Wwyd Between a chair and a soft place!
I cant decide if I should retire abroad or go back to work in USA. Both options look really good.
I'm 40yo, have just over 1 million in assets. Roughly split between taxable, roth, trad. I was living in a VHCOL city for about $45k /year (not including employer health coverage) . Im guessing my retirement expenses there would be about $50k, which leaves me close but not there yet.
Last year I moved to live with my sick parent in their country. Unfortunately they died semi recently. Despite that part, I had a great time living here. I saw the health system is quite good, and most things are very affordable compared with the US. I have a path to immigrate, My expenses would be $25k - $30k /year.
Ive accepted a really great paying 2 month contracting job in a different US city that starts soon, and the company has said they need this same service every year. They said theyve upped the pay a lot bc they want to attract the same team every year. Meanwhile a VP at my old company has been rumored to be planning to offer me a soon-to-be-vacant role. I imagine it would be $140k /yr. I cant decide if i should pursue this rumored job (or another job) and knock out the last phase of saving, or try to return to the US for the 2 months every year, or just retire abroad completely!
On one hand, withdrawing below 4% and taking advantage of low income years to do tax gain harvesting and roth conversion will get me to my goal eventually. (8 years?) And ill live somewhere I like, get to see more of the world.
On the other hand I likely won't get the chance to earn so much ever again, make hay while the sun shines right? It may only take two years at $140k. And ill live near my usual group of friends who I really really miss.
Or try and do this contract every year. Before and after, i could go be a tourist in my city to catch up with folks, then go back abroad.
Wwyd