ladyfelsham
Back to SW again
Good luck for tomorrow night. Have the munchies been a bit better? Was trying to think about what you could do to help in the evening? Do you have the "little book of light bites" its all snacks & lots are free and speed foody so really great for nibbling on.
The munchies have eased off, thanks hun, but I'll check out the light bites book at class tomorrow!
Is the plan to rent your current place for a while whilst you explore your options? I love the idea of France / Italy but the NHS and social care in the UK is very comforting when I think about my old age (although who knows what either will be like in the 20 odd years until I'm retired?!) Will you leave your current job no matter what? If so a long holiday / recce in France could be a good way to explore the options more closely x
Thanks for giving it so much thought lovie - I know I change my mind more often than my knickers D) but I also know that's just down to uncertainty, and the need to get this right. I've never had this much money to decide what to do with, and I don't want to bugga it up! I'll try and put my thoughts down as clearly as I can - then welcome everyone's thoughts.
The big aim for myself is to take early retirement. I'm 54 this year, no husband/kids so flexible in location as long as Orbit comes too. I really want to grow my own veg, live off the land a bit but not go completely hermit-like, have people around, etc. Some days i want an adventure in the sun, other days i want to play it safe!
Location choices are UK, France or Italy -
1. UK - it's familiar, I speak the language, less hassle with swapping cars, residency, etc - but financially I can't retire, I will have to get a mortgage and keep working for at least 5 years, probably 10, because the money I will inherit will only buy me a 1 bed flat at the coast, small garden, no sea view. But it's safe and when I get the wobbles, it seems the best option.
2. France - I speak a (very) little French, like French food, wine, etc, can get a lovely 2-3 bed village home with a garden and still have £50K in the bank. If it all goes belly up I can still come back to the UK!
Downsides -
- cost of living is closer to the UK, so I'm not sure if I would have enough money to take retirement now, with a pension 14 years off.
- some French can be a bit stiff so it might be hard to meet people
- need to pay for private healthcare - about £2,500 a year
- well out of my comfort zone
3. Italy - I speak less Italian than French but a mate does Italian courses over there so I'd join her class. Again, I can get a nice 2-3 bed house with a garden for Orbit and veg growing, and have the same amount of money in the bank - but cost of living is much cheaper, I could realistically live off the London rental income after my mortgage is paid off. And I know a handful of people there.
Downsides -
- further from UK
- I don't know the language so there are going to be hard moments.
- private healthcare - cheaper than France - but still payable
- there are rumours that the region's airport might get sold to the Russians (although I don't think that will happen and anyway Rome is 2 hours away).
Other random thoughts are - I like French houses better than Italian ones - but in Italy I can afford a distant sea view - and would have money to put in a new K and B, etc.
So ladies - there it is. Cast your votes!
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