Living in Europe

[HarrisburgDave]

The leader in the clubhouse is Prilep, Macedonia. Small city/large town. Rail to Greece and north to the rest of Europe. Cost of living? I can get a modern apartment well under my modest budget. The wife likes the culture and walkability.

Prilep, Macedonia

We are in the early stages of planning a trip in October. Please let me know If anyone has suggestions for places to visit in the former Yugoslavia, Greece, and Bulgaria regions

 

[TheBigUglies]

A suggestion. When my wife retired two years ago, we decided to live a month a year in a foreign country. In the summer of 23, we lived in County Galway, Ireland. Last summer, we spent a month in Austria (Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna). This summer, we will be living in the Abruzzo region of Italy (staying in Sulmona). We usually get a VRBO or a B&B. This way we get the international living experience, try a different country each year, and still are connected to the US for the rest of the time.

That sounds awesome!!!

 

[olelion]

It wasn't Europe. I was offered the chance to relocate permanently to Australia back on the 90s. It was a serious offer, we had lived there and loved it, but I passed and transferred back to the USA after two years

 

[psuro]

The leader in the clubhouse is Prilep, Macedonia. Small city/large town. Rail to Greece and north to the rest of Europe. Cost of living? I can get a modern apartment well under my modest budget. The wife likes the culture and walkability.

Prilep, Macedonia

We are in the early stages of planning a trip in October. Please let me know If anyone has suggestions for places to visit in the former Yugoslavia, Greece, and Bulgaria regions

Post pics of the location when you go.

 

[kgilbert78]

A suggestion. When my wife retired two years ago, we decided to live a month a year in a foreign country. In the summer of 23, we lived in County Galway, Ireland. Last summer, we spent a month in Austria (Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna). This summer, we will be living in the Abruzzo region of Italy (staying in Sulmona). We usually get a VRBO or a B&B. This way we get the international living experience, try a different country each year, and still are connected to the US for the rest of the time.

I'd consider doing that. I really don't want to be away from my friends and church for too long, but we really enjoyed taking 3.5 weeks in Italy last year. We try to do longer stays in a place rather than sprinting from spot to spot. We had 5 days on a farm stay near Volterra that was really nice. Trains really helped with that, though we did need a car for the farm stay and to visit my wife's grandparents' ancestral town (San Bartolomeo in Galdo).

 

[OUIrPSU]

Definitely not cheap, but I’d love to be able to spend my summers in Iceland. Oh wait, I already do

But seriously, I’ve been so fortunate to land a gig that allows me to spend 7-9 weeks in Iceland every summer, have been coming since 2022, and am more than happy to answer any questions any of my fellow AKBers may have about a visit to the land of fire and ice…although there’s no "fire" at the moment.

Did I mention it’s 50 degrees F here right now? Sometimes life don’t suck.

 

[Mr. Potter]

Will you become "ParisDave" or keep the same moniker?

Shalom.

PS: Live your dream. Your son will adjust I'm certain.

 

[Omar81]

Sorry, but one quick follow-up:

Back a little more than five years ago, my sister-in-law lived in Lucca, Italy. It’s a beautiful town within an hour or so of Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. They lived inside the city walls (Google for photos), in a fully furnished two bedroom, two bath apartment. Their rent was about 800 euros a month. Again, good luck to you and I applaud your sense of adventure.

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Post pics of the location when you go.

Here is a preview

Prilep

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Will you become "ParisDave" or keep the same moniker?

Shalom.

PS: Live your dream. Your son will adjust I'm certain.

I'm toying with "Dave the Great". Seems appropriate, on several levels.

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Food Porn







BTW, their wine is said to be amazing. Same latitude as the south of France.

 

[Moogy]

The leader in the clubhouse is Prilep, Macedonia. Small city/large town. Rail to Greece and north to the rest of Europe. Cost of living? I can get a modern apartment well under my modest budget. The wife likes the culture and walkability.

Prilep, Macedonia

We are in the early stages of planning a trip in October. Please let me know If anyone has suggestions for places to visit in the former Yugoslavia, Greece, and Bulgaria regions

Macedonia doesn’t exist. It’s North Macedonia.

 

[manatree]

Macedonia doesn’t exist. It’s North Macedonia.

It depends on who you ask.

 

[psuro]

Just saw this and figured I would put it in this thread....

7 Best Cities Abroad Where You Can Live on Social Security Only

In addition to enjoying a new culture, American retirees may find that a Social Security check is enough to live off of overseas, sometimes comfortably.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Yogiman71]

We enjoyed Ireland, Scotland, Prague, and Krakow the most out of many places we have visited. Crete was also very pleasant and laid back. I would lean towards Ireland because we had so much fun there and the people really enjoy life. That being said, side trips to Poland or Prague would be easy and enjoyable.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Just saw this and figured I would put it in this thread....

7 Best Cities Abroad Where You Can Live on Social Security Only

In addition to enjoying a new culture, American retirees may find that a Social Security check is enough to live off of overseas, sometimes comfortably.

www.yahoo.com

Several great choices for those looking to live abroad. The big question: Healthcare costs were not mentioned in those locations. I assume there are public and private options.

 

[MtNittany]

If someone would give me a membership and I could bring my cat Percival, I'd spend a summer in Dornoch for sure.

Outside of that, there's too many places in our own country I'd like to see. The times I was in the UK, I couldn't wait to bolt from London to Scotland. The Shetland Islands seem cool - very Norwegian.

 

[1995PSUGrad]

Just a question about moving overseas. Are you allowed to just move into another country permanently? My wife wants to look at moving to the islands when we retire, but it doesn't seem like you can just buy a house and live there. Much like America, there are restrictions for how long you can stay. I have seen several situations where you can essentially buy citizenship, but to me that seems like a waste of money. Are things different in Europe?

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Personally, I could never ditch my kids. I COULD and would like to summer all over the place, including Ireland and Italy. It’s a **** ton cheaper than buying a summer/snowboard house.
‘we’re going to spend 2 months next summer in Maine and see how it goes but family schit is starting to happen and I expect to be pop pop rick in 24? Months.
So short answer is no.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

I understand. I have been a good father. They are good people, doing well for themselves. There is not much more that I can do for them, but they do more for me every day. I do not want to be spending the last days of my life dependent upon them.

Before that happens I’m buying this:

 

[TheBigUglies]

Just a question about moving overseas. Are you allowed to just move into another country permanently? My wife wants to look at moving to the islands when we retire, but it doesn't seem like you can just buy a house and live there. Much like America, there are restrictions for how long you can stay. I have seen several situations where you can essentially buy citizenship, but to me that seems like a waste of money. Are things different in Europe?

Each country has their own restrictions. I know in Ireland and UK you can only stay 90 days. You would need a special stamp/visa to stay longer.

 

[STPGopherfan]

Could this be an option?

 

[Tgar]

Could this be an option?

Good for her, wow.

 

[LionJim]

Personally, I could never ditch my kids. I COULD and would like to summer all over the place, including Ireland and Italy. It’s a **** ton cheaper than buying a summer/snowboard house.
‘we’re going to spend 2 months next summer in Maine and see how it goes but family schit is starting to happen and I expect to be pop pop rick in 24? Months.
So short answer is no.

Yeah, my kids, my family, we’re all DMV.

 

[Tradewinds42]

A suggestion. When my wife retired two years ago, we decided to live a month a year in a foreign country. In the summer of 23, we lived in County Galway, Ireland. Last summer, we spent a month in Austria (Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna). This summer, we will be living in the Abruzzo region of Italy (staying in Sulmona). We usually get a VRBO or a B&B. This way we get the international living experience, try a different country each year, and still are connected to the US for the rest of the time.

So my father in law used to live in Loreto Aprutino for 7 years which is also in Abruzzo, about an hour from Sulmona. Sulmona is a pretty mountain town, will give you similar vibes to the area of the South Tyrol area of Austria you were in (not as epic mountains, but the mountain village feel). One evening be sure to head over to Pacentra to see it from just outside town at sunset and as the lights turn on. Very pretty setting. Some good wineries over towards the Chieti area of Abruzzo. We always enjoy buying Emidio Pepi wines for much less than stateside, especially certain vintages are really good Montapulciano d' Abruzzos if you like that types of wine, and are a bit easier to find there.

 

[Omar81]

Just a question about moving overseas. Are you allowed to just move into another country permanently? My wife wants to look at moving to the islands when we retire, but it doesn't seem like you can just buy a house and live there. Much like America, there are restrictions for how long you can stay. I have seen several situations where you can essentially buy citizenship, but to me that seems like a waste of money. Are things different in Europe?

My wife, children, grandchildren, and I all obtained dual citizenship (U.S. and Italy) in 2016. That equates to citizenship in all Schengen countries, meaning we could live permanently in any of those countries. Getting dual citizenship was a lengthy process, and Italy recently made it more difficult and time consuming via a rules change. Still, this is the most useful route to take, though it requires descendants by blood, with rules varying by country.

Maybe more useful is the route my sister-in-law took with respect to Italy 5-10 years ago. If successful, it applies only to Italy — it provides no long term stay rights for other countries, but those other countries may have similar programs. Anyway, she obtained what is in effect a retirement visa, which initially is good for one year but is easily renewable, first for an additional year at a time and later for two years. Ultimately, if you go this route, you eventually (10 years, I think) are eligible for citizenship. To get the retirement visa in Italy, you’ll need an appointment with the Italian Consulate for where you live (PA is in Philly). Bring all of your financial records (savings, Social Security and pension, etc.). If you can demonstrate sufficient income (it’s a low bar by U.S. standards) to support yourself and pledge not to seek employment (i.e., they don’t want you taking a job from an Italian citizen), you’ll get the visa. They even set her up with Italian language classes, and she was able to pay a ridiculously low amount for Italian health care coverage.

 

[CFLion]

I know of two people who have purchased homes in Portugal. Never been myself, but they both love it there.

 

[STPGopherfan]

Not a place to live, but worth a detour?

 

[NewEra 2026]

I'd consider doing that. I really don't want to be away from my friends and church for too long, but we really enjoyed taking 3.5 weeks in Italy last year. We try to do longer stays in a place rather than sprinting from spot to spot. We had 5 days on a farm stay near Volterra that was really nice. Trains really helped with that, though we did need a car for the farm stay and to visit my wife's grandparents' ancestral town (San Bartolomeo in Galdo).

That is very cool that you stayed near Volterra. That town is a bit of a hidden gem. My wife and I spent a couple of days in Volterra in 2019, and we thought it would be a great place to retire.

 

[NewEra 2026]

Sorry, but one quick follow-up:

Back a little more than five years ago, my sister-in-law lived in Lucca, Italy. It’s a beautiful town within an hour or so of Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. They lived inside the city walls (Google for photos), in a fully furnished two bedroom, two bath apartment. Their rent was about 800 euros a month. Again, good luck to you and I applaud your sense of adventure.

Lucca is another great recommendation for retirement. That region in Italy that includes Volterra, Lucca, Florence, Cinque Terra, and Siena is really special.

 

[retsio]

Each country has their own restrictions. I know in Ireland and UK you can only stay 90 days. You would need a special stamp/visa to stay longer.

Several changes apply now - the UK is 180 days, the EU with a Schengen Passport allows free travel to 29 countries in their agreement. Italy and France, for example allow 90 visitation - but residency requirements differ for countries and local areas. Buying or renting a house - check the details first. Purchase of a second Passport is easiest in some countries, but can be expensive.

 

[Pennst8]

I have been giving it some serious thought about moving to Europe to spend the last few years of my life. My wife would do it, but she is concerned about leaving our son and daughter behind. My daughter is 100 percent supportive, my son has misgivings.

So, if given the chance where would you move to in Europe? Please consider that this has to be done on a limited budget.

Portugal! Great temps, beautiful country and seaside cities, all at an incredibly affordable price. Just spent 2 weeks there in May. Check out Cascais.

 

[Dragons 62]

Portugal! Great temps, beautiful country and seaside cities, all at an incredibly affordable price. Just spent 2 weeks there in May. Check out Cascais.

And strict gun laws

 

[WanderingSpectator]

We bought a place in southern Italy in a little town where my grandfather was born in the late 1800s. No living relatives there, but we love the people, the food, the wine, the cost of living, the beaches, etc. The town is at about 1,250 feet above sea level, but we can be at the beach in 20 minutes. The terrain is reminiscent of the San Diego area. One of our friends has a two bedroom house that is fully furnished and completely modernized and he’s asking 70,000 euros. We have met and become close friends with not only the locals, but also couples from England, Ireland, Wales, Sweden.

Based on our experience, I would highly recommend small towns throughout Italy where costs are low. I would consider similar locations in the French, Spanish, or Portuguese countryside. Good luck!

What town? We visited Salerno and the surrounding area and loved it. If we ever move to Europe, this would be the place for us. My grandmother’s family was from Calabria (Catanzaro) and I plan to visit next trip.

 

[Omar81]

What town? We visited Salerno and the surrounding area and loved it. If we ever move to Europe, this would be the place for us. My grandmother’s family was from Calabria (Catanzaro) and I plan to visit next trip.

The name of the town is Martirano. It is in Catanzaro province, about midway between Cosenza and Lamezia Terme (which has an international airport) — 30 to 40 minutes from each. Beautiful small hill towns all over, skiing and lakes an hour away in one direction and nice beaches 25 minutes away in the other. One of the most beautiful towns and beaches you’ll ever see is Tropea, which Italians and Europeans in general go to but Americans are fewer and farther between. It’s like a nicer, less overrun version of the Amalfi coast. The area that includes Tropea is called Costa Degli Dei (Coast of the Gods).

 

[WanderingSpectator]

The name of the town is Martirano. It is in Catanzaro province, about midway between Cosenza and Lamezia Terme (which has an international airport) — 30 to 40 minutes from each. Beautiful small hill towns all over, skiing and lakes an hour away in one direction and nice beaches 25 minutes away in the other. One of the most beautiful towns and beaches you’ll ever see is Tropea, which Italians and Europeans in general go to but Americans are fewer and farther between. It’s like a nicer, less overrun version of the Amalfi coast. The area that includes Tropea is called Costa Degli Dei (Coast of the Gods).

That’s the area I plan to visit next. My grandmother’s parents were from nearby Motta Santa Lucia and Decollatura.

 

[MacNit]

I have been giving it some serious thought about moving to Europe to spend the last few years of my life. My wife would do it, but she is concerned about leaving our son and daughter behind. My daughter is 100 percent supportive, my son has misgivings.

So, if given the chance where would you move to in Europe? Please consider that this has to be done on a limited budget.

Have worked all over Europe most of my 3 decade+ career - including an office in London for over a decade.

Sadly, beyond cost - there is another issue to consider. Many Western Europe is being overrun by militant Islamists who do not share western values.

I say this as a “live and let live” person but one who does not want to live in a society were women and homosexuals are not treated as equals or are even in grave danger. In addition, sexual deviancy is being normalized. Scary stuff.

This has accelerated exponentially in the past few years to the point where many cities not only have “no go” zones but are buckling under Shariah law believers.

Be thankful that this is mostly at bay in USA. But beware NYC - it may be coming there soon!

 

[NittPicker]

Sadly, beyond cost - there is another issue to consider. Many Western Europe is being overrun by militant Islamists who do not share western values.

I say this as a “live and let live” person but one who does not want to live in a society were women and homosexuals are not treated as equals or are even in grave danger. In addition, sexual deviancy is being normalized. Scary stuff.

There is also no small percentage of people in the US who would be happy to treat homosexuals and women as unequal. And those people aren't Muslim, they're Christian. But I digress...............

 

[Moogy]

In addition, sexual deviancy is being normalized.

If it's normalized, it's no longer sexual deviancy ... hence the term. Which acts/actions are you considering "deviant" in this claim, since "sexual deviance" can be an umbrella term for all sorts of actions - some very legal and benign, and some awful and illegal.

 

[MacNit]

There is also no small percentage of people in the US who would be happy to treat homosexuals and women as unequal. And those people aren't Muslim, they're Christian. But I digress...............

True.

But writing a letter to the editor vs some of the extreme behavior that I have witnessed (and I mean EXTREME - harassment , violence, sexual assault ) - in Cologne, for example, are night and day.

If you think they are even close to equivalent, suggest you read up and maybe experience some of this first hand. Western values should not be taken for granted.