Thinking about retiring abroad? Here are 6 reasons to stay in America.

Politics have become so polarized in the United States that Google searches about leaving the country increased 1,514% after the recent presidential election.

A new Prudential study reveals that, a mere 10 years from retirement, the average 55-year-old American has less than $50,000 in median savings.

But today’s hot trend is tomorrow’s memory in our fast-paced world. Return-to-office policies by the federal government and many major corporations are now putting a damper on remote-work opportunities.

Extreme emotions after the outcome of every recent election seem to spawn knee-jerk thoughts of fleeing the country that rarely come to fruition.

The financial woes of older Americans are not going away, however, and many are seriously considering expat life as a retirement solution.

We can certainly relate. When the Great Recession of 2008 swept away our careers and much of our savings, we moved to Cuenca, Ecuador, and have enjoyed a wonderful life beyond our most optimistic expectations ever since. We’ve met lots of other happy expat retirees here and during our international travels.

Not for everyone

Because of our experience, you might think we would be enthusiastically encouraging everyone to pack their bags, move abroad and share our good fortune. 

But over the past 14-plus years, we have come to recognize that expat life is definitely not one-size-fits-all. In contrast to success stories like ours, we’ve witnessed a revolving door of newbies excitedly arriving, only to return home — sometimes within the period of a few months.

Maybe you have thought about moving abroad yourself, whether for a lower cost of living or the sheer adventure of trying something new. Before you start poring over those “best places to retire” lists, we want to point out several deal breakers you must not ignore, and areas of poor planning that can derail your expat dreams.

We run a website that provides assistance to those seeking help with international relocation. Yet there are specific situations and reasons when we counsel subscribers to stay right where they are, in some cases at least temporarily.

Family matters

Many folks nearing retirement age still have living parents in various stages of health. Others have siblings or children who need in-person assistance.

While we know some expat retirees who have uprooted their parents and brought them along, this may not turn out to be an ideal solution. Close family members with health or financial issues that require your presence could delay or rule out any possibility of moving far away.

A crucial issue that cannot be overstated involves attachment to grandchildren. If you already travel for hours to be with them, living in another country isn’t an insurmountable obstacle. 

We know this from personal experience. Living in Las Vegas before moving to Ecuador, we already set aside travel days coming and going to visit our East Coast family. Now, several times each year we simply fly north and south instead of east and west.

On the other hand, if you live close to those grandchildren and they are an integral part of your life, be cautious of letting your head overrule your heart. Even though the lower cost of living in another country could rescue your retirement, the sadness of separation from precious little ones often proves too strong to bear.  

Health concerns

You may be surprised to learn that the quality and affordability of healthcare abroad, especially in major cities, often surpasses what is available in the United States. In recent global studies, the U.S. consistently ranks well behind other nations.

While this can be a feature well worth considering when contemplating a move abroad, it is even more important to be honest with yourself about your own physical limitations.

Do you have mobility issues? The sidewalks, lack of elevators and accommodations in many Latin American countries are a far cry from what you take for granted. Respiratory problems? Our hometown of Cuenca has many attributes, but the elevation of over 8,400 feet may prove too challenging.

What about required prescription drugs? Don’t make the mistake of moving to another country under the assumption that needed medications are always available everywhere. They’re not.     

Poor planning

You determine that you want to relocate abroad. You spend countless hours online to pinpoint the place that is right for you. After making all the arrangements — selling a house, packing your belongings, gathering documents for residency application, finding accommodations — you board the plane and are off on a new adventure.

But when the initial “honeymoon period” is over, you become increasingly unhappy and, to your great surprise and disappointment, you head back home. What the heck happened?

Inadequate research

We have observed that objectivity sometimes seems to go out the window when choosing possible overseas retirement destinations. Acquaintances of ours moved into a beachfront condo on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. They couldn’t believe their good fortune of living on the ocean for a price totally beyond their budget in the States. 

Only after a friend of theirs dropped dead riding his bike did it occur to them that, with the husband’s heart condition, maybe being hours from the closest hospital was not such a good idea. They moved immediately.

When choosing a location, resist the temptation to ignore important aspects of daily life because you’ve fallen in love with “the view.” And avoid what we call vacation mentality — focusing on places that remind you of your favorite vacation spot. Spending an enjoyable week or so somewhere is totally different from living there full time. 

No scouting trip

We have been shocked by the number of people we’ve met who came to Cuenca based solely on internet research. Only a handful are still here, and sadly a few of those remain because they cannot afford another option.

No amount of online investigation can replace putting boots on the ground to discover firsthand if the place you are considering speaks to you. Spend the time and money to show up (we recommend a minimum of two weeks), meet with an immigration attorney and other expats, explore neighborhoods, go to the supermarket. Look for red flags that didn’t show up in your research.

Maybe at the end of your trip you change your mind. Better to find out now than after you have gone through all the trouble and expense to move there.

Unrealistic expectations or an inflexible attitude

A major reason expats leave is because they arrive with unrealistic expectations. While there are locations that come close to duplicating a North American lifestyle, some people simply cannot come to grips with cultural differences.

Sure, bureaucracy in a foreign country can sometimes be maddening. Late or missed appointments are aggravating. But you are a guest, and locals are usually fine with things just the way they are. Angrily fuming, “What’s wrong with these people?” is a surefire indication you’re on your way back home.

Not only are you a guest, you are also now a minority. Feeling like an outsider that will never truly fit in bothers some more than they could have ever anticipated.

These examples are all reflections of an inflexible attitude. As with other elements we have mentioned that require your honest introspection, this one is the root cause of most failures. Going with the flow of your new environment is essential. If you are set in your ways, intolerant of others and stubbornly need to be right, your expat life will most likely end badly.

In some cases, unforeseen circumstances beyond anyone’s control, like an illness or family problem, can derail plans to move abroad or cause otherwise happy expats to return home. But being realistic about both the obstacles to making the leap and the factors that truly matter when choosing one’s destination can make all the difference in long-range success.

Read more Where Should I Retire?

I want to retire on a lake. Where should I go?

This couple’s quick visit to Mexico led them to a dream retirement there. Here’s how they live.

I love small towns and rail-trails. My house budget is $200,000 — so where can I retire?

Edd and Cynthia Staton are experts on expat life in retirement. They have appeared on network television and are regularly featured in the media. They have written three books about their adventures and created a program to educate others on retiring abroad.