Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago
Retiring abroad can be an incredible life change—but only if you ask the right questions first. In this video, I walk through 20 essential questions every potential retiree should ask before moving overseas, based on real experience living abroad. These are not surface-level questions about cost of living or weather; they are deep, practical, and sometimes uncomfortable reflections that can determine whether your move becomes a success or a serious regret.
I cover topics such as healthcare, finances, bureaucracy, loneliness, safety, cultural integration, legal protections, and what happens if your health declines or you decide the move isn’t right for you. While Ecuador is used as a reference point, these questions apply no matter where you’re considering retiring—Latin America, Europe, or anywhere else in the world.
If you are thinking about retiring abroad—or already have—this video will help you think more clearly, plan more responsibly, and avoid common mistakes many retirees only realize too late. A downloadable version of all 20 questions is linked in the description so you can review them at your own pace.
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The 20 question Document is located here - docs.google.com/document/d/1Rvm8QcG5cnb1wsK3oDP5rMhhVW0Ur3bCj5e44qNd7Vw/edit?usp=sharing
Music courtesy of Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au/library
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
#RetireAbroad
#ExpatRetirement
#EcuadorExpats
#RetirementPlanning
#LivingOverseas
Retiring abroad can be an incredible life change—but only if you ask the right questions first. In this video, I walk through 20 essential questions every potential retiree should ask before moving overseas, based on real experience living abroad. These are not surface-level questions about cost of living or weather; they are deep, practical, and sometimes uncomfortable reflections that can determine whether your move becomes a success or a serious regret.
I cover topics such as healthcare, finances, bureaucracy, loneliness, safety, cultural integration, legal protections, and what happens if your health declines or you decide the move isn’t right for you. While Ecuador is used as a reference point, these questions apply no matter where you’re considering retiring—Latin America, Europe, or anywhere else in the world.
If you are thinking about retiring abroad—or already have—this video will help you think more clearly, plan more responsibly, and avoid common mistakes many retirees only realize too late. A downloadable version of all 20 questions is linked in the description so you can review them at your own pace.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 20 question Document is located here - docs.google.com/document/d/1Rvm8QcG5cnb1wsK3oDP5rMhhVW0Ur3bCj5e44qNd7Vw/edit?usp=sharing
Music courtesy of Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au/library
Links to know:
Facebook - Manta and Manabi Expats and Amigos - facebook.com/groups/323275021650751
My Channel Video Index - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-f4Wv3uBMulCX9OK6oNqS5a9wrS84cbUBYXzoq24JNA/edit?usp=sharing
My Google Docs document of useful information
docs.google.com/document/d/1ArNRtsdqfleE1-l9r1yKrh-XyzksSIwj0MMyb09L0ro/edit?usp=sharing
My checklist for moving to Ecuador - docs.google.com/document/d/1ySNcEa6_ffaKutXgMdlhdwAoD46lkwqKvd_H7DlEYGY/edit?usp=sharing
Remember this folks.
A country might look good on paper, or on a YouTube video, but what about the “Chemistry” between you, the individual and the country and culture as a whole?
This is something we can’t know in advance. We can only make our move, dive in and test the waters…….and see how it goes.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
#RetireAbroad
#ExpatRetirement
#EcuadorExpats
#RetirementPlanning
#LivingOverseas
