Posted on 11/08/2012 1:34:19 PM PST by Javeth
Just curious especially to hear from anyone else whos planning to do this, about the best countries overseas to retire and work in. My wife and I have done pretty well with our import/export business, worked hard and saved up, and are starting to make retirement plans. Were not much enthused about giving out our hard-earned and saved money, to support the spendthrift socialist incompetence and excesses of Obama and his successors. So were looking to retire abroad, and if possible to even continue some of the business overseas in a lower key, part time context.
Our trading is mostly Mediterranean-based, so we were naturally thinking of a retirement home in a place like Italy, Greece, south of France, Spain or Portugal. (Dont pay attention to all the overwrought headlines out of the liberal MSM in the US about Greece, as long as you work hard and save up, and make yourself reasonably self-sufficient, even Greece is a fine place to work and retire.) One of our sons is established in Holland right now anyway, married to a Dutch lady and speaks very good Dutch and German himself, so wed have that family connection. (Holland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Denmark all have surprisingly active evangelical communities in which many Americans have gotten set up to work, learn the language and raise families, maybe even retire in though dont know much about that- seems like the fjords in Norway for ex. would be a beautiful place for a retirement home.)
OTOH I've been hearing a lot of good things from old friends about working/retiring in places like Argentina, Panama, Chile, Nicaragua, Brazil, Costa Rica and Uruguay. I've been to Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina as well as Chile and was pleasantly surprised. Despite the financial issues from the 90s theyre both very pleasant places, have that welcoming Old European feel that you cant find in the US anymore, plus they tend to leave you alone to do as you will there. Also the cost of living is very low, even on the beaches and seaside locations. I had a brief stopover in Uruguay and seems to have that character, too, same with Itacare and Porta de Galinhas in Brazil IIRC, though not as well-known compared to Argentina and Chile. Thats also why I guess places like Panama, Nicaragua and traditional destinations like Acapulco have been attractive, though so far havent visited there personally. My wife and I just havent really investigated the retirement or work angle itself yet, so were wondering what others have experienced.
Obviously the standard caveats apply, were not looking for perfect paradises and other countries have their own issues and whatever. But almost anywhere would be far better than the PC socialist, grasping incompetence of the Obama and Clinton-led US and whatever comes after. We've already been moving toward renouncing our US passports anyway because of the damage done by the outrageous global taxation scheme in the US, the only one in the world that does that to it's own citizens- the banks in our overseas trading locations want to close our accounts because they cant deal with the intrusive US paperwork requirements. Were not about to give another dime to this wasteful, corrupt regime.
So for us and Im sure millions in our boat, retiring abroad or just working in a lower key environment makes sense. A bonus if the new country really is a pleasant and welcoming land to stay in, as it seems that Argentina, Chile, Panama, Nicaragua and the Mediterranean would without doubt be for us. So wed be glad to hear from any of you making a similar move.
It’s worse if the country you are expatriating to has a tax treaty with the US. Basically, those countries act as local IRS offices, with even casinos reporting winnings to the IRS just as they do to their local revenue offices.
I cannot strongly caution enough, however, to consider all ramifications of surrendering that citizenship. For all the faults of anything else, the US is still the most powerful international player in the known universe. Giving up those rights and protections is a major, major decision and not at all to be taken lightly or rashly.
That’s an amazing picture you paint. I wish I could have hung around, but it was in and out in a couple hours, off-passport.
Val is just north of Santiago and on the coast - gorgeous place and a working port. Lots of sailing. Too bad the Pacific is so freaking cold. I will miss the clear warm atlantic here in FL.
How’d you get the picture?
Web-cam screen capture?
Was that where you “off-loaded some ballast”?
Just before there.
Talked to an old business partner who’s been living in Valparaiso, confirmation about how splendid the place is. Chile really seems to have many of the ingredients that are best for conservatives and libertarians- a real free market, capitalist focus, hard work, good communities, distinctive European feel and natural beauty. We’re looking seriously now at San Miguel and Panama but especially so at Valparaiso. Might be the ideal place to get set up in.
“I wash born here, an I wash raished here, and dad gum it, I am gonna die here, an no sidewindin’ bushwackin’, hornswagglin’ cracker croaker is gonna rouin me bishen cutter.” Gabby Johnson
I think Argentina, specially south Mendoza has great landcapes and good opportunities for investment. If you would like to find opportunities here, I recommend to contact an advisor (I use services form a friend living here, but his not and advisor...just the voice of 10 years of experience!) and to use an advisor for immigration matter, because sometime you think you could not apply, or try to apply for a wrong type of visa. I’ve used services form emigratetoargentina.com and they gave our visas after a week. We will contract them again for the renewal. Also, take a look to Villa la Angostura...maybe one of the most beautifull places in the world. Good luck!
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