[OT] Best country for expats

43 comments

• JAprufrock

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  5 years ago

  I've thought about this occasionally. Should I move to another country in retirement, one that is more liberal in its p4p policies, though I can't imagine any country outside of the Middle East being more tight-assed in that regard than the good 'ol USA. I haven't done much research, because I still doubt I'd go through with it, but, as DC indicates, Costa Rica is the first country that came to my mind. I have heard a lot of good things about it, not only from a mongering aspect, but as a place where many American couples go in retirement, for the reasons that DC laid out. Germany would be nice for the FKK clubs. Thailand for the inexpensive prostitution as well, though I doubt I'd want to go that far away. I think Mexico and Colombia would be too dangerous to live and the Dominican Republic might be too poor with bad infrastructure from what I've heard. Ideally, maybe live in the U.S. where it's close to Tijuana (San Diego and LA the cost of living probably too much). Maybe Vegas or Phoenix.
• TrapBaby304

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  5 years ago

  My list isn't based on the ability to find hookers. Slovakia Uruguay Cyprus.....I want to save up for a small farm there and spend my life making babies and relaxing
• Musterd21

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  5 years ago

  @Trap Can I go with you?
• twentyfive

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  5 years ago

  These countries that you folks suggest have their share of problems both political and social, truth is if money was no problem, chances are, even if given the opportunity y’all would stay right here.
• steeldog65

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  5 years ago

  Belize is nice, I am looking at some property there this spring.
• Papi_Chulo

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  5 years ago

  In the back of my mind my motivation for moving abroad would be for my retirement $$$ to go further - being fluent in Spanish Latin America would probably be my choice - Rio De Janeiro has always been on my mind bc of the sexy women & culture although they speak Portuguese there and not Spanish and Rio had become much more expensive - Colombia has come a long way and would be an option I'd consider and for the most part I've found Colombislan people friendly. So for me it would be a combo of getting more bang for my buck in retirement and being in a warm climate with sexy women - but those countries still have issues in tetms of quality-of-life/services compared to the US. Being that a lower COL would be attractive to me in retirement it's mote likely I'd move to a low COL area in the US that has a warm climate and stuff to do - if $$$ wasn't an issue then IDK as I'm not in that position.
• Papi_Chulo

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  5 years ago

  A few weeks ago I saw this video about some cool interesting stuff Singapore is doing - the vid is a little long but pretty-interesting I thought - not saying it's a place to move to just that they're doing some interesting stuff there: [view link]
• Papi_Chulo

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  5 years ago

  If $$$ wasn't an issue I'd likely stay in the US bc it's what I know and a nice upscale community in Southern California would be appealing
• Mate27

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  5 years ago

  USA is still #1, as long as you have your debts paid off. Other countries would be.... Panama Ecuador Portugal Belize Italy France All have lower cost of living tied with healthcare assistance. Personally I would prefer Portugal with its proximity to other cultures. Drugs are legal, but being drug free helps maintain a healthier lifestyle which one should consider as their biggest asset in life, not $$.
• Lone_Wolf

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  5 years ago

  My first try would be Thailand regardless of how much money I have.
• steeldog65

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  5 years ago

  Belize because my sons live in Atlanta and flights are not terribly expensive for them. Secondly gorgeous weather 3rd since it's just me, I go anywhere I please, my goal has always been to retire with a set amount. I've reached that amount in any over it is gravy now which means I can go and do shit that is stupid.
• Call.Me.Ishmael

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  5 years ago

  New Zealand.
• FTS

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  5 years ago

  I kinda wish I lived in a country where most people were generally quite healthy. I went to Montreal, Canada a couple of times and was quite impressed by the women there.
• TrapBaby304

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  5 years ago

  Nicaragua is really nice too. Its dirt cheap, has a very low crime rate.
• jackslash

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  5 years ago

  I have looked into living in other countries. I probably won't move because I would have to leave my friends and relatives behind. I also don't speak any language fluently except English and I'm probably too old to learn. The advantages of another country for me would be a better climate and a lower cost of living. A more fun-loving and relaxed culture are also attractive. Being retired, I could move anywhere without a loss of income. I have thought of a couple places lately: 1. Malta. This is an island in the Mediterranean south of Sicily with a low cost of living. Malta has a pleasant climate and a long and interesting history. Flights to Europe are cheap. English is spoken almost as widely as native Maltese. 2. Belize. Belize is on the Caribbean Sea and borders Mexico and Guatemala. It has a warm climate and a low cost of living. Since it is close to the US, you could fly home easily. English is the official language of Belize because it used to be a British colony.
• twentyfive

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  5 years ago

  @Jack Malta is really nice, I have a friend that lives there, the problem with Malta is the government is involved in a big Bitcoin fraud scandal and has been in serious financial trouble for the last 10 years, and taxes are wild there you need to buy your way in and once they have your money you can not take more than a small amount out of the country. that's why my friend has not emigrated to the states, he's originally from Italy and his wife is a French citizen. Belize has other problems among them power generation is poor, throughout the country, it is outside the area considered the hurricane belt, but just about everything is imported.
• strippercutie404

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  5 years ago

  I've always thought that the Fiji Islands looked absolutely beautiful, I think they speak English there too. I don't know if there's much to do there though.
• Jascoi

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  5 years ago

  sex. and sex. and then more sex.
• strippercutie404

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  5 years ago

  I don't know if thats a country misterwonderful but i'd love to live there anyway lol!
• TrapBaby304

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  5 years ago

  you can have sex in every country
• JAprufrock

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  5 years ago

  ^^^^Yes, you can have sex in every country, but it's more difficult to get in some (like the U.S.). That's why if I ever moved to another country, access to legal prostitution would be my main motivation.
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  ^^^^^ America is a political experiment in democracy and multiculturalism. You can't judge it by the standards of Capitalist Development States. SJG
• TrapBaby304

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  5 years ago

  you can have sex without hoes. Wouldnt you rather go to like Cambodia and fall in love with a village girl after rescuing her waterbuffalo in some jungle swamp. Then spend your days planting rice and eating curry and making babies. watching the monsoon rains from your village hut??????
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  No, I like dolled up sex priestesses. SJG
• Papi_Chulo

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  5 years ago

  A recent kinda-related article (although it seems to slant towards affordability): The 11 best islands in the world for retirement Have you always dreamed of whiling away your retirement years on an island somewhere but think it's an economically unfeasible pipe dream? Think again, advise the editors at [view link], who have compiled a list of 11 "great value, picturesque islands across the globe" that are not only renowned for a welcoming atmosphere but also boast the type of creature comforts and public infrastructure to which Americans are accustomed. "Folks often dream of retiring to an island — usually it's a search for romance, fun and an escape from the pressures of modern life," said Jennifer Stevens, International Living's executive editor. "But for many it remains a fantasy, as they assume it's too expensive." But, she added, "it doesn't have to be. If you choose the right island, you can actually live well for less than the cost of staying in the U.S." For a sample of prices for rent, restaurants, groceries and other daily items on these islands, try the calculators on Numbeo or Expatistan. Price data may not be available for some areas. 1. Malta This island nation, situated in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Tunisia, may be — at 122 square miles — the smallest European Union member state in size, but it's packed with "something for everyone," according to [view link]. The weather's warm year-round, and it's easy to communicate, thanks to locals' fluency in English (a legacy of one-time British rule). Although the euro is the coin of the realm in Malta, the dollar goes "surprisingly far," with couples living comfortably for $2,600 per month. 2. Mallorca, Spain The largest island in Spain's autonomous Balearic Islands archipelago, Mallorca is a summer holiday hot spot. The island offers 1,405 miles of Mediterranean coastline dotted with marinas, harbors and beach coves. [view link] reports that a couple could live well in sunny Mallorca for just $2,500 a month. 3. Penang, Malaysia Malaysia might not leap to mind as an obvious place to move for most Americans, but [view link] reports that the exotic and largely English-speaking island of Penang has been a magnet for those in the know for decades. Penang offers what the website calls a "luxury life on an affordable budget," with a couple's monthly expenses ranging from just $1,500 to $2,500. 4. Ambergris Caye, Belize Beloved by both watersports enthusiasts and nightlife devotees, the island of Ambergris Caye and its largest town, San Pedro, offer U.S. expats an English-speaking environment at Central American price points. The U.S. dollar and credit cards are widely accepted, reports [view link], and American brands of goods are readily available. Couples can retire in comfort for between $2,700 and $2,900 a month, including rent. Homeowners can spend even less: about $2,000 monthly. 5. Ireland OK, the Emerald Isle is not exactly in the same category as Ambergris Caye or Penang. For one, it's in chillier northern climes. (Ireland may be a little cloudy, but it rarely snows there, either.) It's also one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and it's an entire nation — actually, two: Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. Locals obviously speak English and, despite their newfound prosperity, haven't lost the friendliness and family feeling for which they're renowned. [view link] reports that a monthly budget of about $2,800 will buy a retired couple a comfortable retirement there. 6. Roatan, Honduras Thirty-five miles off the cost of Honduras, Roatan — an English-speaking speck in Honduras' sea of Spanish speakers — epitomizes what [view link] calls the "affordable Caribbean." A couple could live well in this tropical paradise on $2,000 to $2,500 a month, the website reports. 7. Isla Mujeres, Mexico About 10 miles from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a world away from the hustle and bustle of its more tourism-developed neighbor. Clear, azure waters and white-sand beaches are never far away, and the cost of living is far lower than a similar lifestyle would cost back in the States. A couple can live well on Isla Mujeres for around $2,500 to $3,000 a month, including rent. 8. Isla Colon, Panama Isla Colon — along with the rest of the tropical Bocas del Toro Archipelago off the coast of northern Panama — is one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean region, says [view link]. A couple can retire among a lively community of English-speaking expats for as little as $1,400 per month. 9. Bali [view link] calls Bali the "rock star of the 18,307 islands that make up Indonesia." Because the island is only 8 degrees south of the equator, temperatures hover most days between 78° and 90° Fahrenheit, with humidity of around 75 percent — but there is a monsoon season from October to April. A couple can "live well" in most Bali towns for $1,900 monthly. 10. Koh Samui, Thailand Located off the coast of Thailand some 400 miles south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is the country's second-largest island after far more famous Phuket. Part of an archipelago comprising 80 islets, Koh Samui is increasingly popular among golfers. Expats live well on the island for about $2,000 to $2,500 per couple, per month, according to [view link]. 11. Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic [view link] describes the Dominican Republic as the "front runner" for affordable Caribbean living. "The little beach town of Las Terrenas in the northeast, on the Samaná Peninsula, offers some of the most pristine beaches in the D.R.," writes the website. It's possible for a retiree couple to live in Las Terrenas for $2,000 per month, but [view link] editors say most expats "choose" to spend closer to $3,000 — perhaps for better amenities. WATCH:This is how long $1 million will last in retirement [view link]
• Papi_Chulo

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  5 years ago

  This is how long $1 million will last in retirement: [view link]
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  Best? Cascadas Hotel in Tijuana! SJG
• Papi_Chulo

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  5 years ago

  There needs to be a professionally written article of "Best Places To Live For Mongers"
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  Can you even think of any which could compete with the Cascadas Hotel in Tijuana? SJG
• Call.Me.Ishmael

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  5 years ago

  Says a guy who had never been to the Cascadas Hotel in Tijuana.
• nicespice

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  5 years ago

  I find the five flags model appealing as a long term-goal. Under that, an individual uses different countries for different purposes: 1. Passport or citizenship in a country that does not tax non-resident income or control your actions. 2. Legal residence in a tax haven. 3. Business base and salary-earning in a tax haven. 4. Offshore bank account in a country with stable banking. 5. Playgrounds where you spend your money, preferably with no sales tax or VAT. Source: [view link]
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  No, I've not been there, but I'll still pick TJ's Cascadas Hotel. It has every thing one could want: [view link] [view link] Some guys on TJA have moved to reside in TJ, and some have even bought houses. Stories of such guys driving into the zona and picking up their girl in their car, and then driving off with her. But as I see it, part of what makes that Zona work so well is that it is set up to be a car free utopia. Thanks Nicespice for the flags list. SJG Ten Years Since Economic Collapse Sparked Occupy Wall Street, the Cooperative Movement Is Surging [view link] Schneider's New Book, Sept 2018 Everything for Everyone: The Radical Tradition That Is Shaping the Next Economy [view link] The Power of Cooperatives: Nathan Schneider & Jason Wiener at The Harvard Law Forum [view link] and kudos to Founder, anticipating my concerns, and putting this on last nights shut down message: " We are currently offline for upgrades to our database. Our expected return is Jan 18, 2019 @ 00:00 EST. Go out and have fun tonight, we'll be hard at work. And don't worry SJG, it's not FOSTA "
• Estafador

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  5 years ago

  Unfortunately, I'd race comes into play for me as I hear hostility towards black folk is becoming instead of better across the seven seas. And I really wouldn't mind living in China too. Japan is too expensive, EU and Britain are in weird times and South Africa seems to have nothing but race relation issues. I'd say Kenya since its decently developed and very inexpensive for me if I can bring my job anywhere with me. But I'd have a dual citizenship with good ol USA. Because even though the golden age is gone ( I wasn't alive during that time anyway), it's still the land of opportunity if you know where to look. Plus as a native, I know how to navigate it better than any other country.
• Estafador

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  5 years ago

  Becoming worse *
• gammanu95

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  5 years ago

  I've been looking at this question pretty seriously recently. If the US does go single-payer or medicare-for-all, then I won't have any more incentive to stay in medicine here. My wife would not be able to handle anywhere cold, so Canada and some European options are out. We both speak English and Spanish, so many more options open up. I also speak German, but she doesn't. I've done some research on American expats, trying to figure out where we could go. Belize tops a lot of lists. Ecuador and Costa Rica tie for second. Unfortunately, a lot of sites that come up in searches focuses on retirees stretching their money, rather than working professionals trying to start over in a new place. A lot of the nations around Thailand and the Philippines seem like good options, but not for us since we don't speak the language. However, if you're strictly chasing tail, I would look at Europe. Hookers are decriminalized and even legal in a couple of western European countries, and smoking hot escorts are easily available in most eastern European countries.
• Mate27

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  5 years ago

  Dude Estafador, it’s only becoming worse if you’re watching the lame stream media. They’re agenda is to get everyone to fight against each other so they can get more viewersa to sell more advertising ($$). In real life, most people can tell pretty easily if they have half a brain what matters is the person’s intellect, sincerity and good intentions no matter what race. I refer to my real life experiences, not what CNN or liberal lame stream media wants us to believe.
• IceyLoco

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  5 years ago

  Some smaller town in Mexico. the main thing to look at is how far your money will go and how well you can fit in with the locals
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  gammanu95, your presence in the United States will not be missed. I will not be expat, but I do plan to travel greatly and have business activities in lots of places, US and elsewhere. And Mexico will be a big part of this. Now doing something remote with the US Virgin Islands. They do not even have official address numbers on the buildings. Being there, especially with say a sailing catamaran, would be really cool. Visit much of the Caribbean. Not need to get very far from land. Martinique, Barbados, Puerto Rico, all very interesting to me. [view link] But Mexico is so great a resource, should not pass it up. A new culture, new language, its like becoming a new person. SJG Peter Levenda | Lovecraft, The Yazidi, & Middle Eastern Magic ( this Peter Levenda is always extremely interesting to listen to ) [view link] [view link]
• TJ Lee

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  5 years ago

  I'll retire in Mars. But I still have 30 more yrs of TJHK paradise.
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ !!!! :) :) :) anislee +10 Just for my own curiosity, do you like TLNing with the girls, see them by appointment and outside of the Zona? SJG
• TJ Lee

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  5 years ago

  I like to do it all :-) So, when will you accept my invitation to go party at TJHK? I'll pick up all the tabs.
• san_jose_guy

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  5 years ago

  Tied down 24-7 in sensitive political matters. My face to face life is fire walled from this forum. I am not a consumer recreator. When I do things there are broader reasons. So it will be for TJ and all of Mexico. And I don't party. So you have there your answer. SJG Daath The Doorway to Knowledge [view link] Steve Blank [view link] [view link] Freemasonry is inherently opposed to slavery but what slavery remains for us to fight against today? [view link] TJ Street [view link] [view link] [view link] [view link] [view link]
• Estafador

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  5 years ago

  @Meat I hear you but the majority of viewers for those stations are older people and they teach their youth the very same bad habits. I've been looking at this alternate news site however recently (it's on YouTube) and it details what the mainstream either don't or give very little time for (not tyt)