I Want to Live the Same When I Retire Abroad… HOGWASH!
This is complete gibberish, rubbish, nonsense! Retiring means change, and moving abroad—especially somewhere remote—means even more change!
Change is a Good Thing
No reason to shy away from it—embrace the opportunity! Jump in with both feet! Refresh, reset, and enjoy the adventure. And you know what? I’m right.
When we’re working, life follows a routine. But when you retire? That routine gets tossed out the window. No more:
❌ Dressing for work.
❌ Packing lunches or eating out in overpriced cafés.
❌ Morning commutes or waiting in line for coffee.
❌ Planning evenings and weekends around work schedules.
❌ Juggling meetings, deadlines, or office politics.
It’s all gone—bye-bye, good riddance! But don’t be fooled—retiring, whether you move abroad or not, impacts every aspect of your life. Your home, your friends, your finances, your health—both physically and mentally—will all change.
That’s a good thing—if you embrace it. Don’t pretend things will stay the same. Make it exciting! Think about what you want, what you don’t want, and how you’re going to enjoy this next phase of life.
In this newsletter, I’ll break down the biggest changes retirement brings—whether you stay put or move abroad. Today, I’ll dive into the most immediate change—your home and living situation. The rest will come in future newsletters!
Think I missed something? Let me know in the comments below!
Your Home: It Changes More Than You Think
Where you live, how you live, and even what you own are shaped by your location. Your current home was designed for your old life—your job, your climate, your daily needs. When you move abroad, all of that shifts.
Here are some of the biggest differences I’ve experienced between my home in Canada and my home in Thailand:
📍 Climate: I no longer need a home that can withstand -30°C winters and humid summers. I need a home designed for heat, rain, and open-air living.
📍 Size & Space: In Canada, I had a small backyard and a limited garden. In Thailand, I want the opposite—I spend most of my time outside, so a beautiful garden and open deck are more important than indoor space.
📍 Kitchen Use: In Canada, I used my kitchen daily. Here in Thailand, I rarely cook at home—there’s incredible, affordable street food everywhere. And I definitely don’t want to heat up my house by cooking or baking!
📍 Unexpected Needs: When I first moved, I brought things I thought I needed—and didn’t. At the same time, I discovered things I never considered—but absolutely need.
Here is a chart to illustrate how my home has changed for my new life in Thailand.
The Unexpected Joy of a Garden View
One of our biggest surprises? We thought a sea view was important.
We quickly realized—after visiting friends with stunning sea views—that they rarely looked at the sea! Instead, we find ourselves drawn to our garden view.
At night, our garden glows with soft lights, creating a magical, mysterious, mesmerizing atmosphere. Every visitor is captivated by it. Some nights, we plan to go out—but end up staying home, sitting on the deck, just gazing at the garden.
Happy Cat Villa isn’t just a house—it’s home.
Other Big Changes Retirement Brings
Your home is only one piece of the puzzle. Retirement—especially abroad—affects so much more. Here are the other areas I’ll be diving into in future newsletters:
1. Your Social Life Changes (Friends & Family)
❌ You’re no longer just a short drive away from loved ones.
✅ You have to adapt, using video calls, online chats, and planning visits.
✅ The good news? It doesn’t matter where you are—you can stay connected if you make the effort.
(Next time: How I maintain friendships and family connections from an island in Thailand.)
2. Your Finances Look Very Different
✅ Living abroad is often cheaper—but it depends on where and how you live.
❌ There’s no pension safety net unless you’ve planned ahead.
💰 You need to budget for unexpected costs, travel, and long-term security.
3. Your Physical Health Needs Attention
❌ No built-in daily movement from commuting to work.
✅ You must intentionally stay active—whether that’s walking, swimming, or exercising.
🍽️ Eating habits shift—sometimes for the better, sometimes not!
4. Your Mental Health Will Be Affected
✅ No more stressful deadlines or toxic work environments.
❌ But also? No structure, no built-in purpose.
🎯 It’s up to you to fill your time with purpose, hobbies, and meaningful connections.
Final Thoughts: Retiring is About Reinvention, Not Replication
Retirement isn’t about copying your old life in a new location. It’s about redefining what your life looks like—what’s important, what’s necessary, and what truly makes you happy.
When I retired and moved to Thailand, I embraced the changes—from my home to my routine to my mindset. It didn’t happen overnight. But now, looking back, I know that by being open to change, I was able to figure out what would work for me. And this knowledge helped me create my wonderful home here.
Wherever you choose to retire—near or far—embrace the change. You might be surprised by what truly makes you feel at home.
What’s one thing you thought you’d need in retirement—but didn’t? Or something unexpected that became essential?
Let me know in the comments!
See you in the next newsletter, where I’ll talk about how I stay well connected with friends and family from thousands of miles away.
Until then—cheers from Happy Cat Villa!
