A dear friend of mine is from Thailand and has been here over twenty years.
But in two years time she will be old enough for social security and will have her pension. She has had enough of Massachusetts people, the weather, and the taxes. She is going back to Thailand where she owns a home and has lots of family.
She told me what she is paying in Massachusetts property taxes, forced flood insurance ( on top of her house insurance), the regular house insurance and it’s close to $19,000.00 a year.
She is so happy she will return to Thailand and I wish her well. An unfriendly place like Massachusetts with about 4 months of nice weather and oppressive taxes... yeah, I’d leave too.
I could fade into the sunset in Thailand with what I’ll get in a few years with only social security, never mind my life’s savings. Could put away all my life’s savings for our remaining son.
But there are catches - visa issues, periodic reporting every 90 days and such. Not at all like illegal immigrants in the USA. No benefits, no protection of law.
And we already own a paid-for house or two, or she does.