Acantha Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I'm not making any plans or anything, but started looking around for different countries to retire to if I so desired. I'm looking for places with cheap cost of living (something like a very comfortable life for about 1300 - 1500 a month), relatively safe (relative to other countries, not so much the US), and not on the other side of the planet (I've been to Thailand, Philippines, Singapore and know how cheap and fun they can be...but don't want to be that far away). I've looked at Honduras and was just recommended Costa Rica, so I'll check that out. Any others? Personal experience in any countries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 About a year or two ago, I remember USA Today had an article on Mexico, can't find it online though, but here's one site you could check out.... http://www.mexperience.com/retirement/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifter Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 I've been told that Belize is a good place to retire. Belize Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUFootball29 Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 I've heard Argentina as well http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Retir...uenosAires.aspx Bolivia too http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/40/Bolivia.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 About a year or two ago, I remember USA Today had an article on Mexico, can't find it online though, but here's one site you could check out.... http://www.mexperience.com/retirement/ Avoid Mexico - kidnapping and killing of foreigners is big business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Poland Romania Hungary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 PolandRomania Hungary I've been to Poland and looked up Hungary, both are too expensive for what I'm looking for. You can visit on the cheap, but I couldn't (wouldn't want to) live that style. Don't know about Romania yet. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 Thanks for the info so far! Definitely seems like the Central America area is the way to go. From the little I've looked up so far, I'd say Costa Rica, Belize, and Honduras, in that order. Belize seems like the nicest, but slightly on the pricey side. If I could swing another 500 a month, it would be my choice. Kind of interesting to think about, especially since I've never been past about 100 mi south of the mexican border. Think I might look down that way for my next vacation! Maybe Roatan, Honduras....looks pretty awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 I've heard Argentina as wellhttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Retir...uenosAires.aspx Bolivia too http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/40/Bolivia.html Thanks, I'm going to have to look into these. I've never been to South America, but I've always heard that between the poverty level and drug use, most of the countries are not very safe for anyone that sticks out in the crowd. I'm sure that's an over generalization though, so I'll have to study up! Edit: Wow....Bolivia sounds pretty awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Thanks, I'm going to have to look into these. I've never been to South America, but I've always heard that between the poverty level and drug use, most of the countries are not very safe for anyone that sticks out in the crowd. I'm sure that's an over generalization though, so I'll have to study up! Edit: Wow....Bolivia sounds pretty awesome! U.S. Dept. of State international travel info and warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew in CA Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Thanks, I'm going to have to look into these. I've never been to South America, but I've always heard that between the poverty level and drug use, most of the countries are not very safe for anyone that sticks out in the crowd. I'm sure that's an over generalization though, so I'll have to study up! Edit: Wow....Bolivia sounds pretty awesome! I'd be wary of Bolivia right now- some bad stuff could go down soon- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7587544.stm. They recently elected a new President that is proposing a bunch of socialist reforms that will not be very popular with the resource controlling upper class. See what happens with the new constitution before making any definite plans. I spent 6 weeks on a farm in the Sante Fe Province of Argentina, about 2 1/2 hours north of Buenos Aires, and then another 2 near Mar del Plata, about 4 hours south of Buenos Aires. Both areas were gorgeous with a ton of land. If you are looking for a quiet country life to retire to, I would look into the Pampas region there. Not to mention trips to one of the best cities on the planet, Buenos Aires, would be manageable. Also, check out the area in and around Stellenbosch, South Africa. The dollar goes far there, and Stellenbosch is a nice college town right in the wine region. It's much safer than Johannesburg and the like, and it's surrounded by stunning mountains. Also, if you like wine, you'll be in paradise. It's also about an hour from Cape Town, the best city in the world as far as I'm concerned. If I have the opportunity to retire abroad in the future myself, I'll be looking into Stellenbosch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosmicBills Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Bolivia worked out great for Butch and Sundance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 I've heard Argentina as wellhttp://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Retir...uenosAires.aspx Bolivia too http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/40/Bolivia.html www.escapeartist.com has a lot of good info. Central America seems to be the closest possibility but they tend to be politically unstable. You also need to find out if your Health Insurance is good there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTS Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 If you love beaches, Punta Cana in Dominican Republic is a great place to move to. It's the best bang for you buck right now. $100,000 will buy you a huge house on the beach if you prefer. It would be $400-$500k for similar type housing in Central American countries. Plus, the nation's economy is growing each year and the infrastructure is getting better and better as more and more tourist visit the country. I have a family friend in their 40s living there now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 I'd be wary of Bolivia right now- some bad stuff could go down soon- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7587544.stm. They recently elected a new President that is proposing a bunch of socialist reforms that will not be very popular with the resource controlling upper class. See what happens with the new constitution before making any definite plans. I spent 6 weeks on a farm in the Sante Fe Province of Argentina, about 2 1/2 hours north of Buenos Aires, and then another 2 near Mar del Plata, about 4 hours south of Buenos Aires. Both areas were gorgeous with a ton of land. If you are looking for a quiet country life to retire to, I would look into the Pampas region there. Not to mention trips to one of the best cities on the planet, Buenos Aires, would be manageable. Also, check out the area in and around Stellenbosch, South Africa. The dollar goes far there, and Stellenbosch is a nice college town right in the wine region. It's much safer than Johannesburg and the like, and it's surrounded by stunning mountains. Also, if you like wine, you'll be in paradise. It's also about an hour from Cape Town, the best city in the world as far as I'm concerned. If I have the opportunity to retire abroad in the future myself, I'll be looking into Stellenbosch. I wouldn't be doing any of this for about 10 years, in the event that I did decide to go that route. I'm just looking around at options right now. I'm deciding between two options: 1. Work until I"m 59: retire with a pension of about $3300 a month (based on current rates), house paid off, with an IRA ready to cash in. 2. Work until I'm 39: retire with a pension of about $1600 a month, save as much as possible between now and then, sell my house, move somewhere out of country and use the saved money/house money to put down on a nice place, live out the rest of my life relaxing. Pro's and con's with both approaches. I think my focus is on central america due to the similarities to the US (directv so I can still have my football!), and the proximity to the US so I wouldn't be leaving my family so far behind. But I'll definitely look into the places you suggested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acantha Posted August 30, 2008 Author Share Posted August 30, 2008 If you love beaches, Punta Cana in Dominican Republic is a great place to move to. It's the best bang for you buck right now. $100,000 will buy you a huge house on the beach if you prefer. It would be $400-$500k for similar type housing in Central American countries. Plus, the nation's economy is growing each year and the infrastructure is getting better and better as more and more tourist visit the country. I have a family friend in their 40s living there now. Thanks, I hadn't checked that out yet. It's tough looking online cause everything is very commercial, but from what I can tell everything around that area seems pretty high. Saw a couple articles that said you'd want about 3000 a month to live comfortable. Supposedly the exchange has dropped a lot, 50:1 to 28:1, and the local rates are adjusting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew in CA Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 I wouldn't be doing any of this for about 10 years, in the event that I did decide to go that route. I'm just looking around at options right now. I'm deciding between two options:1. Work until I"m 59: retire with a pension of about $3300 a month (based on current rates), house paid off, with an IRA ready to cash in. 2. Work until I'm 39: retire with a pension of about $1600 a month, save as much as possible between now and then, sell my house, move somewhere out of country and use the saved money/house money to put down on a nice place, live out the rest of my life relaxing. Pro's and con's with both approaches. I think my focus is on central america due to the similarities to the US (directv so I can still have my football!), and the proximity to the US so I wouldn't be leaving my family so far behind. But I'll definitely look into the places you suggested. I feel yah re: football, that would be the hardest thing to lose! And hockey- you can't get hockey anywhere south. Although when I was in SA, I did pick up on rugby, which is a decent substitute. Good luck with your planning, I'm sure it will be exciting and rewarding, wherever you decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddy Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 What about Canada....great health insurance, beer, strippers, fishing and someday the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olivier in france Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 What about Buffalo?!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockpile Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 This is a couple years old but a good read. Mexico, like most places, has safe zones and places you do not want to be. link here There are places in Rochester where you can get your ass shot off on any given night. I believe a lot of the cautions for travelors are just so you are informed. Yes, there are kidnappings in Mexico. There are drive by shootings of innocents HERE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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