I do not have children but I went to school overseas and I think it was the best experience of my life. I think the effect on children is extremely positive.

My family is just three people now, but my wife has a large extended family and she loves to see them, especially the children. Different members come and stay with us several times a year because we live close to the beach.

Making the argument that she could fly home to see them didn’t work. Her telling me she wanted to stay where we were came as a surprise to me as we had discussed throughout our courtship and marriage, living in Europe. Once we both retired (early) I figured we had the green light. I mean just health care alone is reason enough to move there. And we have enough money for trips home when we get the urge.

I hope this doesn’t turn into a I-didn’t-escape-the-country-in-time situation. I often wonder what it was like for people fleeing fascism just a little too late.