1. Can you get there?

Can you get there? If the answer for you and your spouse/partner is absolutely YES! you've cleared the first hurdle. If there's lingering questions or underlying doubts about it, then talk it over in depth with your spouse, partner, loved ones. They will help sort it out with a fresh perspective.

An attitude of "I'll just set my mind to it" isn't realistic when your body says otherwise. Trust me, my husband's mother felt she could do almost anything if she just willed it to happen and in her younger years, sure. But after a certain point, being determined to travel is great but not necessarily possible.

[Flying Snowbirds]

2. Can your pet get there?

If you don't have a pet, skip ahead; otherwise, can your pet travel to another country? If your pet is larger, older, battling chronic health conditions or there's more than one, it may likely not be a good fit for them. Airlines have tight restrictions on pet travel and for good reason. Not every pet is a good candidate to travel, just as not every person is either.

If you have a pet and decide it's best not to bring them, then consider leaving them with an extremely trustworthy person. This is not the time to hire a stranger from the internet to pet and/or house sit. There's scary stories about pets being lost, stolen, neglected and killed by so-called "professional pet sitters." People are bonded to their pets yet from a legal perspective pets are merely personal property. So, if someone is being paid to take care of your beloved fur baby and something happens, the laws are not in your favor. You will be devastated and the perp will likely have very few consequences.

Personally, I don't want to purposefully be separated from my beloved fur baby for more than a day or two.

3. Do you have the financial means?

Do you have the funds to travel overseas or to a foreign destination? Many think it will be cheaper or somehow better than domestic costs. Maybe it is, but you won't know for sure unless conducting insightful research prior to booking your time away. Don't forget to factor additional money for airfare, transportation to/from the airport and your rental vehicle if you need one. Don't forget to look into an international driver's license and insurance coverage for your vehicle.

4. Is housing available in your budget?

Is housing available in your budget? Look at all the factors. The cost is one consideration, but it's not everything. For example, Are you seeking a community of ex pats? Will you need a vehicle? Does the place include parking? Outdoor space? Amenities? A great view? Is the area known for crime? What other considerations will affect your housing? If you're bringing a pet, is it pet friendly?

[How to Evaluate Online Rental Photos]

5. Is your passport current?

Is your passport current? If not, give yourself plenty of time to handle it. As in six months. Faster service is possible, but there's an accelerating cost for that and at some point, time runs out.

Is a passport adequate or will you need to obtain additional paperwork and permits for your stay?

6. Can you obtain adequate travel health insurance?

Does your health insurance adequately cover you outside the United States or your home country? If it doesn't, you will need to purchase travel insurance. Be very thorough and check all the fine print. There's too many news reports of accidents and illness that result in a guest being held hostage until the bill is paid.

7. Is there adequate security?

If you are renting a place outside your primary country of residence, will it have the same level of security that you expect? Cameras? Alarms? Gated community? What happens if the systems go down due to loss of power, intermittent or no wifi, storms or other issues? If there is no security available for more than a day, will you be comfortable staying? If the answer is no, then you might want to rethink your plan.

8. Are you prepared for worst case scenarios?

Can you overcome the worst case scenarios of being outside your home country? For example, if you are accused of something, can you battle it in another country? Or worse than that, if you are attacked, assaulted, robbed and more, are you able to deal with the emotional trauma and physical pain?

Do you have a realistic plan if you have an accident or become seriously ill?

On television, the shows lead the viewers to believe nothing bad happens in paradise. However, reality tells another story. Americans and foreigners are easy targets. Locals can easily spot the newcomers and the perception is they are rich -- especially compared to the locals. Many people simply aren't careful when traveling abroad.

Twenty years ago my husband and I were married on a gorgeous tropical island in the West Indies. We felt relatively safe (keyword "relatively"). Here's the thing: the staff of the all-inclusive resort told us not to leave the safety of the resort. We also saw the nightly news reports with public service announcements begging the locals "not to hurt the tourists." Well, ok then. Thank you for reinforcing what we already knew. Be very, very careful when outside your own country. Heed the warnings, don't think "it won't happen to me."

[Nothing Bad Ever Happens at the Beach]

9. Will you be lonely?

Will you be lonely? First of all, if there's a language barrier, that is enough right there to feel you're not a part of a local culture. Second, if you are not naturally outgoing, have any sort of issues with depression or seasonal affective disorder, etc. you may not adapt as easily to a new environment for an extended time.

If there's not a community of ex pats in your adopted country, will you be OK? Having a support network is even more important as time goes on. Depending on the length of your stay, it can feel ten times longer if you are unhappy.

I'm the type of person who likes routine. I prefer the same routine of knowing what to expect in my snowbird community, where I will be housed, with whom I will be surrounded while away and where to go for groceries, restaurants, pharmacy needs, pet issues and much more. It's unsettling to have each and every category of your life uprooted all at once.

If you are outgoing, adventuresome and like the excitement of new places, different cultures and experiences, then choosing to snowbird in a different country is probably a much better fit than someone who prefers the structure of domestic life in a familiar environment.

10. What are your objectives?

While away, do you have goals and objectives that you want to achieve? Perhaps it's scuba diving, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), surfing, tennis, pickleball and sports courts, hiking, running/walking, birdwatching, photography, organized sports, missions work, volunteering, hobbies such as arts and crafts, cooking local cuisine, and much more. The list is endless and if your target area offers the types of activities of interest to you, you will likely feel more content in your new international community.

[Snowbird Hobbies 125 Ideas]

Life in a place you've always wanted to spend time, learn the language, culture and meet new people is that much better when it aligns with your dreams and goals. Identifying what those goals are in advance can add to the anticipation of international snowbird life. If you decide it's a great fit or have already spent time as an international snowbird, please share your experiences, I want to hear from you.