Are people afraid of surprises? Reviews are helpful but they take away the sense of adventure. You can discover a great place all on your own or fail and have a crappy meal or a lousy hotel. Does this way of thinking mean that every effort is curated? We have to research and plan so much of what we do so that we can be sure it's right. I think for myself and my husband we planned as best as we could but left some stuff to chance. It's right enough and if it eventually doesn't fit we'll make a change. But so far we are enjoying this experience.
I like the idea of "jumping right in with two feet". Indeed, a scouting trip is unlikely to be the answer, and as you say, there is that risk of falling prey to a relocation consultant.
Now, your "what do I want?" test needs to come first.
Then there is the "affordability" test; do the homework, check prices. Will you still be earning money, might you be swapping pension money in your home currency into local currency.
Then there is the "permanence" test; are you really upping sticks, burning bridges and going or doing what we are doing, which is keeping a small home in Switzerland and spending 8 months of the year in South Africa.
Then apply the "permissions" test; what formalities are needed for you to spend an extended period in that country? Can you work if you need to, either locally or remotely. Think about this; maybe you would be allowed to work, but you don't speak the language.
Once you have the ballpark marked out by these tests, then decide.
Are people afraid of surprises? Reviews are helpful but they take away the sense of adventure. You can discover a great place all on your own or fail and have a crappy meal or a lousy hotel. Does this way of thinking mean that every effort is curated? We have to research and plan so much of what we do so that we can be sure it's right. I think for myself and my husband we planned as best as we could but left some stuff to chance. It's right enough and if it eventually doesn't fit we'll make a change. But so far we are enjoying this experience.
I like the idea of "jumping right in with two feet". Indeed, a scouting trip is unlikely to be the answer, and as you say, there is that risk of falling prey to a relocation consultant.
Now, your "what do I want?" test needs to come first.
Then there is the "affordability" test; do the homework, check prices. Will you still be earning money, might you be swapping pension money in your home currency into local currency.
Then there is the "permanence" test; are you really upping sticks, burning bridges and going or doing what we are doing, which is keeping a small home in Switzerland and spending 8 months of the year in South Africa.
Then apply the "permissions" test; what formalities are needed for you to spend an extended period in that country? Can you work if you need to, either locally or remotely. Think about this; maybe you would be allowed to work, but you don't speak the language.
Once you have the ballpark marked out by these tests, then decide.
Also, remember that version 1.0 of the plan will not survive the first contact on the ground.