American Retirees Expand Their World Overseas

American retirees expand their world overseas

When it came time to retire, Mary Charlebois and Kevin Scanlon left Mendocino County in California searching for community and a calmer way of life. They now live fulltime on the Mediterranean island of Gozo, part of the Maltese archipelago. They are just two of the increasing numbers of Americans for whom living overseas represents not just a budgetary benefit, but also an adventure. Correspondent Seth Doane reports.

My husband and I moved from Hawaii and bought a house in Italy. We're spending less on groceries and housing in Europe.

The author and her husband decided to buy a house in Italy while they were on their honeymoon.Courtesy of Julia ReynoldsWe moved from our small apartment in Hawaii to a 4,000-square-foot house in Italy.We spend less on groceries now, but we are still learning the language in Italy.There are pros and cons to both places.For almost 16 years, I called the Hawaiian Islands "home." A perpetual wanderer, I left for a summer in Alaska, a winter in Aspe…

My husband and I moved from Hawaii and bought a house in Italy. We're spending less on groceries and housing in Europe

The author and her husband decided to buy a house in Italy while they were on their honeymoon. Courtesy of Julia Reynolds We moved from our small apartment in Hawaii to a 4,000-square-foot house in Italy. We spend less on groceries now, but we are still learning the language in Italy. There are…