How I Retired at 50 and Found Paradise Abroad

My name is Laura, and I’m 50 years old. I used to live in Granada, Spain—surrounded by tapas, sunshine, and the Sierra Nevada. For many years, I believed I’d live and die here, working until my sixties, like everyone else. But something changed at 44. I looked at my life, my health, and my dreams and asked myself: “What if I didn’t wait? What if I could retire now?”

The Wake-Up Moment

It wasn’t one big thing. It was many small things. The rising rent. The growing noise in the city. The stress of maintaining a full-time job. One summer evening, sipping wine on my balcony, I asked myself a simple question: “What do I really need to be happy?”

I grabbed a notebook and started writing. The list was short: sunshine, safety, healthcare, good food, internet, community, and enough money to feel free. Did I need to stay in Spain to have that? No. That was the moment everything changed.

The Numbers Game

Over the next few months, I got serious. I evaluated my savings, property, and monthly expenses. I had a small flat, no debt, and about €220,000 saved. I could sell my flat and add another €100,000. That gave me roughly €320,000 total.

I figured I needed about €1,200 a month to live comfortably. That gave me over 20 years of freedom if I picked the right country. I wasn’t looking to live in luxury—I wanted a simple, fulfilling life with low stress and good people.

The Research Phase

I started researching countries with a lower cost of living but high quality of life. I read blogs, watched YouTube videos, and joined expat forums. I looked for countries where I could:

• Get a retirement or residency visa
• Live for less than €1,200/month
• Enjoy good healthcare and warm weather
• Have access to reliable internet

Thailand, Mexico, Colombia, and Portugal topped my list. I had visited Lisbon years ago, and the idea of moving there was tempting—but the cost was rising fast. I needed to look deeper.

Testing the Waters

I took a three-month break and booked trips to three places: Medellín (Colombia), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Mérida (Mexico). I wanted to test what life might feel like as a local, not just a tourist.

Medellín, Colombia

Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín surprised me. It was green, modern, and affordable. I rented a furnished apartment for €450/month and ate fresh arepas and coffee for a few euros a day. Locals were friendly, and the metro was clean and safe. I loved the energy—but it still felt a bit too big for me.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai was peaceful, spiritual, and super affordable. My entire monthly budget came to just under €800—including a cozy studio apartment, Thai massages, healthy food, and day trips to waterfalls and temples. It felt like a gentle embrace—but the language barrier worried me.

Mérida, Mexico

In Mérida, I found something rare: safety, culture, community, and warmth. The city had Spanish colonial charm, a strong expat community, and affordable private healthcare. I could speak Spanish fluently, and I instantly felt at home. My heart said yes.

Letting Go and Starting Fresh

Back in Spain, I put my flat up for sale. I donated, sold, or gifted most of my belongings. I shipped just two boxes: one with personal items and one with my digital work setup and favorite kitchen tools. Everything else, I let go of. It felt like shedding layers of an old life.

Friends were shocked. “You’re moving to Mexico… alone?” they asked. But I wasn’t scared—I was excited. I wasn’t running away. I was moving forward.

My New Life in Mérida

I arrived in Mérida with two suitcases and a heart full of hope. I rented a beautiful one-bedroom home with a small garden for €350/month. I joined a local yoga class, a Spanish-Mexican cooking group, and a digital nomad meetup. Every week, I learned something new: how to make cochinita pibil, how to deal with Mexican bureaucracy, how to slow down.

“Retirement,” I realized, “isn’t about stopping. It’s about choosing.”

Choosing where to live, how to spend your time, who to be around, and what matters most. In Mérida, I read more books, took more walks, and started volunteering at a local animal shelter. I began writing again. I had time. I had space. I had peace.

The Financial Reality

My monthly expenses now hover around €900. Here’s what a typical month looks like:

• Rent: €350
• Groceries and eating out: €250
• Health insurance: €80
• Transport and leisure: €100
• Miscellaneous: €120

I don’t touch all of my savings. I’ve invested a portion in dividend-paying ETFs and leave the rest in a high-interest account. I live simply but comfortably. I no longer worry about bills or burnout. I’ve never felt richer.

Lessons From Retiring Early

Retiring early isn’t about having millions in the bank. It’s about understanding what makes you happy—and where your money goes. Here are a few lessons I learned:

1. Track your spending: You can’t plan a future unless you know your present.
2. Be willing to let go: The fewer things you need, the more options you have.
3. Test before you leap: Visit places, live like a local, and trust your gut.
4. Find community: Whether local or expat, connection is everything.
5. Health is wealth: Choose places with affordable, accessible care.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. The freedom I’ve found in early retirement isn’t just about leaving work—it’s about reclaiming time. I wake up when I want. I walk to the market. I cook with love. I meet new people. Every day feels like a gift I gave myself.

Retiring early isn’t for everyone. But if you’re in your 40s, feeling burned out, and wondering if there’s more to life—the answer is yes. There is. And it might be waiting for you in a place you’ve never considered.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be rich. You need to be brave. The world is full of affordable, beautiful places where you can live fully, breathe deeply, and smile again. For me, that place was Mérida, Mexico. For you, it might be somewhere else. But if you’re dreaming of freedom, start planning today. Your new life might just be a flight away.

“Sometimes the best way to move forward… is to move.”

– Laura