Great ExPat Options Where are they? Costa Rica? Others?

Nov 7 2012 | NLZ

[NoLibZone]

I desire to explore options for relocation away from the US.

Countries to live in.

Transferring funds.

What are some expat Freepers experiences and tips and tricks?

Thank You.

[spankalib]

bfl

[Rodney Dangerfield]

"That’s right, just turn tail and run! You people disgust me. I would never desert my country that so many have given their lives for."

Personally, I'm talking about retiring and will do so in a few years and I see things getting a lot worse in the US under Obama. The US will basically be a 3rd world, lawless country. One that is perhaps even in a depression rivaling that of the 1930's and my dollar will go a lot further elsewhere.

Why stay in a country that has gone to shit under a criminal dictator who idolizes the likes of Castro and Chavez?

I would rather retire to a country where the weather and the people are warm and friendly, many of the women actually prefer older American men and I can live well on 3 figures a month and also bank hundreds of dollars a month, if SS remains solvent.

I also have a 401k and may cash out when I'm 60 years old and make the move to the Phils and live on that and then collect SS when I'm 62 and still have money left over from my 401k

I'm not deserting my country. My country is deserting me.

[PGR88]

Singapore

[AlexW]

“I would never desert my country that so many have given their lives for.”
______________________________________________

We use to get these “dog in a manger” cracks fairly often
on FR, but I think you are the first since since Obumbo took over.
As I always reply....”I did not leave the country. The country left me.”

It does not come close to resembling the America that I grew up in.

[Rodney Dangerfield]

Alex, ironic how your reply is identical to mine a few posts above.

Great minds do think alike. Simultaneously.

[Longtooth]

...and don’t forget that you have to go to the Alamo every 5 years to renew your passport. Cost $100 (no checks or credit cards)

[representativerepublic]

If I were single and din’t have kids, I would probably move to Gulf Shores (?). I have a friend who lives there and he posts stuff all of the time on FB about it. sounds really nice.

I live in Tampa now. I would have to move somewhere near the water.

I can’t believe Obama carried Hillsborough Co. Romney support seemed to be everywhere. I am shocked.

[yetidog]

Belize? Honduras? Dominican Republic? Or are they just for cruise stops?

[AlexW]

“Great minds do think alike. Simultaneously.”
_________________________________________

Yes, of course :)
You did notice that I gave you credit for explaining
my situation here.
I left out one point.
Where I live, I think the European expats, mainly Dutch, outnumber the Americans.
Offhand, I can not think of any married couples where both are expats. All are western guy/Philippine girl.

[Bigjimslade]

I was just looking into this today. I remember Rush getting a letter from the president of Panama begging him to relocate there and talking up their economic freedom. At the time you could establish residency with either a large bank deposit or large real estate purchase. It seems the political landscape has changed their recently though, may not be as easy.

Heritage has an economic freedom rating which is headed by Hong Kong - 1st, Singapore - 2nd, Marititius, Canada, Switzerland, N.Z., Chile, Ireland are in there and Australia is 3rd. I’ve looked into Australia and they have a list of in demand professions that put you on the fast track to citizenship (I’m eligible as a Veterinarian). Unfortunately, they’ve elected a fabian socialist and could be headed in the same direction. The US is 10th so there aren’t a lot of better places to go even now.

This is a huge opportunity for some country to attract the best talent in the world to their shores/borders. If there was just one country willing to keep the American idea alive I’d be willing to invest my money and talents.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I want to become an illegal alien, then I don’t have to worry about anything.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I just returned from Germany and was impressed with their standard of living. It seemed higher than ours. I thought they were probably ahead of us regarding taxes, regulations, etc.

[goat granny]

Years ago that was how it was. Needed proof of family support for oldsters, clean bill of health. But there were no goodies that the gov’t gave you. Most of the immigrants were European. Needed a job or a sponsor. My grandmother became a naturalized citizen 1944. She was in her 70’s at that time came from Canada years earlier. My mother and her brothers were born here...seems she just visited family around the time of birth, but went back to canada with baby..All the rules got changed, dropped the number of immigrants from Europe, raised the number of immigrants from 3rd world. I think sometime during the 50’s. Grandma was first generation Canadian, her parents were immigrants from Ireland to Canada sometime during the 1800's. The Mormans have a free geneology log. Was able to trace one branch back to the 1700's...If your parents or grandparents were immigrants it was fairly easy to trace...my fathers family had been here for generations and had a great great uncle that fought in the civil war...much harder to get any info from American ancestors...

For instance my fathers farm was in the Lexington/Port Sanalic area in the michigan thumb...the only way I could get any info on them was to go to the town and microfisch records...

[NKStarr]

Never??
Why? An attachment to the soil?
America is an idea. Freedom. Once it goes, its not America any more. Get it?

[Aurorales]

I’m not leaving. I owe the IRS. It is a living hell when you owe them. Or when THEY say you owe them.

I’m sure more of my fellow Americans will fall into this category as well in the next few years.

Plus, these 3rd world crap holes everyone is posting about are not as nice as everyone is thinking they are. If they were so great, why are the young women who live there always trying to marry an American to get over here?

The world is going to hell in a hand-basket. The USA was the last beacon of hope.

Sorry. It’s the truth. Everyone... take care of you and yours. Pray.

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I was under the impression that the Aussies rivaled the Americans as far as Expats go.

And just to be clear, I was referring to the “I didn’t leave me country, my country left me” comment that we both made minutes apart to the same poster.

Anyways, always good to hear from you and I hope you and yours are doing well and I hope that we can meet some day.

[Cementjungle]

My wife and I are going to Costa Rica in January for 3 weeks to explore that possibility. We've been there a few times already, and love it there. Earlier this year they made it much easier for Americans to claim permanent residency status there, and they want us all to come there to retire.

We'll probably maintain a place in the US too so we can keep our citizenship here... probably in TX somewhere... that part we're still trying to decide on.

[japaneseghost]

Could any FReeper in Israel tell me the job prospects for people coming from the US?

Most American Jews don’t want to move to Israel because it’s a socialist country. But if the US is QUICKLY turning into a socialist country anyway, maybe I’d be better off in Israel.

[Mikey_1962]

If Romney had McCain’s numbers in OH CO VA and FL he would be elected.

Bad turn out. Can you believe it? Bad turn out?

[Coldwater Creek]

Actually I do have an attachment to the soil. I have a terminal lung disease. I will be buried with my husband who served his country with honor in the National Cemetery.