Episodes

As retirement neared, Paul and Cheryl Thornton moved from Delaware to Florida, believing it would be their “forever” home. While Florida is a great location for cruise enthusiasts like Paul, he hated it - the weather was unbearable and the drive to relatives in the northeast was too long. When it came time to retire, Paul sought somewhere with a temperate climate, a reasonable driving distance to the northeast, and near a city with professional football and basketball teams. After extensive rese...

After Wendy Whitcomb Marsh’s husband died at age 54, she retired and decided to leave California with her three children, two of which are autistic and the third who is physically disabled. But where to go? Wendy decided to head north to Salem, Oregon’s capital city located between Portland and Eugene. Salem has been called the most Oregon part of Oregon, with its scenic vistas and vineyards, old growth forests, crystal clear streams, and plenty of room to roam. To discover more about Wendy’s mo...

In this special episode, we chat with David Pogue about decluttering and disposing without adding to landfills. David is a six-time Emmy winner for his stories on CBS Sunday Morning, a New York Times bestselling author, a five-time TED Talk speaker, host of 20 NOVA science specials on PBS, and creator/host of the CBS News/Simon & Schuster podcast Unsung Science. He was also the New York Times weekly tech columnist from 2000 to 2013. David’s New York Magazine article My Quest to Downsize Without ...

If you dropped everything to care for your ailing mother for 3.5 years 24/7, what would you do after that? Mark Steven Porro, an actor and snack food company owner, was in that precise situation and after mom passed, he retired and moved to his dream destination, Pezenas, in the South of France. The city dates back to the 16th Century and is known for its art and history. Follow Mark’s relocation to this French jewel on Episode 161 of Retire There with Gil & Gene. Mark Steven Porro’s memoir, abo...

Envision forest bathing throughout the vast landscapes of the United States and Canada! Jenell Jones, a full-time solo RV traveler, lives this lifestyle almost year-round. She spends most days and nights enjoying stunning views parked in National and State parks. Having explored over 50 out of the 62 U.S. National Parks and 49 States, solo RVing is not that difficult and almost anyone can do it if they really want, says Jenell. Hear how our adventurous guest navigates along highways and byways i...

Would you like to live near water and a short drive to a charming southern city? Check out Hendersonville, Tennessee, known as the “City by the Lake.” Both Johnny Cash and Taylor Swift had homes there and it’s conveniently located 18 miles from downtown Nashville. Tired of the high cost of Southern California living, realtor and ice cream store owner Nicole Fedorchek moved to a home on the lake in Hendersonville and is loving it. For more about Nicole’s life affirming move, listen to Episode 159...

Would you enjoy life on a beautiful Caribbean island without breaking the bank? Renate Solomon chose Cozumel, Mexico as her retirement destination and it appears she couldn't be happier. Her monthly social security income covers her $350 cozy studio apartment and all living expenses. While high-end real estate options certainly exist in Cozumel, there are also affordable rental opportunities. The city is conveniently accessible with its international airport and ferry service connecting to Playa...

If someone were to create an international version of the old TV show “Green Acres,” it might be about a couple who moves from a big city to a small rural village in Italy. Anthony Paonita and Kathy Scozzare relocated from Staten Island, New York to Valfabbrica, Italy, in the Umbria region, and they are having far less problems than Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert ever had. In fact, the couple love the Italian countryside. Learn about their journey from a metropolis to small town Italy, on Episode 15...

After Anthony Casablanca retired in 2015, he and his wife, Linda, started traveling the country in a 45-foot RV from their home in Batesville, Indiana. Their love for the Cincinnati Reds drew the couple to Pueblo El Mirage, an active 55+ RV and golf resort in El Mirage, Arizona and near the Reds’ Spring training facility. Although the RV brought them to many communities, El Mirage felt most like home. So in 2019, they purchased a manufactured home there and became snowbirds. As an extra added bo...

Janet Sussman stands as an inspiring testament to resilience in the face of adversity. In 2006, she and her husband were on the verge of realizing a cherished dream: the construction of a log home nestled within 5 acres of woodland in Florida. However, their dreams were shattered when her husband suffered a stroke and one of her sons tragically lost his life in a construction accident. To compound their woes, the 2008 financial crisis dealt them another crippling blow. Faced with mounting challe...

Having a career in the military enables one to see the world and may provide a glimpse of where to retire. Michele and Branden McAloon’s military service offered the opportunities to live among numerous cultures and they are currently residing in Wiesbaden, Germany where Branden is engaged with the U.S. Government. While the couple is enjoying the spas, beer and schnitzels in Wiesbaden, they will be retiring back in the U.S., specifically Fairhope, Alabama. Fairhope is a charming southern town w...

Bridget and Davlyn Boyd, residents of Houston, Texas, were in their early 50s, held frenzied jobs, and dreamed of living on a Caribbean island. Their goal was to find an affordable island with a large population of people of color and a middle class - not a place with solely rich and poor inhabitants. After a thorough search, the Boyds discovered Punta Cana, Dominican Republic checked all the boxes. They sold their Houston home, retired earlier than expected and relocated to Punta Cana where the...

The thought of living in Japan is considered by many to be prohibitively expensive. That may be the case in Tokyo and other large cities, but not everywhere in the country. Check out “akiyas,” abandoned or vacant homes in rural areas available for very low cost. The type and condition of these houses vary drastically depending on each property, but there appear to be many hidden gems among them. Lawrence and Chiyoko Covian moved from North Carolina to Iwakuni, Yamaguchi where they purchased an a...

How long does one need to sense a true feel for Paris? For some, a week will suffice, for others perhaps a month, yet there are those who spend 3 months in the city of love and beauty and yearn for more! Mike Duffy was so drawn to Paris, he upped and sold (almost) everything and retired there! That move was over five years ago and Mike’s still finding new reasons to love the city. Also, Mike spends some of his time volunteering for the American Library in Paris. He writes “Library Culture Picks”...

Yes, we know Nantucket, the small island off the Massachusetts coast, is known as one of the most expensive real estate markets in America. But as reggae legend Jimmy Cliff says, “you can get it if you really want.” Greg Creedon and his partner Jamie Howarth purchased a home there and they are far from trust-fund babies. Whether you can afford the place or not, you will have a newfound appreciation of the naturally beautiful and historic island of Nantucket after tuning into Episode 150 of Retir...

When you think of Cancun, Mexico, the out-of-control Spring Break party scene and luxurious all-inclusive hotels may first come to mind. Truthfully, Cancun offers so much more. There are activities for nature lovers such as diving and horseback riding and historic cultural locations such as the Mayan Ruins in Chichen Itza and the Cancun Underwater Museum. Retirees have discovered that they can live comfortably in Cancun for a reasonable price. Nadia Norris moved to Cancun from Atlanta and is enj...

When people move from one place to another, oftentimes, they forego some benefits and gain others. When Scott and Shanda Fuller moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Gilbert, Arizona, they gave up unmatched weather and a stunning coastline for a much lower cost of living and far less traffic. Scott is now helping others leave California with his businesses LeavingTheBayArea.com and LeavingSoCal.com. For more about Gilbert, a charming town with big-city amenities, tune in to Episode 148 of Ret...

Before Keith and Joe knew each other, they independently dreamed of moving to Costa Rica and opening a B&B! Sounds like the beginning of a rom-com but it’s a true story. They met, fell in love and discovered each other's obsession with the central American country. The only question remaining was whether they would live on the beach or in the jungle. The couple found the best of both worlds. Their home and B&B, Nature’s Edge Boutique Hotel, are located up a mountain, just a short drive to the ch...

When Stacey and Rebecca Woelfel’s children moved to Los Angeles for their careers, the couple wanted to be near them so they decided to leave their college town of Columbia, Missouri and headed west. The astronomical cost of LA housing deterred them so they checked out all nine cities of the Coachella Valley. They found some areas to be too touristy, while others lacked a charming downtown but La Quinta seemed just right. Learn more about the Woelfel's California dream on Episode 146 of Retire T...

You pursue your dream of retiring on a boat, but there are a myriad of more decisions to make. What type of boat would be best for you? All of the most obvious choices have flaws. Sailboats are difficult to operate, trawlers are not the most stylish sea vessels and houseboats can’t go anywhere. And where in the world would your land base be? Tim Bull and Karina Rook chose to split their time between a trawler and a home in Athens, Greece and they seem incredibly happy. Find out more about their ...

Are you a beach bum? Move to Sitges, Spain, a coastal town with 17 beautiful beaches. It’s also famous worldwide for its film festival, carnival, LGBT culture and seafront promenade lined with grand mansions. Northern Californians Leo Boni and his husband moved there and are loving it. Tune in to hear Leo’s enthusiasm about their journey on Episode 144 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

Canadian Karen Espig wanted to retire early so she could spend more time pursuing her passion: painting. Her dream was to live in Europe and be on or near water, with a very limited budget. It appears she accomplished all of her goals by retiring at the age of 52 and moving to Pogradec, Albania, a small city which sits on a large lake. Karen now has time to focus on her art in her impressive apartment in Pogradec, for which she pays under $400 per month including utilities. For more about Karen’...

If you think downsizing and decluttering is daunting and depressing, you have never done it with Matt Paxton. Matt is the host of the Emmy-nominated PBS series Legacy List with Matt Paxton, author of the best-selling book Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff and was a featured cleaner on the hit television show Hoarders for 15 seasons. He uses stories and humor to ease the usually intimidating task of downsizing. Listen to Matt make us laugh our way through this unnerving topic, on Episode 142 of R...

Its proximity to great bird-watching is what first led Gayle and Ralph Padgett to move to Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France, but the couple soon fell in love with many other aspects of the quaint French town. Whether you're an ornithophile or not, the quintessential European town may be the place that seduces you to move to France. Find out more about everyday life in Saint-Remy, on Episode 141 of Retire There with Gil & Gene. Gayle Smith Padgett’s two books about living in France: (1) Passion for ...