Dear Helaine: During the recession, I lost a great, well-paying job. I lived off my savings for a time and took a series of short-term, not-well-paying gigs before training for a new field. I was offered a very good job in the Middle East. It pays well, with free housing, no bills, summers off and frequent breaks.
I am now 66. I could stay on this job for three more years before mandatory retirement. The problem is, I hate living here! I miss trees, greenery, culture, spring, fall and, most of all, my friends. The issue? I have about $300,000 in savings and an $800-a-month pension, and if I file tomorrow, $2,000 a month in Social Security. It’s probably not enough money, not if I live into my late 80s or early 90s. I’ve always rented, so there is no home waiting for me in the States.
I know I should stay at this job and sock away more money. If I come back, I think I can land some poorly paid seasonal work, maybe adding an extra $15,000. But I want to come home! I am aware I won’t be healthy and vigorous forever. I want to start living in a place where I am happy sooner rather than later. I could live in a modest apartment. What should I do?
— In Misery in the Middle East
Dear Misery in the Middle East: When I was younger, I never could understand how and why people retired. Surely, they could put in one more year, right? Or two more years? Or three? But now I am a little bit older, and I totally hear what you are saying. Life can feel like it is slipping away while we are doing things we believe we should do but that make us unhappy.
