Jingthing

I disagree given the current environment there that it's fair to make such blanket assumptions anymore. On the other hand, I've never suggested that people should panic or even worry. Just keep a watch on it.

OMG, you don't get it. As an expat even with just 1000 dollars a month you can live in a wonderful and safe place in Latin America. Not everywhere in Latin America. That's the point of the importance of matching the specific destination to your situation and needs. A pleasant middle class or even higher life, wanting nothing. You could eat out daily not at fancy places but still nice food. In the USA, you're totally screwed on that. You'd be lucky to find a place to live in slums you mentioned. Yes, I have an American perspective on this. You may not. Of course, it's stupid to make yourself an easy target for criminals anywhere. Even in "safe" Thailand, fools wearing gold chains get them snatched. As far as gated communities, that's a thing in the U.S. as well. I don't consider a high rise in one of the best neighborhoods in town with doormen/security guards to be gated communities. That's a better quality highrise ANYWHERE. Lots of expats live safely in Latin America in different kinds of housing, just as anywhere just as people live everywhere with different levels of risk. Obviously some choices are safer in Latin America than others, just as anywhere. One thing that is perhaps not a good idea in much of Latin America (again, depends on specifics) is living in rural isolated areas which as a foreigner would make them look like too tempting target. Again, common sense. Yes, for very sheltered people that grew up in very low crime countries, Latin America may be super scary to them, but again that doesn't describe most Americans. Someone prioritizing safety over everything else might choose Merida Mexico. Yucatán capital named North America's second safest city (mexiconewsdaily.com) Also lower costs relative to other choices in Mexico such as Puerto Vallara, but unfortunately hot as hell. Personally I think it's irrational to not look at safety levels in a balanced way, it's one of many factors, just as if you were moving anywhere. Personally I would be happy with "pretty good safety" if a destination shined in other important aspects. Also, please give us a break. NOBODY is suggesting becoming an expat in Venezuela! That was absurd to even mention. Another point, if you're fair skinned and blue eyed and want to blend in there are plenty of places in Argentina and Chile (now a first world country) for that if it's a priority. Sprechen sie Deutsch?

Fox or whatever, the information was accurate. Most likely there will nothing to say further on this matter until we get closer the new deadline in December (as nothing has been resolved, only delayed).

OMG. In case you weren't joking I wasn't suggesting that you would need to stay holed up in one place. It's more about common sense. Learn the places and parts of town to avoid similar to much of the world.

I was talking about Colombia not Mexico. Latin America is not a monolith and neither are the countries in it monoliths any more than the USA. You're not moving to Latin America or a country. You're moving to a specific housing space in a specific area or specific neighborhood in a specific town or city. There are incredibly diverse options. You don't want to learn Spanish? Move to a gringo expat haven place like San Miguel Allende Mexico. Want to stay home and watch torrents all day? Nobody would stop you. The specific places I'd consider in Latin America are not riddled with beheadings and kidnapping and are statistically safer than much of the USA. Of course if someone sticks a gun in your face on the street you must give up your stuff and if you're hanging out with prostitutes or druggies or wandering around drunk at 3 in the morning your personal risk.would go way up. My advice is to focus on specific places not comic book impressions from movies or even the news. Monterrey Mexico is not Tijuana. The pacific coast of Colombia don't go there is not a tier 5 luxury neighborhood in Manizales. Also as a generalization Mexico is more expensive than Colombia but there are pros and cons to different places other than cost.

Funny that you say that. Mexico changed their rules. For the better. For example if you can show about 30k USD in your home country bank (similar to Thailand's 800K baht) ONE TIME, you can begin temporary residence on a path towards permanent residence after five years or show much more such as in a typical retirement account and be qualified for permanent residence from the start. This is a country by country situation. There are still numerous (albeit not unlimited and it never was close to unlimited) opportunities for the less wealthy, even for permanent residence including some UNDER 1000 income requirement per month. Your stereotyped monolithic description of life south of the USA border is pure comic book. It's a matter of choosing a better location both the city you choose and exactly where you live in that city. I'm tempted by smaller Colombian cities where three bedroom modern luxury apartments in high rises with full time security in literally top rated (they have an official number rank system there) safe neighborhoods can be had for 300 - 400 dollars a month.

OK. This is being kicked down the road a bit until December. After that ... https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-10-07/schumer-agreement-reached-on-short-term-debt-ceiling-fix WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Thursday an agreement has been reached with Republicans to extend the government’s borrowing authority into December, temporarily averting a debt crisis.

I can't be bothered to compile them but if you'd be so kind as to volunteer? While you're at it ....

No such plans.

Malaysia? Are you having a laugh or are you just not in touch with the news? I like it too but are so many of you here THAT rich? I doubt it. SHOCKING: New MM2H Programme Requirements Will Disqualify Nearly All Applicants AND Existing Visa Holders - ExpatGo

Yeah that's cool. Celebration of misery.

True that, and even they have a problem with the Portuguese spoken in Portugal.

I like your negative approach, ha ha. For me, I have a negative for Portugal. Their language sounds like Russian to me and raises my blood pressure to hear it. If only they spoke Brazilian!

I've recently found Tom Taxi very reliable. However, right now I'm getting a security error message going to their website. Anyway, nice comfortable cars, courteous drivers, on time, prices competitive, what more can you ask for? Tom Taxi Service Contact details [email protected]

I sometimes tell people I live in Banglamung. Better the devil you don't know.

It would be better not to have to test that. Also, different offices, different responses.

Janet Yellen is NOT a politician. My understanding is that immigration generally does not accept missing month income transfers. Your other example off topic.

Again I posted an explanation of the mechanics of social security payments. That basically proved that what some people are painting as impossible actually isn't. Again though highly unlikely. .

I visited there but only to Santo Domingo and a nearby beach resort. At the time it didn't appeal to me because: Crappy public transportation Constantly hounded by parasitic hustlers basically demanding to be paid to protect me from other scums Food boring Imported products exorbitant Vulnerability to hurricanes But lots of people do like it and there are other options on the island.

The topic isn't about the past. It's about the present and future. The video I posted explains clearly how a delay technically COULD happen but that everyone agrees is highly unlikely TO happen.

While this was posted before the news of a probable (but not certain yet) stopgap measure I think this explains some very interesting background on the internal mechanics of how social security benefits are paid or potentially (though happily very unlikely) not paid.

More about the various countries, less about trivialities like how not everyone knows what RV means, por favor.

Update now is there appears to be a high probability that a stopgap measure will be approved meaning that a potential default will be delayed about six weeks or so. Unfortunately that isn't a real.resolution but at least it gives more breathing room.

For those mentioning Malaysia, do you mean via the Malaysia My Second Home scheme? If so have you checked the recent financial requirement changes? Through the roof.

This is a facts based topic. Not fear mongering.