Jingthing

Another aspect of choosing between a lower cost US car dependent area vs. a rarer area where you can actually exist without a car is the issue of aging out of being eligible to drive. LGBT people lack a supportive family that will drive them everywhere at higher rates than the general population. So choosing a non car dependent area could be seen as future proofing.

Sorry but I have posted multiple times that I have no plans to ever leave Thailand. However I am very interested in Plan B alternatives both in other countries and in the US. Perhaos consider it an odd hobby. So I have nothing to decide really unless events or circumstances push me out of Thailand. For examples a visa change I can't meet or a medical condition that points to needing to use Medicare in the US. I can say most likely places if another country. Mexico or Panama but maybe Cambodia temporarily. I really don't have a most likely list if I repatriate. The choices in the US at my budget are mostly about picking trade offs. Also the timing would make a difference. For example if it was ten years from now the choice would probably be different than if it was in the near future.

The trouble is that combining a truly walkable city that has great public transportation where you don't need a car with truly affordable housing PLUS great weather basically doesn't exist in the U.S.

It's not about the current conflict or even the same countries.

What's your point?

Yeah I understood it was OZ and also that your rent is too low for Sydney and Melbourne.

I know some people from there but the closest I've ever been even to the Michigan border is at the Indiana dunes on a trip from Chicago. K-zoo is getting some buzz thought these days! Also Grand Rapids gets a lot of good press. Kalamazoo ranks #1 in coolest cities to live with the lowest cost of living in U.S. (fox17online.com)

Well yeah in most of the US the rent plus too damn high.

Here is what gay seniors want to avoid but very sadly many still fall into circumstances that force them back into the closet in old age. Usually related to inevitably declining health. Can choosing the right location for retirement help prevent that? Yes I think it can help but probably always short of any kind of foolproof guarantee. In the US SAGE is an organization advocating for gay seniors. I think it would be a plus if moving to a US city if there is an active SAGE group. I know Tucson AZ does. https://www.sageusa.org/news-posts/will-lgbt-retirees-end-up-back-in-the-closet/ What does your dream retirement look like? Your life experience living as part of the LGBTQ+ community will likely play a role in where you retire, how much money you have to spend in retirement, and even your healthcare needs as you age. Sadly, homophobia may put a damper on part of your gay retirement plan. It might even drive some part of the community back into the closet as we get older.

The trend is improving as far as the west finally waking up to how vital defeating Russia is but I'm not feeling total commitment yet and if maga fascist Putn adjacent Trump comes to power again, everything changes.

Spain and Mexico appear to be the most popular non US countries covered by Wherr Do Gays Retire.

Great name though. A real piparoo.

Brazil is a mixed bag. Of course it has masses of gay people in the cities and such a vibrant culture but its notorious for violent crimes against them. Well I had a good time in Rio anyway except when I was mugged ih broad daylight. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/democraciaabierta/violencia-anti-lgbtq-brasil-en/

It's a discussion topic. Thailand is indeed one of the places that gays retire to but its interesting to some particularly the intellectually curious to know about other places in our world. If the topic doesn't interest you feel welcome to ignore it.

More snarky hostile heckling.

Nothing is wrong with Thailand.

Bull. Straight people don't need to come out.

Still not sure about going private because I think it would then totally disappear. But totally agree not only is homophobia a drag but so is being trivialized and having frequent demands to explain ourselves.

Much of the world and worse as well.

Watch the video in the OP and that explains the reasons that gay people often seek places that will work better for them as gay people than other places. I totally reject your assertion that sexual identity is a trivial difference. Sure P town is extremely gay and great in summer but not great in winter, somewhat isolated, and very expensive. Yeah some gay people do retire there but most people that could afford to wouldn't. I have great personal memories there during my peak twink salad days. Oh if those gay guesthouse rooms could talk.

I think that usually makes things much more expensive. Yes I definitely do miss such western cultural amenities.

That's true that there are more affordable options in Greece and Spain. However as you suggest the financial visa requirements for both are rather high for non EU people.

Those are all good and well known but mostly expensive options. Many gay people have more down to earth budgets. Again to me the value of the Where Do Gays Retire enterprise.is its inclusion of very not obvious options such as Cleveland and Ajijic. Regarding that list both Israel and Taiwan lack visa options for retirement.

No. That wouldn't work. People wouldn't know to look for it.

No. People sincerely interested wouldn't see the topics either. You may as well delete the forum.