I mentioned a few days ago that--should the worst case scenario play out and we find ourselves unemployed*--we would light out, not for the territory, but to Languedoc. I had been reading How to Retire Overseas, and was thrilled to see that the author gave actual numbers.
As usual, I didn't explain myself fully. Funny responded that no way could she afford it. Shelley said the numbers seemed too high. I think both readers assumed that the numbers were EXCLUSIVE of housing.
Au contraire, my friends. The Languedoc number of $1495/month includes $650 for an apartment rental. The almost $3000 for Paris assumes you will spend $1500 on rent. Morelia (in Mexico) comes in at $899, which includes $300 for rent. The numbers also include household help (!), food, entertainment, transportation, utilities, and the like.
Not included: health care and transportation to and fro.
Now I don't really want to retire abroad. I would, however, like to live in all the above spots for, say, 6 months each. Not to mention the other enticing places discussed in the book.
It is a thrill to know that I could live in Morelia for less than I could rent my house for. In fact, I could save a bit to splurge on a few months in Paris. I love having the numbers right there, because they show me that extended stays in wonderful places are totally within reach for a middle-class girl like me. Isn't that wonderful to know?
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