Kiplinger Features The Good Life Abroad in Waterfront Retirement Cost Guide

Published: March 21st, 2026

Kiplinger Features The Good Life Abroad in Waterfront Retirement Cost Guide

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Article Overview

The Good Life Abroad was recently featured in Kiplinger, one of America's most trusted personal finance publications, as part of a comprehensive guide on what waterfront and coastal retirement living really costs after age 60. Founder and CEO Andrew Motiwalla was cited throughout the article, offering expert perspective on the hidden expenses, healthcare considerations, and financial tradeoffs retirees face when pursuing a coastal lifestyle — both in the U.S. and abroad.

The piece, titled "Retiring Near the Coast? What Waterfront Living Really Costs After 60," explores the full financial picture of coastal retirement, going well beyond sticker price home costs to examine insurance premiums, property taxes, healthcare access, and currency risk. Motiwalla's insights are woven throughout, drawing on his decades of experience guiding the 55+ community toward meaningful international living.

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What the Kiplinger Coverage Highlighted

Kiplinger's article underscores a growing truth that The Good Life Abroad has long championed: retiring abroad — especially near the coast — requires a more nuanced financial lens than most retirees initially apply.

Motiwalla was quoted on several key themes relevant to The Good Life Abroad's community:

On the hidden costs of older coastal properties: Retirees unfamiliar with oceanfront ownership are often caught off guard by the ongoing battle against rust, corrosion, and maintenance — especially with older properties abroad. The costs of upkeep tend to run much higher than anticipated.

On healthcare access: Many aspiring expats are drawn to idyllic, remote coastal destinations without factoring in what their medical needs may look like a decade from now. Access to quality healthcare is a critical variable that deserves as much attention as rental rates or weather.

On international tax complexity: U.S. expats face tax situations that vary considerably by country and income type. For example, many EU nations treat retirement accounts like Roth IRAs differently than the IRS does — a detail that demands country-specific professional advice before any major financial moves.

On Portugal's evolving tax landscape: Portugal's once-popular Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax program has been significantly curtailed in recent years following public pressure. Retirees who had planned around those benefits need to revisit their assumptions.

On currency risk: For retirees moving abroad with dollar-denominated savings, a weakening dollar against the euro can meaningfully erode purchasing power over time — a real and often underestimated risk in long-term retirement planning.

On the full cost of living abroad: Beyond day-to-day expenses, retirees must budget for private health insurance, residency visa requirements, and the cost of regular trips back to the United States to see family, manage logistics, or access specialized medical care.

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European Destinations Featured in Kiplinger

Several destinations that The Good Life Abroad currently offers were highlighted in the article as top international coastal retirement options:

• Porto, Portugal — A small, walkable city on the Douro River estuary, praised for its affordability, slower pace, and growing expat community.

• Cagliari, Sardinia — A Blue Zone destination known for longevity, a temperate Mediterranean climate, and the stunning Poetto beach just minutes from the city center.

• Valencia, Spain — Spain's third-largest city, offering a blend of historical culture, Mediterranean coastline, affordable public transportation, and strong healthcare infrastructure.

These are precisely the kinds of destinations The Good Life Abroad has built its programs around: cities where retirees can experience authentic European coastal living while benefiting from community, curated housing, and on-the-ground support.

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Why This Coverage Matters

The Kiplinger feature reinforces what The Good Life Abroad has been saying since its founding: that the best retirement abroad isn't just about finding a beautiful place — it's about understanding the full financial and lifestyle picture before you go. Andrew Motiwalla's expertise as a trusted voice in the retirement travel space continues to shape the national conversation around international senior living.

For retirees curious about what European coastal living truly looks like — costs, community, and all — The Good Life Abroad offers a smarter way to explore: structured one- to three-month programs in some of Europe's most sought-after cities, designed specifically for the 55+ traveler.