When I was in my beginning twenties, a friend and myself were always talking about moving to a tropical island once we grow old.
'Im going to buy an island after I get filthy rich. Move to the tropics and just chill my ass off'
Nice ideas about living the good life in the tropics and leaving the high pace European paved roads. We could talk about this for hours, about thinking about sipping on Margharitas under a palmtree with the ocean on the background.
I had living a busy life in Holland at that time. High level volleybal, high tech working field, good social life, money and time for vacations multiple times a year. At a certain point I got an offer to work on a small island called Sint Martin in the Caribbean sea for a couple of months. Even though this island belonged to the Dutch kingdom, I literally knew NOTHING about it but I was curious of course.
I decided to go for it. Because why wait with moving to a tropical island until Im old, when the chance was falling into my lap all of a sudden. I had vacation days left on my job, and I left Holland for a 3 month adventure overseas. I had the time of my life in the Caribbean! And when I returned to Holland I noticed I had changed.
I looked at my 'old' life from a new perspective and decided it was time for some change.
Because why wait with moving to a tropical island when I was having the oppertunity to do it NOW??
So I quit my job after 11 years, packed my bags and I left again after a couple of months in de Dutch winter.
Was this scary? Yes
Was this impulsive? Maybe a bit
Do I regret doing this? NEVER
And yes, living abroad is not always peachy. A lot of people tend to think I am actually just chilling under a palmtree with a margharita. On the contrary actually!
I work more hours now than I used to in Holland. I get payed less and life is more expensive here than in Holland. I saw a lot of friends entering the island and leaving again. I miss my family and my friends living back home. I miss certain sophistication of society.
Will I live here forever?
I dont know, I can't predict the future. But as island life teaches you...you just take one day at a time, and decide then what will happen.
Life is more simplified here. Nobody expects too much of you, nobody feels offended if you do not live up to their expectations. I like this pace. Also...some times I don't.