I've lived in this small town for 34 years. Those living as couples and with family continue to invalidate single people, moreso women in my humble opinion, who enjoy the benefits of solitary richness and they often assume outreach/integration for parochial community friendship is due to loneliness rather than mutual support.
Excellent points, Julia. I live in the PNW and am madly in love with it. I live simply on five acres, enjoy a 4000 sq ft garden, and blue dot community in a MAGA county. For the first time in my life, I have been thinking that I need to leave my country and my home. I am currently doing the research on Panama, signed up for a Spanish course and am rapidly decluttering and prepping my home for sale.
But I don't want to leave. So I am preparing for a possible escape if the US is allowed to devolve. I am doing what I can to resist.
I am in precisely the same spot. I adore it in the PNW. No acreage, but access to the Coast which is enough to fill my entire existence. I’m packing at least two to three boxes a day recognizing that I may have to sell and move FAST. Not what I want. But it is what is. So true for so many of us.
Powerful and poignant post, Julia. There are many decisions I make differently today due to being aware of what you discuss in this article. For example, I won't live in the boonies on horse property anymore with no nearby help, enduring mind-boggling heat, when I was able to live this way just 10 years ago. A sad fact but something I had to be honest with myself about, which is one of the reasons I now live on the (much cooler and more populated) Oregon Coast.
I'm one of those odd people who have thought about death - and my death - on a nearly daily basis since early childhood. I've devised my end of life plan to ensure I do not end up as human storage in an inhuman facility as dying with dignity on my terms (if possible) is important to me. We live in a death-denying culture that believes it can also be somehow death-defying as well. Not gonna happen, at least in my lifetime. Good stuff here, and I'm now following Tim!
Thanks so much Rebecca. Realism is a fine way to go.
I have traveled enough to know that everywhere else is different from here. While my retirement income should remain, I have no idea what may happen to Social Security in the coming days. Even if it too remains, there are so many unanswered questions. Among the many things that travel has taught me is that you never understand what another country is really like without great research and/or moving there to experience it. I have enjoyed all the places I have been but would like to live in none of them. There are many things about this country that I am appalled by but at least it's the devil I know. I'm not going any place. No telling if I will regret that decision in the future but for now that's where I sit. I am also thinking hard about what I need to do to prepare for bad things happening. I'm not a prepper - no bunker, no 10 years worth of MRE's - but there is lots to think about. What food plants could I grow? What about storing water? I already can make clothes so that's valuable. Trying to maintain good health is high on that list. Along with building a community, as you mention. I've never been this cynical before but it has caused me to think more carefully about what I need and what will matter to me.
This is a great article, Julia! You raise some very important points that people need to factor in as they age whether they move to another country or not. The fragility of our health and the necessity of a support network are things I think many people overlook. And as you noted, our stellar and robust health can be lost in a heartbeat (literally and figuratively). I appreciate your insights.
Thanks Daria. I get to do this dance myself, like it or not.
Me too!
This should be shouted from the rooftops. I've run into a few articles that are way too suspiciously rosy about how easy and cheap it is to relocate to Mexico -- and they never, ever, mention one whiff about lack of end-of-life care or that being an expat means being prepared to die in what will always be a foreign country, as long as you remain an expat.
thanks, Jan. I am trying my damnedest to be a realist. Even as I face the potential of doing this myself, I have to plan my death, here or there or anywhere. We are foolish to avoid the obvious.
You're already in the teensy minority for even approaching such planning, so good on you!
Blunt but true!
And wherever you move to ‘You always take yourself with you’. Your problems, anxieties, fears, health problems and age don’t miraculously disappear.
Love this article. It’s backing up my own conclusions since at one time I considered moving to Mexico from Canada.
But it’s not that cheap. When we go down there, most things are the same price in Mexican as Canadian.
And up here, we have free healthcare. It may not be perfect but we have it.
Like you point out, we have a network of contacts, friends and family. We would have to rebuild that support if we emigrated.
We would be held hostage by the travel industry to visit our home country Covid showed us how you can’t rely on that.
And yeah, what about civil unrest? What if the US continues its descent into 3rd world country? Do I want a third world country between me and my homeland to have to fly over and possibly stop in while travelling?
We are rapidly approaching shithole country status, Tim. Don’t get any on ya.
Tim I recently posted an article about our move to Costa Rica and some discoveries we found and why we didn't choose residency. No place is perfect but you have to decide where grass is greener for you! https://whatanadventure.substack.com/p/is-the-grass-really-greener?r=36r4zx
Right now it’s greener where I can afford it lol
Yes I think people think the grass is greener but there are a lot of things to consider!
What an excellent post, Julia, and I'm humbled to be quoted and featured. Thank you for doubling down on my message and helping me spread it further. You're right that it's about a good death in the end, but good coverage also gives you a better life since you have peace of mind that you won't end up in my parents situation or similar. Thank you ❤️
It was a really important viewpoint, Kaila, and it fit very well with Tim's material. So many people just don't think before they leap, and we really do have to take the planning seriously. You're most welcome.
Have taken out health care insurance cover within the last year as the UK National Health Service is now so broken. I'm 66 and it's expensive as a newstart but a necessary choice. Found people, even professionals, question my motives especially when I bought my own funeral many years ago for half the price it costs now. But I happily live alone and have no intention of changing this situation. The community? I've lived in this small town for 34 years. Those living as couples and with family continue to invalidate single people, moreso women in my humble opinion, who enjoy the benefits of solitary richness and they often assume outreach/integration for parochial community friendship is due to loneliness rather than mutual support.
There are some good books out on Singleism, a term coined by Bella DePaulo. See https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66086.Singled_Out
Might be worth your time. Now that there are vastly more of us, especially women, single and living solo, we are becoming a force rather than a farce.
Excellent points, Julia. I live in the PNW and am madly in love with it. I live simply on five acres, enjoy a 4000 sq ft garden, and blue dot community in a MAGA county. For the first time in my life, I have been thinking that I need to leave my country and my home. I am currently doing the research on Panama, signed up for a Spanish course and am rapidly decluttering and prepping my home for sale.
But I don't want to leave. So I am preparing for a possible escape if the US is allowed to devolve. I am doing what I can to resist.
I am in precisely the same spot. I adore it in the PNW. No acreage, but access to the Coast which is enough to fill my entire existence. I’m packing at least two to three boxes a day recognizing that I may have to sell and move FAST. Not what I want. But it is what is. So true for so many of us.