Hello 2026: here's to what's next abroad

Thank you for this wonderful prompt.  I look forward to reading everyone's contributions.

Where are you today?

I retired in mid-August and settled in Lapu-Lapu City.  I am enjoying adjusting to life in the Philippines.  I have discovered the wonders of the carenderia:  the earthy goodness of monggos soup with malunggay and tasty pork giniling (but watch out for the look-alike made with liver).  I am loving the sunshine and the vibrant street life full of tricycles and beautiful women wearing summer clothes.  I am adjusting to the lack of delicious hard cheese, fresh salads, and walkable trails and sidewalks amid clean, park-like settings. 

What is your expat goal or dream for 2026? 

My goal for 2026 is to continue to enjoy my retirement while discovering ways to share my blessings with the wonderful people of this country who have welcomed me so warmly.

What is the next step in your journey abroad?

Interestingly my next step has nothing specific to do with life abroad.  It is simply to strive every day for a lifestyle filled with love, friendship, physical activity, and a healthy diet.

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year 2026! 🎉

As we step into a new year filled with plans, destinations, and possibilities, it’s inspiring to see so many different expat journeys taking shape.

***

Wishing everyone clarity, courage, and exciting journeys in 2026. 🌍✨

Hi Everyone,

Wishing you all a happy new year 🎉

I'm still in livung and working in South Africa and my goal is to relocate in Paraguay within the next two years maximum. I'm furthering my studies this year and save, save for my new beginnings.

@Julien

i once lived in luxor loved it,but due to certain problems which i dont want to get into ,after a hard decision i came back to UK. But now iam due to retire in a few year time .Iam coming back but this time scary though exciting  i will be doing it on my own.I heard about a New City beginning built in Assuit Nasser City West

So that my plan,havent been able to find much information as yet as its quite new,but iv got a few yrs yet  ,so will look next yr

Hi Everyone,
Wishing you all a happy new year 🎉
I'm still in livung and working in South Africa and my goal is to relocate in Paraguay within the next two years maximum. I'm furthering my studies this year and save, save for my new beginnings. - @Marlene de Lange

Hello Marlene,

Welcome to Expat.com 😀

You should check out the Paraguay forum. Feel free to start a new thread if you have questions on any topic.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

@Julien
i once lived in luxor loved it,but due to certain problems which i dont want to get into ,after a hard decision i came back to UK. But now iam due to retire in a few year time .Iam coming back but this time scary though exciting i will be doing it on my own.I heard about a New City beginning built in Assuit Nasser City West
So that my plan,havent been able to find much information as yet as its quite new,but iv got a few yrs yet ,so will look next yr - @tarnja61

Hello tarnja61,

As I advised Marlene, I suggest that you also browse the Egypt forum and post your questions about the new city currently being developed. This way, you can interact directly with members who are living in Egypt.

All the best,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

@Cheryl

Thank you 😊

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year 2026! 🎉
As we step into a new year filled with plans, destinations, and possibilities, it’s inspiring to see so many different expat journeys taking shape.

***
Wishing everyone clarity, courage, and exciting journeys in 2026. 🌍✨ - @Ryan_chaniago

I’m currently based in Indonesia. This year, I’m focusing on contributing to the development of tourism in West Bogor, a region with strong local culture and natural potential that’s still relatively underexplored.

My goal for 2026 is to help create more meaningful and responsible travel experiences that benefit both visitors and local communities.

My next step is learning from other expat and traveler journeys and exchanging ideas within this community.

@Marlene de Lange

I would love Paraguay because I lived in Brazil for a long time and speak Brazilian which is somewhat widespread in Paraguay as well, and I would love to learn their version of Spanish (they refer to it sometimes as Castellano which is the type of Spanish spoken in that part of South America; Chile, Argentina, etc, as opposed to Mexican Spanish for example, and of course Brazil speaks Portuguese).  However, I hear lots of negative things about Paraguay just as with all countries there are pros and cons. If you like a country where a good portion of the population knows basic English... then Paraguay might not be a good fit unless you're planning to live in the heart of the big cities. Of course I live in Thailand, Korea, Japan where it's the same way, English isn't everywhere. And I do just fine, it only presents a few headaches from time to time. I also live in the Philippines where reportedly everybody speaks English (in my own experience I'd say it's at around 50% and less, and those who do speak English there are enough differences in Filipino English compared to English of other countries such as UK/USA etc, that you'll still have headaches from time to time and some people yes actually don't know any English which situation you'll encounter a lot more than you think in the Philippines, and other nations where the myth is that everybody speaks English such as in India, and so on). Occasionally I run into other English speakers (from actual 100% English speaking countries) and we decide to party together and half way into the party I realize I'm only understanding 30% of what they're saying. Ha! And so, imagine in a country where they're NOT considered an English speaking nation... but that's half the fun of living abroad... learning new cultures and languages and especially when if "total immersion" (some call it forced). Also, sometimes people don't look at the map, and don't realize there are no coasts in Paraguay (the nearest coastlines in Brazil or Argentina are over 500 km away; roughly a 6-8 hour drive depending on roads and conditions, or a 1-hour flight; however one nice thing is that the border crossing for there and back is almost always quick, easy, simple). You probably already know all the GREAT things about Paraguay, here is a refresher on some of those GREAT things: https://paraguayresidencia.com/paraguay-for-expats/ However, it's good to know about and consider the HARSH realities that do exist in certain countries such as Paraguay's rampant government corruption so that you'll have money ready for if ever the police arrest you (they don't actually want to take you to jail; they're hoping you'll help pay their salary and they'll immediately release you) but of course this is common in many third world countries and lots of expats get accustomed to it and think it's worth it to live in such low cost locations. While most hospitals, clinics, etc, in Paraguay don't have adequate services, and often lack good doctors, and surgery etc is low quality... if you have the money there are hospitals, clinics, etc, that do have doctors who trained abroad, and so there is good healthcare if you can find it and afford it. Also, if you do drive a car, the odds of dying in Paraguay goes way up. And if you walk across or anywhere near a street, so even if you're not in a car, the risk is very high still (one of the BEST places to live if you're a pedestrian, bicycle enthusiast, motor scooter enthusiast is South Korea where the drivers are very alert and aware of everything going on around them and are a lot less likely to hit you than anywhere else in the world; hitting motorcyclists and scooters is even super high in the USA of all places, so it's amazing living in a place (South Korea) where drivers actually see motorcycles, I have only seen a handful of motorcycle/scooter incidents in spite of constantly being on or around busy streets all over the city (in South Korea) for many, many years and only one time was a body laying on the road... almost always everybody walks away with barely even a scratch). In the Philippines the odds of being shot by a gun (if you're an expat) while driving (or even when walking) is higher than in most other countries. Of course I live in Thailand which is one of the most dangerous places on earth when driving or walking across or near a street (and almost everybody is on scooters/motorcycles but also pedestrians walking are a common target as well and even in a full size car or truck it's also common to die just as well). Also, risk of death from crime is super high in Paraguay when compared to most other countries. Here is a video on those issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1j9jOnizOI However, lots of expats live in Paraguay and love it, and so, I'm just saying it's good to know these things because sometimes you can find a country that matches your desires and expectations, relocating requires a major sacrifice, expensive, and so it's nice to know in advance before making the move, maybe Paraguay is a perfect fit, but just in case it's not it's good to know. One person online said it best: "Paraguay is a good place for foreigners that earn in USD. You can create your own paradise and live well for cheap." Personally I agree that when you have enough money to throw at problems, anywhere you live, even on Mars, can be made into a paradise. And "you should come visit, before making a decision. " Maybe you already have, and fell in love at first sight. The most dangerous place I live is the Philippines and yet it's one of my most favorite places to live. Sometimes the joy and glory of it outweighs the downsides. Some people are happy, smiling on their deathbed, for having had a few amazing years of life. Another person said, " It will come down to luck though as in my 31 years I've been mugged once, while my cousin got mugged 5 times." Another person said, "Encarnación is the capital of Itapua, a "state" in the south of the country, it is more open to foreigners as it is a place built with the effort of many immigrants and Paraguayans. It has cleaner streets, lower crime rate, less traffic and not many places with noise pollution. It has a beach by the Parana river that could help you release stress sometimes." I love that mentioning of the Parana river, I believe that's the one my father went swimming in a few years ago. Me personally I'm terrified of giant anacondas and so I would never swim in a river so near to Brazil (probably directly connects to the rivers of Brazil). Experts say you'll probably never see an anaconda but will see caimans (type of alligator) and yes the river's name sake "mini-sharks" piranha species (Serrasalmus spp.). In South Africa famous for Great Whites probably means swimming in the ocean or in the Parana river probably feels identical in that regard i.e.- the risk being low that anything will happen but there's always that 1to2% chance you'll come out of the water missing a toe etc (my father regularly went scuba diving near where the largest Great White shark ever recorded was caught and he never encountered one himself other than a few other smaller shark species, often stalked by barracudas, and ironically found one piranha, and never had any incidents and loved every minute of it). I have witnessed muggings, shootings, etc, in Brazil. There have been expats being killed regularly in the Philippines lately. For business reasons, and financial reasons, and other similar reasons I have considered Paraguay and I think I would love Paraguay. If ever you want to consider Asia Pacific, and S.E. Asia, such as Thailand, or Korea, or Indonesia, etc, and want to chat about it, I'm always available. I have helped many expats, and some from South Africa, relocate here. But only the person knows their own path in life, their heart will lead them to the right place. And in the military we had a saying: "you can just as easily die at home, anywhere, as on a battlefield." In other words it's not wise to live in fear, avoiding risk, when there is in fact risk everywhere, no matter where you live. And a friend of mine who lived to 100 and had buried a brother in WW1 and in WW2 and had witnessed all of the glories and horrors of the past century, taught me, "there is no mean work." Meaning, you're going to suffer no matter what you do in life, and so just pick one. And enjoy it as best you can, no matter how many thorns that rose garden has. Enjoy the blossoms. The few blossoms often make all the thorns worth it. And so, try to ignore my drunken rants, like many Paraguayans I have a bit of a dark humor. Being able to laugh at anything will make even the worst, a lot brighter. It's our worst, that makes our greatest aspects, of humanity, contrast so brightly. A beautiful work of art masterpiece tapestry. The dark colors and the bright colors, are what brings it to life! Maybe in the next life things will be perfect. In the meantime, enjoy it as much as you can, there will be blossoms. Paraguay is guaranteed to produce great fruit! As will any country. Some of my best friends, best memories, greatest loves of my life, were found in the worst experiences of my life. Paraguay might be boring, here's more on that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe_DuOOiZM8 However you might love it! Here is a great resource from an expat living in Paraguay who loves it: https://workwealthandtravel.com/living-in-paraguay/