Hi candybabe and fizzy, So true about taking risks in life and grabbing opportunities for yourself, and making things happen! An elderly lady once said to me that her regrets in life were not what she did, but what she didn't, and what she could have done if only she had been brave enough. I wont forget her or her words.

As for renting out your hard earned house and contents, i would have the same concern. Think people use agencies to find reputable tenants, but even thats not 100%safe i know. I think i would have to rent my house though, same as you fizz i would need the income from that to stay long term in Goa. What have you got to lose really at the end of the day? If it doesn't work out at least you have had the experience and you can always return. Go for it!

My brother in law keeps coming up with "what if" scenarios in an attempt to make us think about not pursuing our dream of living in Goa for the Winter. Our answer is "what if we drop down dead next week!

Cadybabe you are always going to get people telling you "what ifs" thats what well meaning (or not) people do! Follow what YOU want to do and dont listen to them.

LisawithanS

Believe me, we have no intention of taking my brother in laws "what ifs" into account. We have been dreaming of doing this since we first went to Goa and nothing will deter us except a major catastrophe such as illness.

Candybabe

Here, Here - you go girl

Nothing other than a major catastrophe would stop us either so I am looking forward to meeting up with you two when we have all moved over there

I have in laws very similar CB, and i take no notice of them either.
See you there fizz

Stop it! You are getting me into a Goagirly frenzy

We have stayed in Goa for the last 13 years during the winter - leaving our house empty - so what - and we have found that over the last 6 or 7 years many, many others are doing the same.We were able to retire very early and have enjoyed every minute of our winters living in Goa. This is what we wanted to do and we can afford it although not "rich" people but can have a very good standard of living in Goa.
Renting a nice apartment for £125 a month and meeting lots of similar people is wonderful - this is what makes retirement very rich.

The only downside to this is the b****y visa situation. We have friends who live nowhere near a surgery - not anywhere near a Consulate where they could be in the first 50 there in the morning and travel abroad for work during the summer (work as reps for travel company) where they could not surrender their passport to an agent for a couple of weeks to get them one.
They are unable to book a flight incase they can't get a visa in time for it so are very unhappy as they may only be able to be there for 5 months instead of 6.
Hope this daft situation gets resolved soon.

Must be hell for them only having 5 months in Goa instead of 6

Sorry for not responding sooner Narial. I must say I would need to think long and hard before I left my greatest asset empty (ie. the house) for long periods of time. Knowing my luck I would end up with squatters or something I suppose it must depend on where you live as to whether you would take the chance. I think I would rather have our place occupied and "try to ensure" the tenants are okay by using an agent and as previously said, we would also need the rental income to enable us to carry out our plan. You have been fortunate to spend every winter in Goa for 13 years - wish we had but unfortunately only "found" Goa in 1999 and the ambition to become long term stayers started from then. I cannot "wait" to live the dream but unfortunately for us retirement is still a little way off so I must, however patience is not one of my virtues As for the visa issue, by the time we are ready to do our 5 or 6 months or whatever we decide to do, this should have been resolved.......... fingers crossed Thanks again for your input.

Narial Said
We have stayed in Goa for the last 13 years during the winter - leaving our house empty - so what - and we have found that over the last 6 or 7 years many, many others are doing the same.We were able to retire very early and have enjoyed every minute of our winters living in Goa. This is what we wanted to do and we can afford it although not "rich" people but can have a very good standard of living in Goa.
Renting a nice apartment for £125 a month and meeting lots of similar people is wonderful - this is what makes retirement very rich.
The only downside to this is the b****y visa situation.

I was just about to post here and read your post,and it would be word for word the same as you have said,even to the rental price for the apartment.
we dont have a house in the UK but a very secure apartment, and 2 garages.so cars also secure. One thing we would not do though is rent it out,whilst in Goa.What better life a summer in UK,winter in Goa. highly recomended

Spit - showing off realy - but how about uk winter months in goa - spring and late summer in Japan and a couple of months either side in Uk - are we lucky or what!! Brian

Hi Split

Totally agree with you. Winter in Goa. Summer (if you can call it that) in the UK.
Could not rent out my home - but lucky enough that the kids live very close by to keep an eye on things.

I think I'm going to have to lock this thread.

It's making me too envious

Sorry if we are making you envious Fiona

Its been great to read all the different views/suggestions and these have given me and my OH a lot to think about I must say! I am still dubious about leaving our house empty not because we live in a rough neighbourhood; (Sidmouth)! just don't fancy (potentially) encouraging unexpected house guests! We have plenty of time to mull it over as we are not able to go long term just yet We will however be over there for our 11th visit very soon (but only for 2 weeks this time). We intend to go over October to March (I find April a tad too hot and humid) then return to UK for our "summer" but hey, once we retire we can do as we please - when we please and boy am I looking forward to that Thanks again everyone.