When I first started considering retiring to the North Coast, about 10 years ago, I kept asking myself, can I have a nice balanced life there? I've been there a dozen or so times, for up to 3 weeks and my best friends family lives in Santiago.
Knowing that when I go there, my current plan is in 5 years, at age 62, I think that I can do so. And at the same time, live a fun and active life, giving to others, while living in a great area, the beach, beisbol, fishing and giving back to the community.
Clearly, there are lots of challenges, but the cost of living is very good there compared to living in the states near a nice beach on early US Social Security.
And I think, tell me if I'm wrong, that I can live a nice, simple life, while finding good community service projects to help with and develop a good foundation of fellow Expats for social activities and mutual support.