By Erica and Karen

You’ve retired. For the first time ever you can live anywhere you want to! So where do you want to live?

Obviously there are some limiting factors. Cash flow, taxes, relatives, health. But we suggest you start your thinking as if you had no limitations at all. Where would you love to live for your vibrant third quarter? Once you settle on that, try to figure out a way to make it work.

As a start, think about what makes you happy. We love bustling city sidewalks. But we have friends who can’t abide bobbing and weaving on New York City’s streets, and want to be on a small island with more cows than cars—or people. Others can’t live without culture and academia. Some want to ski in winter and rock climb in summer.

So, the first (fun) step is let your mind wander, picturing yourself in all kinds of places. Rather like trying out Zoom backgrounds!

As you come up with the setting, a key question might be—what country shall I Iive in? (Maybe even consider off world options—the Moon might soon be available.) Most of us will likely stay where we are, but it is exciting to at least think about exotic locales completely unlike home.

If you do decide to move to another country, there are annual surveys which provide basic information and make a compelling case for certain locations. We looked at:

• Condé Nast, The Best Places In the World to Retire;

• International Living, The Best Places To Retire;

• World Economic Forum, 10 Best Places To Retire in 2022.

There are others. Have a look. You will get new ideas. For example, Malta and Uruguay make a strong showing, and we might not have considered either one. Now that we see them, they look pretty fabulous!

Next—what kind of environment? Of course this decision relates closely to what you want to do. Big city? Small town? Countryside? Lakeside? A snowy mountain? Near a university? Near good golf courses? Near an airport? Young people? No young people? Lots to think about.

Then of course, your home. A mega mansion in California where all your friends and relatives can be houseguests? A tiny house in a field where no-one can be a houseguest? A glass box in the sky in Singapore where you can always see your cars? A rammed earth residence in Portugal? A houseboat on the Seine? An apartment on a ship that constantly circumnavigates the globe? A cottage in Australia? Or maybe keep things fresh by moving from one airbnb to another, as your fancy takes you.

Once you let your fantasy take shape, you may have to modify it according to your limitations. But engaging in that fantasy might expand your ideas about what you actually could do.

Let us know where you end up!