Would you consider becoming an ex-pat and, if so, where would go?

[gamecockcat]

More and more Americans are retiring to foreign countries becoming 'ex-pats'. Just recently, I did a little research and it's not completely out of the question, imo.

Benefits
1. Cost of living in a lot of countries is much more reasonable than the US.
2. There are ex-pat communities in various places where you could potentially plug into a social group.
3. Healthcare in some places is as close to or on par with the US without the outrageous costs.
4. Most popular places with ex-pats have technology, high speed internet, cell phones, etc. so it wouldn't be like you're camping out on an island.
5. Certainly would broaden your horizons to live in another country for a while.
6. Don't have to give up US citizenship - receive SS, Medicare (if you come back to States), etc.

Obstacles
1. Geographic distance from family, children, grandchildren, friends.
2. Adopting to a new culture, language (potentially).
3. Picking the 'right' place which is stable politically, socially and financially.
4. Change, especially radical change, is difficult.

What little research I've done mentioned some S. and C. American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, et al), Portugal, a few in the Far East.

Would you consider it?

 

[WildcatFan1982]

There are places that seem like they'd be awesome to live if for some reason I was forced to leave, but I really have zero interest in permanently relocating to another country.

 

[Gassy_Knowls]

Maldives for me

 

[American Dragon]

Frankly, I'm too lazy to do it. Some place in Europe or like New Zealand is probably what I would go with if I had to leave the country though.

My parents will be long dead when I retire, unless they both get close to 100 years old, which is doubtful. After that the only family I'd have is my brother. Most of my friends aren't where I live, but I generally like keeping to myself for the most part anyways. I make the vast majority of my friends thru work these days.

So the whole retiring and moving to another country would present quite the steep learning curve. Learn a new way to make friends, learn a new language, new culture and customs, new legal system, etc. Even in my younger days (and I'm still only 37), it would be difficult, especially the language thing, I'd have to pick a place where English is really widespread or a Spanish speaking place. Took like 4 years of Spanish in college and high school. While I don't remember msot of it, I still remember some and have a basic understanding of the language, so the learning curve wouldn't be as steep.

I like learning, but that is a lot of learning.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

I would not retire abroad. Got two daughters, two sons-in-law, and one grandbaby all living nearby.

If I ever was to consider it, I think Portugal sounds the most appealing. I’d have to consider a South Pacific island somewhere, too (Bora Bora?). But costs would probably be too high.

 

[gamecockcat]

It would definitely present a lot of challenges. One thing I've found intriguing is many of these places are cheap enough that you can live a pretty decent (think middle class) lifestyle on $35k - $40k/yr. With that as your base, sure could perhaps open up travel possibilities to spend multiple weeks with kids, grandkids, etc. in the US. Just a thought.

New Zealand would be very cool but, dang, the travel would have to be limited to once per year as an all-day flight would wear my butt out.

As to learning a new language, I think most people would pick up on enough to get around pretty quickly if they had to. Something like Spanish, Italian, Portugese are at least structured like English in many ways (or the other way around) and, if you were exposed to it every day, I think you'd pick up at least some.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

New Zealand would be very cool but, dang, the travel would have to be limited to once per year as an all-day flight would wear my butt out.

to probably incorrectly quote Lewis Black: "If you have the opportunity to go to the New Zealand, don't. They say its beautiful, I have no idea. After being on a plane for 22 hours I could get off and see 2 penguins blowing each other and think that was beautiful"

 

[BMoore2]

If **** hits the fan, you’ll probably want to be in the United States. Lotta security, even in our current state.

 

[Tskware]

Answer to Q no. 1, is no, got zero interest in living in another country.

But . . . have a lot of friends whose kids have moved mostly to Europe and the majority really like it.

So, if I had to move, only one choice for me, United Kingdom, England actually, have golf, pubs, speak some form of bastarized English, which is 50% faster than the language I speak it, have pretty close to the same world view as most Americans, and is a free democratic country.

 

[ManitouDan]

Been visiting Cozumel Mz for over 20 years . Would def consider it there . Cost of living is very low , crime is low , climate is near perfect , if you like it hot . food choices from Italian to BBQ to Mexican is outstanding.

 

[numberonedad]

First choice would be Panama, then Turks and caicos

 

[TortElvisII]

Maldives for me

 

[JDHoss]

If we had no family in the US, we'd consider it. Some place tropical and out of the hurricane/cyclone belt where English or Appalachian American is widely spoken.

 

[Deeeefense]

The Philippians would be one to consider. It was formally a US possession and we have Navy and Air Force bases there. Most people speak at least some English. Cost of living is very low, beaches and rain forests are beautiful there, and it's not too crowded with tourists. Fairly easy to keep up your visa. Also for those interested in multiple women, the Philippines has legal Polygamy or at least they did at one time. The only negative is Manila and some other areas have a very high crime rate so you need to watch your wallet.

 

[Kooky Kats]

Italy.
I’ll prolly end up in Sardinia.

 

[JDHoss]

The Philippians would be one to consider. It was formally a US possession and we have Navy and Air Force bases there. Most people speak at least some English. Cost of living is very low, beaches and rain forests are beautiful there, and it's not too crowded with tourists. Fairly easy to keep up your visa. Also for those interested in multiple women, the Philippines has legal Polygamy or at least they did at one time. The only negative is Manila and some other areas have a very high crime rate so you need to watch your wallet.

Why the Hell would you want multiple women? Or for that matter....

 

[warrior-cat]

Maldives for me

Muffdives for me.

 

[American Dragon]

It would definitely present a lot of challenges. One thing I've found intriguing is many of these places are cheap enough that you can live a pretty decent (think middle class) lifestyle on $35k - $40k/yr. With that as your base, sure could perhaps open up travel possibilities to spend multiple weeks with kids, grandkids, etc. in the US. Just a thought.

New Zealand would be very cool but, dang, the travel would have to be limited to once per year as an all-day flight would wear my butt out.

As to learning a new language, I think most people would pick up on enough to get around pretty quickly if they had to. Something like Spanish, Italian, Portugese are at least structured like English in many ways (or the other way around) and, if you were exposed to it every day, I think you'd pick up at least some.

My biggest problem with native Spanish speakers is they always seem to speak really fast. Like man slow down, it's not a race to see who can talk the fastest!

 

[American Dragon]

If **** hits the fan, you’ll probably want to be in the United States. Lotta security, even in our current state.

If **** hits the fan, I'm thinking like apocalypse-like conditions, somewhere really secluded that's difficult to get to where you could survive off the land would be best, I would think.

 

[*CatinIL*]

My response earlier disappeared, probably because the Men in Black or the FBI, but I wouldn't move outside of the USA. Despite the goofs that are currently in charge, this is still the greatest country on this planet. What does that say about the other countries?

 

[American Dragon]

Answer to Q no. 1, is no, got zero interest in living in another country.

But . . . have a lot of friends whose kids have moved mostly to Europe and the majority really like it.

So, if I had to move, only one choice for me, United Kingdom, England actually, have golf, pubs, speak some form of bastarized English, which is 50% faster than the language I speak it, have pretty close to the same world view as most Americans, and is a free democratic country.

England is a constitutional monarchy.

 

[American Dragon]

My response earlier disappeared, probably because the Men in Black or the FBI, but I wouldn't move outside of the USA. Despite the goofs that are currently in charge, this is still the greatest country on this planet. What does that say about the other countries?

Greatest is a matter of opinion. There are quite a lot of things we are not remotely the greatest at.

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

 

[warrior-cat]

Greatest is a matter of opinion. There are quite a lot of things we are not remotely the greatest at.

Nope, greatest is a matter of fact. It is just ignorance that keeps some people from seeing it.

 

[*CatinIL*]

Greatest is a matter of opinion. There are quite a lot of things we are not remotely the greatest at.

Despite current political events, the USA is still the best country to live in. If you don't think so, move to the country that you think is.

 

[vhcat70]

My biggest problem with native Spanish speakers is they always seem to speak really fast. Like man slow down, it's not a race to see who can talk the fastest!

It's because the info content per syllable is low vs. English because there are fewer unique words with more specific meaning.

 

[vhcat70]

Italy is great. Spain also. Costa Rica west coast is great.

 

[Hank Camacho_rivals115797]

I've got some family members who moved to Belize. Seems kind of ******, tbh, no matter how much they try to make people jealous on facebook.

If I'm moving anywhere in the world for retirement, it will be St. Pete Beach, Florida.

 

[MudererofCrows]

After the lass finishes her doctorate there’s probably a 90% chance I’ll be living abroad somewhere in the next five years.

Could be Brazil. Could be Europe. Good job opportunities in my field in both but honestly I’d be happy, with a baby on the way, just to be a house hubby in like Portugal or the Czech Republic.

 

[entropy13]

I've toyed with the idea. Most likely destination would be somewhere in Europe (Ireland, Portugal, Spain, or Hungary, most likely). I have an EU passport in addition to a USA one, so luckily no issue in terms of residency, etc. Ideally, I'd take my job with me.

I could also see myself in Latin America, or possibly Vietnam.

 

[Anon1711055878]

this is still the greatest country on this planet. What does that say about the other countries?

Based on what?

 

[MdWIldcat55]

The Adriatic coast of Croatia, either Dubrovnik or Split. Cheaper and cleaner than the other side of the Adriatic in Italy, even better looking women who are on average taller which I like. Most educated people speak English and I can get by in Serbo-Croat.

 

[Baron Mowbray]

More and more Americans are retiring to foreign countries becoming 'ex-pats'. Just recently, I did a little research and it's not completely out of the question, imo.

Benefits
1. Cost of living in a lot of countries is much more reasonable than the US.
2. There are ex-pat communities in various places where you could potentially plug into a social group.
3. Healthcare in some places is as close to or on par with the US without the outrageous costs.
4. Most popular places with ex-pats have technology, high speed internet, cell phones, etc. so it wouldn't be like you're camping out on an island.
5. Certainly would broaden your horizons to live in another country for a while.
6. Don't have to give up US citizenship - receive SS, Medicare (if you come back to States), etc.

Obstacles
1. Geographic distance from family, children, grandchildren, friends.
2. Adopting to a new culture, language (potentially).
3. Picking the 'right' place which is stable politically, socially and financially.
4. Change, especially radical change, is difficult.

What little research I've done mentioned some S. and C. American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, et al), Portugal, a few in the Far East.

Would you consider it?

You missed the biggest obstacle... managing your money. Not cheap or easy depending upon the country. Need to set something up with Charles Schwab so you don't get killed on transaction fees and exchange rates. Seems like Schwab is the preferred route as they make it the easiest to access your money from foreign countries from what I've read.

For me, Uruguay, Panama, or for Europe then Portugal are very attractive.

 

[P19978]

More and more Americans are retiring to foreign countries becoming 'ex-pats'. Just recently, I did a little research and it's not completely out of the question, imo.

Benefits
1. Cost of living in a lot of countries is much more reasonable than the US.
2. There are ex-pat communities in various places where you could potentially plug into a social group.
3. Healthcare in some places is as close to or on par with the US without the outrageous costs.
4. Most popular places with ex-pats have technology, high speed internet, cell phones, etc. so it wouldn't be like you're camping out on an island.
5. Certainly would broaden your horizons to live in another country for a while.
6. Don't have to give up US citizenship - receive SS, Medicare (if you come back to States), etc.

Obstacles
1. Geographic distance from family, children, grandchildren, friends.
2. Adopting to a new culture, language (potentially).
3. Picking the 'right' place which is stable politically, socially and financially.
4. Change, especially radical change, is difficult.

What little research I've done mentioned some S. and C. American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, et al), Portugal, a few in the Far East.

Would you consider it?

I look at ex-pat stuff all the time. For me, at age 58, its becoming a real possibility... especially if we continue to erode the values that made this country the greatest on Earth.

Right now, Florida looks pretty good if I stay in the US.

The plan is to get as far away from liberalism as possible.

 

[Catman100]

Greatest is a matter of opinion. There are quite a lot of things we are not remotely the greatest at.

One question:
Where have you lived outside of the US? Not visited, but lived?

 

[Beatle Bum]

I watched a YouTube video where a realtor is showing a home for sale in the hills of Tuscany. I really felt it was a place where I could be happy and live. They did not, however, state an asking price. I figured that probably excluded me from the market.

 

[Beatle Bum]

After the lass finishes her doctorate there’s probably a 90% chance I’ll be living abroad somewhere in the next five years.

Could be Brazil. Could be Europe. Good job opportunities in my field in both but honestly I’d be happy, with a baby on the way, just to be a house hubby in like Portugal or the Czech Republic.

Both of those places would be awesome.

 

[John Henry]

Nope, greatest is a matter of fact. It is just ignorance that keeps some people from seeing it.

I live in an area not far from where I was born, where 6 generations of my family have lived before me. I have a nice spot under a live oak tree that will be my eternal resting place, right next to my g-g-g-grandfather.

I have traveled to many, many countries and have no desire to live in any of them. I live in the Free State of Florida and have everything on earth an ole boy could want. I'll stay in Florida.

But I can see where it would be fun to dream if you are in an undesirable state.

 

[Lexie's Dad]

Warm weather. Low taxes. Wildcat sports

Would be a must list to move.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

to probably incorrectly quote Lewis Black: "If you have the opportunity to go to the New Zealand, don't. They say its beautiful, I have no idea. After being on a plane for 22 hours I could get off and see 2 penguins blowing each other and think that was beautiful"

Here we go, at 14:40

btw I got a lot of that wrong, but it did involve 2 penguins