So here is the dilemma, if not Thailand then where?

[torrzent]

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Yes, Im quite amuzed when someone claim USA is the land of free ;-) 

 

Except that, no

Hey it's in the national anthem so it has to be true!

[mokwit]

Just now, torrzent said:

LOL, that bar at the Del Rey is alot like the Star Wars bar, with a zany cast of characters.

Old Thermae in the '90's was also evocative of the Star Wars bar.

[mogandave]

Yes, Im quite amuzed when someone claim USA is the land of free ;-) 
 
Except that, no

Bummer that

[torrzent]

3 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Old Thermae in the '90's was also evocative of the Star Wars bar.

Indeed

[mokwit]

Just now, torrzent said:

Indeed

How I miss the nutty, flavorsome place that was Thailand in the '90's. Those of us from that era are like herons beside a dried out pond, we know there is nothing here anymore but we don't know where to fly to.........................

[mokwit]

One of my biggest disappointments is the fact that the kind of people I left the West to get away from have followed me here.

[mogandave]

One of my biggest disappointments is the fact that the kind of people I left the West to get away from have followed me here.

I don’t know, seems to be good people everywhere I go...of course I’ve never been to Europe... (just kidding)

I was at a big sales meeting two years ago and our CEO was going over our sales strategy. At the end of the meeting he had said nothing about Europe, so someone asked: “What about Europe?” He answered “Europe? That’s just where we stop to refuel the jet.”

[JAZZDOG]

6 hours ago, mokwit said:

How I miss the nutty, flavorsome place that was Thailand in the '90's. Those of us from that era are like herons beside a dried out pond, we know there is nothing here anymore but we don't know where to fly to.........................

Correction:

 

How I miss the nutty, flavorsome place that was Thailand in the '90's. Those of us from that era are dried up, we know there are no more pretty ladies or white horses at the door.

 

[JimmyJ]

On 5/9/2018 at 6:20 PM, torrzent said:

Have to agree.  It is hard to believe that a few name dropping blowhards on here keep talking about these crime ridden cesspools like Mexico, Brazil, Colombia as viable alternative locations.

I've seen several positive posts about Medillin, Colombia at other forums including one poster I know is credible on another forum (although he has a Colombian wife or gf)  in addition to the ones here.

 

I've personally ruled out Mexico but am open to Brazil and Colombia.

 

However, Glenn Greenwald (a Brazilian resident) has pointed out that Brazil is marching towards a military takeover and a dictator (the recent assassination of Marielle Franco using military weapons; the jailing of Lula; etc.).

Edited May 12, 2018 by JimmyJ

[guzzi850m2]

Interesting topic.

 

Looks to me that if one wants to find another place to call home; the EU guys (like me) are better off somewhere in southern EU and the US guys somewhere in America.

 

Well I am staying in Thailand, I still like it here and I don't think it's going downhill.

 

I am toying with the idea of staying somewhere in south EU part of the year when I retire.

 

Don't really see any alternatives in SEA considering I am married, my wife prefer staying in Thailand. 

[JAZZDOG]

10 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

I've seen several positive posts about Medillin, Colombia at other forums including one poster I know is credible on another forum (although he has a Colombian wife or gf)  in addition to the ones here.

 

I've personally ruled out Mexico but am open to Brazil and Colombia.

 

However, Glenn Greenwald (a Brazilian resident) has pointed out that Brazil is marching towards a military takeover and a dictator (the recent assassination of Marielle Franco using military weapons; the jailing of Lula; etc.).

No doubt this will be a telling election in Brazil. Car Wash has to be looked upon as a step in the right direction. I am obviously hoping for the best as I live there half the year. Most of the people I know there are actually pretty upbeat about the future. The most outspoken have actually never lived there but have read about it. Brazil is the kind of place one needs to experience first hand to really make a judgement. Not an easy place to adjust if you have no supporting connections. Not so sure about the military although many people preferred it back in the 80s with the military in power. With Federal Police presence everywhere already don't know if there would be a huge difference..

[Jingthing]

Some more thoughts about Mexico.

 

On Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan I can think of worse places to live but I don't think I'd be excited by any of those after long visits, even without the violence concern. Vallarta is mostly a beach resort so more expensive than Mazatlan which is a bigger city with a more diverse economy. Inland Guadalajara is Mexico's 2nd city.

 

So back to Merida. I'm probably intrigued by it because I haven't been there and it does sound different. 

 

The climate really does sound horrid. Very hot AND very humid for a large portion of the year. That is a deal breaker for a lot of people. 

 

Ideally I like a place where you don't need a car. I'm getting the feeling Merida ain't that living outside the central area. But no problem as a tourist. 

 

On the Mexican national health insurance you can buy into, well, yes, too good to be true, if you have any very common preexisting conditions, then you can't. I don't blame them but that's not great news either. 

 

Mexico does tax on worldwide income. That's obviously a negative without knowing the details. I have some specific questions about that, but so far just have found very ambiguous info. I haven't found a massive Mexico expat forum yet where you could get good technical answers like that in a few minutes, like you often can for Thailand right here!

 

 

Also worth mentioning down that way is Playa del Carmen obviously another beach resort, getting popular with expats. I think more Europeans than other expat magnets in Mexico. 

Edited May 12, 2018 by Jingthing

[sirineou]

On 5/11/2018 at 3:53 AM, Hummin said:

Yes, Im quite amuzed when someone claim USA is the land of free ;-) 

 

Except that, no

at least we are free to think we are the land of the free!!

and don't forget Home of the brave. 

Located in Atlanta Georgia.

[swissie]

Central and South America is a turf for adventurous souls.

- Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, Venezuela are in the process of "disintegrating". Columbia has hade a deal with the "FARC", but have forgotten to make a deal with the rest of the armed Guerilla Groups.
- Brazil is busy to uphold "Law and Order" in major cities. (Police had to be re-inforced by military to maintain "order".)
- Argentina is (once more) on the verge of bankcrupsy and needs urgent help from the IMF.
Other Central/South American Coutries with intact Governements/Infra Strucure offer little incentive for re-location as far as cost of living is concerned.
---------------------------
 One poster mentioned that the opportunities of "Retirement-Heavens" is on the increase wordwide. Nothing could be farther from the truth unless your name is Bill Gates. Even in S/E Asia the long-term Retirement-Opportunities are "dwindeling".
Laos: Remains in the stone age.
Cambodia: Democracy and freedom of press have been outlawed.
Malaysia: Making an attempt to struggle free of a Governement Apparatus built on entrenched corruption, with little hope.
Myanmar: They still dont know wether they are coming or going.
----------------------------
What remains as far as "Retirement" in a "predictable environement" is concerned? Thailand or Vietnam and not much else.
I insist, despite of occasional cumbersome visa Hokus-Pokus, the grass and the rice fields are greener in Thailand and in Vietnam as opposed to some military-units wearing green uniforms to "maintain order" in some Central-American Retirement Hot-Spots.
Cheers. 

[Jingthing]

Yeah obviously Thailand has great appeal. That's a given. But you're wildly exaggerating putting basket case in deep crisis Venezuela and Panama in the same boat, etc.

 

As far as cost of living incentives in some countries in Latin America you're also very wrong. Ecuador being a prime example.

 

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

I checked for current info on Ecuador and found that there has been a major change to their visa system.

 

To roughly summarize (details may not be 100 percent but I think I have the gist of it).

 

Retirement status still only requires 1,000 USD monthly pension but dependents increase from an extra 100 to an extra 500.

 

You used to be able to get permanent residence based on 30K USD in a bank there (can't touch it). Now that's 48K good for five years stay.

 

You used to be able to get permanent residence from the start. Not any more.

 

Now you get temporary residence first for the first two years. Strict rules about how much time you must be in country during that time. After that, you go for permanent residence or even a path towards citizenship if you choose.

 

Proposed health insurance requirement for even tourist visas. Not yet enforced. Rumors it may never be. 

 

Health insurance requirement for longer term visas and permanent residence. Not sure yet where they're at yet on actually enforcing that either.

 

There is a national health system you can buy into there. Not sure about details. 

 

So those are definitely some big changes in the making it harder direction but still nothing extremely prohibitive for many.

 

It's pretty easy to guess why they made these changes. On the temporary period thing, I reckon based on their experience over half the people that went for permanent status right away probably got shaken out voluntarily. A two year temp period filters those people out. 

Edited May 13, 2018 by Jingthing

[mogandave]

Their currency being the USD makes parking $48K a little more palatable, assuming the bank doesn’t fail...

[Jingthing]

Their currency being the USD makes parking $48K a little more palatable, assuming the bank doesn’t fail...

Very good point that. There are pros and cons to dollarization for expats though. Like if you're resident country's currency weakens and you are importing dollars then you're a winner.

Not sure if the current Equador bank visa scheme allows you to spend down those funds. The old one did not.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[JAZZDOG]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I checked for current info on Ecuador and found that there has been a major change to their visa system.

 

To roughly summarize (details may not be 100 percent but I think I have the gist of it).

 

Retirement status still only requires 1,000 USD monthly pension but dependents increase from an extra 100 to an extra 500.

 

You used to be able to get permanent residence based on 30K USD in a bank there (can't touch it). Now that's 48K good for five years stay.

 

You used to be able to get permanent residence from the start. Not any more.

 

Now you get temporary residence first for the first two years. Strict rules about how much time you must be in country during that time. After that, you go for permanent residence or even a path towards citizenship if you choose.

 

Proposed health insurance requirement for even tourist visas. Not yet enforced. Rumors it may never be. 

 

Health insurance requirement for longer term visas and permanent residence. Not sure yet where they're at yet on actually enforcing that either.

 

There is a national health system you can buy into there. Not sure about details. 

 

So those are definitely some big changes in the making it harder direction but still nothing extremely prohibitive for many.

 

It's pretty easy to guess why they made these changes. On the temporary period thing, I reckon based on their experience over half the people that went for permanent status right away probably got shaken out voluntarily. A two year temp period filters those people out. 

I would have two problems with that. First my opportunity cost of US$ 48K siting in a bank account I cant touch is US$ 480/ month. Secondly, And I think it is most likely similar, when I lived in Costa Rica I opted to just do visa runs because they required expats with residency to buy into the CAJA which is the government insurance. Deal is everyone uses the private hospitals. The CAJA cost US$ 175/ month for something I would never use. Just from the jump it is costing me $650 to live there. I would really need to be in love with the place and it opens up allot of other options at that price.

[Jingthing]

Yes, I've heard those negative things about Costa Rica before.

Ecuador seems to be in a transition phase visa-wise and I think it will become clearer later.

When they had the 30K bank option that was  permanent residence and couldn't be touched if you wanted to keep the visa. Touch it and then you can just leave.

I don't know if the 48K for 5 years is the same. It's more and you get less. Perhaps it's meant for you to SPEND there over the 5 years.

If I did Ecuador I would do by pension anyway.

Another thing to look for is requirement to import on pensions. Peru for example requires you to import it, not just prove it. 

[JAZZDOG]

43 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yes, I've heard those negative things about Costa Rica before.

Ecuador seems to be in a transition phase visa-wise and I think it will become clearer later.

When they had the 30K bank option that was  permanent residence and couldn't be touched if you wanted to keep the visa. Touch it and then you can just leave.

I don't know if the 48K for 5 years is the same. It's more and you get less. Perhaps it's meant for you to SPEND there over the 5 years.

If I did Ecuador I would do by pension anyway.

Another thing to look for is requirement to import on pensions. Peru for example requires you to import it, not just prove it. 

I think the countries in that region play off each other. Panama a decade ago had a great program, now not so much. Fair weather friends, CR now almost as bad as LOS inventing reasons to drive people away. I'm American so I guess I cant protest to much about how others treat their immigrants.

[Jingthing]

55 minutes ago, JAZZDOG said:

I think the countries in that region play off each other. Panama a decade ago had a great program, now not so much. Fair weather friends, CR now almost as bad as LOS inventing reasons to drive people away. I'm American so I guess I cant protest to much about how others treat their immigrants.

Hmm.

I hadn't noticed that Panama's program had degraded but it could be for some reason I'm not very attracted to Panama.

[JAZZDOG]

Actually my top 10 picks for retirement are in the USA, unfortunately it is nearly impossible to currently get my Brazilian wife in the country. Any ideas I am all ears.

[fasteddie]

Spain for me, cheap baccy, beer and tapas and free healthcare for English pensioners.

[mogandave]

Spain for me, cheap baccy, beer and tapas and free healthcare for English pensioners.

How long have you been there?

[Jingthing]

Some more fuel to the Mexico is just too darned dangerous brigade. Keeping it real.

Quote

 

Hundreds of people in Mexico are kidnapped every year. And the problem’s getting worse.

It’s part of a trend experts refer to as the “democratization” of kidnapping.

https://www.vox.com/2018/5/11/17276638/mexico-kidnappings-crime-cartels-drug-trade

 

Edited May 14, 2018 by Jingthing

[mogandave]

Maybe the kidnappers took them to Orlando and killed them...

[simon43]

Probably best to avoid cycling as a pastime if you move to Mexico

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44094868

(But if you're living in Thailand now, you already know that cycling is a dangerous pastime...)

[JAZZDOG]

3 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Probably best to avoid cycling as a pastime if you move to Mexico

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44094868

(But if you're living in Thailand now, you already know that cycling is a dangerous pastime...)

Brazil has perfected kidnapping. Express kidnapping, you get escorted to an ATM, pay your ransom and then hopefully released. To avoid don't shower, don't shave, wear baggies, torn t- shirt, one very worn flip-flop and a drop wallet with 5 reis.

[JimmyJ]

19 hours ago, JAZZDOG said:

I would have two problems with that. First my opportunity cost of US$ 48K siting in a bank account I cant touch is US$ 480/ month.

You're getting 12% annual interest? 12% return on investments?

 

I'm in.

Edited May 14, 2018 by JimmyJ