If he was already retired in Austin and is only 55, when did he retire?
His wife is only 48.
Anyone else see the problem here?
When I was going to high school in New Zealand in 1984, I had World War II veterans as teachers. One found out that I was a Canuck and mentioned that he was in Nova Scotia during that time; certainly he would have been that bit older than 55 at that time.
Wasn’t Obamacare supposed to fix all our health insurance headaches? These people reject Obamacare to go live in Spain, just because of health insurance? Really?
“and that his teacher’s pension could qualify as income to help him get residency there. “
Other countries you are required to have cash and means of support if you want to live there.
The US is a patsy and gets bit up the arse-we allow in the scum of the Earth. . Never have I seen a self loathing country like ours
They are entirely right about the cheapness of medical insurance and the quality of medical services.
Also about the general cost of living.
But to be fair, quite a lot of Europe is similarly cheap.
Portugal is cheaper, generally, Italy is about 20% more, France 25% more, but all are overall cheaper than most of the US. And those parts of the US that are cheaper are not where most would want to live.
Average salary of a doctor in Spain: $45K. Number of knee surgeons driving Ferraris: 0.
So they won’t “go back” but still consider themselves tEX-pats. Are they going to continue to vote in US elections from abroad?
Knew it was Austin’s high taxes before reading that far.
I was in Cordoba discussing this with an ex pat. It seems that $500K “investment”, combination of real estate and back deposit will get you permanent status. Considering that health insurance for 50 year olds, with high deductible in US is so high, that 500K is automatically paying off, plus it buys a place to live, plus Spain is such a beautiful interesting place.
I have tried the Christian health sharing plan. so far it works...but I don’t trust it for huge payouts like heart attack or coma.
Marketwatch did an earlier bio on a Massachusetts schoolteacher who moved to Boquete, Panama and said it would be “insane” to live in the United States.
I’ve also retired to Boquete this year and there’s no way I could live independently in the U.S. on the $1500-$1600/mo income I have here. But I can live decently in Boquete on that cost using the same American currency.
The difference is health care costs, rent and food. I also sold my car in the States and get around on buses, taxis and catching rides. No insurance. No gas. No upkeep. Buses are $1.25 for “pensionados”. Taxi rides are $2-$5 each way. Most meals are $15 or less. Most rentals are all-bills-paid and furnished, including gas, electric, cable and wi-fi.
Obviously, the downside is a country like Spain or Panama could be overrun by socialists at any time. That’s what has happened to other retirement havens like Costa Rica and Ecuador. But, without Trump, the same would be happening in the U.S. and is happening in California.
If you decide not to expect to live “like an American”, you can really enjoy the calmer and happier life and lack of political correctness. Last month, the public schools were treated to a month-long, government-approved period of Bible lessons - try doing that in an American public school.
Do I miss some things from the States? Definitely. But this is an adventure for me and I am not just here for the economics but also to support a church with a heavy outreach presence.
Maids and caregivers are cheap, the hospitals are good, and the elderly are respected.
But you know, if you don't have family, it can be quite lonely.
That is something.
My wife and I pay $620/month combined which includes dental. The usual deductibles and out of pocket.
The problem with this debate is that our healthcare system is trash, but so is everyone elses. Nobody has compromised to reach an agreement. $5,000 ambulance rides cannot be debated as a pro, but neither can the governmemt running it. Add massive undocumented immigration, and you’re right back to square one.
This reminds me of something that I read about what happened to General Motors in that what you nowadays pay for a brand new Chevy or Cadillac, that sizeable chunk of what is on the price tag represents healthcare costs and other goodies for GM retirees that the UAW browbeat that company into paying for.
So with your municipal taxes for schools, likely that good size of them doesn’t buy books or sports equipment or cover maintenance costs for the schools in your area, it instead covers pensions for these ones who want to pack it in and play golf and travel and do whatever else they please that good fifteen or even twenty years before many else of us do.
He’ll be in for a bit of a learning curve once he needs expensive treatment.
With my retirement and my imaginary wife's pension, we could probably live very comfortably.
Any single ladies here with the same thoughts?........LOL!
They’re living in Denial, Spain?
That’s appropriate.
The entire point of that propaganda piece is in the headline. But they are not on the Spanish system. They pay privately.
I would not go to another country for their health care system. Ours is best.
The real reason why they are staying in Spain is the low cost of living.