For Americans thinking about living abroad
Can you really retire abroad on a budget? We’re finding out.
We’re Sandra and Jeff. Since 2023, we’ve been living slowly across countries — tracking exactly what we spend so you can plan with real numbers, not estimates. No guesswork.
Does it Snow in Portugal?
Portugal! The very name conjures visions of sun-kissed beaches, vibrant cultural experiences, and culinary delights that tantalize the taste buds. We’re wrapping up our month-ish long stay in Portugal, and while we certainly soaked up the sunshine and explored charming towns, there were certainly days that got a little chilly, so we asked the friendly locals: “Does it snow in Portugal?” After all, we chose…
Travel Itinerary Changes – Last-Minute Flights vs Scenic Trains – Should We Ditch Seville for Paris?
So we were all ready to go soak up the sunshine in Seville… we had booked accommodations, researched things to do and then our “property manager” of the place we booked turned out to be a shady character trying to get out of paying the rental platform fees. But then it also turns out it’s Easter week, and apparently, things get a little… different… around…
Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica
Our Visit to the National Theater of Costa Rica The National Theater of Costa Rica, located in the heart of San José, is a must-visit landmark for anyone interested in the country’s history and culture. Built in 1897, this neoclassical building showcases Costa Rica’s commitment to the arts and its European architectural influence. A guided tour offers a closer look at the theater’s history, design,…
![11 Best Things to Do in San Jose Costa Rica [2025 Guide]](https://themobileretiree.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Things-To-Do-In-San-Jose-Costa-Rica2.jpg "11 Best Things to Do in San Jose Costa Rica [2025 Guide] 4")
11 Best Things to Do in San Jose Costa Rica [2025 Guide]
San Jose Costa Rica offers 11 incredible budget-friendly activities within walking distance of downtown—from world-class museums for under $15 to vibrant markets and peaceful parks that won’t cost you a cent. Travel rarely goes exactly according to plan, and that’s certainly the case for us. Our Costa Rica itinerary got a little shuffled around, leaving us with some unplanned downtime in downtown San Jose. No…
7 Things We Did, or at least tried to do, in Boquete Panama
Nestled amidst the majestic mountains of Panama, Boquete (pronounced boh-KEH-theh) beckons travelers with its refreshing climate*, breathtaking scenery, and a smorgasbord of outdoor activities. We, Jeff and Sandra, self-proclaimed travel enthusiasts with a healthy dose of “been-there-done-that” experience, aren’t your typical travel bloggers. We tell it like it is, sharing the good, the bad, and the hilarious along the way – all to help you…
Our Visit to a Coffee Farm Tour in Boquete
Labeled as one of the top things to do in Boquete we knew we wanted to tour a small family owned and operated coffee farm when we were scouting out what to do while in Boquete. We knew we wanted to add a farm to cup experience to our list of things to do in Boquete because the region is listed as one of the…
Why we left Costa Rica early
Leeeaaving on a….. short bus…. (My apologies to Peter, Paul and Mary….. Or if you’re slightly younger, John Denver….) Today’s grand narrative is about travel schedule changes and budget considerations. We originally booked this place at Puerto Viejo for a full month – leaving Feb 9th – and then 3 nights in San Jose, Costa Rice before flying out to Lisbon, Portugal. After much discussion…
If it’s not one thing…..
As we wind down our time here in Panama we we find ourselves reflecting on the intricacies of a nomadic lifestyle planning because yet again we are making changes to our future plans. Honestly, we are pretty much ALWAYS in the planning phase. That is a basic reality of a fully nomadic lifestyle. Constantly navigating the balance between efficiency with time and money is a…
Our Review of Studio Coliving Hotel in Panama City, Panama
In this blog post, we’ll share our take of our stay at the Studio Coliving Hotel in Panama City, Panama you through our decision-making process, the details of our accommodations, and a close look at the hotel’s amenities, customer service, and overall experience. Studio Coliving in Panama City, Panama review Our decision to choose Studio Coliving Hotel was heavily influenced by cost and its proximity…
Gaining a sense of perspective
A combination of things this week got me to thinking a little bit about perspective and perception. How you see things is influenced by how you look at things. Here we’ll talk about how we see things. The first type of perspective came to me while writing an overview blog post of our time in Panama City. It occurred to me that when we share…
About Us
We’re Jeff and Sandra, two retired Americans, living abroad, on a budget, one country at at time. Most days, we’re just doing what we’ve always done— making ourselves a home, working on projects, cooking, and running errands, wherever home might be at the moment.
Reader’s Favorite Blog Posts
- Cost of Living in Vlore Albania: Our April 2026 Expense Breakdown
- A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania
- Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
- ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
- Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Travel: I Purchased & Tested 3 Budget Brands vs 1 Expensive Brand
