Posted on 11/07/2012 2:10:02 PM PST by 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.
I’m very sorry.
Obviously I wouldn’t have answered as I did had I known your circumstances.
I salute your husband’s service.
“I was under the impression that the Aussies rivaled the Americans as far as Expats go.”
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I remember only one Aussie from when I arrived here, but I think he died...I do not remember.
Most seem to be from the northern countries of Europe.
I have a Swedish friend, married to a local girl, but he could not tolerate the way people live here.
They first went to Langkawi in Malaysia, where he got burned out with the Muzies, They then headed off to Canary Islands, where they seem to be happy.
One interesting note. Since Spain once ruled the Philippines, the guy’s Philippine wife becomes an automatic citizen of Spain.
I have helped a number of guys from various countries to move to my town.
The first was a British lad. I had him a cottage over the beach, and a girlfriend on his first day here. He is only in his 30s, but has a small British army disability pension as a result of diabetes. It is just barely enough for the two of them.
There is also a retired Belgian guy that I brought here, as well as a few others from the US.
My understanding is that if you owe the IRA 50k or more, you can’t leave the US
And the reason these young women want to leave these 3rd world countries is that there are no opportunities to make money, thus they want to come to the US, marry an American and then divorce him a few years later after obtaining a green card.
Don’t underestimate life overseas. While it has its pros and cons, it can be a great alternative to the US, especially for retirees on fixed incomes.
Why live on the edge of poverty in the US when you can live like a King or at least like a Prince elsewhere?
“We’ll probably maintain a place in the US too so we can keep our citizenship here.”
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You can not loose your citizenship, other then by renouncing it.
Even my social security is direct deposited into my Philippine bank.
I have no property left in the US, and no intention of returning.
My passport was renewed through the US embassy in the Philippines.
You are better off fighting here because Costa Rica has no military and it will be taken by the communists whether it be China or Chavez. They will steam roll through there like nothing and take everything on their way to Mexico and the US itself while Hussein colludes and hands them the keys.
My husband, father, uncle, and many more in my family fought for this country.
It sucks that half of this nation is stupid, but like hell am I gonna move away to give it up to these freeloading idiots.
Live free or die. Honestly I would rather die then live in some 3rd world hell hole.
When these expats need help, who the hell cares about them in these places? No one. And believe me, they will need help.
The world as we know it is going away. No amount of hiding from it will make it stop. My ancestors did not move here and fight for me so I could high-tail it and run.
No, I can’t believe it.
I probably should have expanded a bit on that... keeping a place here also will serve as a base so-to-speak, where we can store some of our things, have a US address, etc. Shipping personal things (furniture, art, cars, etc.) into Costa Rica is prohibitively costly (heavy import duties).
Walking into the cattle cars is not fighting.
No one is willing to fight for this country.
I have two on my wife’s side that signed the Dec of Independence.
This is not the nation they FOUGHT for.
This is the nation we POSTED AND PARTIED for.
Any one and everyone with the means should abandon her ASAP.
” keeping a place here also will serve as a base so-to-....”
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Let me tell you....I was a pack-rat. I accumulated so much
it required an old two story school building, with gymnasium
to house my “junk”.
I bought this building in 1999, and moved into it.
It was the old high school for my very small town, but a sporting goods company bought it, had it refurbished
with exotic doors, paneling, and carpets. They went belly up and I bought it for a very good price.
I installed nice bathrooms, one for my daughter, with a Jacuzzi, nice kitchen, and a bathroom for my suite.
I later sold the building to a guy that had always wanted it, but he was not ready to take possession.
I was going back and forth from the USA for several years, but left for good in Jan. 2004, leaving everything behind and in the care of my daughter.
I have never looked back.
My past is “Gone With the Wind”.
If you really want independence, you have to cut the apron string.
FATCA.
DANG.
So there is but one option left.
Thank you.
Alex
, cant the DNC see, get and seize your money no matter where you are?
“cant the DNC see, get and seize your money no matter where you are?”
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God only knows what can happen with the new USSA.
I guess they could cut off all expats.
I can only ope that I will continue to get my social security here.
90% of my Ancestors died fighting for freedom under the oppression of Soviet Communism in Eastern Europe.
I’m sure they would have left for a “3rd country hell hole” if they had the opportunity instead of being starved to death and trying to fight well-armed soldiers with their home-made firearms and wooden bullets.
As I said, I will be retiring in the coming years and I have no intention of living in a country that is circling the drain when I could be living in a paradise with sugar white sand and windex blue water on 3 figures a month.
Perhaps you should do some research before throwing around phrases like “3rd world hell hole”
Ever been to Boracay?
Google it and take a look at some pics.
There are plenty of beautiful places to live in the world that are inexpensive and are not “hell holes”
Sadly, the US will have a Debt to GDP ratio of 1.5:1.0 in less than 10 years.
I for one don’t want to be around for that because the defecation will hit the oscillation and it will be ugly and I will be too old to pick up arms and fight in a militia or have to fend for myself.
If I were 40 years younger and filled with piss and vinegar, yeah, it would be a different story, but guys like Clint Eastwood only exist in the movies.
While it is not all roses, it fits my life goals. In America I had the executive house, 5 cars, Harley, etc. Then came 911, the Army Reserve called and 5 months to day later I landed in Khandahar. I have also been to Iraq 3 times. Came to realize that what I had was just crap.
So I live in Issan (NE part of Thailand) where we have an Internet business as part of our house. I have AC, an American Toilet, very comfortable King sized bed, and live like a king. My wife, her mom, and her sister make sure the Farang (foreigner) is taken care of.
This is not the states, you cannot always get what you want (like finding dill pickles is very difficult, same with mason jars), you live with minor inconveniences. My biggest inconvenience is lack of American Football, very difficult to watch in real time (Thailand is currently 13 hours ahead of Alabama).
I am constantly being asked if I have any friends, a lot of Thai Girls want a Farang (they believe we are all rich).
Yes, you can live on $1000 a month, but not like a king.
“, cant the DNC see, get and seize your money no matter where you are?”
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Anything is now possible, but I am not yet ready to hit the panic button.
My first fear is that they could cut off SS payments to expats.
I think it is a big mistake. Your money, your life, your decision.
If things turn ugly here, they will turn more than ugly everywhere else. Plus no one in these foreign countries will give one lick about you.
Sorry if the 3rd world country phrase offends some. It is my opinion.
Leave.. Nothing on me. I’m staying. There will be no cattle car for me and mine.
Fight or die. I couldn’t live with myself if I ran away like a pouting child.
You’re missing the point - do I want to retire in the US and live in near poverty, or do I want to retire abroad and live out my remaining years in a much better environment for 1/3 of the price while being able to bank as much money as I’m living on?
Trailer Park in Meth City, or Cottage on the Beach in Paradise?
Tough choice, yeah?
actually, you would be better off living in Oklahoma or Texas.
Moving overseas is fine if you are rich, or if you have family in the country. My Husband is from the Philippines, so no problem...and it is cheap to live in his native small town. But Manila is as expensive as the USA....
Here in the Philippines, lots of guys who married local gals retire here and are happy...there are also apartments etc that have lots of Americans, often retired military, in them, so you wouldn’t be too lonely.
But picking up your family and moving somewhere overseas is a big burden: where will you work? Where will the kids go to school? What will you do if you get sick?
Costa rica is touted by a lot of Americans, but it seems to attract liberals, so would you be happy there?
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