Sacha Tarkovsky asked:


A new phenomenon with people in Western countries shows they are now buying their second homes abroad with a view to retiring there and their gaining a massive increase in living standards

Why? Because they can retire close to home and take advantage of vastly reduced living costs and enjoying their Golden years in luxury.

What are the advantages of retiring abroad?

1. Geography

For Americans anyway, as places such Central America are close by (just a few hours from US), flights are cheap and frequent.

That means, you gain a higher standard of living than your home country, but you are still near by. It seems that for Americans, Costa Rica presents both a closeness to home and a real step up in living standards.

2. Can a Less Expensive Lifestyle Also be a Better Lifestyle?

The answer is YES! Right now, comparable homes are 70% cheaper in Costa Rica than in the US Southern states.

Retiring abroad in Costa Rica on say, a pension of $2,000 a month will bring you a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle.

In the States or Canada, such an amount would just let you barely get by.

3. The Retirement You Deserve

Having worked hard all your life, you deserve to pass your silver years in enjoyment.

Instead of crowed cities, crime, pollution and runaway inflation, living in Costa Rica can mean pristine beaches, unspoiled nature, rolling hills, rainforest and bountiful wild life.

As for the local population, they are in a country friendly and glad to have you living in their country and their are plety of foreigners just like you who have retired abroad, so you will feel at home.

This is a place where serious crime is rare; where people have time to talk and enjoy themselves. Compare this to the daily drama of any American city.

4. Can Costa Rica Provide the Same Amenities as the American Cities then?

Americans are especially surprised to find everything they had at home, and more,when they retire abroad to Costa Rica.

They have the most modern communications, unlimited entertainment, a real nightlife and shopping with the world’s top brands. If you like golf, this is a golfer’s paradise fancy some fishing its fantastic! The list is endless.

5. Retiring in Costa Rica 1.01

The main reason people are now retiring in Costa Rica (from the US, Canada and Europe) is that the economy is booming, the country is modern and safe, and the government makes it easy for foreigners to do so.

The new land investors from abroad are given the same rights to land and property as Costa Ricans themselves. Add to that the fact there is no tax on your social security and inflation is in check there.

Remember that Costa Rica is only a three hour flight from many US cities. This means you are never far from home.

With excellent communications, the latest internet technology available (at very good rates), and some of the world’s best healthcare, one has to really question the choice of remaining at home or moving to Costa Rica.

Some Food for Thought

Inflation and security in the States are making life very difficult for those of retirement age and retiring abroad is an option more and more people are looking at.

Prices of places in Florida or California have price tags that restrict the average retiree.

As for lifestyle, crime, and crowding is making retirement a nightmare instead of a well deserved rest from your toils.

Thinking about Costa Rica, you can still find a bit of paradise at a cost you can afford, where nature is at its finest, where the food, the people, the infrastructure and laws all favor the retiree, rather than making them victims, as they are becoming now in the Western world.

If you are retiring abroad consider Costa Rica it has much to offer and you will have the time of your life.

Sacha Tarkovsky asked:


A new phenomenon with people in Western countries shows they are now buying their second homes abroad with a view to retiring there and their gaining a massive increase in living standards

Why? Because they can retire close to home and take advantage of vastly reduced living costs and enjoying their Golden years in luxury.

What are the advantages of retiring abroad?

1. Geography

For Americans anyway, as places such Central America are close by (just a few hours from US), flights are cheap and frequent.

That means, you gain a higher standard of living than your home country, but you are still near by. It seems that for Americans, Costa Rica presents both a closeness to home and a real step up in living standards.

2. Can a Less Expensive Lifestyle Also be a Better Lifestyle?

The answer is YES! Right now, comparable homes are 70% cheaper in Costa Rica than in the US Southern states.

Retiring abroad in Costa Rica on say, a pension of $2,000 a month will bring you a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle.

In the States or Canada, such an amount would just let you barely get by.

3. The Retirement You Deserve

Having worked hard all your life, you deserve to pass your silver years in enjoyment.

Instead of crowed cities, crime, pollution and runaway inflation, living in Costa Rica can mean pristine beaches, unspoiled nature, rolling hills, rainforest and bountiful wild life.

As for the local population, they are in a country friendly and glad to have you living in their country and their are plety of foreigners just like you who have retired abroad, so you will feel at home.

This is a place where serious crime is rare; where people have time to talk and enjoy themselves. Compare this to the daily drama of any American city.

4. Can Costa Rica Provide the Same Amenities as the American Cities then?

Americans are especially surprised to find everything they had at home, and more,when they retire abroad to Costa Rica.

They have the most modern communications, unlimited entertainment, a real nightlife and shopping with the world’s top brands. If you like golf, this is a golfer’s paradise fancy some fishing its fantastic! The list is endless.

5. Retiring in Costa Rica 1.01

The main reason people are now retiring in Costa Rica (from the US, Canada and Europe) is that the economy is booming, the country is modern and safe, and the government makes it easy for foreigners to do so.

The new land investors from abroad are given the same rights to land and property as Costa Ricans themselves. Add to that the fact there is no tax on your social security and inflation is in check there.

Remember that Costa Rica is only a three hour flight from many US cities. This means you are never far from home.

With excellent communications, the latest internet technology available (at very good rates), and some of the world’s best healthcare, one has to really question the choice of remaining at home or moving to Costa Rica.

Some Food for Thought

Inflation and security in the States are making life very difficult for those of retirement age and retiring abroad is an option more and more people are looking at.

Prices of places in Florida or California have price tags that restrict the average retiree.

As for lifestyle, crime, and crowding is making retirement a nightmare instead of a well deserved rest from your toils.

Thinking about Costa Rica, you can still find a bit of paradise at a cost you can afford, where nature is at its finest, where the food, the people, the infrastructure and laws all favor the retiree, rather than making them victims, as they are becoming now in the Western world.

If you are retiring abroad consider Costa Rica it has much to offer and you will have the time of your life.

Randalynn Kaye asked:


Soul Searching… Your First Step to Finding Senior Housing

My friend Kelli called the other day seeking my advice. "I’m worried about mom and dad," she said. "They are convinced they can stay in their house, but I’m seeing them really slow down and struggle with the upkeep. Where do I begin? How do I start a conversation with them? What can I do to convince them we need to start looking at other lifestyle options?"

This seems to be an all too familiar situation amongst the baby boomer generation theses days.

My first suggestion to Kelli was to start what I call the “internal research” The soul searching, if you will. Unless you’re managing a crisis, the best way to create action is with the Risk and Value judgments that each individual has about aging and lifestyle options. Though it may be tricky to get started, this can lead to wonderfully rich conversations that are a gift to the entire family.

Some families naturally engage in this type of dialog. But without prompting, most do not. Many adult children assume they know how their parents feel, when in reality, after deeper discussions, they find it’s quite the opposite.

In my book, Senior Housing 101, I discuss in depth 16 Risks & Values questions that help couples and families get to the core issues and feelings that will guide them to the right solution. To get you started, try these top 4 questions that most frequently concern older adults. (Or you can simply give them a copy of this article to read, asking for their personal views on the questions after they’ve thought about it.)

#1 —> Are you concerned about being a burden to your children, family or friends?

A majority of older adults will tell me they absolutely do NOT want to be a burden to anyone. This again is one of those delicate areas where timing is key. Some are advance planners and position themselves before serious issues start to occur, others wait until there has been an episode or two, then begin to get the picture.

When my father-in-law had open heart surgery, my husband had to take vacation time, fly out to Pennsylvania and oversee the care, transition home and be sure they could handle the follow up rehab and doctor visits before returning. This happened several times with various emergencies… yet they remained obstinate and determined to stay in their home where there was no local family support to respond to these emergencies. It was a burden. And while we tried to present our concerns diplomatically and still honor their wishes and independence, it made both my husband and me angry that they didn’t “get it”.

It is best when everyone concerned—parents, children, relatives that may have to oversee care—are all participating so all perspectives and feelings are put on the table and heard. Like other risk/value factors, there usually comes a point that a person feels strong enough about NOT being a burden, that they are willing to make a change.

#2 —> How important is it to make your own choices?

It’s human nature to want to feel in control of our lives. Keep in mind however, there are many different ways of maintaining control and different tools to use. Life can come at you fast. If it is important for your parents to make their own choices and have a sense of staying in control of their life, then advance planning is mandatory.

The person who chooses to put their head in the sand, take no action, refuse to discuss the reality of their aging and THINKS they are staying in control, will likely wake up one day all alone, in a strange place, unable to care for themselves or have a say in where they are living. But the advance planner who understands their options and positions themselves prior to a crisis will have the most control and opportunity to make their own choices.

#3 —> Would you prefer to make a lifestyle transition by yourself or do it as a couple while you are able?

Many couples will discuss the likelihood that something will happen to one of them before the other. Do they want to make a move together? That way if something happens to one of them, the other isn’t left with the house and the “stuff”, trying to manage the transition alone. Or do they prefer to stay where they are and simply cross that bridge when/if they come to it? It is best when the couple and the rest of the family can agree on a course of action

#4 —> How attached are you to your “stuff”?

A person’s “stuff” can paralyze them as they begin to contemplate a life transition. The longer your parents have been in their home, the older they are, the more stressful the very idea of cleaning up, throwing out, down-sizing, reorganizing and moving can be. I’ve worked with people so unattached to their stuff they make a lifestyle change by getting all new furniture. I’ve also worked with people so convinced they have to hang on to their stuff that they refuse to take action… even when evidence that a change is necessary is staring them in the face.

Fear of change is a powerful force, and telling someone to start weeding things out sooner rather than later is like preaching to an overweight person the virtues of a healthy diet and exercise. For some people, bringing in a professional organizer or someone that is unemotionally attached to the “stuff” can make it easier. As part of your research, you must help your parents come to grips with how much power their “stuff” has over them and how they plan to deal with it.

These questions can begin a trickle of communication that leads to a powerful stream of meaningful conversations.

Randalynn Kaye asked:


Soul Searching… Your First Step to Finding Senior Housing

My friend Kelli called the other day seeking my advice. "I’m worried about mom and dad," she said. "They are convinced they can stay in their house, but I’m seeing them really slow down and struggle with the upkeep. Where do I begin? How do I start a conversation with them? What can I do to convince them we need to start looking at other lifestyle options?"

This seems to be an all too familiar situation amongst the baby boomer generation theses days.

My first suggestion to Kelli was to start what I call the “internal research” The soul searching, if you will. Unless you’re managing a crisis, the best way to create action is with the Risk and Value judgments that each individual has about aging and lifestyle options. Though it may be tricky to get started, this can lead to wonderfully rich conversations that are a gift to the entire family.

Some families naturally engage in this type of dialog. But without prompting, most do not. Many adult children assume they know how their parents feel, when in reality, after deeper discussions, they find it’s quite the opposite.

In my book, Senior Housing 101, I discuss in depth 16 Risks & Values questions that help couples and families get to the core issues and feelings that will guide them to the right solution. To get you started, try these top 4 questions that most frequently concern older adults. (Or you can simply give them a copy of this article to read, asking for their personal views on the questions after they’ve thought about it.)

#1 —> Are you concerned about being a burden to your children, family or friends?

A majority of older adults will tell me they absolutely do NOT want to be a burden to anyone. This again is one of those delicate areas where timing is key. Some are advance planners and position themselves before serious issues start to occur, others wait until there has been an episode or two, then begin to get the picture.

When my father-in-law had open heart surgery, my husband had to take vacation time, fly out to Pennsylvania and oversee the care, transition home and be sure they could handle the follow up rehab and doctor visits before returning. This happened several times with various emergencies… yet they remained obstinate and determined to stay in their home where there was no local family support to respond to these emergencies. It was a burden. And while we tried to present our concerns diplomatically and still honor their wishes and independence, it made both my husband and me angry that they didn’t “get it”.

It is best when everyone concerned—parents, children, relatives that may have to oversee care—are all participating so all perspectives and feelings are put on the table and heard. Like other risk/value factors, there usually comes a point that a person feels strong enough about NOT being a burden, that they are willing to make a change.

#2 —> How important is it to make your own choices?

It’s human nature to want to feel in control of our lives. Keep in mind however, there are many different ways of maintaining control and different tools to use. Life can come at you fast. If it is important for your parents to make their own choices and have a sense of staying in control of their life, then advance planning is mandatory.

The person who chooses to put their head in the sand, take no action, refuse to discuss the reality of their aging and THINKS they are staying in control, will likely wake up one day all alone, in a strange place, unable to care for themselves or have a say in where they are living. But the advance planner who understands their options and positions themselves prior to a crisis will have the most control and opportunity to make their own choices.

#3 —> Would you prefer to make a lifestyle transition by yourself or do it as a couple while you are able?

Many couples will discuss the likelihood that something will happen to one of them before the other. Do they want to make a move together? That way if something happens to one of them, the other isn’t left with the house and the “stuff”, trying to manage the transition alone. Or do they prefer to stay where they are and simply cross that bridge when/if they come to it? It is best when the couple and the rest of the family can agree on a course of action

#4 —> How attached are you to your “stuff”?

A person’s “stuff” can paralyze them as they begin to contemplate a life transition. The longer your parents have been in their home, the older they are, the more stressful the very idea of cleaning up, throwing out, down-sizing, reorganizing and moving can be. I’ve worked with people so unattached to their stuff they make a lifestyle change by getting all new furniture. I’ve also worked with people so convinced they have to hang on to their stuff that they refuse to take action… even when evidence that a change is necessary is staring them in the face.

Fear of change is a powerful force, and telling someone to start weeding things out sooner rather than later is like preaching to an overweight person the virtues of a healthy diet and exercise. For some people, bringing in a professional organizer or someone that is unemotionally attached to the “stuff” can make it easier. As part of your research, you must help your parents come to grips with how much power their “stuff” has over them and how they plan to deal with it.

These questions can begin a trickle of communication that leads to a powerful stream of meaningful conversations.

tabant asked:


I’m trying to come up with some ideas for planning some events for senior citizens and that it won’t cost so much money.