The Expat Retirement Thread (or expat thread)

Quote: SOOPOO

OK AZ, I'm calling your bluff! As I've mentioned before, I may be an "expat" soon, but in either Naples or The Villages. What possible country would you think retiring to is a better choice than my two choices?

I am still exploring it. I will not move as long as my mother is alive, she may outlive me, but here is some of what I have found.


Belize. Pros are it is English speaking and fairly close and easy to fly back to the USA if needed. It is not on any smuggling routes so cartel violence is nonexistent. Has some nice beach areas to live in or you can live inland. Buying property is "fee simple" same as the USA and you get the same kinds of protections.

Cons are crime is higher away from the best areas. Costs of living are higher than other expat havens and availability of some items is limited to the point many expats shop at WMT or other places right across the Mexico border.

Panama. Pros are it is a place coming up in the world and finally getting things together. Canal has been expanded. Lots of variety to choose from to live from beach to big city. Costs are very reasonable. Medical care very good. Uses USD so no currency risk.

Cons. Spanish speaking and you will need to learn some to not get taken advantage of. Not robbed, but think of the lady who asked Dean Martin "is this the casino?" Further from the USA so return trips harder, though pretty good connected. Very tropical climate.

Vietnam. Pros are despite all the history they do not hate Americans so much. They are coming on the international stage big time and are starting to snuggle up to the USA in fear of China. One of the cheapest places in the world to live without living around poverty.

Cons. Language barrier. Still a mix of first and third world. They are getting there with an emphasis on "getting." To get back to the USA if needed will be 2 days at least.

Philippines. Pros are it is also cheap and not in Asia Proper so less geopolitical risk. Weird mix of local and Americanized, you can get by with English in the cities while you learn the local language a bit. Dirt cheap living. I knew a guy was an E-4 in USAF said he had a maid and gardener in the 1980s. I have been told in that era it was next to impossible for a soldier to station there and not come home married.

Cons. Still a poor country. Outside the cities you cannot get by on English. People that have a problem with Roman Catholics will have a problem living there, they are very devout. Also a 2-3 day return trip to the USA.



That is the research so far.

What about Argentina? They seem to be very accepting of people like you.

Here you go:

Quote:

Saudi Arabia has a lower cost of living than many other Middle Eastern destinations. Most expats enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.

Just don't lose your head over it.

Quote: rxwine

Here you go:



Just don't lose your head over it.

To quote my brother (who was there a few months) on them opening up to tourists, "Why would anyone want to go there?"

Unless I was young and wanted to be a Saudi Watcher, no thanks.

This guy does great videos on various expat retirement options. This one is about Chile. Who has not looked at Chile and wondered who would draw a country like that? Chile would be a great snowbird option. No idea if they have any casinos.

Quote: AZDuffman

I am still exploring it.

Have you visited any of those countries
you named? Humidity so bad you want
to kill yourself before breakfast. I always
wonder how people live there at all,
sweating thru your clothes every
minute of the day.

Quote: Evenbob

Have you visited any of those countries
you named? Humidity so bad you want
to kill yourself before breakfast. I always
wonder how people live there at all,
sweating thru your clothes every
minute of the day.

I hope to try Panama tour sometime. Want to visit Japan first. Being single makes it a more lonely thing, mainly I am looking at places for if the worst happens here in the USA. Or to digital nomad for a few months every year should I like the IT class I plan to take. I know digital nomad is hard to do, but I always liked the idea of expat living for at least some time.

How do they do it? That is why they take the afternoons off. Had to explain that to my Godmother once, figure I saved my cousin much anguish if she listened to me.

Quote: Evenbob

Have you visited any of those countries
you named? Humidity so bad you want
to kill yourself before breakfast. I always
wonder how people live there at all,
sweating thru your clothes every
minute of the day.

The south of Chile is snowy and mountainous. Probably not as hot and humid as you think. That is probably equivalent to saying the U.S. is too hot and humid.

Quote: AZDuffman

I hope to try Panama tour sometime. Want to visit Japan first.

On the heat and humidity meter,
about equal. Go to Canada.

Quote: AZDuffman

I am still exploring it. I will not move as long as my mother is alive, she may outlive me, but here is some of what I have found.


Belize. Pros are it is English speaking and fairly close and easy to fly back to the USA if needed. It is not on any smuggling routes so cartel violence is nonexistent. Has some nice beach areas to live in or you can live inland. Buying property is "fee simple" same as the USA and you get the same kinds of protections.

Cons are crime is higher away from the best areas. Costs of living are higher than other expat havens and availability of some items is limited to the point many expats shop at WMT or other places right across the Mexico border.

Panama. Pros are it is a place coming up in the world and finally getting things together. Canal has been expanded. Lots of variety to choose from to live from beach to big city. Costs are very reasonable. Medical care very good. Uses USD so no currency risk.

Cons. Spanish speaking and you will need to learn some to not get taken advantage of. Not robbed, but think of the lady who asked Dean Martin "is this the casino?" Further from the USA so return trips harder, though pretty good connected. Very tropical climate.

Vietnam. Pros are despite all the history they do not hate Americans so much. They are coming on the international stage big time and are starting to snuggle up to the USA in fear of China. One of the cheapest places in the world to live without living around poverty.

Cons. Language barrier. Still a mix of first and third world. They are getting there with an emphasis on "getting." To get back to the USA if needed will be 2 days at least.

Philippines. Pros are it is also cheap and not in Asia Proper so less geopolitical risk. Weird mix of local and Americanized, you can get by with English in the cities while you learn the local language a bit. Dirt cheap living. I knew a guy was an E-4 in USAF said he had a maid and gardener in the 1980s. I have been told in that era it was next to impossible for a soldier to station there and not come home married.

Cons. Still a poor country. Outside the cities you cannot get by on English. People that have a problem with Roman Catholics will have a problem living there, they are very devout. Also a 2-3 day return trip to the USA.



That is the research so far.

It depends on what you want to do? Do you just want to hole up somewhere with good medical because it's cheap, or do you want to fish/hunt, gamble explore ruins? You're a smart guy, a little foreign language isn't hard especially with all the software available, unless you just want to sit and chat. I think the language most important is $$. I'd want a country that spoke dollars. I have friends that went to the Phillipines, loved it. I have a friend that moved to China, he learned Cantonese and really likes it.

What about Europe? Many of them speak english and it has other benny's as well, good medical, food, 1st world stuff. At some point you will want medical. Don't jump in full time anyplace without exploring it for at least a year. What about Cuba? Depends on what you want to do.