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The Expat Retirement Thread (or expat thread)
| November 14th, 2020 at 4:42:32 AM permalink | |
| AZDuffman Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 135 Posts: 18204 |
That was not the case so much for that move but maybe because of how short the planning was. While I gave it thought for years I had little time to plan because events got out of my control very fast. What was neat for me was that I chose to drive it. Since it was one-way there was not that dread you have of the drive back on a vacation. After about Columbus, OH, the road was all new. Then it was like the song said, seeing things I never saw before and might never see again. Settling in the first week was lonely, but then when I rented a room it was other guys my age. The first day I met one at the house and we went from picking shelves and cupboards to sitting in a nice bar overlooking the people leaving an ASU game in the college part of town telling each other our life stories in 7 hours. I always joke that if we were two women we would still be deciding the cupboards 7 hours later....... The President is a fink. |
| November 14th, 2020 at 8:53:58 AM permalink | |
| Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 | Moving when you're young is totally different than when you're over 40. I enjoyed driving into San Francisco across the bridge every day in 1976. I would find it a major pain in the ass now. Life was all mine for taking then. Not so much anymore.. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
| November 14th, 2020 at 9:04:57 AM permalink | |
| DRich Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 51 Posts: 4961 | I am just the opposite of Bob. I don't enjoy reading about places or activities, I want to do them and experience them. I don't care if people smell funny, talk strangely, or eat unusual food. I want to experience what they are and then determne if I like it or not. At my age a Life In Prison sentence is not much of a detrrent. |
| November 14th, 2020 at 9:10:32 AM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
The highest point in Panama is the Volcán Barú (11,401 ft). The mountain towns of Volcan, Cerro Punto, Boquete, El Valle, and Santa Fe are mercifully free of the humidity and bugs. Boquete has weather ~ 74°F population: 19,000 (2008) elevations from 3,000 ft to 9,200 ft If you live in the former Trump Ocean club, you will probably have to deal with bugs (that is if you go outside).  The building includes a five-star hotel of 369 hotel condominium units, 628 residential condominium units, 1500 parking spaces, 36 retail shops, 10 story office tower, a 75,000-square-foot casino operated by Sun International, daily ferry service to the Pearl Islands, yacht club and pier, wellness spa, gym, pool deck, meeting and event spaces, and a business center. The building is now run by Marriot which is listing room rates of ~$119 at present, which seems a lot cheaper than than the $400+ to stay at a 5-star Marriot in Miami. I am not sure if there are any advantages over living in a similar building in Miami. |
| November 14th, 2020 at 9:19:17 AM permalink | |
| terapined Member since: Aug 6, 2014 Threads: 73 Posts: 11791 |
Totally agree Sometimes we live no particular way but our own - Grateful Dead "Eyes of the World" |
| November 14th, 2020 at 9:28:38 AM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
 Try the escamoles (edible ant larvae) in Mexico.  Or Chapulines from the state of Oaxaca in Mexico You won't have to break the bank to fly to central Mexico if you fly on Volaris (the Southwest airlines of Mexico). Their primary US hubs are Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DFW), New York (JFK), Denver (DEN), and Oakland (OAK) although they are always opening new cities (pre-COVID), |
| November 14th, 2020 at 10:14:57 AM permalink | |
| Evenbob Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 146 Posts: 25011 |
So you think you're reading when you watch travel videos on Youtube? Never been to a place where I wasn't tired of it within 24 hours or less. Mark Twain hated travelling too. It was one inconvenience after another and I totally agree. He loved to be home. He woke up at 9am and stayed in bed till after noon, eating breakfast and answering letters and writing. Beats travelling any day. If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose. |
| November 14th, 2020 at 11:42:31 AM permalink | |
| DRich Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 51 Posts: 4961 |
For me it is very simple. If a place has nice beautiful beaches I want to go there. In my opinion I haven'tbeen to a great beach in the continental U.S. and I don't think they exist. I have been to all 50 states and I think the only beach I enjoyed was at the North Shore in Hawaii. At my age a Life In Prison sentence is not much of a detrrent. |
| November 14th, 2020 at 12:06:17 PM permalink | |
| rxwine Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 189 Posts: 18755 |
It's not a beach but have you ever been to Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo. https://www.topmysteriousplaces.com/jules-undersea-lodge-florida-stay-luxury-accommodations-sea/ You believe in an invisible god, and dismiss people who say they are trans? Really? |
| November 14th, 2020 at 12:16:30 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
The Undersea Lodge is too swanky for me. We would always drive down from the Miami or Ft Lauderdale airport to Amoray Resort so that you can dive and the boat leaves right from your hotel. Maximum Occupancy max guests 2 Standard Rate USD 119.00 Maximum Occupancy max guests 4 Standard Rate USD 129.00 Dive package varies on trip and what equipment you must rent. Up to 25% discount on rooms. 800-426-6729. https://www.amoray.com/photos  If you prefer free diving with only snorkel gear  |