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Why don't you stay in the US, move to Savannah, Georgia or some place like that. It is not more expensive than nice places in Europe, warm, no language problems etc.
I have no idea why Americans want to retire in Europe, seems like a crazy idea to me.
I would not move to the typical tourist places in Spain or Portugal anyway if I were you. Depending on English can also be depressing as you pretty much remain outside society. In Portugal it is difficult to really become a part of society even if you speak Portuguese. If you don't, you will be considered a long-term tourist locals will try to milk. You might also have mentality issues in Portugal.
Ireland and Britain are pretty mild, too, by the way, Britain is expensive though. Plymouth is interesting, it is so mild they have palm trees. And the culture would be similar to yours.
I've never been to Savannah but I have traveled around most of the US and lived in several states in addition to traveling around Europe, and there's just something about European life as a whole that can never be substituted for by any particular US state, let alone a southern state.
Why don't you stay in the US, move to Savannah, Georgia or some place like that. It is not more expensive than nice places in Europe, warm, no language problems etc.
I have no idea why Americans want to retire in Europe, seems like a crazy idea to me.
I would not move to the typical tourist places in Spain or Portugal anyway if I were you. Depending on English can also be depressing as you pretty much remain outside society. In Portugal it is difficult to really become a part of society even if you speak Portuguese. If you don't, you will be considered a long-term tourist locals will try to milk. You might also have mentality issues in Portugal.
Ireland and Britain are pretty mild, too, by the way, Britain is expensive though. Plymouth is interesting, it is so mild they have palm trees. And the culture would be similar to yours.
Well, without letting this devolve into a political discussion, the whole idea of fleeing the US was to get away from all the problems that are inherent in an imperialist-mentality corrupt government body where people (except for the super-rich) are placed at the bottom rung of the economic ladder.
As to the northern countries, they are too cold for me, though you're right--English would allow me to better assimilate in their cultures, but that's the price for a more equitable climate.
I'm sure there are expat communities in Spain and Portugal where English-speakers congregate so it wouldn't be total isolation. Thanks for your input.
PS The American south is too humid for me. Sure hope it's a little better in Spain-Portugal.
I've never been to Savannah but I have traveled around most of the US and lived in several states in addition to traveling around Europe, and there's just something about European life as a whole that can never be substituted for by any particular US state, let alone a southern state.
Interesting. I speculate that applies mainly to white Americans. Maybe they like Europe as the origin of their ancestors.
Interesting. I speculate that applies mainly to white Americans. Maybe they like Europe as the origin of their ancestors.
I'll stop short of implying any racist or xenophobic reasons because I'm not racist or negatively bigoted, but for me, ancestral lineage is one reason. Not the main reason; matter of factly it's so far down the list of personal reasons that it just barely registers, but it's on the list nonetheless.
I'll stop short of implying any racist or xenophobic reasons because I'm not racist or negatively bigoted, but for me, ancestral lineage is one reason. Not the main reason; matter of factly it's so far down the list of personal reasons that it just barely registers, but it's on the list nonetheless.
I just said it because I read that Obama has said that he is not as interested in Europe as his white predecessors were. And it would make sense as US minorities have no connection to Europe.
Maybe you like about Europe what most of your fellow Americans, especially the younger ones, dislike about it The physical narrowness, walking, diversity, more humane priorities in life, history as in being the "old world", "socialism"
Are you insinuating that I'm socialist? I happen to be a 35 year old college-educated veteran and independent who has done his part to defend your free-spirited way of life. That aside, socialism is not on the list of things that more and more young Americans dislike about Europe. On the contrary, some kids are clamoring for it. I for one don't give a hoot.
Gee, learn to read between the lines, including "" and smilies... With that aggressive paranoid attitude you will fail over here.
Oops, somehow deleted my post instead of just editing it. Serves me right for having too many browser tabs open. Anyway I'm not aggressive or paranoid, I just misread you, that's all.
Interesting. I speculate that applies mainly to white Americans. Maybe they like Europe as the origin of their ancestors.
Western European civilizations are just so much more civilized. they are not hijacked by the religious right as in this country. They actually treat their gay citizens like human beings. they work to live, not live to work. They have so much history, art, etc. There are so many things to like about those countries. You don't have to be 100% white to appreciate those things.
....Maybe you like about Europe what most of your fellow Americans, especially the younger ones, dislike about it The physical narrowness, walking, diversity, more humane priorities in life, history as in being the "old world", "socialism"
OK! OK! If I plead guilty, do I get to stay longer
But my attempt at humor aside, you really have touched on some reasons that made me move to Europe. And I did consider Europe most strongly because it seemed more familiar (though largely because it weighed so heavy in my education, whereas Asia and Africa were areas that I had to struggle to learn about on my own. The only European country I had ever been in before moving here was Ireland (where I travelled several times), though I settled where you have, Portugal.
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The physical narrowness, walking, diversity, more humane priorities in life, history as in being the "old world", "socialism" 
