INTRODUCTION- Dennis from Upstate NY, USA

  Hello everyone,
  I'm a 65 yo widower who is looking for a place to retire within a limited budget.
I traveled much when young and would like to do the ex-pat life if i can find a place that would meet my needs.

  Recently I have been hearing many good things about Uruguay and have found this forum accidentaly while looking for chats re: Argentina.

  I first traveled when in the military, which allowed me to experience the following countries, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, Viet-Nam and Hong-Kong. Meeting ex-pats in these countries wetted my own appetite to give it a try.

  In 1966, I was able to get a job with an American Steamship Co, in Liberia, W. Africa.
It was there I  met others like myself from all over the world.  Being made a district mgr up river, I had my first time trying to learn some 'espanol".  The captains of the boats were all from Spain or the Carnary Islands.  Only two spoke some English.  Fortunately, the man I relieved left a book ' Learn Spanish through Pictures".  With that, sometimes through mimicing I was able to have a great time.  Another benefit there was it was a lay-over place for international flights.

  I spent 2 and a half years there and had gret times.  I did the coprorate ladder thing in NYC, but was always itiching to travel more.  So one day I spontaineosly left a great position with a Japanese Trading Co. and took a job on an excursion boat in NY Harbor as a cook to get into the Union.  I sailed merchant for 8 yrs, and enjoyed it immmensly.

  Then, bingo.  I met a girl in Fla, and couldn't leave. I changed my career and used my military GI bill and went to school for Nursing.  Unfortunately, she died in '92.  That old wanderlust hit again.  I went down to Costa Rica and almost did the ex-pat thing but didn't.  Eventually I wound up back in NY, I was born in NYC, but took a job upstate.  I'm presently working as a RN.

   My, wandering past , has definitely put a dent in possible retirement options.  So I'm shopping around to find a place I can survive and enjoy some of the amenities that I couldn't do here on a social security pension.  Which will be about USDS 1200/mo.

  Like to hear from anyone who has suggestions.  I'm open to any ideas.

  Nice to meet you all,  Dennis