USA -- low budget repatriation specific locations that aren't horrible

[OMGImInPattaya]

Google "United States" and "baht buses" for suitable locales

[Jingthing]

Believe heat (dry heat is not felt nearly as much) - I say that having lived in Delhi several years - an swamp cooling is a lot cheaper than what we have to do here. Traffic is much better anywhere in the States than here IMHO - but public transport is not. So yes a different lifestyle but believe you could adapt. Crime could be an issue most low income places - but believe being older makes most of us more cautious and street smart enough to be able to avoid most potential issues - we know enough not to appear to be a walking ATM.

Yes hot and humid is the absolute pits. But Phoenix dry heat levels and number of days over 100 or even 110 is pretty extreme!

[Jingthing]

Any other possibly not too horrible (a low bar there!) of city markets (big or small) where there might STILL be a lot of similar options for cheap townhouse condos?

[OMGImInPattaya]

That would really suck...all the gay meccas are high cost of living areas...the NYT ran an interesting article about 4-5 months ago about some gay hippie-hispter rural commune place somewhere in Pennsylvania I believe that was looking for people to settle there and sorta live off the land farming and doing craft work. Maybe this would be an option...it's not West Hollywood or Fire Island but it sounds like you can't be too choosy.

[OMGImInPattaya]

I have never been there, but a good friend of mine, told me that if he had to move back to usa he would go to Houston, Texas

due to the food, and the low cost of living there..

Just an advice,

Good luck.

That's funny because there was recently a big feature in the Washington Post about what a great FOOD city Houston has become. The most distinctive thing bizarrely is a mixture of Vietnamese food and Cajun!

Oh, here it is:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/2015/11/10/the-search-for-americas-best-food-cities-houston/

And they have a gay mayor...but no LGBT non-discrimination ordinance...but hey...you'll have good food...can't have everything in life...but Ted Cruz would be one of your Senators...could you live with that?

[OMGImInPattaya]

I think that Florida or Texas would be appealing. Arizona is nice but does have a state income tax, while the other two do not. I am partial to Washington state of course, but Spokane, where we spend half our time, does have four distinct seasons. I like that, but my wife, not so much. And again, no state income taxes in Washington, although sales taxes are fairly high.

Doesn't one have to have income to be liable for an income tax (or at least a decent amount of it)? We're talking about someone who's looking to be on Medicaid for health insurance so I don't think we're looking at allot of income here. As Jingy likes all things foodie and has gaps in his employment record the size of the Holland Tunnel (not the best metaphor for a gay man to use JT) maybe consider Starbucks. They're ubiquitous and anyone with a modicum of talent can be a barista and they provide healthcare insurance to all their employees.

[NeverSure]

Zillow.com is a good resource for housing prices. Just punch in all of your criteria and try different places. See what's on the market and what prices are.

[gk10002000]

Las Vegas, Nevada or several of the other Nevada cities might be viable. Hot in the summer but livable for several other months of the year. No state income tax. Housing prices somewhat reasonable. Check out Craigslist if you are looking for rentals, shared rentals, house mates, etc. Las Vegas has some public transport

[Jingthing]

Las Vegas, Nevada or several of the other Nevada cities might be viable. Hot in the summer but livable for several other months of the year. No state income tax. Housing prices somewhat reasonable. Check out Craigslist if you are looking for rentals, shared rentals, house mates, etc. Las Vegas has some public transport

OK. I did look superficially at Vegas but is seems to me that housing prices have gone up there a lot since the crash.

[JimGant]

but it is true if I go back there, economics is going to mean a major degradation in my material quality of life.

Wow! JT I'm seriously sad to see you contemplating leaving. You've been (are?) such a solid part of this Thai community we share on this forum. Thus, what could possibly lead you to choose to walk backwards economically?

If this is a one-of-a-kind private situation, then, of course, your silence is honored. But if you're seeing something maybe the rest of us should see, please share. Particularly for those who have yet to make the leap -- but after hearing your rationale, might choose not to.

In any event, best wishes to land squarely on your feet.

[tomwct]

ObamaCare will be history in the next 24 months! United Healthcare is ready to pull the plug! The next President will de-fund the failed Program!

[SpokaneAl]

Oh and air con bills. Oh dear.

Yes, electric and water rates are high as Arizona continues to fight over dwindling resources with California.

[lopburi3]

But the amount of electric and water used in misting systems is minimal - and they work great in a dry clement.

http://www.mistcooling.com/

[BKResort]

San Diego is a wonderful city with wonderful food and wonderful weather. It is also very expensive...but...is by Tijuana, Mexico. Very cheap.

Many Americans are living on the beach areas of Tijuana and Baja California, like Rosarito and Ensenada, even rich people, having the best of both world. Joining the US community there, it is fun, and you do not need to learn Spanish. Not necessary to apply for residence if you are not planning in work in Mexico, but it is better not to drive there without proper documentation and insurance.

If you do not need to cross the border very often, it is a very good option. Rent a small apartment for about $200, and try it for a while. May be a good new experience. Mexican people are very friendly with foreigners.

[SpokaneAl]

But the amount of electric and water used in misting systems is minimal - and they work great in a dry clement.

http://www.mistcooling.com/

That used to work much better in Phoenix than it does now when people were moving there for the dry heat. However, the population explosion over the past few decades has generated more yards and plants and watering and actually caused a bit of an increase in humidity.

And of course misting systems don't do anything for the inside of your home - a/c is really the only fix for that.

[SpokaneAl]

San Diego is a wonderful city with wonderful food and wonderful weather. It is also very expensive...but...is by Tijuana, Mexico. Very cheap.

Many Americans are living on the beach areas of Tijuana and Baja California, like Rosarito and Ensenada, even rich people, having the best of both world. Joining the US community there, it is fun, and you do not need to learn Spanish. Not necessary to apply for residence if you are not planning in work in Mexico, but it is better not to drive there without proper documentation and insurance.

If you do not need to cross the border very often, it is a very good option. Rent a small apartment for about $200, and try it for a while. May be a good new experience. Mexican people are very friendly with foreigners.

Great food too!

[lopburi3]

But the amount of electric and water used in misting systems is minimal - and they work great in a dry clement.

http://www.mistcooling.com/

That used to work much better in Phoenix than it does now when people were moving there for the dry heat. However, the population explosion over the past few decades has generated more yards and plants and watering and actually caused a bit of an increase in humidity.

And of course misting systems don't do anything for the inside of your home - a/c is really the only fix for that.

But there you have the option to use much less expensive evaporative cooling rather than refrigeration system we have to use in humid areas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler

[SpokaneAl]

But the amount of electric and water used in misting systems is minimal - and they work great in a dry clement.

http://www.mistcooling.com/

That used to work much better in Phoenix than it does now when people were moving there for the dry heat. However, the population explosion over the past few decades has generated more yards and plants and watering and actually caused a bit of an increase in humidity.

And of course misting systems don't do anything for the inside of your home - a/c is really the only fix for that.

But there you have the option to use much less expensive evaporative cooling rather than refrigeration system we have to use in humid areas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler

I have used and like swamp coolers very much. However if you are renting, especially an apartment or townhouse, you are most likely very limited on your cooling options, and probably relegated to expensive air conditioning.

That is one reason why I like more moderate climates. For many months of the year, especially during the shoulder seasons, very little electricity is needed or used.

[Jingthing]

ObamaCare will be history in the next 24 months! United Healthcare is ready to pull the plug! The next President will de-fund the failed Program!

I don't believe it.

We all make our political calculations and I don't think the ACA can be fully killed now.

Also expanded Medicare is a government program, not part of the private insurance system most involved with ACA.

This isn't the place for any kind of deep debate on this, so please, let's not.

[Jingthing]

San Diego is a wonderful city with wonderful food and wonderful weather. It is also very expensive...but...is by Tijuana, Mexico. Very cheap.

Many Americans are living on the beach areas of Tijuana and Baja California, like Rosarito and Ensenada, even rich people, having the best of both world. Joining the US community there, it is fun, and you do not need to learn Spanish. Not necessary to apply for residence if you are not planning in work in Mexico, but it is better not to drive there without proper documentation and insurance.

If you do not need to cross the border very often, it is a very good option. Rent a small apartment for about $200, and try it for a while. May be a good new experience. Mexican people are very friendly with foreigners.

Something some people might be interested in.

Personally, the whole point of my need to go back, if I go back, is to be an official resident of a U.S. state again, so not for me.

We've had many threads on the forum over the years about alternatives to Thailand for expatriation.

This one is: REPATRIATION.

[Jingthing]

but it is true if I go back there, economics is going to mean a major degradation in my material quality of life.

Wow! JT I'm seriously sad to see you contemplating leaving. You've been (are?) such a solid part of this Thai community we share on this forum. Thus, what could possibly lead you to choose to walk backwards economically?

If this is a one-of-a-kind private situation, then, of course, your silence is honored. But if you're seeing something maybe the rest of us should see, please share. Particularly for those who have yet to make the leap -- but after hearing your rationale, might choose not to.

In any event, best wishes to land squarely on your feet.

Thank you very much.

But how imminent this is going to be is currently unknown.

Things could happen pushing the date in or out (even for several years) or as I said I might be able to solve this and not need to repatriate at all.

But yes I am seeing issues that seem serious enough to start thinking more concretely about what I might have to do to make it happen, if I do.

It's some kind of COMBINATION between more generic issues that face many expats from the U.S. and also my unique circumstances.

If this reaches a point where I know enough to offer credible advice that might help others navigate similar issues or if I have a specific credible warning that might be strong enough to discourage U.S. people from expatriating in the first place, I will post that. But nowhere near there yet. Sorry.

[Jingthing]

Las Vegas, Nevada or several of the other Nevada cities might be viable. Hot in the summer but livable for several other months of the year. No state income tax. Housing prices somewhat reasonable. Check out Craigslist if you are looking for rentals, shared rentals, house mates, etc. Las Vegas has some public transport

OK. I did look superficially at Vegas but is seems to me that housing prices have gone up there a lot since the crash.

OK, I did look at Vegas again, and maybe it's worth serious consideration.

I haven't been there since I was a boy but I am aware it's a major city now with amazing attractions.

While I'm not a drinker or gambler, I can see now it has a lot more to offer.

It does seem like there are real estate options there too and it being kind of a transient international tourism city my situation returning from abroad will likely be seen as not so strange.

It does seem very exciting compared to Phoenix, that's for sure.

Another city that might interest some with lots of affordable housing is Memphis, Tennessee. Sadly, they don't have expanded Medicaid.

[HLover]

Get an address in California, get all the government freebies and live across the border in Mexico on the cheap.

California is full of drifters and bums.

[Jingthing]

Get an address in California, get all the government freebies and live across the border in Mexico on the cheap.

California is full of drifters and bums.

Thanks for sharing.

That kind of rude post isn't welcome here.

[HLover]

Not meant to be rude, there is nothing rude about being a drifter. Bum (homeless) is not towards you, it is a reflection of the social programs available if someone has a low income.

[Jingthing]

Anyone here who has recently lived in Vegas?

I think I could even potentially get "excited" about such a move.

I can see the logic of it as a "transition" from my current sin city, Pattaya.

https://www.moveline.com/vegas-guide

[BKKSnowBird]

I have not been to Vegas in years but have some friends there. They take full advantage of the shows and buffets! You can join an entertainment club as a local and get free last minute shows. Tourist pay big bucks for those seats so empty seats doesn't look good.

I think you are also correct about maybe not standing out as much for being a former expat.

[55Jay]

Vegas is pretty neat. Partial to the outskirts and the quieter "local" scene in nearby Henderson, then dip into Vegas when desired. Like snow, or Walking Street......visit, but never wanna live in it.

Good to also Google/inform yourself about the reality of the watershed situation.

[BruceMangosteen]

Las Vegas...

Someone replied a ways back, how to survive there gambling. It's simple really. It's all about money management and discipline.

You say for the sake of discussion want to "earn" $100.usd a day, cash, not taxed, not documented etc... aka "win" it.

You walk up to a craps table and bet $100.usd on the "Don't Pass". You must do this on what they call the "come out roll".

If you lose, you bet $200.usd on the next "roll".

If you lost this second bet, you bet $400.usd on the next "roll".

If you lose this third bet, you bet $800.usd on the next "roll".

All of these bets are on the "don't pass" and on the "come out roll".

Your chances of losing four in a row are slim and none, but if it happens you simply bet $1600.usd on the next and so on, until you win. Doubling the last amount. At that point you win, you have to be willing to walk away with your $100.usd win/earnings and come back the next day. You must also find a casino with fairly high limits, Caesars Palace will take up to

$50,000.usd on this wager so that's a good place to start.

----------------------------

It is "rumored" that there are a lot of gangs and gang violence in Las Vegas. I don't know the specific areas, but suffice to say you need to put security as a high priority, right up there with proximity to a supermarket and public transportation(bus) if you don't plan on buying a car. Motorcycle travel is I'm told, nothing like it is here in Thailand. Good AC, safe area, close the public transportation, shopping and restaurant options, and income. Who could ask for anything more? Forget "women" as you are leaving that aspect way behind when you leave Thailand.

Good luck mate.

[Jingthing]

Yeah, forget women, no problema.

I would expect to need a car but at least used cars are cheap in the U.S.

In this case, I think I would definitely need to do a tour first to see how I like the place.

I can imagine either loving it or hating it. Such things are often not based on rational lists but on emotions.

Like I mentioned, I expected to love Portland and logically based on what it is on paper, I should have loved it, but I left knowing I had no desire to ever live there.

What's intriguing about Vegas, if I could pull it off, is that on paper anyway, it's actually a place that I might like to live in even if not based on low "not horrible" criteria.

No, it would never be my first choice if money was no object, but that's too much to ask.

Another personal benefit about being in the west is that my closest relative in the U.S. is in L.A. (a place which is definitely out for me but I wouldn't want to live there anyway).