u/No_Reveal2311

I am targeting retirement in my early 50s. I will have a child who will be in college at that time. Currently own a house in a nice neighborhood of the Bay Area. My goal is to downsize this house and buy something outright in San Diego where we have a lot of friends - likely townhouse or nice condo to minimize upkeep. Goal is to spend 7-8 months a year in the US and then 4-5 months abroad. I like the idea of having a home in the US that my kid can return to when we're back on their breaks, summer, a place to store my things, etc. I will probably rent it out for several months while I am away.

My goal is to find international locations where I can spend 8k/month or less to balance out my higher spend CA months. My SD property carrying costs will likely be around 36k assuming no rental income.

Thoughts on this plan and feasibility of living decently on 8k in places like Lisbon, Valencia, Cape Town? These are just some places we've been before and really enjoy. Very active, into hiking, biking, connecting with others. Have traveled across Asia too and obviously know this can be done on much under 8k. Any other suggestions for someone thinking about an ExpartFIRE plan like this?

I have set up tastings and will likely be purchasing and shipping home from the following producers:

Fenocchio

Bruno Rocco

Margherita Otto

Cà del Baio vs Albino rocca - they both only have availability on the same day/time. Any thoughts on picking?

Any others you highly recommend?

Appreciate any tips and feedback.

I have one child who is still 10 years away from college but I'm thinking about what things will be like once that happens. In my head, I will keep my home base here in CA, although I may downsize to something smaller. My thought is to be in CA during their summer break, Thanksgiving to New Years - so essentially April-Aug, Nov-Jan, so essentially 7 months. So I'd be abroad Feb-April and then Aug-Nov. I would likely rotate a few locations, 2 months, 2 months, 1 month. I see this as a good balance between keeping a consistent home life for them to return to and getting to slow travel/live abroad. Just thinking back to my own time in college, I don't think I would have really missed my parents or felt disconnected if they were out of the country for 4-8 weeks at a time, two or three times a year.

On paper it seems like it makes sense. Seems like a good way to geo-arbitrage to lower expenses, get me to an early retirement, (targeting 51-54 depending how markets do), and allow me to slow travel which is something I love doing. I would love to hear from anyone who is currently doing this and how it is working out for you.

The main thing I want to avoid is creating a void or a feeling of disconnect for my child. I want to stay involved in their life, but obviously give them space that a 20 something would want, while also living my own life how I want.