Hmmmm, I’ve been looking to retire somewhere other than the US. I wonder what life down there is REALLY like. There is a gentleman who frequents FR who lives in the Philippines. He swears by it but I’m not convinced. But the way this country is going, perhaps living in another country is the way to go.
Thoseother countries will foldlike a two dollar suitcase without US protection and subsidy.
Some good possibilities
-Costa Rica
-Vilcabamba, Ecuador
-David/Boquete, Panama
-Belize city
-Lake Chapala, Mexico
For those who don’t like humidity 5,000’ of elevation reduces heat and humidity. Due to elevation and mountains nearly all climates are in Ecuador. I’ve even read that around the equator ppl can just about order their climate such as “I want upper 50s at night and low 80s daytime with humidity below 60%” and it can be found.
Oh, and many of these places are on the dollar or have favorable exchange rates. Some even have Super Walmarts in town. Health care is cheaper too.
Ok, look, we were just there on a vacation. It’s a third world country. High taxes. All spent on health care and social system. Almost impossible to start a business because of the regulation. Import taxes on clothing and cars 30%. Form of government is about the same as far as freedoms and legislature, courts, etc. But the housing is rough. People are friendly, true. Lots of fresh fruit, flowers, vegetables, rice, coffee. Warm all the time. High cost of living—I bought a paperback book that would have cost $13.00 here—it was $25 there. So it’s not heaven. If you don’t work for the government or a resort, good luck.