My Expat Story: Finding the Perfect Second Home
At 55, Claudia Hofmaier has traveled to 39 countries, exploring different cultures, landscapes, and ways of life. But her journey isn’t just about adventure; it’s about finding the perfect second home. We sat down with Claudia to chat about her experiences, challenges, and the wisdom she’s gained along the way.
Q: What inspired your journey to explore so many countries in search of a second home?
Claudia: Not all 39 countries I’ve visited were part of my search for a second home. The ones I specifically explored with that in mind were mainly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific—places like Thailand (Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai), different parts of Bali (East, North, and West—the more remote areas), New Zealand, Nepal, Malaysia, Croatia, and Italy.
Q: What does "the perfect place" mean to you, and how has your vision of it evolved over time?
Claudia: When I first moved to Singapore in 1998, I was fresh out of university in Germany with just enough money to last three months. I took a leap of faith, found a job, and ended up staying for 27 years. I loved the city life, but I always dreamed of retiring somewhere closer to nature.
My ideal second home has evolved over the years, but at its core, it’s a peaceful place with a balcony or terrace overlooking greenery, with the sea in the distance. I imagine a small, friendly community where neighbors look out for each other, a garden where I can grow my own vegetables, and a simple lifestyle connected to nature. After going through menopause, I value quiet even more. As long as I have a garden and kind neighbors, I know I’ll be happy.
Q: Were there any destinations that really surprised you, either in a good or bad way?
Claudia: Bali! I fell in love with it years ago—my first visit was in 1994. Even then, I left Kuta after just one day because it felt too touristy. In recent years, especially since 2019, traffic has become a nightmare. A simple 5km drive can take an hour! That was a shock. But despite the congestion, I’m happy to say that Bali’s magic is still there if you know where to look.
Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges when relocating to another country?
Claudia: Visas and healthcare, hands down. My partner and I fell in love with New Zealand, particularly the South Island, and even stayed for two months to experience life there more deeply. But New Zealand’s retirement visa starts at 66 and requires a significant financial investment. I’m not sure if I’d still be keen to relocate at that age.
Since I grew up in Germany, I had the flexibility to live in different European countries. Unfortunately, Southeast Asia isn’t as easy—each country has its own visa requirements, often tied to hefty financial commitments.
Q: How do you plan to split your time between your current home and your future second home?
Claudia: I’ve lived in Singapore since 1998, and I plan to eventually rent out my apartment there once we’ve settled on our second home.
Q: What key factors do you consider when evaluating a country as a potential home?
Claudia: Our main criteria are:
Visa requirements
Distance to Singapore
Quality and affordability of healthcare
Easy access to an airport (in case we need to return to Singapore)
Access to good-quality food
A peaceful living environment
Cost of living.
Q: How do cultural differences and local attitudes toward foreigners influence your decision?
Claudia: This is a big one! Feeling welcome is important. Language plays a huge role in integration—just making an effort to learn even a little of the local language can go a long way in feeling at home.
Q: What advice would you give to other women considering a similar journey?
Claudia: Visit your potential new home at least twice! Stay in an Airbnb for at least a month, buy groceries, cook meals; experience real daily life instead of just seeing it as a tourist. Track your expenses carefully and do thorough research to get an accurate sense of the cost of living. If possible, attend networking events to meet other expats and join local Facebook groups for insights. And don’t hesitate to reach out to friends who’ve already made the move as they’ll have invaluable advice!
Q: How do financial considerations, such as cost of living and healthcare, factor into your decision? Will you need to work from your second home?
Claudia: Yes, I plan to keep working because I love what I do! That said, I’ve definitely slowed down compared to ten years ago.
Q: Now that you’ve explored so many places, have you found "the one," or is your search still ongoing?
Claudia: The search is still ongoing, but our current plan is to split our time between Europe, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand. My partner still needs to travel frequently to Singapore, so we’re looking at spending 3 to 6 months in each place. Let’s see where this journey takes us next!
