First let me say we LOVE living in our rv. But we are thinking of down the road in five or ten years and our exit plan.
I've been doing some research and have learned that there are places which have a lost cost of living and good health care, the two most important things on our list.
I'd also like a temperate climate--no extreme heat, humidity or cold--personal and community safety, and no in-your-face abject poverty or rampant animal neglect or abuse, if at all possible.
an acquaintance is moving to southeast asia to become a therapist to expats, she's a smart kid with a good idea I think, lol.
so where would you consider? and why?
NWescapee said
09:25 AM Apr 10, 2014
Long before we ever thought of FT RV'ing but were considering downsizing we read the following book, it gave us lots of laughs and made us think about something like this way in the future.
I have thought about it...my dream retirement was project managing internationally and traveling with Lee...here's why I am giving that up to tour the country..YMMV
1. I am very patriotic and am very grateful to have been born here. As a woman I see what my life would have been like born into other parts of the world and I think I would have a very tough time living there. For instance I could make huge money in Dubai in my field but I just don't think I could handle the culture.
2. We have the best public parks system in the world and there is so much here I have not experienced. Why not see this great country first?
3. Safety issues and healthcare are a big concern. My inlaws were going to move to a resort island in Honduras which was amazing but they knew if there was a catastrophic event they wouldn't get to mdeical care in time. Also the poverty was crazy outside of the resort areas. They could live like kings but the inequity between the "rulers" and the "serving class" was horrendous. I would have a very hard time ignoring that.
That leaves plavces like Canada, Australia, Europe which are not totally out of the question but much harder to find a job and get a VISA in unless you have a VERY specilized skill set which neither of us do.
So although it was on my dream job list for over 5 years once I really started looking into it I realized it would not be everything I thought for us. May still happen if I get the right offer, but I am not actively pursuing
-- Edited by Trace on Thursday 10th of April 2014 10:19:45 AM
bjoyce said
10:52 AM Apr 10, 2014
Friends moved to Ecuador for the same reasons, you can read about it here - http://www.retiredincuenca.com/. Edit: Actually Donna has posted here in the past.
Years ago we had family that moved to Costa Rica, they loved it for a while but ended up back in the USA for many reasons. Of course, they moved back just before I had enough money to go visit them.
Some working friends are in Taiwan and love it. They signed up for 2 years and are probably going to stay for at least 4.
I would live in another country for the adventure, not to save money.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 10th of April 2014 10:53:41 AM
The Bear II said
10:52 AM Apr 10, 2014
There's a show on TLC or Discovery Channel called International House Hunters. Many of the couples that are looking for homes shown on the show are expats looking for a lower cost place to live. It seems based on the shows and what I've read over the past couple of years there are large numbers of expats from US & Canada in Costa Rica, Panama, Belize (lowest cost of living) with whole communities devoted to the expats.
One gated comunity in Panama included security guards that would go with you if you left the compound...that seems a little scary. But the houses within the compound were spectacular along with great amenities like golf course, retail & dining center, pools, gym ...etc.
That being said.... I still plan to stay within the US. Just going to have to learn how to speak a couple of other languages so I can shop and order stuff to eat...
-- Edited by The Bear II on Thursday 10th of April 2014 10:54:47 AM
jrzygrl64 said
10:59 AM Apr 10, 2014
My husband and I had the opportunity to move with our kids (who were 9 and 10 at that time) to Jamaica. We went there and explored the idea and decided against it. There were tons of reasons, most importantly the political unrest, which caused violence to breakout, and the schools. The only one I would have considered sending them to was VERY expensive. So, since the company REALLY wanted my husband to work there, he commuted from Kingston to Louisville, KY for almost 2 years.
I would at this point possibly consider going to Europe for an extended visit, but not permanently.
BiggarView said
11:04 AM Apr 10, 2014
bjoyce wrote:
...I would live in another country for the adventure, not to save money.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 10th of April 2014 10:53:41 AM
Yep. Having done the Navy for 5 years ..."It's not just a job, it's an adventure" accurately portrays a lot of what I got to see in service to this country. As a civilian, I'd go to other countries for exactly Bill's reason.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 10th of April 2014 11:05:30 AM
TRAILERKING said
12:00 PM Apr 10, 2014
suse1023 wrote:
I've been doing some research and have learned that there are places which have a lost cost of living and good health care, the two most important things on our list.
I'd also like a temperate climate--no extreme heat, humidity or cold--personal and community safety, and no in-your-face abject poverty or rampant animal neglect or abuse, if at all possible.
Well that'd be a "Perfect World" scenario.
Russ Ranger said
12:41 PM Apr 10, 2014
Well we are doing a version of this scenario in our retired life. Five years ago we purchased a home in Mazatlán, Mexico. At that time our retirement plans included living aboard our trawler in Washington during the Summers and spending Winters in Mexico.
As we got closer to 60 years old our plans changed. We sold the boat and bought a motorhome. My wife said she had seen enough water in the 13 years we had the Grand Banks and that it was time to see the country. She was right. We are both loving the RV life and travels.
The cost of living in Mazatlán during the Winters runs about $1,000.00 less per month than being in our motorhome. Fuel and RV site rentals account for most of that savings. Food and other daily items are also a bargain there. Medical and dental costs are major savings over the states.
We feel very safe there and have worked through the challenges that come with living outside of the USA. It is not all a bed of roses but we do like our decision to try something different in retirement. I agree, we do part of it for the adventure, not the cost savings.
Just like RV'ing, living out of the country will change for us someday, but we are loving our retirement.
Life is good.
injunear said
03:02 PM Apr 10, 2014
Campo de el Paso, Sante Fe, Argentina. But moving there would only happen if something real bad went wrong in this beautiful country we live in. There's a family there that has adopted us because their son was an exchange student in our home over twenty years ago. We've been there many times over the years and love the area and the people.
The whole family including now grandchildren have been to our home in Indiana. Planning a trip there later this year.
Their climate is like southern Florida. Cool, about 50 at night in winter which is June thru September.
Wayne
Jake62 said
05:13 PM Apr 10, 2014
Not probably in the context you're thinking. We do travel internationally and even have explored the options of living abroad for a summer or so, but my ties to the U.S. both growing up and in my career are too strong to permanently reside overseas. Not right or wrong, just our leanings.
Terry and Jo said
06:39 PM Apr 10, 2014
My "time overseas" was limited with most of it (19 months) being in the Northwest Frontier section of Pakistan. That is the area now known as the Federally Administered Tribal Area to the Pakistani government. The base we were stationed on is near Peshawar, which is about 100 miles or so from the place they found Usama bin Ladin. Definitely not a recommended place to live, for any reason.
Having been in and through a lot of U.S. states and seeing the various National and State parks and other attractions, I really can't say I have any inclination to live anywhere else. Moving around in this country is so much easier than traveling abroad.
Terry
folivier said
07:42 PM Apr 10, 2014
If I would the first place would be Boquete, Panama. Lots of expats, in the mountains so climate is milder. 2 hours or so to either the Pacific or the Caribbean. And with the canal their economy is doing great.
But we've done enough traveling in Central America and the islands to know that it ain't like the good ole USofA!
manycats said
07:44 PM Apr 10, 2014
If anything happens to my DH and I can't fulltime by myself, I will not be able to afford living in this country. I wouldn't even be able to afford living in my native island, Puerto Rico, because it's part of the U.S.A. and although the cost of living is lower, it's not low enough. Since Spanish is my first language and South and Central America offer so many discounts and assistance to seniors, I may be looking at Ecuador, Panama or some other country for my final days. A harsh reality that must be faced. I'm looking forward to seeing even more of this wonderful country but I still keep other options in mind.
Dranoel said
08:27 PM Apr 10, 2014
We lived for 3 years in Costa Rica before returning to the U.S. as full-timers. I would look at living in a 3rd world country as an adventure - a very fun one. But, most expats return to the U.S. after a few years. Many of those we know have returned or are returning. The U.S. is hard to beat in many ways. Rule-of-law and medical expertise are among the top reasons we live here and not there. In the case of Costa Rica, low cost of living = beans/rice and frequently poorly trained doctors. Do your homework before you commit to a move out of the U.S.
LibertyLinda said
04:56 PM Apr 13, 2014
Trace....I am totally in agreement with all your reasons. I have no inclination what so ever to leave this country, including Canada & Mexico - getting a passport is too much trouble & they do not have anything better than what our great nation has.
Happy Journey's RV-Dreamers!
bjoyce said
10:15 PM Apr 13, 2014
Life is what you make it. I wouldn't be here if my father did not travel internationally. He met my mother overseas, in the country of her birth. He obviously found something better in another country.
TRAILERKING said
10:20 PM Apr 13, 2014
bjoyce wrote:
Life is what you make it. I wouldn't be here if my father did not travel internationally. He met my mother overseas, in the country of her birth. He obviously found something better in another country.
Couldn't have worded that better bjoyce..................Well said, well said.
Dog Folks said
06:55 AM Apr 16, 2014
By the grace of God, I was born here, in the greatest country on earth.
It is not perfect, but still the best.
A country where people are literally dying every day trying to come here.
Live somewhere else never was, and never will be on my radar.
I not saying leaving is wrong, just not for me.
Because you live in the U.S. you have the freedom to leave.
Appreciate that freedom.
Lucky Mike said
07:08 AM Apr 16, 2014
I love Our country.......I chose the RV lifestyle so I could minimize living within the system it is run by!!!
PIEERE said
08:16 AM Apr 16, 2014
Thoughts of leaving have had there fleeting moments. I prefer the USA and most of the freedoms we have especially being able to travel just about anywhere we please. I have been a visitor to the NE parts of Canada (beauty of the NE Kingdom). Visited Greece and was stationed in W. Germany; they are great to visit. Even been to Nogales; Mexico; all I seen was the Marke-places.
In the US; I have seen the NE from the Coast of Maine to as far as South Miami Beach, Fl. (Nice view of the wild life in thier bikinis; LOL!). I have traveled the Heartland from the little finger of W. Michigan to Dallas/Ft.Worth to the Redwood Forests of California; (Visited Disneyland; the Original). Even visited The Pioneer Village in Minden, Neb. and The Grand Canyon (Awe Inspiring--if you like geological history!
However; I never been to San Antonio or the Rio Grande; never been from Minnesota to Washington or from Oregon to S. Dakota. Maybe I will never get to see these places; only in pictures. I know i have seen more of this country than my parents who are deceased; also most of my relatives. Guess I was born the traveler of the family.
Summersquash said
07:27 PM Apr 17, 2014
Love to travel and see the other countries, but "no" I don't think so. Of coursre I have only been to a few different countries but I haven't found anywhere better than ours. We are so lucky to have been born here. Going to Europe made me realize how fortunate we are. Our life is easy. I love to visit other places but USA will always be my home.
First let me say we LOVE living in our rv. But we are thinking of down the road in five or ten years and our exit plan.
I've been doing some research and have learned that there are places which have a lost cost of living and good health care, the two most important things on our list.
I'd also like a temperate climate--no extreme heat, humidity or cold--personal and community safety, and no in-your-face abject poverty or rampant animal neglect or abuse, if at all possible.
an acquaintance is moving to southeast asia to become a therapist to expats, she's a smart kid with a good idea I think, lol.
so where would you consider? and why?
www.happierthanabillionaire.com/book/
I have thought about it...my dream retirement was project managing internationally and traveling with Lee...here's why I am giving that up to tour the country..YMMV
1. I am very patriotic and am very grateful to have been born here. As a woman I see what my life would have been like born into other parts of the world and I think I would have a very tough time living there. For instance I could make huge money in Dubai in my field but I just don't think I could handle the culture.
2. We have the best public parks system in the world and there is so much here I have not experienced. Why not see this great country first?
3. Safety issues and healthcare are a big concern. My inlaws were going to move to a resort island in Honduras which was amazing but they knew if there was a catastrophic event they wouldn't get to mdeical care in time. Also the poverty was crazy outside of the resort areas. They could live like kings but the inequity between the "rulers" and the "serving class" was horrendous. I would have a very hard time ignoring that.
That leaves plavces like Canada, Australia, Europe which are not totally out of the question but much harder to find a job and get a VISA in unless you have a VERY specilized skill set which neither of us do.
So although it was on my dream job list for over 5 years once I really started looking into it I realized it would not be everything I thought for us. May still happen if I get the right offer, but I am not actively pursuing
-- Edited by Trace on Thursday 10th of April 2014 10:19:45 AM
Friends moved to Ecuador for the same reasons, you can read about it here - http://www.retiredincuenca.com/. Edit: Actually Donna has posted here in the past.
Years ago we had family that moved to Costa Rica, they loved it for a while but ended up back in the USA for many reasons. Of course, they moved back just before I had enough money to go visit them.
Some working friends are in Taiwan and love it. They signed up for 2 years and are probably going to stay for at least 4.
I would live in another country for the adventure, not to save money.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 10th of April 2014 10:53:41 AM
There's a show on TLC or Discovery Channel called International House Hunters. Many of the couples that are looking for homes shown on the show are expats looking for a lower cost place to live. It seems based on the shows and what I've read over the past couple of years there are large numbers of expats from US & Canada in Costa Rica, Panama, Belize (lowest cost of living) with whole communities devoted to the expats.
One gated comunity in Panama included security guards that would go with you if you left the compound...that seems a little scary. But the houses within the compound were spectacular along with great amenities like golf course, retail & dining center, pools, gym ...etc.
That being said.... I still plan to stay within the US. Just going to have to learn how to speak a couple of other languages so I can shop and order stuff to eat...
-- Edited by The Bear II on Thursday 10th of April 2014 10:54:47 AM
I would at this point possibly consider going to Europe for an extended visit, but not permanently.
Yep. Having done the Navy for 5 years ..."It's not just a job, it's an adventure" accurately portrays a lot of what I got to see in service to this country. As a civilian, I'd go to other countries for exactly Bill's reason.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 10th of April 2014 11:05:30 AM
Well that'd be a "Perfect World" scenario.
As we got closer to 60 years old our plans changed. We sold the boat and bought a motorhome. My wife said she had seen enough water in the 13 years we had the Grand Banks and that it was time to see the country. She was right. We are both loving the RV life and travels.
The cost of living in Mazatlán during the Winters runs about $1,000.00 less per month than being in our motorhome. Fuel and RV site rentals account for most of that savings. Food and other daily items are also a bargain there. Medical and dental costs are major savings over the states.
We feel very safe there and have worked through the challenges that come with living outside of the USA. It is not all a bed of roses but we do like our decision to try something different in retirement. I agree, we do part of it for the adventure, not the cost savings.
Just like RV'ing, living out of the country will change for us someday, but we are loving our retirement.
Life is good.
Campo de el Paso, Sante Fe, Argentina. But moving there would only happen if something real bad went wrong in this beautiful country we live in. There's a family there that has adopted us because their son was an exchange student in our home over twenty years ago. We've been there many times over the years and love the area and the people.
The whole family including now grandchildren have been to our home in Indiana. Planning a trip there later this year.
Their climate is like southern Florida. Cool, about 50 at night in winter which is June thru September.
Wayne
My "time overseas" was limited with most of it (19 months) being in the Northwest Frontier section of Pakistan. That is the area now known as the Federally Administered Tribal Area to the Pakistani government. The base we were stationed on is near Peshawar, which is about 100 miles or so from the place they found Usama bin Ladin. Definitely not a recommended place to live, for any reason.
Having been in and through a lot of U.S. states and seeing the various National and State parks and other attractions, I really can't say I have any inclination to live anywhere else. Moving around in this country is so much easier than traveling abroad.
Terry
But we've done enough traveling in Central America and the islands to know that it ain't like the good ole USofA!
Happy Journey's RV-Dreamers!
Couldn't have worded that better bjoyce..................Well said, well said.
It is not perfect, but still the best.
A country where people are literally dying every day trying to come here.
Live somewhere else never was, and never will be on my radar.
I not saying leaving is wrong, just not for me.
Because you live in the U.S. you have the freedom to leave.
Appreciate that freedom.
Thoughts of leaving have had there fleeting moments.
I prefer the USA and most of the freedoms we have especially being able to travel just about anywhere we please. I have been a visitor to the NE parts of Canada (beauty of the NE Kingdom). Visited Greece and was stationed in W. Germany; they are great to visit. Even been to Nogales; Mexico; all I seen was the Marke-places.
In the US; I have seen the NE from the Coast of Maine to as far as South Miami Beach, Fl. (Nice view of the wild life in thier bikinis; LOL!). I have traveled the Heartland from the little finger of W. Michigan to Dallas/Ft.Worth to the Redwood Forests of California; (Visited Disneyland; the Original). Even visited The Pioneer Village in Minden, Neb. and The Grand Canyon (Awe Inspiring--if you like geological history!
However; I never been to San Antonio or the Rio Grande; never been from Minnesota to Washington or from Oregon to S. Dakota. Maybe I will never get to see these places; only in pictures. I know i have seen more of this country than my parents who are deceased; also most of my relatives. Guess I was born the traveler of the family.
I hear that Belize is nice.