A growing number of retirees are selling it all and taking their golden years on the road.
Judy Hoctor, 61, and her husband Kevin, 64, walked away from their San Francisco home in 2022. After careers at Apple and in cybersecurity, they decided retirement in one of America’s most expensive cities made little sense. They sold their house, gave away most belongings and began living out of a suitcase, hopping from Peru to South Korea to Romania.
They are part of a small but visible wave of older Americans embracing full time global travel. Some move every few weeks. Others settle for months in one spot before moving on. Many share advice online about visas, health insurance and virtual mail services.
Costs vary. The Hoctors budget about 5000 dollars a month and offset expenses through YouTube and a travel website. Others average less by staying longer in affordable countries or house sitting.
Healthcare requires planning. Many buy global insurance and schedule checkups during visits back to the United States.
The lifestyle demands flexibility and comfort with uncertainty. Missed flights and language barriers come with the territory. Still, many say the trade off is worth it for the freedom, stimulation and sense of adventure.
My Take…
Retirement used to mean golf carts and early bird specials. Now it means booking a one way to Peru.Judy Hoctor, 61, and Kevin, 64, bailed on San Francisco in 2022 after careers at Apple and cybersecurity. Why bleed money in one of America’s priciest cities? They sold the house, ditched the stuff, and now ping pong from South Korea to Romania with little more than a suitcase. Eat your heart out, Eat Pray Love.They are part of a small but chatty tribe of older Americans slow traveling the globe, swapping visa tips and health insurance hacks online like it is 1999 Reddit.It costs. The Hoctors budget about 5000 dollars monthly, padding income with YouTube and a travel site. Healthcare takes planning. Flights get missed. Languages get mangled. But freedom beats lawn care.
Click on the link below for the full article:
https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/happy-retirement/when-the-world-is-your-retirement-home
