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Patti Petersen's avatar

I love Amsterdam but wouldn't live there. It's a fun place to visit, passing through... actually the Netherlands was a nice place to explore. I live near Holland, Michigan... the culture doesn't sit well with me... when someone says "I'm too Dutch" it indicates they're (okay I'll be nice) frugal. I have a lot of experience socializing with them and if there's one thing I can't stand is that when the bill comes for a meal, they either shuffle off to the restroom and come back when the meal is paid for, or quibble over pennies when splitting the check. It doesn't bode well with my Las Vegas style of entertaining.

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Olaf Ransome's avatar

For us, as we work on the plan to semi-retire in South Africa we are thinking about:

community / social life - a place where there are local opportunities to mingle. good, gym pool. Including enough space to have guests for food

Travel - opportunity to do more than just be in one spot. Lots of travel possibilities form Cape Town

Time - we have worked hard for a long time. Time to enjoy life more and not worry about spending money

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Rocco Pendola's avatar

Sounds like a plan!! I'm looking forward to following it as it unfolds.

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Olaf Ransome's avatar

Coming soon. There is one obstacle to starting to execute the plan: selling our house outside Zurich.

We have had an offer. We have a three step paperwork / formalities process to go through. The potential buyers have to sell their house, which creates a chain and is unusual here in Switzerland, the key part is step 2, notarising the sale. That will be set for July 30th. On that day we will know if we are off to the races.

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Rocco Pendola's avatar

Buena suerte! 🤞🏼

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

I love Amsterdam, but I’m not sure I’d want to live there, either. It’s a visually stunning city (at least to me, any way), and each time I’ve been there, I’ve become “that guy” staring up as we walk around.

That said, if I’m moving, I want a warmer climate than the city offers. I grew up in that weather. For the back of of my life, I want more sun.

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Rocco Pendola's avatar

Yes, also the weather. Apparently, 10 to 15 days of rain all year. Sounds a lot like Portland, but without the warm or hot summers.

Great record stores though!

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