The Polish couple had dreamed for many years that once they retired, they would completely change their place of residence. Receiving their pension from Poland, they moved to a large house right near the shores of the Indian Ocean. What’s more, they are now planning to build their own villa in this exotic country.
The average pension in Poland isn’t very high, but for this couple, it’s enough to live in a warm country like millionaires
Mrs. Mariola Szydlik, along with her husband, decided to sell their belongings in Poland and move to Africa immediately after retiring. They left Polkowice for Kenya, choosing a home with an ocean view. It sounds like a dream come true, and all this on a Polish pension. The couple’s story even caught the attention of Forbes, to whom they revealed that they simply spun a globe, and it happened to land on this country. The Szydliks have been living in Africa since 2021 and say they are living wonderfully and have no complaints about money.
"Here, anyone can feel like a millionaire, even if they have much less in their pocket" - says Mrs. Mariola Szydlik. After just two years of living there, the couple even purchased their own plot of land in the village of Ngomeni, which cost them around 31,500 PLN. They spent the same amount on converting the land from agricultural use, creating a project, obtaining a building permit, and establishing a land registry. They plan to build a two-story house with a pool. Unfortunately, this is where they encountered difficulties, and it turned out that living in Africa is not as simple as it initially seemed.
Although they can't build their own house yet, they can afford to rent a 100-square-meter apartment for a laughable amount
Unfortunately, the location where Mrs. Mariola Szydlik bought the plot had issues with access to electricity and a road. They might have to wait up to four years for the infrastructure in this area to develop. Nevertheless, the couple remains hopeful and patient. While they wait for their own home, they are renting a 100-square-meter apartment in the Kilimandogo resort in Malindi. Moreover, they pay a ridiculously low rent of 1,500 PLN per month. For such an amount, it’s hard to find even a room for rent, let alone an entire house. Additionally, unlike Ngomeni village, Kilimandogo has everything an elderly couple needs. The city has hospitals, numerous supermarkets, and restaurants. The biggest advantage is private healthcare, which is at least twice as cheap as in Poland. One thing is certain: many people can only dream of such a retirement.
