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Want to live outside the U.S.? Here are some suggestions

(Pictured: Italy, with its stunning views and favorable cost of living, is a highly rated foreign home for U.S. retirees.)

Retirees contemplating a change in surroundings might consider one of five countries for expats. 

Luxury cruise specialist Panache Cruises has named its top-five locations for retirees seeking a new life outside of the states. Life expectancy, safety, healthcare, and amenities in each country were analyzed to provide retirees with the most comfortable experience and post-job life. 

Italy offers a well-rounded transport infrastructure for residents, spanning buses, trains, and air travel with senior discounts, helping it secure the top spot in Panache’s opinion. 

With a reputation as one of the safest countries in the world, experts rank Canada at the number two spot. 

Retirees hoping to spend their post-work years surrounded by sunshine and sandy beaches should consider New Zealand, at the number three spot. American expats would be joining 60,000 retirees already living there. 

Also included in the top five are Greece and Monaco, both renowned for their quality of life and top healthcare facilities. 

James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises, said:many retirees choose to travel once they have finished working, to explore areas of the world they have never seen before. And those “looking to settle permanently in another country should consider important factors before jetting off. Researching how to obtain citizenship is an obvious starting point. and each country will have its own unique set of requirements. However, living in most countries part-time is usually easily attainable.”

As a general rule, Cole said, “you can stay in many of the world’s top destinations for 90 days on a standard tourist visa. Many other countries offer retirees 180-day visitation visas, which will allow you to spend six months of every year away from the U.S.”.

Here’s more of what Panache says about its top five: 

Italy 

Expats here can be assured to experience a fuller and longer retirement. Italy offers pleasure which can be experienced at a leisurely rate, with stunning views, beaches, food and wine all on offer. Cost-of-living is also favorable, especially within the southern areas of the country.

Canada 

With a reputation for being one of the safest countries in the world, American retirees moving to Canada can expect a quiet and peaceful life. Home to some of the best landscapes and views the world has to offer, the country is the perfect spot for wildlife-watching expats. Canada offers free healthcare to its citizens and permanent residents. The quality of life offered for expats makes it such a good option for retirees. Most visitors can stay for up to six months, but emigrating can be complex. 

New Zealand

This stunning country welcomes expats and retirees from all over the world. New Zealand has a reputation for peaceful, laid-back lifestyles for all. The universal public healthcare system is also rated highly against others around the world. New Zealand is the perfect destination for outdoor-loving retirees, with an abundance of hiking, sailing, and walking.

Monaco

Thanks to its tax-haven status, there is a thriving expat community here, with retirees from across the world. They experience a luxurious lifestyle, stunning Mediterranean coastline, and cultural attractions. As of 2022, Monaco had the oldest population in the world, with 36 percent over the age of 65. These numbers are assisted by the healthcare and safe environment in the country, making it even more favorable for American retirees. Recreational activities include golf, tennis, swimming, and sailing. Moving to Monaco isn’t cheap, though, given that a deposit of 500,000 Euros must be made in a local bank account before applying to become a resident. 

Greece

This sunshine-filled Mediterranean country has long been a hotspot for travelers and retirees alike. The Greek islands offer expats a life of blue skies and sandy beaches. The affordable cost of living, warm hospitality, and stunning scenery are part of what makes the country so attractive for retirees. With an average over 250 sunny days per year, Greece is the perfect spot for sun-seekers.

The Senior Scene by — November 13, 2024 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

EARTH TALK

Dear EarthTalk:

Is it possible to retrofit an old car with an electric vehicle drivetrain?

                                                                                                                                    – Jerry M.

It is definitely possible to retrofit an old internal combustion engine car with an electric vehicle (EV) drivetrain, but the process can be complicated and expensive. In fact, it may be cheaper when all is said and done—not to mention easier and quicker—to just buy an EV.

If you’re undeterred and want to proceed with a conversion anyway, keep in mind that certain types of cars lend themselves to the process better than others. For starters, older cars that rely on mechanics more than computers are often easier to convert. Another consideration to keep in mind is that it’s easier to convert a car with a manual transmission since they use less power and are a lot less complicated than automatic cars. Likewise, lighter vehicles make better candidates for conversions given that less weight translates into greater range.

The first step in retrofitting an old car with an EV drivetrain is to remove the existing engine and transmission. This requires specialized knowledge and tools, so it’s important to find a reputable mechanic or EV retrofitting company to do the job. Once the old engine and transmission are removed, the new EV drivetrain can be installed. This typically includes an electric motor, battery pack, charger, and other components needed to make the car run on electricity. The placement of these components will vary depending on the make and model of the car, and the specific EV drivetrain being used.

One of the biggest challenges in retrofitting an old car with an EV drivetrain is finding the right balance between performance and range. The battery pack needs to be large enough to provide adequate range, but it also needs to be small enough to fit in the car without compromising performance or handling. This can be a delicate balance, and it often requires custom fabrication and design work.

Another challenge is integrating the new EV drivetrain with the car’s existing systems. This includes things like the brakes, steering and suspension, as well as the dashboard and other controls. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace or modify these systems to ensure they work properly with the new EV drivetrain.

Despite the hassle and expense, converting an internal combustion engine car over to electric is a great way to breathe new life into your old ride and reduce its environmental impact. In addition to being more efficient and producing fewer emissions than gasoline-powered cars, EVs also require less maintenance and can save drivers money on fuel costs over the long term. It’s also a lot less wasteful to electrify an old clunker and give it years and years of additional use than buying a brand-new EV, which requires the extraction and use of precious resources and lots of new carbon emissions to build and ship out.

Several companies, including Electric GT, Legacy EV and EV West, now manufacture conversion kits. Even GM and Ford are getting in on the act with the recent release of so-called crate engines that car owners (or their mechanics) can easily swap into the engine bays of corresponding models.

Source: EarthTalk (earthtalk.org) is a non-profit site of news and features on environmental topics. It’s produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss.

The Senior Scene by — October 31, 2024 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures
‘Asahel’ documents preservation of his historical photos

(Pictured: Asahel Curtis took this picture in 1929 of Galbraith Dock on the Seattle waterfront. The steamship Hyak Poulsbo (lower right) and the double-wing airplane ferry to Bremerton and Gorst in Kitsap County (middle) are tied up at piers. Downtown buildings are seen in the background.)

The race to preserve 60,000 priceless and fragile photographs capturing the diversity of Pacific Northwest life during the last two centuries is the subject of a documentary from Cascade PBS.

Most of the images—made by photographer Asahel Curtis from the 1890s to 1940s—have remained in boxes and unseen by all but a handful of people for the past 80 years. “Asahel: The Curtis Collection,” relating the Washington State Historical Society’s purchase of and ongoing effort to digitize the massive collection for free public use, is available to stream via the Cascade PBS app and at cascadepbs.org

“Every day is an adventure as we digitize images,” said Margaret Wetherbee, head of collections at the Historical Society. “What will we find? Steam engines, historical fashion, or signs for businesses long forgotten? These moments provide a glimpse into the lives of Washington’s past residents.” 

The images are fragile, captured on glass plates or nitrate negatives. Because they’re susceptible to combustion, the originals are at risk and must be stored in climate-controlled vaults. Each image is being scanned in time-consuming process to ensure the collection survives, Weatherbee said. 

During his career, Curtis often made images of everyday life in the Northwest: People at work in barbershops and flower shops, on the waterfront, in logging camps. He also produced photographs of the region’s natural wonders, including ice caves, mountain peaks, and coulees. 

The Curtis collection “is a gold mine of history and connection for the people of the Pacific Northwest and beyond,” said the documentary’s co-producer, narrator and historian, Knute Berger, who also hosts Cascade PBS’ “Mossback’s Northwest.” Public access to the photos “will likely change—and will certainly enrich—our view of the region and its people,” he said.

Asahel (pronounced “AY-shul”) Curtis, who died in 1941, is the brother of the even more famous photographer Edward Curtis, whose life’s work aimed, incorrectly, to portray Native Americans as people on the verge of extinction. While Edward Curtis’ portfolio is appreciated in some cases for its historical value, today it’s also criticized for distorted perspective and damaging impact. 

The Curtis brothers parted ways early in their careers and took different approaches with their work. 

“Connecting to our past is really about empathy and being able to empathize” with what people experienced and “to gain understanding of our own experience,” Jennifer Kilmer, director of the Washington State Historical Society, says in “Asahel: The Curtis Collection.” 

Cascade PBS is a public media organization serving the Northwest with Public Broadcasting
System national and local programming, independent news and investigative journalism.

The Senior Scene by — October 17, 2024 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

By Brad Greer

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), those over the age of 60 are less likely to take preparedness actions, yet they often tend to be the most at risk.

Here are a few basic things seniors can gather for a beginner emergency preparedness kit so they can be ready for anything:

  1. Non-perishable foods & water

The idea with non-perishable foods, is that they have a very long shelf life, so you don’t have to continue to swap them out every year. A few examples of good choices would be dried or canned fruits and vegetables, shelf-stable cans of meat, jars of peanut butter, small packages of cereal, granola bars, crackers, dry milk, or even specific emergency meal kits where you just need to add water and heat. If you stock up with canned items, make sure you also have a manual can-opener.

For water, you’ll want at least a gallon per person, per day, for at least three days. Water, just like food, is essential, but the body can survive much longer without food than it can water. Be sure water is high on your priority list.

  • Medications

If you’re someone who needs to take medications daily, this is an important reminder to have extra on hand in an emergency preparedness kit. Have enough prescription medications for at least one week. Remember, however, that these medications do expire, so you’ll likely need to swap these out every so often.

  • First aid kit

This is a 100% essential part of any emergency preparedness kit. A first aid kit should include antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, gloves, tweezers, assorted bandage sizes and specifically ones that can help indicate infection, like DrySee which will change color depending on whether or not liquid has broken the barrier. You’ll also want hydrocortisone cream, a thermometer, scissors, and any pain relief medication. You will also need to update items in this every year or so.

  • Source of power

This includes flashlights or headlamps (which will require batteries meaning you’ll also need to pack extra batteries). In addition, you’ll want to pack crank radios and lights, so you don’t rely solely on batteries for power. Portable chargers can help keep your devices charged in an emergency, but the battery will eventually run out and you’ll need to be able to charge these devices with an outlet or other power source. If you have the budget, buying a generator is also a good idea.

When it’s time to finally put your entire emergency preparedness kit together, make sure to store everything in airtight bags, and put everything in one or two easy-to-carry containers that you can access if you’re stuck inside your home, or that can be put into your vehicle quickly if you need to leave.

Brad Greer is chief executive officer of DrySee, a Houston, Texas-based medical technology company that manufactures waterproof bandages that detect if liquid has gotten under them on a wound. 

The Senior Scene by — October 1, 2024 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures