Gerda(75)

My children said: "Mom, you are 73, you cannot go to Portugal alone." But I had just published my second novel, sold my house in Hilversum, and had €320,000 in the bank. I could do exactly what I wanted — and that was Lagos.

I chose Lagos for the same reasons as many Dutch people: the climate, the safety and the affordability. But as a writer there was another reason: the inspiration. The light over the cliffs, the stories of the fishermen, the history of the explorers. Lagos breathes stories.

My two-room apartment in the center costs €800 per month. I shop at the market, cook myself and write every morning from 6:00 to 12:00. I spend my afternoons on walks along the coast or coffee on the terrace of Cafe Gomba. It is the writer's life I always dreamed of.

The bureaucracy was manageable. With help from a fiscal representative I had my NIF within a week. I opened my bank account at Novobanco — they are used to expats and speak English. NHR status ensures my state pension and pension are taxed favorably.

Healthcare at my age was the biggest concern. I took out private insurance with Medis — €180 per month, with full coverage. I am also registered with the SNS as a safety net. My GP in Lagos is a young Portuguese woman who also speaks English.

My third novel, inspired by Portuguese exploration history, is just finished. My publisher in Amsterdam is enthusiastic. My children visit four times a year and now admit: mom was right. You are never too old for a new chapter.