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

[gk10002000]

Just adding again that the state of Nevada does not have any state income tax. California, which has so much to do also has a very high state income tax. So as for Las Vegas, once one gets downtown or near the strip, the one thing that is nice is you can walk around and lookie loo a lot. It is nothing like Walking street or other venues in Thailand, but you probably will run into something that piques your interest. Very cheap flights to several of the Los Angeles airports.

[SpokaneAl]

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.

I would suspect that when those bets start growing in size and you win, at some point the casino will issue you the required W2G, and also report that info to the IRS, and it will be up to you to track your offsetting losses and include that info in your federal income tax filings and pay any necessary taxes on the net winnings. I suppose the taxes would be small but the filing process could be a bit of a pain. Edited November 21, 2015 by SpokaneAl

[OMGImInPattaya]

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.

Forget...he never remembered them!

[OMGImInPattaya]

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).

Yeah, lots of people on the grift in Vegas so it should feel just like "home."

[Jingthing]

Those who know they are on my ignore list no need to post here. Hint hint.

[BruceMangosteen]

I would suspect that when those bets start growing in size and you win, at some point the casino will issue you the required W2G, and also report that info to the IRS, and it will be up to you to track your offsetting losses and include that info in your federal income tax filings and pay any necessary taxes on the net winnings. I suppose the taxes would be small but the filing process could be a bit of a pain.

Not really an issue as you bought in for the same amount. Casino's do that on slot winners at long odds, but at table games and in the amounts referred, not an issue IMHO. Good point, just not applicable to this concept. If you run into a "run" of more than five or seven losers, in a row, you are broke anyhow so that means basically you are finished in this life and world. Better luck next visit.

[Jingthing]

I won't be gambling but I reckon if I do move to the hub of gambling, I'd better get used to hearing about it!

[BruceMangosteen]

Why do you keep mentioning medicaid? Are you under the impression that free health care paid for by the tax paying citizens is available to you in some states, but not others?

[Jingthing]

Why do you keep mentioning medicaid? Are you under the impression that free health care paid for by the tax paying citizens is available to you in some states, but not others?

I am talking about expanded Medicaid. See the map of states that have expanded Medicaid vs. those that don't. Yes, all states have Medicaid but only some states have EXPANDED Medicaid, which is a key part of the Affordable Care Act that has not been fully implemented:

http://familiesusa.org/product/50-state-look-medicaid-expansion

Expanded Medicaid explained:

http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-03-2013/whats-the-medicaid-expansion.html

Edited November 21, 2015 by Jingthing

[OMGImInPattaya]

Why do you keep mentioning medicaid? Are you under the impression that free health care paid for by the tax paying citizens is available to you in some states, but not others?

That's exactly the case...Medicaid is the Federal governments healthcare scheme for low-income Americans. It's administered by the states but it's a federal program. Also, some benefit and eligibility requirements are set by the states and benefit levels vary from state to state as well.

[Mencken]

Las Vegas has everything. Plus, you can win your expenses in the casino's with smart money management. If it's too hot in the summer, you simply go up to Reno for a few months. Reno is also inexpensive but fewer food options.

Everything except water, lol.

You'd be a fool to buy there and double to rent (if you need a flash pad).

Vegas is sorta near some great places, but itself is far from epic.

Meth and losers, it has tons of both.

Vegas has been limping along since 08, its done. Insert fork.

[Mencken]

Seattle

Portland

Salt Lake

Virginia (on Chesapeake, hrs south of DC)

Delaware (coastal)

Maryland (coastal) - $$ state

Charleston - $$ state

Naples

Colorado** - $$$ expensive state

Montana

Wyoming

CA sadly, too crowded and too expensive

If you have money, Boulder/Vail, San Diego, Naples, Annapolis, Georgetown. SFO.

Not - Vegas, Phoenix, Houston, Austin, Tampa, Jax, DC, NYC burbs, SF burbs. Mass. Any deep south states.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Mencken

[Mencken]

Don't worry about housing prices, it will all crash and burn again.

There is in general, no one with any money to buy homes.

The younger set is up to eyeballs in debt and does not have the drive to buy, being an urbane hipster more important.

The demographics do not support higher prices over next decade/s.

The north east I bet will be a fire sale. Anything ruralish as well.

[Jingthing]

Looking deeper, I'm finding some horrible things about Vegas. And Phoenix. And Tucson. And Las Cruces. And Albuquerque.

Gainesville Florida looks pretty good but again no expanded Medicaid in Florida.

This is motivating me more to AVOID this! (If I can.)

It's fine with me if people want to talk about places that couldn't work for me but my criteria is really very very limiting.

Really I kind of have to assume that even though I would want to work back there because I need the money, I can't assume there will be anything for me at my age with my obscene employment gaps. I might be more marketable if I had been in prison all that time! So it would be smart to get set up in a place where if employment really was impossible, I could still at least survive and dodge homelessness.

But the issue with that tactic is those places are likely to be economically depressed / not economically diverse areas where the chances of employment are even more remote.

A funny thing looking at the U.S. from abroad after not living there for ages, is that it doesn't look all that inviting! I read more Mexicans are leaving than coming now. A hint?

Edited November 22, 2015 by Jingthing

[SpokaneAl]

Looking deeper, I'm finding some horrible things about Vegas. And Phoenix. And Tucson. And Las Cruces. And Albuquerque.

Gainesville Florida looks pretty good but again no expanded Medicaid in Florida.

This is motivating me more to AVOID this! (If I can.)

It's fine with me if people want to talk about places that couldn't work for me but my criteria is really very very limiting.

Really I kind of have to assume that even though I would want to work back there because I need the money, I can't assume there will be anything for me at my age with my obscene employment gaps. I might be more marketable if I had been in prison all that time! So it would be smart to get set up in a place where if employment really was impossible, I could still at least survive and dodge homelessness.

But the issue with that tactic is those places are likely to be economically depressed / not economically diverse areas where the chances of employment are even more remote.

A funny thing looking at the U.S. from abroad after not living there for ages, is that it doesn't look all that inviting! I read more Mexicans are leaving than coming now. A hint?

One advantage in attempting to find a place in the US is the massive diversity of the country. No matter what your weather, geography, population, economics etc metrics, you can find a place that works. And of course, if it doesn't, move.

[taxout]

Well, you have to set your priorities then.

From what you say, it's first expanded Medicaid and second a job. Everything else -- taxes, cost of living, weather, attractiveness, etc -- goes far far down on the list. That includes those "horrible things" you keep reading about. Keep your eye on the ball: a steady good-paying job in an expanded Medicaid state.

I haven't gone through this thread to see whether it's been discussed yet, but given that the list of expanded Medicaid states is fixed, it seems you really need help locating places where, given your skills, you can find work. Find a few of those places and then you can start comparing amenities.

[Mencken]

All those cities you named have current and future issues. I'm not keen on the SW, its dry. I'm OK with hot. Water will become a huge issue for AZ, NV and CA.

Another issue, I don't really care but its sort of come up is our age differences. No one has said anything aloud but when we travel outside urban areas there's some eyebrows lifted on rare occasion. When we go to liquor stores, they card her - she's 40 sff!

I like Seattle but the lack of sun and RE is pricy. SLC looks great, but its landlocked. Same for all of CO. Parts of FL but between the methheads and the north easterners who I find annoying as F one must be very selective. FL is also going to blow sky high when the race/economic civil strife starts brewing.

All that said, I'm not so sure how long it's going to be comfortable here either, even for us marrieds. Nativ/jingoism rising, economy teetering, long term political "and other" issues simmering.

I also wonder if the US govt is also forcing us back home inconveniencing us to the point of return over banking bs. Life out her is going to get full of expense and headaches when banks start turning us away.

Kbank already has. OK it's a crap bank but they will only open a new acct if they must, with a work permit.

I easily see a time when we can't have accts here.

Was going to move back with wife, decided against it at least for next five years. Our issue, I doubt we can winter annually in Thailand and when I hit 75+ we will need to be here so I can set her up for my demise and just kick back and let old age have its way. There is still a few years of hard, expensive travel for us ahead as well.

The big issue with states for me is that there's nowhere I'm in love with being. Perhaps a move would change my sentiment but I'm content treading water.

I'm looking at the fact I can own a home, here I cannot. My wife won't have called m to it, purchase money pre marriage. She's never given me a moments pause in six years, I love her but money is money.

Next, looking at Trulia and landwatch.com there is some value out there. Will get really juicy when STFH.

I'm very happy I'm married. Thought it was so great being single but even for independent me, growing old with my girl is a real win.

Keep your chuuby bar hags and C&P hot dog dinners, daily trips to McD. Most single people eat like crap and die lonely with a sad list of health issues.

Jing: Utah and VA are said to have decent healthcare options. Obamacare is done. Corporations and GOP happy to kill it in the bathtub. Question is, do you have us100k stashed here for health emergencies?

Edited November 22, 2015 by Mencken

[Jingthing]

Well, you have to set your priorities then.

From what you say, it's first expanded Medicaid and second a job. Everything else -- taxes, cost of living, weather, attractiveness, etc -- goes far far down on the list. That includes those "horrible things" you keep reading about. Keep your eye on the ball: a steady good-paying job in an expanded Medicaid state.

I haven't gone through this thread to see whether it's been discussed yet, but given that the list of expanded Medicaid states is fixed, it seems you really need help locating places where, given your skills, you can find work. Find a few of those places and then you can start comparing amenities.

Dude, if I thought at this point in my life that I had marketable skills especially considering age and gaps, I wouldn't be in this situation. I had planned on moving to Thailand for life and economically that could still work (lack of money to live here is not what's pushing me back). "Retiring" very early as it were. Planning on returning wasn't part of the plan. If others can learn from my situation now, so be it by all means learn, as it's a higher risk with "early" retirement, but I'm living it. I know there are moralizers who would say som na na but I don't really care. I'm trying to make the best of the situation I'm in and I do accept responsibility for my past decisions creating it. (Although actually the early retirement decision back then made a lot of logical sense, even economically, but no point in getting into that now.)

So now, even though I may be reaping some very negative consequences, I don't really regret the decisions I made before. Maybe I will regret it later, but where I'm at now is about making new decisions that make sense going forward.

You have a good point though. If there is any hope for employment it would be in an urban area with some diversity in types of employment, and yes, with expanded Medicaid. That might still be Las Vegas with all its warts. There seem to be tons of shit jobs there, I know they're mostly looking for much younger people, but if I'm desperate enough for a shit job maybe there is a chance I can find an employer desperate enough to hire me. No, don't be too surprised, I have never been a waiter!

Edited November 22, 2015 by Jingthing

[Mencken]

I don't want to be Johnny Raincloud but why do you think you fare well in Vegas?

Vegas unemployment at least or higher than natl average, already tons of drifters, established local unemployment with local work history and experience.

What makes you think you can wait tables? This is a skill and they have shitonna applications sure.

Vegas is appealing to many for many reasons. I looked at it but decided to pass. It looked weak.

If the economy tanks and it is very, very soft - Vegas is toast.

Go wherever you can get a roof over your head as cheap as possible. You will find people not wanting to rent to you with no credit report, even with six mos in advance.

Find a room with your family or on Craig's. Start asap.

Don't get caught up in all that Medicaid bs. You need a job, to build credit, etc...

Housing

Job

Credit

Time

Bring options

Vegas is false hope imo

Edited November 22, 2015 by Mencken

[Jingthing]

If you thought I meant that being a waiter was an option for me. No I didn't. It was a joke actually. My economic situation is unique and complicated and there are limits to what I would reveal here. But don't make too many assumptions. I am well aware of issues with renting. That's why I want to buy.

But I appreciate the negative POV you present of Vegas.

Edited November 22, 2015 by Jingthing

[OMGImInPattaya]

Since it basically sounds like you intend to be on the dole (no job skills so no job and federal Medicaid), courtesy of U.S. taxpayers, if you go back, deep blue States with max bennies for takers would seem to be the best bet. I would suggest cheaper rural areas of Mexifornia, New York, and Massachusetts in that case.

[gk10002000]

Southern California is hard to beat for weather and things to do. Yes it can be expensive and it does have State Income tax, but there are many alternative and even somewhat cheap ways to live there. Public busses in many parts of Los Angeles are OK. If one is not in a hurry, this can work pretty well. There are fairly cheap apartments in some areas, but they are dodgy. Sharing a house can be affordable if you can stand a housemate. Not a room mate mind you, a house mate. I as a contractor usually work away from home and have found some very nice share arrangements. A whole house or townhouse, 1 room mate, individual bathroom etc. Often fully or almost furnished. So I pull up and move in. contract ends, I move out. easy peasy. And it is easy to find some decent townhouses that have swimming pools, Jacuzzis etc. typical SoCal stuff. Thai town in Northern Los Angeles is OK. Every type of restaurant all over the place. Orange County is pretty nice if you have a car and know all the places to go.

[CaptHaddock]

If JT's income is low then he probably does not want to avoid states with an income tax. Quite the opposite, he should prefer a state with an income tax. The total tax burden of state and local government does not vary all that much from state to state. What does vary is the allocation of the total tax burden among income, sales, and property taxes. States that collect an income tax, which is progressive, will rely less on regressive taxes such as sales and property taxes. So, for example, property taxes in the NE states which have income taxes is about 1% versus 3% for Texas which does not have an income tax. With a low income JT would pay little or no income tax, but since he intends to become a homeowner he would expose himself to more property tax which he would be on the hook for and sales taxes since he can hardly avoid buying things.

Returning to the US would certainly seem unattractive to me, so I sympathize with JT's plight. I would focus on a smaller city with adequate public transportation to avoid the very expensive need to buy a car, an ongoing cost that could easily exceed state income tax for a retiree. My own preference is never to own property again since by doing so the retiree largely relinquishes his main advantage, his own portability. As retirees we can control our income much less than during our working days, but we can control our cost of living more. The most effective way to do so is to move to a lower cost-of-living area. Buying makes that harder to do.

Especially, for the first year or two in a new place before you know how well you are going to like the place, buying outright would constitute a big bet. After all, when he came to Thailand JT expected to stay forever. Now that he needs to relocate, how disastrous it would have been if he had bought a place here?

[taxout]

As well, over the long run with inflation you always run the risk that property taxes will outstrip your ability to pay them. But this is less a risk in California, with its cap on annual assessment value increases.

With income tax at least, you usually don't have to worry about the tax itself exceeding your income.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Southern California is hard to beat for weather and things to do. Yes it can be expensive and it does have State Income tax, but there are many alternative and even somewhat cheap ways to live there. Public busses in many parts of Los Angeles are OK. If one is not in a hurry, this can work pretty well. There are fairly cheap apartments in some areas, but they are dodgy. Sharing a house can be affordable if you can stand a housemate. Not a room mate mind you, a house mate. I as a contractor usually work away from home and have found some very nice share arrangements. A whole house or townhouse, 1 room mate, individual bathroom etc. Often fully or almost furnished. So I pull up and move in. contract ends, I move out. easy peasy. And it is easy to find some decent townhouses that have swimming pools, Jacuzzis etc. typical SoCal stuff. Thai town in Northern Los Angeles is OK. Every type of restaurant all over the place. Orange County is pretty nice if you have a car and know all the places to go.

My former home.. One of, if not, the highest state income tax rates in the nation, plus a 9+% sales tax on top of that (the sales tax varies a bit by location because local jurisdictions can add on extra amounts).

I loved living there during my working years. I'm not sure I'd similarly love living there in my retirement years.

Public transit is pretty difficult to use in most areas because it rarely takes people back to their homes or even close back to their homes, and getting anywhere usually requires at least one or more bus transfers, since bus routes usually are laid out on grid alignments (north-south and east-west routes).

Also, because of the way housing communities (houses) are built, they're often well away from main roadways, and that means being well away from public transit. Unlike Thailand, there's no "last mile" solution like motorcycle taxis to get you between home and public transit. (Though for apartments, those certainly can be found along main thoroughfares).

I have family who live/rent in a decent/reasonably safe area of Orange County. They're paying about $1900 a month for a two bedroom apartment. When I left some years ago, I was paying $1300 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in a decent/reasonably safe area of Los Angeles. In both cases, nothing extravagant, just decently kept up and maintained properties.

[JLCrab]

Forget the Expanded Medicaid Map -- this is the new map to watch:

[Jingthing]

I'm going to ignore obnoxious troll posts as usual, but I suppose to get even more useful responses here (many have indeed been very useful though, so thank you very much) I suppose it would be good to reveal more about my specific situation. Everyone has theirs which will impact on the factors of their decision making.

Indeed, I do own a condo in Thailand and of course I would need to sell it, and I realize that might not be possible without a deep discount. I am optimistic enough to feel there is a price for everything if it is LOW enough though. I don't yet know how much time I will have to sell the condo. That depends on when I make the moving decision (if I do) and details of how soon I have to leave once I do. Obviously the more time the better as far as getting closer to a decent price.

The hope is the condo proceeds would be enough to buy something low cost for cash in the U.S. Yes I have checked the values on both sides and that seems possible. Not being able to sell it all would be pretty tragic. I should probably look into how I could rent it from abroad to see how tragic.

I would probably choose a painfully low price on the condo over keeping it for renting it.

I would probably want to buy something once in the U.S. but realize it would be more ideal to live somewhere awhile before taking the plunge. I may or may not have that luxury. Buying a retirement home locks in your housing cost, a bigger place would leave room for paid housemate situations, maybe even a reverse mortgage would be possible. I am fully aware of the pros and cons of renting vs. buying but I really don't like having a landlord.

As far as income, that would be a low social security and relying on investments. I think millions of Americans live just on their social security check, but of course they generally don't live well. Owning housing makes a big difference. I am not old enough yet for SS but the idea is to delay this until that time.

So you might better understand my feeling that my working days are probably over based on AGE, even if someone was buying my labor, which as I've said I serious doubt.

Being under 65 for quite sometime, expanded Medicaid would be the thing. Medicare at 65. I wouldn't be eligible for regular Medicaid based on assets and I wouldn't have the income to afford private insurance. Chronic conditions which are cheap and easy to afford in Thailand would be very expensive to pay out of pocket in the U.S. When I used to live there as I was contracting for years, I used to get mail order meds from CANADA (much cheaper but now illegal) and would often take months of supplies back from Mexico or Thailand. Which is why I mentioned the benefit of Mexican border towns before.

For those who want to give morality lectures, back then was before Obamacare and I very much wanted to and could afford private medical insurance but no insurance company would sell it to me (preexisting conditions).

So yes I would need a cheaper place but naturally would want as many livable amenities as possible.

Further superficial research has pointed again to Phoenix Arizona, over Tucson, Albuquerque, Vegas, and Pittsburgh.

Phoenix BTW now has a streetcar system and it is expanding.

I know it's a stereotype but getting older in Arizona isn't exactly an original idea ... so there would lots of company.

But just today I saw an article suggesting Arizona is in DEEP TROUBLE perhaps in the next 5 years with their WATER supply. Someone else mentioned similar issues in Vegas. That's a new wrinkle and suggests BUYING in a zone where there might be mass evacuation wouldn't be too brilliant.

So maybe renting in Arizona would be smarter. Even a trailer trash scenario. OMG! Will it come to that?

So in some ways I'm back to square one. And Pittsburgh again. I can see there is affordable housing to buy or rent in the near suburbs and often there are direct public transport links to the center.

So still open to ideas of places:

-- Expanded Medicaid

-- Climate tolerable

-- Large affordable housing stock

-- Culinary and cultural amenities

Edited November 25, 2015 by Jingthing

[JLCrab]

The income tax vs. sales tax burden in Florida is not the same as other states as we have hotel tax and rent a car taxes and and other fees that we stick it to the tourists.

Edited November 25, 2015 by JLCrab

[taxout]

Philadelphia is not bad at all if you're looking for an urban, no-car lifestyle. Sort of like living in New York City, but without the outrageous housing and tax costs. "Culinary and cultural amenities"? It lords it over Pittsburgh (and just about every other place discussed here).

Yes, climate and safety are not perfect, but as I suggested earlier, you need to establish priorities because you can't have everything.

Edited November 25, 2015 by taxout

[JLCrab]

Well I've waded through most all this and one cannot offer a completely knowledgeable opinion since it has never divulged how old is the OP and why he feels, after living long-time in Thailand why, a move back to the USA is in the cards. As the Medicaid option appears to be one of the key concerns, I would re-locate to one of the expanded Medicaid low cost of living states like Arkansas with a reasonable climate, and rent. Then I'd monitor the situation in some of the other states that may be more desirable but are still on the expanded waiting list and see when and if they change their policies.

Edited November 25, 2015 by JLCrab