If going the Caribbean route, gotta go with British virgin islands. Much nicer than U.S. Virgin Islands. A bit pricier, but well worth it. Also, I don't understand the interest in Costa Rica for anything outside of a vacation. I've traveled there often over the last 4 yrs. There are 3 nice resorts and the rest is truly a snake pit. Literally a snake pit, as in bushmaster snakes all over the damn place. Also, the local police corruption will blow your mind. 2/1 odds you will pulled over if driving a rental car for some "traffic violation". They'll tell you that you'll need to return for a court case, or you can pay them $200 cash right there to make it all go away.
Retiring overseas
- Thread starter mrhotdice
- Start date
Thanks everyone for saying your two cents. Just some advice, after living the last 5 years in Asia and knowing a lot about the Philippines, their is no place in the Caribbean or Cent. America that can come close insofar as cost of living. For those interested, their are a few web sites that will compare basically any two countries and or any two cities in the world. Kinda fun to compare Lexington to Bangkok.
After some contemplation and research, I wanted to revisit this thread again with some of my own thoughts.
- Love the geographical arbitrage idea. A close friend of ours retired from his job with Dell in Round Rock to a retirement community in Weslaco, TX a few years ago. At 78, he remains very active and loves it down there. My father also operated a few businesses around McAllen, TX back in the 70s and early 80s. Based on every thing I've read and heard, living in the Brownsville-Harlingen TX area may come closest to this way of thinking for those folks seeking alternatives closer to home. South Padre Island lies less than 10 miles distant. Overall, average rents appear cheaper than comparable locales in FL. Much cheaper meds are available just across the Mexican border, along with better rates for dental care. Again, just a thought. On the negative side, you probably should reside somewhere else during Jun-Sep, as the heat becomes fairly nasty during those months.
- For value, Ecuador looks good on the surface. Can't go wrong with the exchange rate (USD). Public transportation in the larger cities = crazy cheap. Some disadvantages include high sales taxes and expensive imported goods. But, hey, no place is perfect. Hoping for a visit there in a couple years or so.
- Another destination which may deserve a look is Nicaragua, particularly Grenada and the Northern Highlands. I like what I read, and it looks like a great place for a long-term visit for a few months, depending on the season. But year-round living? Nah, I'll pass.
- RE: Belize/British Honduras. A great uncle of mine lived down there from the late 50s until the early 80s. After my maternal grandmother's (his sister's) funeral in 1987, I remember discussing Belize with him; he had moved to AZ with trophy wife (25 years his junior) and son roughly 5 years earlier. He loved the place until the British left. I dunno, just seems expensive to me based on all I'm seeing.
- Couple other destinations on my radar for long-term (2-4 months) visits: Orkney Islands, Scotland; Czech Republic; Romania, Hungary, Vietnam. Seeing some reasonable deals on monthly stays around the web.
Anti-American sentiment makes a lot of these ideas very dangerous particularly in South/Central America. Also, a lot of the places mentioned (especially Costa Rica) are overrun with American retirees. As for the Philippines, there are some amazing advantages but unless you have a way of retiring young enough so that the bounty of young wenches at your disposal matters, then on the whole I just don't see why that place would be worth the risk.
My own destination of choice was Uruguay but even that is now is probably a decade too late. Of all the South/Central American destinations mentioned Uruguay would be the most like Europe. I really liked Panama as well but over the last half dozen years across pretty much everywhere Americans just are not very welcome as we are perceived as the root of all global ills and an irresponsible global glutton. Local governments play upon that sentiment to pass the buck on their own shortcomings. People would be stunned at the virulent Anti-Americanism that exists in Mexico. That, in the not too distant future, IMO is all set to become our biggest security threat moreso than terrorism, Russia, or China. Maybe even all of those combined due to the number of Mexicans already inside the US border and what they will do should a serious military crisis develop atwixt the US and Mexico as for all intents and purposes Mexico has a standing army inside the US without a shot being fired... but that is another story. I absolutely under no circumstances would consider Mexico a retirement destination nor would I even consider travelling there overland to any extensive degree. Very, very dangerous.
Bottom line is you had better be very cautious in committing to anything and have a solid idea of how/where you will fallback to if things don't work out.
My own destination of choice was Uruguay but even that is now is probably a decade too late. Of all the South/Central American destinations mentioned Uruguay would be the most like Europe. I really liked Panama as well but over the last half dozen years across pretty much everywhere Americans just are not very welcome as we are perceived as the root of all global ills and an irresponsible global glutton. Local governments play upon that sentiment to pass the buck on their own shortcomings. People would be stunned at the virulent Anti-Americanism that exists in Mexico. That, in the not too distant future, IMO is all set to become our biggest security threat moreso than terrorism, Russia, or China. Maybe even all of those combined due to the number of Mexicans already inside the US border and what they will do should a serious military crisis develop atwixt the US and Mexico as for all intents and purposes Mexico has a standing army inside the US without a shot being fired... but that is another story. I absolutely under no circumstances would consider Mexico a retirement destination nor would I even consider travelling there overland to any extensive degree. Very, very dangerous.
Bottom line is you had better be very cautious in committing to anything and have a solid idea of how/where you will fallback to if things don't work out.
Good post Lord Crow. I have been researching this for a few years now and what you say is true.
Panama is becoming more popular now. Mexico is cheap. Puerto Vallarta is beautiful and cheap, but I'm with you about living or staying an extended period in any part of Mexico.
We have just about decided that splitting time in Florida for winter and somewhere north for summer is the best way for us to go. Will be expensive, but hopefully we can work it out.
Panama is becoming more popular now. Mexico is cheap. Puerto Vallarta is beautiful and cheap, but I'm with you about living or staying an extended period in any part of Mexico.
We have just about decided that splitting time in Florida for winter and somewhere north for summer is the best way for us to go. Will be expensive, but hopefully we can work it out.
Maybe to some the America they used to know no longer exist or is headed in a direction that is scary to them.
Europe would be nice but, like you said cost would get you. This is what I think many who are leaving the US today fear is coming our way.
Should have jumped on the 1 euro house in Sicily.
My friend was looking to move to Panama before he passed.
My friend was looking to move to Panama before he passed.
warrior, it all depends on how much you want. I know Germans in their late 70s making it on 700 Euro/month (~ $800). They pay about 250 Euro/mo rent for small apartments. They also own cars, albeit used, older models. Very possible to live over there, but tight.
Weather sucks in Germany, too, as you are well aware. Great place to hang out during the summer, but please flee when Winter comes.
I've been to Cuenca and your father is correct. It is an awesome place. I love Cuenca!
Buy a place on or near the beach, rent it to vacationers in the summer to help offset the cost.