00:53:05 george (he/him): Hi everyone, from Bangkok 00:53:49 Harriet: This is Harriet from Texas. I want to relocate to Edinburgh, Scotland area. 00:55:36 Leslie: Good morning all!Leslie in Smyrna GA. Considering Mexico, Panama and Portugal 00:55:56 Jennifer Carlile: Hi, all. 00:56:48 Monique and David Rodriguez: Monique and David. Retired from Atlanta. Currently living in Puerto Vallarta, MX 00:57:02 Jennifer Carlile: I’m Jennifer, from Atlanta. I’m considering Portugal and Ecuador. And I’m traveling to Ecuador on Wednesday to check it out! 00:57:18 kjg: Keith, new to group, live in MN during warm months and overseas in cold months. 00:57:22 Mike: Hi, Mike here; My goal country is Malaysia or Philippines. I have lived in multiple countries while in the Air Force. 00:57:34 Shirmel (She/Her): GM, currently in the ATL area. Looking to work and relocate to Toronto. 00:57:38 Lisa: Hi All, I have come to 1 or 2 of this MeetUp before. My goal is to move to Portugal as soon as the pandemic settles down. I lived in Spain for a year 28 years ago. 00:57:41 Deborah Marshall: HI everyone!!, Debie Marshall, Marietta, GA. Moving to Nice, France in 2023.This is my 2nd or 3rd mtg. Lived in Germany & Japan as a child. 00:57:41 Tanya: Hi all. I'm Tanya and I live in Atlanta. I am interested in taking some extended trips to Spain, Portugal, and Italy. 00:57:45 Shirmel (She/Her): 1st meetup. 00:57:48 Anthony Hartley: I am Anthony from Atlanta. My expat experience was in Switzerland and considering Spain 00:58:23 Melanie: Good morning to everyone, Melanie from College Park, GA. Considering Panama, Spain, and maybe brazil. 00:58:49 Anna Watkins: I’m Anna, just starting to think about expat possibilities for a couple of years for now. Considering long-term stays rather than permanent re-location. Portugal & Ireland are ideas. 00:59:04 Penny: I’m Penny. I’d love to leave to go to Costa Rice. I currently live in NY. 00:59:44 Emily: Hi. I'm Emily. I'm new & considering western Europe, but can't go until my daughter finishes school in 2027. We're driving to the Hghland Games in Nashville, so I can't type much for a bit. We do travel a lot! :) 01:00:08 Anna Watkins: *from now. Kids are still on my healthcare through 2023, and I like my in-person job for now. 01:01:29 elenapropp: Hi, I am Elly. My hubby and I live part time in France and Bulgaria. I know Bulgaria is unknown to Americans…That is a wonderful beautiful friendly country . I recommend you take a look at it. It’s our favorite place! 01:01:43 Shirmel (She/Her): Are children really truly ever off of your dime :-) 01:02:36 Shirmel (She/Her): I'm no where close to retirement age. 01:02:54 Anna Watkins: True, Shirmel. Guess I can aim for “mostly launched, and pay for their own insurance and health insurance!” 01:05:39 Melissa Johnson: Hi I am Melissa. The dream is to do service in Nepal.But with Covid, that will need to wait. I am looking to move to a warmer client (I am in Vermont) also want better health care and more harmonious culture. 01:05:49 Melanie: I was stationed in the Philippines, 2 yrs and Italy, 4.5 yrs 01:05:58 Christopher Wells, PhD: Lots of experience on the call today! 01:06:12 kjg: Is anyone planning to spend time in Asia this winter. If so what countries? I favor Bali but open to exploring other regions that are favorites of others. 01:06:15 Shirmel (She/Her): hi Elena, I can relate to your story. I'm looking for a work-life balance that seems unattainable in America. 01:06:27 Melanie: I lived in China to 4 months 01:06:59 Mike: I’m starting to like Bulgaria! :) 01:07:22 Jennifer Carlile: When I travel, it takes me a few days to “let go” of my urge to “be productive.” But then, I start to love the slower pace. 01:07:41 Jennifer Carlile: I’m googling Bulgaria now. :) 01:08:14 Melanie: When I was living overseas I felt so much at peace everyday. 01:08:35 Shirmel (She/Her): I can relate Melanie. 01:10:22 Tanya: This group just makes my wish list just get longer and longer. The hardest part of vacation for me is almost always returning home! 01:10:30 Gloria Boden: Culture 01:10:39 Mike: Culture 01:10:47 Emily: culture 01:10:52 Jennifer Carlile: Health — healthcare, wellness, opps to ride bikes/walk safely. 01:10:53 Beatriz Golden-Hayes: health 01:11:03 Deborah Marshall: Residency, I a little anxious about the paperwork for France 01:11:04 Harriet: Residency. 01:11:06 Anna Watkins: Making friends in a new place, fitting in. (Is that culture or mental health?) 01:11:08 Melissa Johnson: Culture because its getting rough here 01:11:11 Lisa: Health - pandemic. Don’t want to get stuck living abroad and not having connections. 01:11:18 Tanya: Right now I'm looking at extended trips, not a permanent location, so culture and lifestyle. 01:11:21 Melanie: Finances to be able to afford a quality of lifestyle 01:11:22 Shirmel (She/Her): I'm just getting started so not sure where to begin. 01:11:24 george (he/him): Living in Thailand; Making arrangements for retirement visa. 01:11:25 Leslie: culture 01:11:55 Lisa: edit…. not having connection if I get sick 01:12:22 Emily: mostly I'm just listening and will read the chat later. I'd love to move & have my daughter attend school, but I'm retired and don't know anywhere she can enroll if I'm not sponsored by an employer. 01:13:11 Mike: Start watching YouTube Expat videos of people already in the country you are interested in… 01:15:26 Anna Watkins: Planning and researching is part of the fun! 01:15:31 Jennifer Carlile: I’ve connected with some Expat groups in Ecuador and Portugal. The Ecuador group has been super helpful and kind…and I’ve asked LOTS of questions. 01:15:36 george (he/him): For retirement visa in Thailand: you need to have health insurance with additional Covid coverage and reporting you finances to immigration. 01:16:03 Mike: Become a minimalist before you move… 01:16:56 Shirmel (She/Her): WIsh I could just grab a backpack and go. I inherited some family stuff that is beautiful but adds to my baggage. 01:17:05 Jennifer Carlile: A friend just moved from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, and her “professional” moving company damaged lots of her things in transit. I’m planning to take as little as possible with me when I move. 01:17:25 Shirmel (She/Her): So Jennifer are you getting rid of everything? 01:18:03 Jennifer Carlile: Mostly. I’ve digitized my photos and I’m pruning my CDs and books now. 01:18:21 Anthony Hartley: Flexibility as a mindset will help in many places 01:19:00 Shirmel (She/Her): Stuff handed down from my grandparents and just feel like I should hold on to them. Heavy antique furniture 01:19:02 Jennifer Carlile: I’ll take some clothes, a few treasured books, a couple of musical instruments, and my computer. 01:19:43 Jennifer Carlile: Shirmel, I also have a couple of family heirlooms. I’m planning to gift them to younger relatives who will love them. 01:20:00 Shirmel (She/Her): ha, I am the younger relative. 01:20:59 Christopher Wells, PhD: Internations.org 01:21:25 Melanie: When I visit different counties I take the public transportation to get a feel of the area. 01:21:39 george (he/him): Do bring some of your culture with you; i.e. shoes, spices, feel good dry foods, and Brita water filter. 01:22:19 Jennifer Carlile: I have a few small kitchen items I’ll bring. 01:23:10 george (he/him): Be sure your small appliance will work in that county 01:23:14 Mike: English Language is a must; I want to communicate from day 1 01:23:40 Deborah Marshall: I’m looking for a slower pace lifestyle, good clean food and walkable. 01:23:42 Penny: More community. Getting to know the locals. 01:23:49 Lisa: Friendly place with museums and places to hang out in parks and nature. 01:24:12 Shirmel (She/Her): Safe environment for a person of culture, a multicultural desitnation 01:24:13 Emily: History, food, walking culture, and water views 01:24:36 Shirmel (She/Her): person of color, I don't know what autocorrect changed to culture 01:24:42 Mike: Yes! No more car :) 01:24:47 Anna Watkins: Acceptance and (relative) safety for single women. Also at least a small expat community with English speakers. 01:24:54 Jennifer Carlile: I want a walking/biking/public transit culture vs. car culture. I like a family-related culture, a slower lifestyle, beautiful architecture, etc. 01:25:28 elenapropp: Openness, curiosity about other cultures, safety on the streets… and a lot of history :) 01:25:32 kjg: A culture that is open to people with different values and beliefs. 01:26:26 Shirmel (She/Her): Also need women's rights. 01:26:33 Tanya: Easy to make friends, safe, walkable, beautiful views and architecture, some English spoken, people who will help me improve my Spanish! 01:27:05 Melissa Johnson: Spiritual (Buddhist Friendly). Peaceful respectful culture safe for women as well 01:28:02 george (he/him): Bring a Roku device to continue to watch American TV shows. 01:28:24 Anthony Hartley: I agree with Keith, that cultural aspect can impact everything else 01:28:58 Jennifer Carlile: Subscribe to a good VPN service (I use Nord) so you can watch TV from many countries. 01:29:43 Monique and David Rodriguez: Yup, we have a Roku, FireStick and use a VPN all the time 01:30:23 Mike: Has anyone tried using Ooma phones overseas? 01:30:44 Shirmel (She/Her): What about student loans? LOL. 01:32:53 Melanie: Has anyone lived or visited Madrid? 01:33:58 george (he/him): I be using google phone number on my laptop to call USA 01:35:15 elenapropp: And Spain too 01:35:27 Shirmel (She/Her): Canada as well 01:36:22 Penny: What is the name of the insurance Co the Dr. Christopher signed onto? 01:36:24 Jennifer Carlile: I’m using WhatsApp while I’m in Ecuador — turning off phone minutes and just using WIFI. Changing phone plans for 2 weeks was too much. 01:37:14 Melanie: I am curious about alternative (holistic) medicine being available overseas. 01:38:04 Penny: 5 01:38:08 Harriet: 5. 01:38:08 Shirmel (She/Her): 3 I'm saving but wondering how much I should accumulate before I go 01:38:12 Penny: I’ve been saving 01:38:15 Lisa: 3. I will sell my house first. Not listed. Not ready. 01:38:21 Leslie: 5 01:38:21 elenapropp: 4 01:38:23 Mike: 5 - Wish I could leave today, Been planning on retirement for 20+ years 01:38:25 Deborah Marshall: 3 - I think I’ve figured it out! 01:38:28 Melissa Johnson: How would I know??? I am selling house too 01:38:41 george (he/him): 4; I still looking for reason cost visa agent service 01:38:45 Jennifer Carlile: 4. I’m 7 years out from retirement, but I’m getting things in order now. Plan to sell my house prior to moving, so that will help, too. 01:38:50 Emily: prepared 01:39:20 Beatriz Golden-Hayes: We're at about a 4. 01:39:22 kjg: 4 - would be 5 but feel Covid requires greater flexibility. 01:39:36 Shirmel (She/Her): I've got the visa requirement met, now saving for apt down payment and living expenses for 3 months 01:40:34 Melanie: I plan on relocating within the next 10 years, want to spend more time with my grands before I leave. 01:41:30 Mike: Just hope I can take my dogs with me 01:42:02 Monique and David Rodriguez: If you are considering Portugal, check out Paradise Seeking Bugs on YT. they are currently documenting their visa application process. 01:42:05 Deborah Marshall: Purge, save money, Visa 01:42:23 Lisa: Scouting trip, clean out house, deal with paperwork. 01:42:45 Jennifer Carlile: Continue purging, do more research, parse VISA requirements. 01:42:46 Tanya: Get rid of stuff, refine location choice, get rid of stuff :) 01:42:52 Mike: Get all documents in order, setup money transfer services, book an Airbnb 01:43:00 Shirmel (She/Her): reduce possessions, continue to save money 01:43:12 Harriet: Visa, tax issues and healthcare 01:43:23 george (he/him): Instead of making a commitment on a apartment and what part of the city i will live, I am staying at Airbnb for 6 months. 01:43:51 Shirmel (She/Her): Isn''t the Airbnb option quite expensive though? 01:43:59 Melanie: Research locations, and save save save! 01:44:31 elenapropp: Learn all the steps of the burocracy in the country 01:44:33 Leslie: set budget, preview trip, monitor vax reqs 01:45:38 Melanie: Are there property managers overseas similar to in the US? 01:46:34 george (he/him): Not in Bangkok, $400/ month includes all costs. no deposit, no utitlies, rent insurance, cleaning cost. 01:47:45 Christopher Wells, PhD: George, that’s amazing for a cost of living. Thanks for sharing! 01:49:23 Jennifer Carlile: Part of the fun of traveling is finding special treats from that area. 01:50:15 elenapropp: Would like to mention some countries have “specials” for foreigners, example: US citizen can stay visit visa for one year in Georgia, Albania., Moldova. These are the countries I know of. 01:51:45 Tanya: Thanks Elena! 01:51:52 Anthony Hartley: gracias y buen viaje 01:51:54 Deborah Marshall: Thank you so very much!!! This was very helpful for me today. I needed a roadmap. 01:52:13 Christopher Wells, PhD: https://forms.gle/Bb722SL1wjavn4qs6 01:52:36 kjg: Thanks Christopher 01:52:39 Jennifer Carlile: Thanks, everyone! 01:52:48 Lisa: Thank you Christopher! Good luck on your move!! 01:52:49 Melanie: I really appreciate this mtg!!! 01:52:50 Shirmel (She/Her): Thank you :-) 01:52:54 Tanya: Thanks everybody! 01:52:54 Mike: Thanks Christopher Great Job! 01:52:56 Leslie: thank you Christopher! 01:53:05 elenapropp: Thanks Christopher, have a safe trip to Spain!