Mid-fifties too late to start a new life in South America?

ryanx · Post by **ryanx** » May 6th, 2013, 10:01 pm

In a couple of years I will be 55 and I am in reasonably good health. Should I just stay connected with Asia, where I am familiar with life, people and culture or should I make a start from zero in a South American country?

It's is going to take me at least a year (at my age) to have some level of functional proficiency in Spanish, is it worth the time and money investment in starting a new life in some place like Colombia? Or is it a young man's game?

I am going to check out SA for myself anyway, even if it's just for the sake of travel experience and I know I will have a blast, but I like to hear some thoughts about long term settling down.

My experiences in Taiwan have taught me that the Chinese culture is very difficult to penetrate and the rewards are not worth the huge effort needed. I can never walk into everyday cafes and food places or shops and just feel comfortable and relaxed, regardless of my Chinese ability.

People become politely uncomfortable (silence and pointing at things) or curios (where are you from and how long have you been here and what are you doing here and are you an American type of questions) or helpful in an exaggerated manner (nervousness) or forcing you to speak English (selfishness). And that's EVERYDAY! not every other day.

The Philippines is much better for integrating into but there is all the problems of safety, poverty, bad food, infrastructure - of course I would definitely try my best to make life as comfortable as possible for me if I had no other choice.

Is South America a compromise between these two worlds? Where I can at least learn and try to speak the language without too much incredulity on the part of the locals? Where there is an availability of decent and decent looking women. Infrastructure is not too bad and safety issues are not over the top and good food can be had etc.

If I was 20 years younger of course I would not hesitate but now I have to think twice.

Think Different · Post by **Think Different** » May 6th, 2013, 10:43 pm

Chief questions: Can you dance/are you willing to try? Are you willing to express passion, even if it makes you feel silly? If yes, go for it! You only live once! Let the passion flow, let the macho man loose, and you'll find your dream lady! Good luck!

terminator · Post by **terminator** » May 6th, 2013, 10:50 pm

You have to find the answer in yourself. Just go and see how you get on. How would we know?

ryanx · Post by **ryanx** » May 6th, 2013, 11:19 pm

terminator wrote:You have to find the answer in yourself. Just go and see how you get on. How would we know?

Valid point.

ryanx · Post by **ryanx** » May 6th, 2013, 11:20 pm

Think Different wrote:Chief questions: Can you dance/are you willing to try? Are you willing to express passion, even if it makes you feel silly? If yes, go for it! You only live once! Let the passion flow, let the macho man loose, and you'll find your dream lady! Good luck!

I can dance. Willing to express passion. Colombia here I come!

gsjackson · Post by **gsjackson** » May 7th, 2013, 3:11 am

On the "young man's game" question: A few months ago Tony Bochene posted a video here with his 30+ years younger fiancÃ©e he had met in Medellin. I thought she was cute -- a real sweetie. He might be a good guy to contact.

Hero · Post by **Hero** » May 7th, 2013, 3:47 am

ryanx wrote:I can dance. Willing to express passion. Colombia here I come!

Good for you, Ryanx! I was feeling down because I just turned 45, but seeing your post really made my day

ryanx · Post by **ryanx** » May 7th, 2013, 4:18 am

gsjackson wrote:On the "young man's game" question: A few months ago Tony Bochene posted a video here with his 30+ years younger fiancÃ©e he had met in Medellin. I thought she was cute -- a real sweetie. He might be a good guy to contact.

I didn't even know who this guy was until now. I don't know how old he is, but he seems to have a lot of charisma.

ryanx · Post by **ryanx** » May 7th, 2013, 4:22 am

Hero wrote:
ryanx wrote:I can dance. Willing to express passion. Colombia here I come!
Good for you, Ryanx! I was feeling down because I just turned 45, but seeing your post really made my day

I feel old now, cheering up 45 year old guys. lol.

gsjackson · Post by **gsjackson** » May 7th, 2013, 5:43 am

ryanx wrote:
gsjackson wrote:On the "young man's game" question: A few months ago Tony Bochene posted a video here with his 30+ years younger fiancÃ©e he had met in Medellin. I thought she was cute -- a real sweetie. He might be a good guy to contact.
I did even know who this guy was until now. I don't know how old he is, but he seems to have a lot of charisma.

I believe Tony is pushing 60 hard, if not there already. This would be his third foreign wife -- prevous were Philipina and Russian. He knows the lay of the land in Colombia.

davewe · Post by **davewe** » May 7th, 2013, 11:18 am

ryanx wrote:
Hero wrote:
ryanx wrote:I can dance. Willing to express passion. Colombia here I come!
Good for you, Ryanx! I was feeling down because I just turned 45, but seeing your post really made my day
I feel old now, cheering up 45 year old guys. lol.

Even here on HA, which does not particularly target older guys, there are plenty of guys in your age category making life changes and moving to other countries. So age is not a factor. And since you say you can express passion, sounds like you have answered your own question.

Good luck!

momopi · Post by **momopi** » May 7th, 2013, 4:25 pm

If you're not happy with Taiwan (or any other place), then you should vote with your feet and go elsewhere.

My parents weren't happy with Taipei. We got on a plane and moved to California.

If you feel that you're too old, consider the book "1,000 places to see before you die". Go while you can still walk and climb the steps of ancient monuments.

Hero · Post by **Hero** » May 7th, 2013, 5:43 pm

ryanx wrote:I feel old now, cheering up 45 year old guys. lol.

What makes me feel old is that women in the USA won't even date guys more than 1 or 2 years older than they are.

aozora13 · Post by **aozora13** » May 7th, 2013, 6:42 pm

Hero wrote:
ryanx wrote:I feel old now, cheering up 45 year old guys. lol.
What makes me feel old is that women in the USA won't even date guys more than 1 or 2 years older than they are.

+1

That is true.

Adama · Post by **Adama** » May 7th, 2013, 9:56 pm

As much as I respect TD (I love the guy), I would say, even if you couldnt dance, you still better go to Colombia.

The only thing I didnt like about Colombia is the car exhaust / smog. That issue was much better in Ecuador. However, I'd imagine that far away from city centers smog is much less of an issue.

Remember to take the opportunities as they are presented to you. When a woman does her flirt dance in front of you, as the Colombianas do, and you will recognize it instantly, make sure you ask her for a date, even if she violates one of your no-breaker rules. The experience of the date will be valuable even though you may not initially be interested, and you may change your mind later.