Retire There with Gil & Gene

When thinking of cultural European cities, Paris and Florence may come to mind. However, many would not have imagined Plovdiv, Bulgara, but those in the know would. In fact, Plovdiv was recently named the best cultural destination in Europe by EuropeanBestDestinations.com. This came as no surprise to our guest Cathy who developed a passion for Bulgarian music and dance while growing up in Chicago. When deciding where to live during retirement, Cathy knew she wanted to be in Bulgaria and in a city. Tune into why she selected Plovdiv as her home, on Episode 140 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

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Daniel and Timm McBride searched for a place that offered both sophistication and culture, yet spared them from the chaos and commotion of a bustling metropolis. Upon discovering Portugal, they realized it was the perfect place for them. After spending a few months in Lisbon, the vibrant capital, the couple found themselves drawn to Almada, a quaint city nestled on the opposite side of the river. Compared to Lisbon, Almada offered tranquility and a lesser degree of congestion. Additionally, the couple loved that they could reach the city with a mere ten-minute ferry ride. Tune in to hear more about the McBrides’ captivating journey on Episode 139 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

Daniel McBride is the author of So You Want to Move to Portugal: Your Ultimate Guide to Retiring in Portugal. 

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Have you dreamt about residing in a picturesque small town nestled amidst the majestic Rocky Mountains? Embarking on such a remarkable journey, however, entails embracing the challenges of harsh winters, encounters with untamed elk, and the absence of certain modern conveniences. Nonetheless, Martin and Judy Smith traded their bustling life in Southern California for the serene ambiance of Granby, Colorado, seeking solace in a more tranquil and unhurried existence. Tune in to hear about the Smith’s delightful rural community in Episode 138 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

Martin J. Smith is a journalist and author of both crime novels and non-fiction books. His latest non-fiction book is Going to Trinidad: A Doctor, a Colorado Town, and Stories from an Unlikely Gender Crossroads. All his books are available on Amazon.com. 

For more about Martin and his work: https://martinjsmith.com/

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Join us for an exciting adventure as Retire There ventures into uncharted territory! We had the pleasure of hosting Mary Oluonye, a remarkable dual-citizen of the United States and Nigeria. Mary's decision to retire early and pursue a life she had always envisioned has led her to combine her love for business with her research and writing talents, both in the US and Africa.

Mary's true passion lies in listening to individuals share their aspirations, providing them with valuable insights to help them navigate their own journeys towards realizing their dreams and goals. According to Mary, nothing brings her more joy than introducing you to the wonders Africa has to offer – its captivating landscapes, diverse people, and rich cultures. She also candidly explores both the rewarding experiences and the challenges that come with living in an African country.

Tune in to witness Mary's contagious enthusiasm as she shares her captivating stories and experiences about her new life on Episode 137. 

Mary published in 2018: Moving to Ghana: The Essential Things You Need to Know;

Mary is Co-Owner of Celmar Travel & Tours: Africa Travel Planning & Tour Operator based in the USA and Ghana;

Check out Mary’s webpage and blog at https://maryoluonye.com/blog/; and for

Mary’s articles and tips: https://maryoluonye.medium.com/.

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Peter Walsh is a professional organizer,  television personality and New York Times best-selling author who has made a career of helping people organize, declutter and downsize. In fact, Gil was a fan of his television show, “Clean Sweep.” We invited Peter to the podcast, as we believe the mere thought of decluttering is overwhelmingly stressful for many retirees. Listen to Peter Walsh try to tackle Gil and Gene’s chaotic struggle to get rid of their stuff on Episode 136 of Retire There. 

Check out Peter Walsh’s website, YouTube channel, and books including his latest, Let It Go: Downsizing Your Way to a Richer, Happier Life.

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Nashville residents Zeneba (Zen) Bowers and Matt Walker, symphony musicians, quit their jobs, sold their home, unloaded their possessions, and moved to Italy. All in 6 weeks. Whew! One would expect sophisticated urbanites, who needed to keep working, would relocate to a cosmopolitan city like Florence or Milan. THAT is not at all what happened. Zen and Matt fell in love with, and moved to, Soriano nel Cimino, a small picturesque and out-of-the-way village 57 miles north of Rome. Join the couple’s captivating and amusing story on Episode 135 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

Bowers and Walker wrote I Can’t Believe We Live Here: The Wild But True Story of How We Dropped Everything in the States and Moved to Italy, Right Before the End of the World. 

The couple also authored four guidebooks: (1) Tuscany, Italy: Small-Town Itineraries for the Foodie Traveler; (2) Italy’s Alpine Lakes: Small-Town Itineraries for the Foodie Traveler: (3) Emilia-Romagna, Italy: A Personal Guide to Little-Known Places Foodies Will Love; and (4) Ireland: Small-Town Itineraries for the Foodie Traveler. 

Zen and Matt own and operate Little Roads Europe, creating personal itineraries for travelers who seek to get off the beaten track in Italy and Ireland.  

Watch the couple on CBS Sunday Morning playing music on their Italian balcony during the lockdown. 

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When Jen and Dave Hardy, residents of the Nashville area, encountered health issues and decided to retire early, they embarked on a thorough search for their ideal place to spend the rest of their lives. After exploring various options, they found Indialantic, a charming small town situated on a barrier island along Florida's Space Coast. They knew their search had come to an end. Join us on Episode 134 to hear about Jen and Dave's blissful life in their own island paradise.

Jen Hardy’s podcasts are: (1) Fabulous Over Fifty and (2) Medical Gaslighting.

Jen also sends out a Daily Video Email for women over 50 feeling lonely, isolated or sad.

Jen’s website is JenHardy.net.

Jen Hardy’s books include: (1) Path to Happiness - The 5-year journal that guides you to finding your joy; (2) How to Live Well with Chronic Illness - The Journal For Moms; (3) The Sick Mom’s Guide to Having Fun Again - If I can do it, you can too! and (4) 5-Year Daily Plan For Success Business Journal - Dominate the compensation by setting monthly goals, tracking progress, and innovating for success.

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You wish to live in Portugal, but not in a big city or a small country town. And you’d love to be near the coast though any beach area is going to be dramatically costlier. Have you heard of Caldas da Rainha? A small historic city in Portugal’s Silver Coast region with a 20 minute drive to the water. Diane Jacobsen moved there from Seattle, Washington. Caldas da Rainha is no longer a secret, as many Americans now call it home. Learn more about this lovely city on Episode 133 of Retire There with Gil & Gene. 

Also, check out Diane’s townhouse rental, which is inside a castle, that she renovated in Castelo de Vide, Portugal, now available on Airbnb as Romance Inside Castle Walls with Private Garden. 

Diane highly recommends Martin Page’s The First Global Village, How Portugal Changed the World, a 2006 book that explains in depth the rich history of Portugal to appreciate the country in modern times. 

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Did you know Cape Coral, Florida has more canals than any other city in the world? Even more than Venice? Native Chicagoans Candy and Will Mattingly retired on one of the 400+ canal miles! With ample opportunity for recreational water activities and nature, the couple absolutely love their new home - while soaking up the warm weather and enjoying the tranquility of living on water. Join us on Episode 132 to hear Candy and Will share their exuberant story.

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Have you ever dreamed of residing within the walls of a walled city? If so, Lucca, Italy, might be the perfect destination for you. With its lively cafes and medieval architecture, living within the historic wall seems glorious. Ilene and Gary Modica moved from Arizona to Lucca and consider this Tuscan city their true home. To learn more about the alluring “cafe culture” of this amazing city, tune in to Episode 131 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.

Check out Ilene and Gary’s award winning blog, Our Italian Journey, about moving to and living in Italy. Their two books on the subject are Our Italian Journey: Living Our Dream in Italy for One Year and When Your Heart Finds Its Home: The Journey Continues.

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