What a great read! Wow - even if you didn't pick the other spots, the opportunity for you to have seen different areas is exciting! Never would have guessed that you would have settled in a European spot -- but having one of your daughters there is a huge pull. Glad you got your list requirements all satisfied, I'm going to want the ocean too, good people, low crime, and no pesky insects...;-)

We are hoping Merida and San Miguel de Allende which are two popular spots here will end up being good options in the future...I know I won't want to be far from my sons if possible

so hopefully many read this and are inspired to put their coins aside for "options" in their autumn lives!

Congrats to both of you -- it's very impressive what you've accomplished!

Thanks for sharing! Great post!!!