When you think about retiring, what does that look like to you? Will  you stay in the same place you have always lived, or will you be looking for an inexpensive place to move to? Will that be in  your native country, or will you go to Europe, Asia, or South America? Where ever you decide to live in retirement, you need to be ready. Here are some great places to retire to around the world. 

Manual Antonio, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a great place to retire to overseas. However, location is everything, and with many different places to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your options. Manual Antonio is one place that won’t disappoint.

Value for money – Compared with other popular retirement options, there is no denying Costa Rica represents exceptional value for money.

Excellent quality of life – Amazing, fresh food, stunning scenery, the best beaches, fun things to do… what more could you possibly want?

Breathtaking properties – From stunning views to luxury swimming pools, the villas here have been built with that extra bit of something special.

Residency options – The entry criteria are relatively low because there are so many different options.
Flourishing economy – Deemed one of the best foreign investment areas in Central America, the economy is flourishing here, and that is always a great reason to invest.

With a range of different types of property available for purchase in Costa Rica, it is worth those interested in buying assessing all of the options open to them before rushing into a decision on what to buy when retiring in Costa Rica. Compared with many other countries around the world, Costa Rica real estate offers buyers excellent value for money, meaning they often have more possibilities open to them than they would elsewhere.

Houses and condos are two of the most popular types of Costa Rica real estate that are available for purchase. While condos may, in general, prove to be a slightly cheaper option, there are a number of benefits that buying a house offers. Perhaps one of the main ones is that buying a house offers a person total control over their property, allowing them to decorate, remodel and make other changes without having to worry about others’ consent. It also, of course, gives people more living space, both indoors and outdoors, than the average condo would.

Houses also offer people more privacy than a condo would, as neighbours are not living in as close proximity as they would be, and there are few or no shared amenities.

Bodrum, Turkey

Villas for sale in Bodrum are proving to be a popular choice for those who are interested in retiring to Turkey. Bodrum is another great places to retire to. One of the main reasons why Turkey is a popular choice for retirees is because of the low cost of living. Thus, this is something we are going to look at in further detail below.

A lot of people consider moving abroad when they retire. They want to spend their days out in the sun, and who can blame them? More and more retirees are considering villas for sale in Turkey as opposed to the likes of Spain and France because it is much cheaper. In 2016, which is when the latest figures are available, you could easily live on a budget of $1,200 per month in Bodrum, or even less if you needed to. You will need around $250 per month for grocery shopping, a mere £6 for council tax, around $15 for home insurance and $15-20 for broadband. Your utility bills should be no more than $170. Of course, this will depend on the time of year. If you are opting to take out private family healthcare, that will be around $70-80. Finally, you will probably want to set aside around $600 for miscellaneous costs, such as eating out or expenses relating to your vehicle. Of course, these costs will differ from person to person, and thus it is possible to spend even less than this. Private healthcare, for example, is advised, but it is not a necessity. You could opt to simply pay as you need it. A one-off visit to the GP should be no more than around $40 so a lot of people don’t feel the need to go down the private route.

Properties here are ideal for those who are seeking a slice of luxury. The area is certainly one of the most fashionable spots in Turkey, and thus it is not hard to see why more and more people are interested in purchasing a property here. We will tell you a bit more about what you can expect from the area.
Bodrum may be an up and coming area, offering an array of new five-star hotels, including Aman Resorts, the Kempinski and Bodrum Palace. However, it is also an ancient city built on the remnants of one of the Ancient World’s Seven Wonders. It has a fascinating history and a unique charm. It is also viewed as the administrative hub for the Bodrum peninsula, which is 25 miles long.

This area is very popular amongst British tourists. It features three incredible marinas and is known predominately as a yachting destination. There are also plenty of restaurants, shopping malls, bars and more. However, the peninsula is really quite diverse, and thus there are areas that are a lot more Turkish in character. If you are looking for affordable property for sale in Turkey, you should consider the likes of Bodrum town, Gulluk and Gumbet. In Bodrum town, you will be able to find an apartment for $60,000 or less.

Gumusluk is another great place to retire to. This is a fishing town and it has grown considerably over the past few years. It’s possible to find a three-bed villa for around $160,000. Nevertheless, there are properties of varying prices available in even some of the trendy resorts, such as Yalikavak, frequented by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bill Gates. Here, a penthouse apartment will set you back upwards of around $100,000.

Rye, England

There are lots of fantastic places in Sussex that are well worth a visit when in the county. Nevertheless, none of them quite boast as much quality as Rye. The small town is one of the most beautiful and culture-filled locations in the whole of the country. The historic roots of the town are what truly make it stand out. When you walk into Rye you can tell that you are witnessing something special and you feel as if you are being transported back to the previous years of England.

There are actually a lot of big cottages available in the area which you can purchase for retirement. This surprises a lot of people considering the town is small itself and only boasts a population of just over 4000. Nevertheless, because it is such an attractive and interesting place, it always attracts visitors. This is enhanced even more so because of its fantastic location. Rye is situated by the sea and is also at the confluence of three rivers. These rivers are the Brede, the Rother, and the Tillingham. This unique location provides a lot of great sights and also makes Rye much more intriguing as a place.

Aside from the beautiful location and the fantastic historic undertones, there are several other reasons why a lot of people like to visit Rye. The town itself has a harbour that is highly popular. What sets Rye’s harbour apart from the rest is the fact that it has not been spoiled and thus is very much a natural place. This is something that appeals to a lot of people. There is nothing better than sitting in a traditional pub by the river and then catching some fresh fish from the local market on the way home.

In fact, the fish market by the river is not the only market individuals like in the town. The farmers market is exceedingly popular and is hosted once a week. If you want to get the best homegrown and local produce then there is simply nowhere better. There is a whole host of stalls which all sell different yet natural and fresh ingredients and food for people to purchase. You can grab some great food and cook a scrumptious meal for all of those staying in the cottage with you. Not only is this delicious, but it provides a great way to save money one night as well.

Rye is certainly a place for individuals who like to appreciate the natural beauty that the world has to offer. This is a town which offers a relaxing and peaceful retreat. Nevertheless, there is still a whole host of history to unearth and learn about. Moreover, there are beautiful sights and scenery to behold. And, don’t forget the fantastic local produce that gives you a true taste of what Britain has to offer. That makes Rye one of the great places to retire to. 

Although I think I am really too young to be a great grandmother, I am! My beautiful granddaughter, Sarah, gave birth to Zaidyn Ky’air on July 26. He was premature, and weighed only 4 lb 8 oz, but he was perfect in every way. All the little toes and fingers were there, as well  as a beautiful head of hair.

 

 

 

 

 

Zaidyn is my first great grandchild. It is so hard to imagine Sarah having a baby, she seems like such a baby herself to me. While she is 2 years old, I still picture her as a baby. I haven’t met Zaidyn yet. He lives in Tennessee with Sarah and her mother. I am sure I will be able to meet him soon. In the meantime, I can’t get enough pictures of him. XoXoXo Zaidyn! Granny loves you!

Oh my word! Has it ever been H.O.T! While there is a cooling trend coming next week, it surely won’t last. It is Summer, after all. To help  your car keep its cool this summer, here are some things I have learned over the years.

Check the coolant.

Before you start out on a day trip during the Summer months, you should always check the coolant reservoir. If you don’t know where it is in your car, ask someone to help you find it. If it is low, add more coolant to bring it up to the full mark. 

Flushing the radiator will help your car keep its cool .

Next time you take your car to have the oil changed, ask them to flush the cooling system. They will clean out the radiator and add new coolant to help prevent your car from overheating. 

Check your battery.

If your battery is not performing at 100%, it can cause your car’s motor to work harder, and be a factor in overheating. Add water to the battery cells if needed. If the battery is more than two years old, have it checked by the mechanic when you get the car serviced. You may need to get a new battery. It will certainly help your car keep its cool this Summer.

If your car does overheat

So you’re driving along in your automobile, and you notice that the heat indicator has moved to the left of center, or the HOT light comes on. The first thing you should do is pull over to a safe spot, turn off the engine, and lift the hood. This will give the engine time to cool off. Don’t ever put coolant in a hot engine! Wait for the car to cool off. After a while, turn the ignition key until the dash lights come on, but don’t try to start the car. If the heat indicator shows that the car has cooled down, add coolant or water if necessary. Then, try to start the car. If it makes weird sounds, turn it off immediately and call your roadside assistance. 

If you can start the car with no weird noises, here is what you can do to help your car keep its cool until you can get it to a mechanic to have it checked out. First, turn on the heat. Yes, I know it is Summer, and you are hot enough already, but turning on the heat will save you hundreds of dollars by taking the hot air away from the engine so it stays cool. If the car overheats again, pull over and call a tow service.