Episode Overview

Podcast: Optimal Finance Daily
Host/Narrator: Diania Merriam
Episode Title: Want to Retire Early Abroad? Do These 10 Things First
Source Post Author: Christina Browning of Our Rich Journey
Date: December 1, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode dives into the practical and essential steps anyone should take before pursuing early retirement in another country. Drawing from personal experience, Christina Browning (and her husband Amon) shares the ten most important things to do before making an international move for retirement—highlighting everything from healthcare realities to understanding local culture. Diania’s narration brings these tips to life, spotlighting both the excitement and the critical research necessary to ensure a smooth transition to expat living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scope Out the Healthcare System ([01:28])

• Insight: Don’t just research—experience the medical and dental system firsthand in your prospective country before making the move.
• Rationale: Research can only reveal so much. It’s crucial for those with special healthcare needs to understand real, practical differences, especially in non-English-speaking countries where medical culture and processes vary.
• Quote:

  “You don't know what it's like until you have firsthand experience... especially if you have special medical needs.” — Christina Browning ([01:30])

2. Interact with Local Government ([02:10])

• Insight: Direct encounters with government processes reveal potential bureaucratic hurdles.
• Personal Example: Amon’s experience paying a parking ticket in Spain was far less straightforward than in the US.
• Tip: Visit city offices or engage in official processes to get a sense of the system.
• Quote:

  “Dealing with local government is a true test of what it'll be like to live in a new country.” — Christina Browning ([02:18])

3. Connect with Local Expats ([02:53])

• Insight: Other expats, especially those from your home country, can provide candid perspectives on day-to-day challenges.
• Rationale: Their stories are often less about glowing reviews and more about the realities and struggles, which is invaluable for avoiding false expectations.
• Quote:

  “Meeting with other expats... will teach you not necessarily how much they love the country, but more so the struggles they've faced while living there.” — Christina Browning ([03:01])

4. Visit Your Native Embassy ([03:31])

• Insight: Understanding the embassy’s work culture is crucial for emergencies.
• Example: If a disaster occurs, knowing your embassy is responsive and proactive is vital.
• Quote:

  “You want to know that your embassy is going to be as responsive, helpful and proactive as possible in a difficult situation.” — Christina Browning ([03:45])

5. Visit Local Schools ([04:03])

• Audience: Parents or those planning to have children.
• Insight: Check out educational systems and facilities; sometimes, homeschooling requires local school registration.
• Quote:

  “If you're relocating with kids, you need to get a feel for the country's educational system... this helps you understand if your kids will get a suitable education.” — Christina Browning ([04:07])

6. Can You Keep Up Your Hobbies? ([04:38])

• Insight: Not all hobbies travel well. Investigate availability and cultural fit for your passions.
• Personal Example: In Japan, Amon struggled to pursue his hobby of restoring Airstream trailers due to scarcity and high costs.
• Quote:

  “A lot of people's hobbies are simply not that transferable to other countries, or they can be really difficult to do.” — Christina Browning ([04:42])

7. Visit Year-Round ([05:22])

• Insight: Seasonal extremes and off-peak realities reveal what true year-round living is like.
• Examples: Tourist hubs may become deserted and infrastructure limited out-of-season. Seville is lovely, but “unbearably hot” in the summer.
• Quote:

  “If you're going to retire somewhere, you won't be in vacation mode... you'll be living there all year round.” — Christina Browning ([05:34])

8. Leave the Tourist Areas ([06:15])

• Insight: To get an authentic experience, explore neighborhoods and settings where tourists rarely tread.
• Quote:

  “Living like a tourist and living as a local are two very different realities.” — Christina Browning ([06:18])

9. Stay in a House, Not a Hotel ([06:43])

• Insight: Only by living in a typical home can you discover practical quirks and real-life details (e.g., maintenance issues, local amenities).
• Quote:

  “Staying in a house is going to reveal some of the quirks of local buildings... you should do this at least once.” — Christina Browning ([06:49])

10. Drive a Car Locally ([07:19])

• Insight: Driving norms (manual vs. automatic, narrow streets) can be radically different. Test-drive in your potential area if you plan to drive.
• Personal Example: Japan’s narrow roads and prevalence of manual transmissions in Europe were surprising challenges.
• Quote:

  “Rent out a car and drive it wherever you want, though preferably in the area you want to live in.” — Christina Browning ([07:22])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On doing your research:

  “Relocating to a new country, especially for the remainder of your retirement, is a huge decision and one that requires lots of research. Make sure you do extensive research so that you feel comfortable with your final decision. I know we did.” — Christina Browning ([08:45])

Diania Merriam’s Reflections ([11:10])

• Personal Anecdote: Diania shares an inspiring conversation with a friend living in Bali who pays $200/month for a luxury apartment:

  “She has a luxury two bedroom two bath apartment for like $200 per month... she eats out basically every day and her total cost of living is fifteen hundred dollars per month. Sounds like a dream.” — Diania Merriam ([11:27])

• Broader Thought: The appeal of extended travel grows as financial independence progresses, highlighting the limitations of traditional vacation time (2-4 weeks per year).
• Motivational Closing: Diania expresses excitement about the freedom and global exploration that financial independence can offer, even if she herself isn’t planning to move abroad.

Key Takeaways

• Don’t just dream—do your homework. Experience daily life (healthcare, government, neighborhoods) before moving.
• Community matters. Learn from expats and locals, especially about challenges.
• Year-round reality differs from a vacation. Check out your retirement destination in all seasons and settings.
• Embrace practicalities. Housing, education, hobbies, and transportation can make or break your experience.

For first-time listeners or those considering early retirement abroad, this episode offers a balanced dose of wanderlust and grounded, real-world advice—delivered with warmth and honesty.