New Yorker Jill Chalsty tried retiring in both South Carolina and Florida—without success. By the end of 2024, she was still recovering from a battle with cancer and grieving the loss of her husband. Looking for a fresh start, Jill decided to explore potential retirement destinations by embarking on an around-the-world cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Anne.

The ship departed from Brooklyn in January 2025, visiting 26 ports across six continents over four months. After a long but rewarding journey, Jill came to an unexpected conclusion: the best place for her to retire was right where she had been all along—Manhattan.

Find out more about Jill’s search for a new place to call home on Episode 220 of Retire There with Gil & Gene. Link in bio.

Jill Chalsty’s recently published memoir is Packets of Hope: A Journey of Healing and Rediscovery (https://www.amazon.com/Packets-Hope-Journey-Healing-Rediscovery-ebook/dp/B0FSYGTY7V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38W66TNRV02PP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FE3XnhQzvjFy4HpwgkOGP6dP7LYfPEQMtYjfB4f5oj_q9ZAnnDPywRmU2qvk5c7TQF6wjr5jUj6kwwtk9wVRWaI3-Eow97HvEVYmjZ3WpwX0_8U2V36BHS-MqyITrrO-.fW2WWHrcCJyq60EgRCNAr5p4E_pxGQyxu9Xde97Q7Vs&dib_tag=se&keywords=packets+of+hope&qid=1768186547&s=books&sprefix=packets+of+hope%2Cstripbooks%2C269&sr=1-1). She is also the Founder and Chairperson of the nonprofit life skills curriculum publishing organization Overcoming Obstacles (https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19821851477&gbraid=0AAAAADJZKlUbguAYppkNMj-ya7q85i_Zs). Jill’s website is PacketsOfHope.com (http://packetsofhope.com/).

#retirethere #retiretherepodcast #bestplacetoretire #jillchalsty #packetsofhope

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Celebrate the New Year with Gil & Gene! Tune in as we reflect on the remarkable growth and transformation of the Retire There Podcast throughout 2025. We share what kept us busy this year, revisit highlights, and offer a sneak peek into the exciting plans for 2026. Episode 219 - Link in bio.

If you value the Retire There show, consider supporting us by making a donation at buymeacoffee.com/retiretherepod. Each contribution goes towards production expenses.

Retire There was featured in the November 27, 2025 issue of Business Insider: We’re Retired Lawyers Who Started a Podcast to Figure Out Where to Live. 5 Years in, We’ve Got a New Idea.

#retirethere #retiretherewithgilandgene #retiretherewithgilandgenepodcast #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #bleav #businessinsider

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What would you do if you had to walk away from the thriving Bed & Breakfast you’d run on Mexico’s Pacific Coast for more than 20 years—because of medical issues? That was the challenge facing Canadians Brooke and Rick Gazer. Their solution: relocate to Mérida, the cosmopolitan capital of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Frequently ranked among the safest cities in North America, Mérida offered them a fresh start and a high quality of life.

To learn more about life in Mexico, check out Brooke’s book, House of Blue Water: Memories of Our B&B in Mexico, and her blog, BrookeGazer.com.

#retirethere #retiretherewithgilandgene #retiretherewithgilandgenepodcast #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #merida #meridamexico #mexico #huatulco #huatulcomexico #yucatan #yucatanpeninsula

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Are you considering moving to Europe for retirement but unsure where to start? Andrew Motiwalla’s company, The Good Life Abroad, offers exclusive month-long programs in some of Europe’s most captivating cities for adults 55+. These programs fill the gap between guided tours and independent travel, providing retirees the perfect balance of community and independence. Designed for those eager to live like locals, guests settle into private apartments, enjoy curated activities, and have ample free time to explore—all with the support of a local host and the camaraderie of a small group. To learn more about The Good Life Abroad’s program of showing travelers what it might be like to live in Europe, check out Episode 217 of Retire There with guest Andrew Motiwalla, Founder and CEO of The Good Life Abroad. The company’s website is TheGoodLifeAbroad.com. 

#retirethere #retiretherewithgilandgene #retiretherewithgilandgenepodcast #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #thegoodlifeabroad #andrewmotiwalla

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Janice Deerwester, a retired teacher and widow, was working at Cracker Barrel when a song stopped her in her tracks—Peggy Lee’s “Is That All There Is?” It struck a chord, sparking a deep realization: there had to be more to life. Determined to make a change, Janice set out to transform her reality. After being captivated by the stunning Chateau de Fontainebleau in a movie, she knew she had found her new home — Fontainebleau, France.

At 70, Janice sold most of her belongings, gave away what she could, and embarked on a bold new chapter with just three suitcases, a cat, and a dog in tow. Today, she’s thriving in France, proving it’s never too late to chase your dreams and live life on your own terms.

Follow Janice at JaniceInFrance.com, @janiceinfrance on Instagram and her YouTube channel, Janice In France.

#retirethere #retiretherewithgilandgene #retiretherewithgilandgenepodcast #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #JaniceInFrance, #fontainebleau, #fontainebleaufrance, #france, #chateaudefontainebleau, #fontainebleauforest 

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Ashley and Jason Barton had established careers in the restaurant and hospitality industries in New York City when they realized there was something missing in their lives. With great ambition, but not a lot of money, they decided to start a cooking school/inn/farm in Italy. The adventurous couple relocated (from Bay Ridge Brooklyn!!) to an agricultural section of Le Marche, outside the small town of Piobbico, a place known worldwide for its annual Festival of the Ugly. The farm, inn and cooking school, known as La Tavola Marche has garnered accolades from numerous prestigious publications. Learn more about Ashley and Jason’s path to a stunning Italian countryside on Episode 215 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

Check out the couple’s establishment at LaTavolaMarche.com and their podcast The Podcast From Italy.

#retirethere #retiretherewithgilandgene #retiretherewithgilandgenepodcast #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #bayridgebrooklyn #bayridge #brooklyn #latavolamarche #slowtravelitaly #cookinginitaly #gourmettraveller #podcastfromitaly #italy #marcheitaly #piobbico #piobbicoitaly #marche #discovermarche #piobbicoitaly #italyvibes #slowtravel #clubdeibrutti #uglyclub #worldassociationofuglypeople #festivaloftheugly

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Where can a writer, editor, illustrator, and avid mountain-sports enthusiast find solace and inspiration in semi-retirement? For Peter Moore, the answer was clear: Fort Collins, Colorado. This vibrant college town is celebrated for its thriving arts scene, live music, theater, craft breweries, and easy access to both ski resorts and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Hear their full story—and how they found their own “Rocky Mountain high”—on Episode 214 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

Bonus: Peter has written in his diary every day since he was 22, and now shares his humorous, illustrated stories on his popular Substack. Check it out at PeterMoore.Substack.com.

#retirethere #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #fortcollins #fortcollinscolorado #colorado #visitftcollins #foco #thisisfoco #northerncolorado#retirethere #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #fortcollins #fortcollinscolorado #colorado #visitftcollins #foco #thisisfoco #northerncolorado #downtownfoco #petermoore #coloradosun

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Growing up in the gritty industrial town of Middlesbrough, England, Gerald “Ged” Hogg was told he wouldn’t amount to much. Determined to prove otherwise, he left town at the first opportunity, embarking on a global journey as a chef aboard cruise ships and top-tier hotels and restaurants.

Tune in to Episode 213 of Retire There with Gil & Gene to discover what makes Ged’s life in Hua Hin so fulfilling.

Gerald Hogg is also a prolific author, with 14 books to his name. His work includes guides on retiring in Thailand and other countries, as well as a selection of novels. You can find his books listed on Amazon. His informative YouTube channel is Thailand My Land… Retiring Disgracefully.

#retirethere #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #huahin #huahinthailand #thailand #thailandmyland #retiringdisgracefully

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When Scott Dukette left his hometown of Plattsburgh, New York, to attend college, he never imagined he’d return for more than the occasional family visit. But as retirement approached, Scott and his wife, Barbara, couldn’t pass up the chance to buy a home directly on Lake Champlain—for just $210,000. Now, they spend their summers soaking up life on what’s known as “the Adirondack Coast” or “the poor man’s Vermont.” Although Plattsburgh may seem secluded, there is plenty to do including lounging on a beautiful beach, and it is not far from Montreal, Canada; Burlington, Vermont; and Lake Placid, New York. Find out more about the Dukettes’ lakeside adventure on Episode 212 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

#retirethere #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #plattsburgh #plattsburghnewyork #plattsburghny #lakechamplain #adirondackcoast #poormansvermont #adk #adirondackmountains #adirondackpark #lakegeorge #adirondacks #upstateny #saratogasprings #lakegeorgeny #newyork #iloveny #lakeplacid #upstatenewyork #ny #lakelife #saratoga #adks #adklife #adirondacklife

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When we—Gil & Gene—are curious about where people are choosing to retire, we often turn to the “Where To Retire” Facebook Group for inspiration. That’s where we became intrigued by Marilyn Kaslofski, the group’s Administrator, who chose Racine, Wisconsin as her retirement destination. We were eager to find out why, so we invited her to share her story on our show!

Marilyn’s husband had always dreamed of living by the water, and at first, Florida seemed like a natural choice—until Marilyn, who strongly dislikes hot weather, ruled it out. Determined to find a place they would both love, she launched an extensive search of towns and cities along the shores of Lake Michigan.

One Indiana town had attractive lakefront homes, but Marilyn preferred a condo. Chicago was too pricey, and the Milwaukee condos were too far from the water. Then they discovered Racine—just right in terms of location, lifestyle, and affordability. The couple ultimately purchased a two-bedroom lakeview condo for $245,000. While it needed some updating, it checked all the boxes.

Hear the full story of Marilyn’s journey to Racine on Episode 211 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

#retirethere #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #racine #racinewi #racinewisconsin #racinearchitecture #franklloydwrightarchitecture #lakefronthomes #rootriver #lakemichigan

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