Kathleen Peddicord lays out why part time retirement abroad is catching on, and why language barriers don’t have to get in the way. Expat life brings plenty of upside, new scenery, new friends, new routines, but the admin side (visas, taxes, culture shock) can wear people down fast. Her fix: you don’t need to go all in.
She points to New Zealand as one option worth a look. English speaking locals make daily life simple. Health care ranks high. Safety stats are strong too, and there’s the added bonus of no snakes or big predators roaming around.
Climate wise, New Zealand covers a lot of ground. Up north it runs subtropical. Down on the South Island, alpine conditions take over. That range means retirees can pick a corner of the country that fits whatever lifestyle they’re after, beach days or mountain views, without needing a second language to settle in.
Peddicord frames this as proof that overseas retirement doesn’t require choosing between comfort and adventure. A part time setup lets people keep ties to home while still getting the new experience they’re after, no residency headaches required.
My Take…
New Zealand, English speaking, zero snakes, solid healthcare, subtropical north, alpine south. Pick your vibe, keep your passport ties. Adventure without the paperwork hangover. Not bad, Kathleen.
Click on the link below for the full article:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenpeddicord/2026/10/05/3-english-speaking-countries-ideal-for-a-part-time-retirement-overseas/
