How to retire in USA being citizen.

[lopburi3]

Colorado can get cold at night but during the day in Denver you often did not need to turn car heater on as the sun gets it warm fast.  Being from New Hampshire was quite amazed at how much difference the clear skies and altitude made.

[ThailandRyan]

21 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

This is how the entire mortgage systems works.

 

Your not renting anything from the bank and you can do what ever it is you want with YOUR property while you are paying for it.

 

In less than 2 years, our property appraisal has gone up $100,000.

 

Here is a tip? When you take out a mortgage, make double principle payments.

 

If you don't take out mortgages, what do you do rent?

 

Renters do nothing more than pay the mortgage for the owner.

 

You are dead on.  Mortgages right now are at 2.5, and will probably be at 0 here in the foreseeable future in the US due to moves made by the Fed.  In fact they are moving into the negative side of the scale.  Houses right now are a buyers market. If you buy you make one extra payment every month and you cut it down from a 30 year loan to a 10 year loan.  Your in the drivers seat as an owner as you can write of the mortgage interest on your yearly Federal and State taxes.  With being a renter, you get diddly squat and your paying the owners mortgage as you said.  So for those that question it, why would you want to pay someone else when you can be earning your own equity and when you decide to move you sell, and end up with money in the bank, yours and not there's.  

[Number 6]

There will be another housing crash. I see this as inevitable.

 

I want to go back. This government depresses me and just gets worse by the week. I have a five year repatriation plan but I'm stuck.

 

Assuming I can sort health care for wife and self (Medicare 65-7?) I'll need housing. I'll really only be happy in CA near the water. Right now homes are untouchable. Florida a second. Far better on taxes and freedoms. Chesapeake Bay, we love it. Possible but Maryland is high tax and full of laws. I don't like cold and won't shovel snow.

 

Ironically with CA and FL I hate HOA and gated communities

 

The interior of US we like to travel but damn I need a beach.

 

Really, really stuck.

[olfu]

38 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

This is how the entire mortgage systems works.

 

Your not renting anything from the bank and you can do what ever it is you want with YOUR property while you are paying for it.

 

In less than 2 years, our property appraisal has gone up $100,000.

 

Here is a tip? When you take out a mortgage, make double principle payments.

 

If you don't take out mortgages, what do you do rent?

 

Renters do nothing more than pay the mortgage for the owner.

 

I don't rent--I build my house.

But additional problem is county real estate taxes and if you don't pay taxes they sell it in one freaking day.

[Number 6]

14 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

With being a renter, you get diddly squat and your paying the owners mortgage as you said. 

I don't think this is correct. Depending on the market it's not always a great time to own a home. Case in point the next X years.

 

I'm by nature a tramp. Best my investments are liquid and accessible anywhere in the world. No upkeep, maintenance, destructive renters, HOA fkuctards, taxes, whatever.

 

Whenever I'm feeling blue about not having bought some disaster like covid comes around and gives me an aha moment.

 

Now I'm ready to settle in my own place. That's different.

[Number 6]

3 minutes ago, olfu said:

I don't rent--I build my house.

But additional problem is county real estate taxes and if you don't pay taxes they sell it in one freaking day.

I used to buy liens before everyone else did. 15% return lol

[moontang]

6 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

There will be another housing crash. I see this as inevitable.

 

I want to go back. This government depresses me and just gets worse by the week. I have a five year repatriation plan but I'm stuck.

 

Assuming I can sort health care for wife and self (Medicare 65-7?) I'll need housing. I'll really only be happy in CA near the water. Right now homes are untouchable. Florida a second. Far better on taxes and freedoms. Chesapeake Bay, we love it. Possible but Maryland is high tax and full of laws. I don't like cold and won't shovel snow.

 

Ironically with CA and FL I hate HOA and gated communities

 

The interior of US we like to travel but damn I need a beach.

 

Really, really stuck.

Maybe look at Myrtle Beach, SC.  

[Number 6]

3 hours ago, moontang said:

I like this 130 year old garage, with apartment above it.  Walk to the oldest brewery in America (1829)....27,500...they might take 20K.  https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/713-W-Arch-St-Pottsville-PA-17901/2080795105_zpid/

Lotta beauty in PA but it's high tax low return. Pretty much land locked and well Philly....

 

[moontang]

5 minutes ago, olfu said:

I don't rent--I build my house.

But additional problem is county real estate taxes and if you don't pay taxes they sell it in one freaking day.

Depends on the State, but in Arizona for example, you can't sue for quiet title for three years.  I increased my land from 1.02 acres to 4.52 on a tax lien deal..cost me about 2200 in legal fees and taxes paid.

[olfu]

23 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

You are dead on.  Mortgages right now are at 2.5, and will probably be at 0 here in the foreseeable future in the US due to moves made by the Fed.  In fact they are moving into the negative side of the scale.  Houses right now are a buyers market. If you buy you make one extra payment every month and you cut it down from a 30 year loan to a 10 year loan.  Your in the drivers seat as an owner as you can write of the mortgage interest on your yearly Federal and State taxes.  With being a renter, you get diddly squat and your paying the owners mortgage as you said.  So for those that question it, why would you want to pay someone else when you can be earning your own equity and when you decide to move you sell, and end up with money in the bank, yours and not there's.  

I recommend you double check your claims--mortgages stand at 5%, prices high--its a seller market and cherry on a top mortgage interest is not deductible anymore.

[Number 6]

7 minutes ago, moontang said:

Maybe look at Myrtle Beach, SC.  

There's stuff in Nags Head and Kill Devil's Hills but MB really trashy. Ocean City Maryland two pegs up. Delaware two pegs more

Edited April 6, 2020 by Number 6

[moontang]

Just now, Number 6 said:

Lotta beauty in PA but it's high tax low return. Pretty much land locked and well Philly....

 

Not as bad as joisey or Ohio...and some deals for seniors, but they are paying interest on tons of legacy debt, which the newer states don't have.  5% transfer tax in Pittsburgh, and 1% income tax..just crazy..but you are four hours from DC where houses cost 15-20 times more..good healthcare, unis, and Italian food..

[Number 6]

3 minutes ago, moontang said:

Not as bad as joisey or Ohio...and some deals for seniors, but they are paying interest on tons of legacy debt, which the newer states don't have.  5% transfer tax in Pittsburgh, and 1% income tax..just crazy..but you are four hours from DC where houses cost 15-20 times more..good healthcare, unis, and Italian food..

DC is my second home went to uni there. Born there too. I miss it on rare occasion. Wife loves it.

 

Used to have a small flat across from natl cathedral. Was tits.

Edited April 6, 2020 by Number 6

[moontang]

1 minute ago, Number 6 said:

There's stuff in Bags Head and Kill Devil's Hills but MB really trashy. Ocean City Maryland two pegs up. Delaware two pegs more

OBX has been overrun by Russians and lesbian militants.  Used to be quite nice.  OC is cool, Bethany also..but those are more Summer tourist trap kind of places, but a lot of fun.  I think North Myrtle is classier.

[ThailandRyan]

4 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

I don't think this is correct. Depending on the market it's not always a great time to own a home. Case in point the next X years.

 

I'm by nature a tramp. Best my investments are liquid and accessible anywhere in the world. No upkeep, maintenance, destructive renters, HOA fkuctards, taxes, whatever.

 

Whenever I'm feeling blue about not having bought some disaster like covid comes around and gives me an aha moment.

 

Now I'm ready to settle in my own place. That's different.

So let me get this right your view is that by being a renter your not paying the owners mortgage, or if the owner owns free and clear, your not funding the owner......Wow, I must not be doing it right as someone who owns properties in California and rents them out.  I get write offs on my taxes for my own house mortgage, and then my business gets the write off's for the houses I rent out. The amounts I rent my properties for are at market value, and all are maintained by Gardner's, and the ones that have pools are cleaned by a service that is paid for by me, the owner.  No HOA dues, Property taxes are also calculated as part of the rental payment, and should I have a problem child renter then I have the Property management company who has lawyers on staff take care of it.  Owning a home is never without issues, but renting a home may give you a place to live, but there is no value you are obtaining.  Many people are good with that and being a tramp and constantly moving may be a lifestyle some enjoy, it unfortunately can not be done your entire life and you will end up in a long term rental as you age, or become one of the many homeless due to situations outside of your control. 

[moontang]

Just now, Number 6 said:

DC is my second home. I miss it on rare occasion. Wife loves it.

 

Used to have a small flat across from natl cathedral. Was tits.

Great area..my dad started working at the Univac building on Wisconsin Ave in 1963.  He chose VA because he had lived there as a Marine.  Some of the best beer stores ever in upper NW..on Wisconsin and Connecticut Aves.

[Number 6]

1 minute ago, moontang said:

OBX has been overrun by Russians and lesbian militants.  Used to be quite nice.  OC is cool, Bethany also..but those are more Summer tourist trap kind of places, but a lot of fun.  I think North Myrtle is classier.

Interesting. I still have connections in OC. Yeah it's trashy with all that Baltimore, Dundalk riff Raff. Delaware is definitely where the educated from DC part with the chavs down in OC.

 

North Myrtle you say??? That area and southward cheapest coastal property in US. But what about decent hospital, airport and those hurricane?

[Number 6]

3 minutes ago, moontang said:

Great area..my dad started working at the Univac building on Wisconsin Ave in 1963.  He chose VA because he had lived there as a Marine.  Some of the best beer stores ever in upper NW..on Wisconsin and Connecticut Aves.

That's exactly the spot lol. +3

 

Univac ...the proto beltway bandit hahaha.

Edited April 6, 2020 by Number 6

[ThailandRyan]

19 minutes ago, olfu said:

I recommend you double check your claims--mortgages stand at 5%, prices high--its a seller market and cherry on a top mortgage interest is not deductible anymore.

Just spoke to my Loan officer as of yesterday in the US, yes he works on a Sunday.  I have done many deals with him, and I am now looking at buying another property in Henderson, Nevada.  Rates as of today are 2.5% to 3.05% for a 30 year loan.  He has also said that with the way the fed is going there are possibly going to be rates out there of 0%, but then again you need to qualify for that type of loan and have the necessary down payment of 20%.  Of course if your credit worthiness is not in the excellent range then of course your rate is going to be higher.  I have my taxes done every year and this year there may have been a slight decrease in what you could claim on your mortgage interest, it is still a write-off.  The day they cut that, then the market will turn on its ear.  California just tried to turn Prop 13 around which would have doubled property taxes over night.  Thankfully it failed at the polls....

Edited April 6, 2020 by ThailandRyan

[rumak]

4 hours ago, ChouDoufu said:

i might consider moving back some day, but then i'd want some land to build my end-of-days bunker.  i like cactus and tumbleweeds, wouldn't mind building a cabin on a square mile of scrubland. 

Let me know when the time comes.    I will share the land     half a mile for each of us,

I can look after your cactus when you take vacations     lol

I used to live 60 miles outside of San Antonio  ......  hill country, shrub oaks   

[moontang]

3 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

That's exactly the spot lol. +3

 

Univac ...the proto beltway bandit hahaha.

No doubt, and when Burroughs and Sperry merged in 86, they were making so much in federal contracts that they sold off New Holland, Vickers, and Flight Systems which were the most amazing parts of the company.

[gk10002000]

13 hours ago, ChouDoufu said:

texas, new mexico, arizona.   buy a house in a small town for $25k.

 

in texas, no state income tax, homestead exemptions to limit property taxes.

I vote for Florida where I live.  Some pretty affordable living options up and down the coast.  I like being near a beach.  No state income tax.  Not great public transportation unless you live in one of the big cities.  A pool on a hot day is heaven to me as well as a warm breeze at night with the fan on.  Don't go there and live in a cave like my Mother does, she puts on a sweater and says the air con is too cold.  So frustrating.  Some casinos around for some diversions.  Some beautiful tropical gardens and preserves all over the place.  Plenty of clean beaches. 

[Number 6]

10 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

So let me get this right your view is that by being a renter your not paying the owners mortgage, or if the owner owns free and clear, your not funding the owner......Wow, I must not be doing it right as someone who owns properties in California and rents them out.  I get write offs on my taxes for my own house mortgage, and then my business gets the write off's for the houses I rent out. The amounts I rent my properties for are at market value, and all are maintained by Gardner's, and the ones that have pools are cleaned by a service that is paid for by me, the owner.  No HOA dues, Property taxes are also calculated as part of the rental payment, and should I have a problem child renter then I have the Property management company who has lawyers on staff take care of it.  Owning a home is never without issues, but renting a home may give you a place to live, but there is no value you are obtaining.  Many people are good with that and being a tramp and constantly moving may be a lifestyle some enjoy, it unfortunately can not be done your entire life and you will end up in a long term rental as you age, or become one of the many homeless due to situations outside of your control. 

I have been happy with my returns from the stock market. Buying bonds, fixed notes. I didn't say there wasn't a value, it just wasn't for me. I'd still not want to deal with renters to this moment. As for living in your own place that's fine but i don't think a smart play in Thailand. Sorry to burst your bubble but your property values are about to implode. You very well might be stuck with renters for years trying to dislodge them in this crisis climate.

 

I am thinking about going back and setting in. Could be a great way to round out the end of my days. But buying something tonluvebin rather than buying rental property and managing it 10000 miles away quite different

[Number 6]

9 minutes ago, moontang said:

No doubt, and when Burroughs and Sperry merged in 86, they were making so much in federal contracts that they sold off New Holland, Vickers, and Flight Systems which were the most amazing parts of the company.

Last time I was back all those contactors stretched around the beltway and deep into VA.

 

I used to have another flat last year in school. Overlooked the Iwojima memorial. Think half rent in 88 was 400us.

 

DC is cool, lots of smart people but not NY or Bahston

[bwpage3]

56 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

There will be another housing crash. I see this as inevitable.

 

I want to go back. This government depresses me and just gets worse by the week. I have a five year repatriation plan but I'm stuck.

 

Assuming I can sort health care for wife and self (Medicare 65-7?) I'll need housing. I'll really only be happy in CA near the water. Right now homes are untouchable. Florida a second. Far better on taxes and freedoms. Chesapeake Bay, we love it. Possible but Maryland is high tax and full of laws. I don't like cold and won't shovel snow.

 

Ironically with CA and FL I hate HOA and gated communities

 

The interior of US we like to travel but damn I need a beach.

 

Really, really stuck.

I live in Florida with no HOA. Very reasonable. Wife has planted 40 Thai Fruit trees and an assortment of other Thai things. We don't miss a thing.

[bwpage3]

35 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

Interesting. I still have connections in OC. Yeah it's trashy with all that Baltimore, Dundalk riff Raff. Delaware is definitely where the educated from DC part with the chavs down in OC.

 

North Myrtle you say??? That area and southward cheapest coastal property in US. But what about decent hospital, airport and those hurricane?

Been through many, many hurricanes in Florida. Houses are built to code, storm shutters, etc.

 

If I was living directly ocean front and the house wasn't designed to withstand a Cat 5, I would be concerned.

 

However, since I cannot afford direct ocean front, we live inland about 10 miles. Have had no issues with hurricanes.

 

Most of the houses here are solid full concrete block, chambers filled with re-bar and more concrete.

[bwpage3]

27 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

I have been happy with my returns from the stock market. Buying bonds, fixed notes. I didn't say there wasn't a value, it just wasn't for me. I'd still not want to deal with renters to this moment. As for living in your own place that's fine but i don't think a smart play in Thailand. Sorry to burst your bubble but your property values are about to implode. You very well might be stuck with renters for years trying to dislodge them in this crisis climate.

 

I am thinking about going back and setting in. Could be a great way to round out the end of my days. But buying something tonluvebin rather than buying rental property and managing it 10000 miles away quite different

Right now the Florida real estate market is hot! Due to the low interest rates, houses in my area have been selling in less than 2 weeks, one on my street just went for $10K above asking price in 3 days. Good market for buyers and sellers right now.  If the interest drops to zero, can refinance and get a hell of a deal.

[Hank Gunn]

6 hours ago, rumak said:

I lived for many years in a small town in Texas.   Nice weather and pretty nice people.

Might even consider going back.  BUT       health care costs will KILL me.  

Those of you ( americans)  that have average savings will never make it ( except veterans or those very few who have health insurance and can afford a lot of co pays. )

Read up on it......   or ask Sheryl  ( she knows that medicare and other plans leave a lot of money to be desired)     

So,  back to plan one.   Thailand  

Note:  I am almost 70 and have had hardly any health costs over the years.  But, one mishap

or diagnosis and the States will take all i have.

I'm in the same kind of situation. Just retired to Thailand 3 yrs. ago with my Thai wife but a little younger (just turned 59 last week). I jumped out of the Silicon Valley rat-race with a decent nest egg that allows me to live quite comfortably here in lower Isaan. I couldn't do that in the US unless I lived way out in the rural hinterland, but that would seriously impinge on the lifestyle I currently enjoy. My wife and I are ramping up a little hobby farm that should provide a lot of food as well as healthy outdoor work, we're 25 min. drive the Buriram airport with 2 flights/day to Bangkok which then leads to anywhere in the world I want to go. Plus, I'm hoping to get a motorcycle soon, to get back into my lifelong hobby of riding again (although I'm no Harvey Mushman ????).

 

Unfortunately I developed an auto-immune disease just as I was selling up back in Calif. Had the disease initially diagnosed and treated at Bumrungrad and now at BKK hospital in Korat (2 hrs drive for me). The specialist I see in Korat is excellent and has even done a free phone consultation with me the last two weeks to adjust my meds, after having a procedure and a couple of in-hospital consultations with her. Total bill for her appointments are approx. $15US/hr. Meds from their in-house pharmacy initially totaled about $140 but she introduced us to another, excellent local pharmacy in Korat where I've saved a lot of money. This is literally pennies on the dollar compared to healthcare in the US, and both the facilities and level of treatment are as good as anything I'd get in Stanford/Palo Alto (at least for my condition).

 

I'm fortunate in that I'll be coming into an inheritance in about 2yrs time, which should allow me to purchase a modest house somewhere in a no income tax state (i.e. Nevada, or Texas) but every time I look on Zillow, it becomes less and less appealing. Sure, I'll probably sign up for Medicare when I'm 65 just to cover my bases. In the back of my mind, I might want to move back to the US for the last few years of my life (my wife is a naturalized US citizen so that helps) spending ½ a year in each place, as I'm not sure how well Thailand handles end of life situations for those without the support of a large extended family. But that's a ways down the road and I'm currently pretty content here.

[moontang]

Just watch some of those Live PD shows, and most would reconsider many parts of the US.

[Number 6]

1 hour ago, bwpage3 said:

I live in Florida with no HOA. Very reasonable. Wife has planted 40 Thai Fruit trees and an assortment of other Thai things. We don't miss a thing.

This is exactly what I'd hoped to do. Are you in the coast? My wife loves the US but we're making good money here. Five years.