About The Mobile Retiree: Full-Time Travel on a Budget

Hi there! We’re Sandra and Jeff—a couple who, in 2022, decided to trade a predictable life for an unpredictable adventure. We packed up, sold almost everything, and dove into full-time international travel to figure out where in the world we could actually afford to live. Spoiler: It’s not always where you’d expect.

If you’re dreaming about living abroad but think you can’t afford it, we’re here to prove otherwise.

Our Story: From Overpacked Closets to Carry-On Freedom

Jeff’s a veteran, Sandra grew up as a military brat, and together, we’ve lived and traveled everywhere from small-town USA to England, the Caribbean, and beyond. After 20 years in one spot, we realized we missed the thrill of discovering new places. So, we hit the reset button.

We sold nearly everything we owned, packed our lives into carry-on luggage—Jeff’s backpack and day pack, plus Sandra’s rolling suitcase and weekender bag—and hit the road. Armed with determination and a tight budget, we began hunting for countries where we could live well without draining our savings.

Now, we’re sharing everything we’ve learned—no sugarcoating, no gimmicks, just real talk.

Why You’ll Love The Mobile Retiree

We’re not here to sell you a dream; we’re here to help you live yours. Our blog is for anyone who:

• Wants to explore affordable places to live abroad.
• Needs practical advice on full-time travel.
• Enjoys stories that are as honest as they are entertaining.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Budget-Friendly Relocation Advice: From cost breakdowns to cultural insights, we’ll show you how to make the leap without going broke.
2. Destination Spotlights: The good, the bad, and the weird—every place we’ve stayed has a story.
3. Relatable Tips: We’re figuring this out as we go, so you’ll get advice that’s fresh, practical, and occasionally hilarious.

Where We’ve Been (So Far)

Here’s a sneak peek at the stops on our journey:

• Central & South America: Panama (Boquete, Bocas del Toro), Costa Rica (San José, Puerto Viejo), Argentina (Buenos Aires)
• Europe: Portugal (Lisbon, Faro), Spain (Barcelona), France (Paris, Caen), England (Cambridge, London, and a dozen small towns)
• New Zealand: Auckland, Wellington
• USA: Road trips galore, plus stints in Oregon, Florida, and Washington

Each place taught us something new—like how to live with less, love where you are, and always check if the tap water is drinkable.

Ready to Join Us?

Whether you’re planning your escape or just daydreaming, we’re here to inspire and guide you.

Follow us:

• YouTube: See the chaos in action.
• Facebook: Swap stories with our community.
• LinkedIn: Connect professionally (we can be serious… sometimes).

Subscribe to The Mobile Retiree and let’s discover affordable, awesome places to live—together.

Follow our story from the beginning

• 
  Affordable Nomadic Retirement: Our Unexpected Adventure
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  Affordable Nomadic Retirement Adventure: Part Two
  Hey there! We’re a couple on the cusp of retirement, and let’s face it, the whole “house, big backyard, rocking chairs on the porch” vision wasn’t exactly setting our souls on fire. We craved new experiences, and living life on our terms, all without breaking the bank. That’s where our journey to an affordable nomadic…
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  Part 3: Questions often asked when thinking about becoming an American Expat
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  Full-Time Retirement Travel Planning: Part 4
  We’re Sandra and Jeff, and we’re in the thick of our full-time retirement travel planning adventure! This blog offers a glimpse into our sometimes messy, always honest journey. Maybe you’re considering a similar path, or maybe you’re just curious about full-time travel. Either way, join us as we navigate the exciting challenges and unexpected turns!…
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  Our Full-Time Retirement Travel Diary: The Road Less Traveled
  Hey everyone, it’s Sandra and Jeff here with another update on our mobile retirement planning adventure! As we celebrated the New Year, guess what? Our retirement timeline – well, it evolved again! (Seems like nailing down a date is proving trickier than we anticipated!) For those new to our journey, we’re ditching the traditional retirement…
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  Nomadic Shocker: Medical Insurance for Fulltime Travelers and Retirees
  As we excitedly plan our nomadic retirement, one crucial aspect threw us a curveball: medical insurance for fulltime travelers. Budgeting for this seemed straightforward, but the reality for nomadic retirees like us is quite different. In this post, we’ll talk about the sticker shock we experienced and explore the the different types of “travel” insurance…
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  What’s in our Travel Budget?
  All about the Benjamins I worked up a preliminary travel budget for this adventure based on information gleaned from various travel bloggers, my own research and a little bit of caution. Virtually all of the countries we plan to visit are on someone’s “You can retire here for $1,500 per month” list so I’m allowing…
• 
  Waterfall Rappelling, Schengen Zones & Pre-Departure Jitters
  The countdown is officially on! With February’s chill clinging to the air. We’re selling the house, brushing up on languages (well, mostly Spanish for now!), and strategizing our nomad retirement departure – it’s all part of the thrilling (and sometimes overwhelming) process of transforming our retirement dream into reality. This blog is our way of…