Help Center
Frequently asked questions
Everything about how Retire Abroad Hub works , booking, pricing, refunds, and our guides. Still stuck? Email us.
Getting started
We connect North Americans thinking about moving abroad with local guides who actually live in the destination you're curious about. You book a one-on-one video call and ask real, practical questions — about visas, neighborhoods, healthcare, cost of living, and daily life — to someone who has already done the move.
We're an informational service, not a relocation agency. Our guides share lived experience and honest opinions, not professional advice.
Three steps:
- Choose your destination — browse the countries we cover and the guides there.
- Pick a guide who matches what you want to learn.
- Book a call on Calendly, pick a time, and show up with your questions.
Not sure where to start? Begin with a free 15-minute discovery call and we'll help you narrow things down.
We're live now in Canada, Mexico, and Panama, with Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Thailand coming soon. We add destinations as we vet the right guides — we'd rather have one excellent guide than a long list of mediocre ones.
Want a country we don't list yet? Email us — we may already be onboarding a guide there.
Yes. The discovery call is a free, no-pressure conversation to help you figure out which destination makes sense for your lifestyle and budget, and how a full consultation works. It's general information only — it's not a paid country consultation and not professional advice.
Booking & calls
Paid consultations are 45-minute video calls. You book through Calendly, get an instant confirmation with the call link, and join at your scheduled time. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.
Come with your questions written down — the more specific, the more useful the call. Think about what's actually keeping you up at night: budget, visa eligibility, healthcare, safety, where to live. Nothing is off limits, and your guide would rather dig into your real concerns than give a generic overview.
Absolutely. Many people start with one destination, then book a second guide for a different country they're comparing, or a follow-up with the same guide once they've done more research. Just book another slot on Calendly.
You can reschedule through the link in your Calendly confirmation up to 24 hours before your call — no charge, no questions. Inside 24 hours, you can still move your call once as a courtesy, but the fee isn't refundable since your guide has held the time. See our cancellation & refund terms for full details.
Pricing & payment
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Each guide sets their own fee for a 45-minute consultation, based on their experience and expertise, so prices vary by guide. The exact fee is shown clearly on the guide's booking page before you confirm — no surprises. The 15-minute discovery call is always free, and there are no memberships, subscriptions, or hidden fees.
Payments are handled securely by Stripe, which accepts all major credit and debit cards. Your card details go directly to Stripe and are never stored on our servers. You'll receive a receipt by email after payment.
No. Our guides are paid for their time and knowledge — that's it. There are no real-estate commissions, referral kickbacks, or sales pitches. That's the whole point: you get honest answers, including the downsides.
Cancellations & refunds
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Here's how it works:
- Cancel 24+ hours before your call — full refund or a free reschedule, your choice.
- Cancel within 24 hours — you can reschedule once as a courtesy, but the fee isn't refundable.
- Guide cancels or can't make it — full refund or free reschedule, always.
Other situations are reviewed case by case — just email us. Full details are in our cancellation & refund terms.
If you don't show up without rescheduling in advance, the session is generally treated as completed and isn't refunded, since your guide held the time for you. If something genuinely went wrong, email us at hello@retireabroadhub.com and we'll do our best to help.
Approved refunds are issued through Stripe back to your original payment method. Stripe typically takes 5–10 business days to return the funds, depending on your bank.
Our guides
Every guide currently lives in the destination they cover and has personally been through the move — the visa process, finding neighborhoods, sorting out banking and healthcare, and building a community. They share that first-hand experience with you.
We keep the roster small on purpose. Guides are selected for genuine lived experience in their country, the ability to give clear and honest answers, and a no-sales-pitch attitude. Most applicants don't make the cut. You can read more on our standards page.
No — and that's important. Our guides are not lawyers, licensed immigration consultants, financial advisors, or tax professionals. They share personal experience and opinions, not professional advice. Laws and rules change and vary by situation, so always confirm anything important with a licensed professional before you act. See our Terms for the full disclaimer.
Still have questions?
The easiest way to get clarity is a free 15-minute call. No pressure, no pitch just honest answers.