#retireabroad — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

Talking with some Americans who retired to Portugal, I was struck by the push-pull dynamic in their decision to move. Push: healthcare costs and the US political situation. Pull: Life in a cozy walkable small-town urban environment where you'll run into your neighbors at the market, at a restaurant, in the town square, or when you join one the many community groups and activities.

I find the 'pull' aspect particularly interesting, because it's a form of small-town life that's very hard to achieve in the US. While you can still find it in a few cities and college towns (both of which may be cost prohibitive), with interstates, suburbs, and big-box stores, the thousands of small town centers that used to have communities like this have been mostly hollowed out.

#urbanism #walkability #portugal #retireabroad #retirement #smalltownlife