Living Abroad in Retirement: A Cultural Immersion – As Featured on The Retirement Spy Podcast

Published: March 5th, 2026

In a recent episode of The Retirement Spy, host Duncan welcomed Andrew Motiwalla, founder of The Good Life Abroad, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really means to live—not just travel—in Europe during retirement. The podcast, which serves as a collaborative platform for those embracing "phase two of life," found a natural fit in The Good Life Abroad's model of month-long community-based stays across 25+ European cities.

What Is a Cultural Immersion Trip—and How Is It Different from a Tour?

The episode opens with Duncan framing The Good Life Abroad as an "immersion vacation"—a concept distinct from both traditional tours and solo Airbnb stays. Andrew explains that guests get their own vetted apartment in a European city center, surrounded by fellow travelers in the same neighborhood, with a local community manager who organizes activities, events, and personalized recommendations throughout the month. It's the structure of a tour without the rigidity, and the freedom of independent travel without the loneliness.

Built for the 55+ Traveler

A major thread throughout the conversation is how The Good Life Abroad specifically addresses the concerns of older travelers. Andrew walks through the practical details: apartments are vetted for walk-in showers, elevators, air conditioning, and double-pane windows. A $100,000 travel medical insurance policy is included, with a tiered health and safety plan built into every program's orientation day. The community manager is available Monday through Friday to help with everything from navigating public transit to finding English-speaking doctors.

Andrew also addresses common myths—like the idea that a solo Airbnb is just as good. His years of research into expat Facebook and Reddit groups showed that loneliness, healthcare uncertainty, and logistical overwhelm are the top barriers stopping people from living their dream of time in Europe. The Good Life Abroad is designed to remove each of those pain points.

The Three Pillars of Healthy Aging Abroad

Duncan and Andrew spend meaningful time on three pillars of healthy aging that The Good Life Abroad naturally supports: social connectivity, mental stimulation, and physical activity. Cohort-based arrival dates mean everyone starts together, bonds at a rooftop welcome party, and builds genuine friendships across a group of roughly 15–16 people. Weekly cultural activities—cooking classes, painting workshops, historical walking tours, private Fado performances—keep the mind engaged. And the sheer act of walking European cities provides more daily movement than most Americans get at home, with Andrew noting he typically loses weight during his stays despite eating well.

Going From Tourist to Temporary Local

One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is Andrew's description of the mindset shift guests experience. Most arrive with a packed tourist checklist and burn out by the end of their first week. By the end of the month, they've developed café routines, hosted potluck dinners with their cohort, and discovered what it means to slow down and savor. As Andrew puts it, they come in as tourists and leave having found their tribe—people who share a core value of cultural immersion and appreciation.

The pair also discuss top destinations (Florence, Lisbon, and Paris lead the list), the flexibility for working spouses or visiting family members, upcoming expansion into Ireland and Germany, and Andrew's own personal immersion plans in Morocco.

Listen to the Full Conversation

For anyone curious about what a month living in Florence, Lisbon, or Barcelona might actually look like—day by day, activity by activity—this episode is a rich and entertaining guide.

🎧 Watch here: The Retirement Spy – The Good Life Abroad Episode

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