The best thing you can do is to spend some time reading up on different cultural dynamics, and hearing stories from other ex-pats. You can also spend some time in two to three locations, either for three weeks to a month or even more.

It’s absolutely mandatory to feel the rhythm of that particular place before deciding to move. I know that when you daydream about the perfect retirement place you often think: “It would be really nice to move to Costa Rica” but it’s also extremely important to know what living in Costa Rica ACTUALLY feels like.

It would definitely be a huge mistake to show up there and buy something you’ll hate soon enough.