Would you consider Portugal?

[Gabriel1]

12 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I don't really agree with you about South America. It's not a monolith. It's very location dependent even within the countries. But I think its good that so many people are afraid of it as that prevents some of the good places being oversaturated with corrupting expats.

 

I'm still skeptical about locations in Panama. Probably I haven't looked as hard as you but other than Boquette it seems it would be in more backwater areas without many of the amenities that I happen to like and also usually a car would be needed. But good luck and if you can be more specific about what you ever find there please post about it.

There are towns with amenities like Costco type stores.  Shopping malls etc.  Until I get there I will just not know for sure.  There are backwater areas.  I to an concerned about that.  On mitigating trait is that the expat communities seem to be very loyal and helpful to each other.  Also, the expats I have  seen are no longer A type personalities and seem very, very peaceful and happy.  How many place can one find that.  My sample include locations distributed around Panama.  It sure would be good to be around humans that show some semblance of sanity.

 

On South America, I expect what you say is true.  I had a friend from Chile who was the most gifted human being I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  In my mind latin America is not a stable situation and is hard to predict.  What is sane today maybe insane tomorrow.  Look at Brazil, it when from on corrupt form of government to and even more corrupt form.  At my age, I want no surprises.  Consistency is paramount. 

On that point, I just viewed a video by one of the world, in my opinion, top economist and he talked about the ECB (Europe Bank) it structure and how it is completely independent of all governments and the consequences of that on the Economy in Europe.  I was stunned by his details.

I had a strong intuition regarding the situation in Europe and am really not keen on living in that type of economic model.  Portugal, Greece, Italy, Ireland and Spain are the victims of the ECB policy and the populations in those countries are all living under ECB forced austerity.  It is a tough time finding a solid country to live in at this time. 

 

Maybe Thailand is the best of a bad barrel.  I can say that the Cambodian government has not dropped the ball on the Covid situation and I am impressed at the competence and effectiveness of their strategies.  I must add, that Cambodians seem to be smarter than most people, and make good decisions related to Covid.  In the end, I like you, I may still stay here.  

 

We do come to Thailand and have always loved our stays there.  However, I find the Thai government somewhat suspect when considering common sense.  I am a fellow that values freedom and no nonsense governments.  Keep it simple and get the job done is what I look for.  Thailand always seems to be vacillating on policies and imposing dumb policies.  My favorite is the 90 day rule.  Even if I decided to move to Thailand, how would my Cambodian wife qualify for residency?  life is full of humorous events.  

[Gabriel1]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Panama weather is location dependent. 

Panama City is very hot and humid.

David is very hot not sure how humid.

Boquette is one of those year round spring like weather places.

Internal highlands are cooler but fit people wanting to live like a local more.

 

Mexico stuff later.

Thanks for you comments.  As my wife says we will not know until we go there.  Boquette is of no interest to me at this time. There are a lot of coastal communities along the Pacific, which is where I am targeting.  PC, I think you said you have been there, so that comment is verified.  So many expats rave about PC.  To each his own.  There are some big towns around the the country, the seem to have the amenities wealthier countries have.  Done, just got a message re your message.

[Gabriel1]

On 4/16/2021 at 12:30 AM, swissie said:

Nevermind Portugal or any other place. If contemplating to take permanent residence in any "Cheap and warm country", better do it now. This way, one might be able to secure some form of "Grandfathering-Rights".

The doors are closing. 10 years from now, Immigration-Officers will ask you "how long is your Yacht" and not how much is your state-pension.
The writing is on the wall.

 

On 4/18/2021 at 4:01 PM, Jingthing said:

Well this isn't new or original at all and you might have zero interest in Mexico but I want to mention Merida because you mentioned that you prefer hot weather. Merida would be my top pick there if not for the weather. 

 

Why?

 

Very hot and humid weather if you like that

 

About 30 miles to nice beach areas

 

Considered the safest city in Mexico

 

Surprisingly low rents in modern housing available 

 

Charming architecture 

 

Modern infrastructure, fancy shopping malls quality hospitals 

 

Great restaurant scene with Yucatan, Mexican, and international food.

 

Lots of expats if you like that

 

Access to ancient pyramids and natural wonders like cenotes.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cenote

 

NOT close to Cancun which I consider a plus.

 

 

On 4/16/2021 at 1:20 AM, Jingthing said:

Yes, about Colombia like pretty much everyone else looking at it, Medellin gets most of the attention. But for a variety of reasons I've already rejected it. Part of it is expense (as I would need to go for more budget friendly options) as one can live in the Coffee Region cities or Bucaramanga for considerably less than Medellin. Of course beach types will be looking at Cartagena and San Marta but for a variety reasons the Colombian beach city options don't interest me. Not that I'm against beach cities. I still like Puerto Vallarta in Mexico though again it's a budget issue.

 

As far as Panama, I have looked into options nearby to Panama City but I haven't really seen anything that looks appealing to me. Also Panama City is both very hot AND very humid. I don't want that. I think Panama City is more for working and business type expats, not so much for retirees. As I said before I see the appeal of mild weather small town Boquette and that might be a great option for people as they get older. People generally take the bus one hour to the (very hot) city of David for shopping and hospitals, etc.

 

That's very interesting what you've reported about the upgraded development in  Siem Reap. I'd be curious to see the result of that.

 

I hadn't realized the VAT in Portugal was that high. At the end of the day, Portugal is probably a pipe dream for me as I already mentioned the budget concerns. Before that video Madeira wasn't really on my radar. That does look like a kind of paradise island. If I was like three times wealthier and could do it right, I could see doing Portugal, but I'm not. 

 

Thanks for the kind personal comment. I should say that researching other countries and visa options is a bit of a hobby which I've had for long before I moved to Thailand. In all likelihood I will stay in Thailand but I want to have my Plan B "ducks in a row" should I feel that I'm about to get forced out of here. Of course another option might be an Elite Visa here. It's not that I think Thailand is the best of all possible worlds, it obviously isn't, but my personal setup here would be hard to beat anywhere else and it represents a lot of investment that I would mostly lose if I left. I realize that for those that aren't invested that way here (or anywhere) they really can move on a dime.

 

I started this topic on Portugal not because it's likely that I will move there, but only because I discovered that I could probably swing their visa that I had previously determined would be a no go. So it seemed worth at least a second look. 

 

People interested in Portugal usually also consider Spain. Well I looked at their financial requirements again. For me, no way Jose!

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Yes I am well aware of the Mexico visa situation. While I can't qualify with pension there is the show money option which I could definitely easily do. There is a path towards permanent residence or citizenship.

 

I live in Jomtien. It gets hot but usually not very humid. I have cool breezes in my condo. I have no need for aircon.

 

I have experienced living in extreme heat mixed with extreme humidity seasonally. I truly hate it!

 

I also hate being forced to run aircon all the time.

 

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I don't really agree with you about South America. It's not a monolith. It's very location dependent even within the countries. But I think its good that so many people are afraid of it as that prevents some of the good places being oversaturated with corrupting expats.

 

I'm still skeptical about locations in Panama. Probably I haven't looked as hard as you but other than Boquette it seems it would be in more backwater areas without many of the amenities that I happen to like and also usually a car would be needed. But good luck and if you can be more specific about what you ever find there please post about it.

 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Panama weather is location dependent. 

Panama City is very hot and humid.

David is very hot not sure how humid.

Boquette is one of those year round spring like weather places.

Internal highlands are cooler but fit people wanting to live like a local more.

 

Mexico stuff later.

 

1 hour ago, Gabriel1 said:

Thanks for you comments.  As my wife says we will not know until we go there.  Boquette is of no interest to me at this time. There are a lot of coastal communities along the Pacific, which is where I am targeting.  PC, I think you said you have been there, so that comment is verified.  So many expats rave about PC.  To each his own.  There are some big towns around the the country, the seem to have the amenities wealthier countries have.  Done, just got a message re your message.

Reading through my emails & ran into this

"It's hard to describe how much this view has changed over the past 20 years that I've been spending time in Panama City," I said, nodding my head left and then right to indicate the whole of the vista before us.

I was sitting at the rooftop pool deck of our Avenida Balboa apartment, overlooking the Bay of Panama and the entrance to the Panama Canal, colonial Casco Viejo in one direction, posh Punta Pacífica in the other, enjoying the breezy afternoon and a cold Perrier in the company of a new friend who came to visit last week. It was Beth’s first time in Panama.

"It's not accurate to say that this stretch of Avenida Balboa looks different today than it did 20 years ago," I continued. "It didn't exist 20 years ago. The whole of this Cinta Costera... the 10-lane highway and the expansive pedestrian and park areas, the basketball courts, the fountains... it's all been built on reclaimed land over the past decade or so.

“And all of the buildings you see today along this stretch of Avenida Balboa—the high-rise condo towers, the hotels, the shopping malls, the casinos? They didn’t exist either.”

Panama City, as we've been reporting from our front-row seat for more than 13 years, is a bona fide boomtown.

"So much construction," Beth observed, "and so many tall buildings. Some seem out of place. That building shaped like a corkscrew, for example..."

"Yes, and there's another one shaped like a boat," I said. "Panama City wants to be Singapore... or Dubai. They've even built islands over there," I pointed, "just offshore from Punta Pacífica, that are being developed with multimillion-dollar building lots and luxury homes..."

"Before Panama you were living in Paris," Beth said. "What prompted that move?"  How long ago were you in Panama?
 

[Jingthing]

I've never been to Panama. As I said before, in Central America, I've only been to Costa Rica. Yes, I am very aware of that aspect of modern Panama City. As I've said before Panama City is the place to be in Panama. But it's expensive and hot and humid. But it is cheaper than Miami!

 

[l4ml4m]

So sad for all those people not having a EU passport who cannot live in Portugal or anywhere in Europe as much as they want ????

 

Lifesbiatch !

 

 

[l4ml4m]

11 hours ago, Gabriel1 said:

Thanks for you comments.  As my wife says we will not know until we go there.  Boquette is of no interest to me at this time. There are a lot of coastal communities along the Pacific, which is where I am targeting.  PC, I think you said you have been there, so that comment is verified.  So many expats rave about PC.  To each his own.  There are some big towns around the the country, the seem to have the amenities wealthier countries have.  Done, just got a message re your message.

 

Somebody listening to his wife cannot be wrong !

hahahahhaha

 

 

[Jingthing]

16 minutes ago, l4ml4m said:

So sad for all those people not having a EU passport who cannot live in Portugal or anywhere in Europe as much as they want ????

 

Lifesbiatch !

 

 

Actually many can. I would estimate that most retired in Thailand drawing any pension would qualify. But the question is would they want to? But yes its true EU people are in like Flynn.

[xylophone]

35 minutes ago, l4ml4m said:

So sad for all those people not having a EU passport who cannot live in Portugal or anywhere in Europe as much as they want ????

 

Lifesbiatch !

 

 

This question may have been asked previously on the thread, however I haven't seen it, so my question is: "I have a UK passport issued about five years ago, so would that allow me to live in Portugal?".

 

I also have a New Zealand passport, but that's an entirely different case I believe.

[CharlieH]

16 minutes ago, xylophone said:

This question may have been asked previously on the thread, however I haven't seen it, so my question is: "I have a UK passport issued about five years ago, so would that allow me to live in Portugal?".

 

I also have a New Zealand passport, but that's an entirely different case I believe.

 

Two part info....

 

Take note that as a British citizen, you will still be able to travel to other Schengen area countries, including Portugal, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism,

 

Before Brexit, moving to another EU country from the UK was seen as almost a right. However, this "right" no longer exists, meaning that UK citizens will be treated the same as any other citizen from a 3rd or non-EU country (such as those from the USA, India, Brazil, Australia, etc). This however doesn’t mean that you can’t move to Portugal anymore: it just means that now you will need to apply for a visa, 

 

Source

.

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, xylophone said:

This question may have been asked previously on the thread, however I haven't seen it, so my question is: "I have a UK passport issued about five years ago, so would that allow me to live in Portugal?".

 

I also have a New Zealand passport, but that's an entirely different case I believe.

Based on this it sounds like you'd be treated as any other non EU national for longer term residence. 

 

https://www.aplaceinthesun.com/articles/2021/02/moving-to-portugal-post-brexit

 

[Andy from Kent]

On 4/16/2021 at 12:30 AM, swissie said:

The doors are closing. 10 years from now, Immigration-Officers will ask you "how long is your Yacht" and not how much is your state-pension.

 

It does seem to be changing in that direction.

 

[Destiny1990]

I have a friend living in Isla Margarita and he says with max 1500$ Monthly u be living there like a King. Even with only 1000$ its doable to live comfortably. Gasoline and electricity bills its free. Rental for 300-350$ u have an spacious seaview condo. The Island is less criminal then the mainland of Venezuela.

[Gabriel1]

On 4/21/2021 at 2:11 AM, Jingthing said:

I've never been to Panama. As I said before, in Central America, I've only been to Costa Rica. Yes, I am very aware of that aspect of modern Panama City. As I've said before Panama City is the place to be in Panama. But it's expensive and hot and humid. But it is cheaper than Miami!

 

I am not selling Panama.  Just like to gather data on relevant topics.  Just found this today  in living and investing overseas email.  Panama

Lief and I have been in residence in Panama, on this country’s Veraguas coast, since mid-January.

It’s been a darn nice place to ride out a pandemic.

Indeed, we’ve named Panama as the world’s #1 do-everything haven for more than two-and-a-half decades. This country has long been and remains today the best place on Earth to spend time and money as an expat, a retiree, an investor, and an entrepreneur.

Panama’s is the most proven property investment market in the world… with a track record for recovering quickly from downturns thanks to the secret weapon and massive cash cow that is the Panama Canal (which is one reason we believe Panama will be the first country to recover from the global pandemic crisis).

In addition, Panama remains home to some of the best options on the planet to invest for cash flow… both short- and very long-term.

In its continued and expanding efforts to welcome the world's retirees, investors, and business folks, Panama is remaking herself, building new roads and paving old ones... building new hospitals, more schools, additional airports... creating tax-free and investor-incentive zones... investing in a metro system for Panama City... as well as new parks and recreation areas...

If I hadn’t been here, on the ground, watching the infrastructure and other improvements myself day-to-day, I wouldn't believe the reports. It's like watching time-lapse photography. When these Panamanians set their minds to something, they do it. A new highway? New bridge?

Other countries in this part of the world promise those things for years before following through. In Panama, you blink and the promised road is a reality... the new airport open for business.

Here in Panama today, you really can realize the retirement you've long dreamed of even if your retirement nest egg is far smaller than you expected it to be. You really can generate the income you need to live the life you want... and keep every dollar you earn. You really can invest for both immediate cash flow and long-term upside, positioning yourself in an economy that has managed to thrive in the face of the global downturns and disasters of the past several years.

We’ve been bullish on Panama’s prospects for more than 25 years… and, this 2021, we’re doubling down. If you haven’t yet taken your position in this country, I can’t imagine what you’re waiting for.

[guzzi850m2]

I am interested in Portugal as part time living, Thailand in the winter.

 

I will check out Madeira when I eventually retire, heard the weather is really nice all year around (on the right spots).

 

However expensive transit getting out there, app 90 min flying from Lisbon.

 

I am a EU citizen so not so interested in Americas but prefer EU as an alternative to Thailand. 

 

 

[BumGun]

I  just want to say thanks to everyone for commenting in these threads. I am looking at what to do post Covid (2023 ?) As an Aussie I have only spent years off and on in SE Asia (Cambo, Thailand, Philippines) and NZ, mainly because its easy. Just fly north ???? Sunny Beach in Bulgaria seems interesting, Portugal and Georgia does as well.  There are two of us, my Aussie (f) parter and myself. She's a little crazier then me (she loves Pattaya).  I also want to spend more time in Laos and take it slow, I liked Myanmar but that''s out for who knows how long.

 

I think living from a suitcase can still suit us for a time (54 me /52 she, I quit work 15 years ago) and spending months in places. so maybe one day our border will open a little more and we can saddle up. Now I have a list thanks to you guys  ????

[BenDeCosta]

Portugal is a much better option than Turkey.  But for me, there are better options.

[Jingthing]

5 hours ago, BenDeCosta said:

Portugal is a much better option than Turkey.  But for me, there are better options.

But Turkey is more affordable.