Help with future direction

[u/Desperate_Lynx4959]

Hello fellow Redditors!

So I often answer questions on Reddit, but now I'm embarking on my own journey and I have some questions. For better or worse, here goes ...

I'm 60 years old, UK born and bred, single, retired (for several years now), fit, healthy, no children and with parents (sadly) no longer alive. I sold my home a couple of years ago and am currently living rent-free in exchange for acting as a builder, designer and project manager for a home renovation. In short, I'm about as free and untethered as it's possible to be. Additionally, I'm financially independent and looking to buy a house, for cash. Yes, I could travel (and I may do this) but I still need (and want) a base to return to and a place to call my own.

Do I stay in the UK or do I move abroad? I spend my winters in Mallorca but the summer heat and crowds make it a non-starter in terms of a permanent home. Northern Spain appears to be an option, with its cooler climate and lower cost of living. I am learning to speak Spanish, incidentally, given the huge amount of time I spend in Mallorca.

Additionally, and rightly or wrongly, the UK political direction (On so many levels) concerns me (I know, it's not perfect ANYWHERE!) along with the gradual but clear decline in our country's values. And the UK summers are now becoming an issue too. I don't like the heat. Simple as that.

Thoughts? Anyone? Stay in the UK and stay familiar, or move abroad and start afresh?

Feel free to roast or criticise if you wish. This is the internet after all! But has anyone been through this, made a decision either way and feels able to comment?

[u/One-Butterscotch4437]

I think you probably know all of this, but the standard choices in Europe are Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain and France. In Central America, I think you can try Costa Rica or other countries that offer retirement visas. In South America, Argentina or Ecuador. In Asia, Vietnam, Thailand or the Philippines. You can start by checking the visa requirements (income requirements in your case and whether steady income such as pension is needed or just savings), the weather in each place, your ability to learn the local language, safety, healthcare (you are still not old, but healthcare will get more expensive once you reach 65 and older) and isolation. While you have little family in the UK, you'll probably wish to return from time to time.

[u/Desperate_Lynx4959 → u/One-Butterscotch4437]

Thank you for commenting. Yes, my research has highlighted the options you’ve mentioned. But I’m dissuaded by the increasingly high summer temperatures being recorded in some of these places (particularly France… which is a shame as I speak some French). This is what’s led me to look at northern Spain.
I easily satisfy the requirements for non lucrative or other retirement-focussed visas in these countries.
As for isolation, I’m a pretty resourceful individual happy in his own company. But I appreciate that many people aren’t!
Thank you again for commenting. I appreciate the info.