Years ago, I bought a charming old farmhouse in Italy for about €80,000, dreaming of opening a bed and breakfast there. However, the path to realizing that dream turned out to be filled with unexpected challenges and invaluable lessons about relocating abroad.

Margaret is a member of the Marigold Lifestyle global community. She grew up in the US and, on retirement, decided to relocate to a country where the cost of living was less, and she could spend her days living life to the fullest. She chose Thailand (Koh Samui to be exact), and now, after a year of enjoying the island life, she's about to relocate yet again, to mainland Thailand, to explore more of the country and all that it has to offer.

I originally hailed from the Northern Territory in Australia. After considering various destinations for relocation, I chose Morocco; specifically, the coastal town of Essaouira.  My decision to settle in Essaouira was deeply personal. I had previously moved there to be with a Moroccan love interest and fell in love with the place and its people. This profound connection to Essaouira made it an ideal choice for relocation.

Mora was a teen mum. She put herself through college so that she could provide for her son, and she qualified as a nurse. Her son is now in his early 30s and doing well. As for Mora, her husband passed., then, after decades of serving as a nurse, she was suddenly laid off! This is Mora’s story…