best country to live as an ex-pat

[Aerts]

I am thinking of retiring to a foreign country down the road. A coworker of mine is retiring to thailand. He married a woman there and says you can live great on the cheap. I have also heard good things about Jamaica. Costa Rica is intriguing too. The only requirements are that it is a friendly country to foreigners, it is cheap, and there is a lot of poon.

 

[threepeat]

I have also heard good things about Jamaica.

Is Jamaica one of the most dangerous countries in the world? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Jamaica

 

[Synshine]

I am thinking of retiring to a foreign country down the road. A coworker of mine is retiring to thailand. He married a woman there and says you can live great on the cheap. I have also heard good things about Jamaica. Costa Rica is intriguing too. The only requirements are that it is a friendly country to foreigners, it is cheap, and there is a lot of poon.

Indonesia...particularly Bali...

 

[mistressfreyja]

I would go to Costa Rica, hands-down.

Where else does a career-criminal retire?

EEP...I mean.....the country-side is so beautiful.

 

[apple juice]

I am thinking of retiring to a foreign country down the road. A coworker of mine is retiring to thailand. He married a woman there and says you can live great on the cheap.

It's almost ridiculous how cheap it is to live in Thailand and you will never get bored there either...lol.

I have also heard good things about Jamaica. Costa Rica is intriguing too. The only requirements are that it is a friendly country to foreigners, it is cheap, and there is a lot of poon.

Jamaica is full of violence and that's too bad because it is a beautiful place. I wouldn't say it's cheap there though.

 

[lenny]

I am thinking of retiring to a foreign country down the road. A coworker of mine is retiring to thailand. He married a woman there and says you can live great on the cheap. I have also heard good things about Jamaica. Costa Rica is intriguing too. The only requirements are that it is a friendly country to foreigners, it is cheap, and there is a lot of poon.

In the past a high percentage of posters here have commented that Brazil and,
of course, Thailand, is a favorite pooning destination. Probably not as cheap or
as safe as Siam, though, even with the recent bit of unrest, which was mainly
in the capitol city, Bangkok.

As to the Land Of Smiles being friendly to foreigners, it depends on what type
of friendliness you are referring to, but at least they tend to put on a good show
in the face. Even if they hate your guts, they still love you for your money. I'd
feel as safe there as in Rain City, Montreal or Toronto.

Many people would tell you that Thai women are totally different, not only in
looks but in their attitudes, from those of the west. But don't take my word for it.
Check it out for yourself; the best source of info for your 3 interest areas are
forums devoted to international sex travel. This site has excellent info on many
topics, but very little to offer re your query.

 

[mistressfreyja]

Holy fucking pics, batman!

You look incredible.

XOXO.

Jamaica is a great holiday destination... however, I have heard there is a lot of violence there - so not a great place to live.

I would seriously love to live in Spain or Greece.
I have a friend who moved to Bermuda for work... and he's still there 5 years later! Apparently it's a great place to live.

 

[InTheBum]

I am thinking of retiring to a foreign country down the road. A coworker of mine is retiring to thailand. He married a woman there and says you can live great on the cheap. I have also heard good things about Jamaica. Costa Rica is intriguing too. The only requirements are that it is a friendly country to foreigners, it is cheap, and there is a lot of poon.

 

[uncleg]

Retire to Cuba. Have a friend locally that did that, married a Cuban woman and he loves it. Has dual citizenship, stays out of politics and enjoys life. Sure there are some amenities that he doesn't have, but none that he misses.

 

[oppai]

For your criteria I'd pick Vietnam. For one of the best places to retire but not on a budget Panama is pretty good right now.

 

[Oldfart]

I have heard very good reports about Panama as a retirement destination.
Although those reports did not say how good the pooning is down there.

 

[InTheBum]

For your criteria I'd pick Vietnam. For one of the best places to retire but not on a budget Panama is pretty good right now.

Problem I heard about Vietnam is, they have somewhat lower food safety standards. So, it's not uncommon to see meat sitting out in the sun at markets or in the back of restaurants. Although, it is very very very cheap, and the women will fall for you instantly when they know you are from Canada.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

While I still have a ways to go to retire in Canada, I've often thought, if I sold off all of my assets and then put the proceeds into a stable investment with a decent annual return I could easily retire now to some place with a lower cost of living and be very comfortable. The only problem I've heard about in some of these cases is, its all fine and dandy until you get old or sick. The standard of medical care in many of these places is, in general very poor, and I've heard of ex-pats having to move back to Canada after being away for 10 or 15 years because they couldn't get the care they require in the country they retired to.
Does anyone know what the "rules" are for someone who may be a Canadian but hasn't lived here or paid taxes for 10 -15 years moving back for the free health care?

 

[Big Dog Striker]

I would go to Costa Rica, hands-down.

Where else does a career-criminal retire?

Tangier was the " IN " place during the 40's. Then Macau came in the 60's. Dubai which was known as " Pirates Coast " in its early years before the 60's also as a haven for smugglers, gold dealers, and pirates, reigned supreme in the 80's and 90's. Then Cape Town, South Africa followed as well.

Talking about Costa Rica, its really a party place with great nightlife, beautiful beaches and hot women. The only problem if you move your business there you're expats might not show up for work the next day.

 

[lenny]

While I still have a ways to go to retire in Canada, I've often thought, if I sold off all of my assets and then put the proceeds into a stable investment with a decent annual return I could easily retire now to some place with a lower cost of living and be very comfortable. The only problem I've heard about in some of these cases is, its all fine and dandy until you get old or sick. The standard of medical care in many of these places is, in general very poor, and I've heard of ex-pats having to move back to Canada after being away for 10 or 15 years because they couldn't get the care they require in the country they retired to.
Does anyone know what the "rules" are for someone who may be a Canadian but hasn't lived here or paid taxes for 10 -15 years moving back for the free health care?

Many people travel to Bangkok for the low cost medical care available there. The hospital i used
{Bumrungrad} is considered world class.

Re being out of country for extended periods:

Prepare your health insurance in Canada. This is an important one: For some incredible reason, you will not get health coverage by Canada's "universal" health care system for the first 3 months you are resident again in Canada if you are moving home to British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, or New Brunswick. Other provinces do not require a waiting period - simply apply for immediate coverage to the health authority in the province you are settling in.

If you are moving back home to BC, ON, PQ, or NB, you have three choices:

1.Have your overseas health coverage extended for 3 months past your return date. If you have a good track record with your overseas health insurance, they may be able to offer this coverage. Or your employer overseas might pick it up. If you are simply being transferred home by an employer, they likely will cover this anyway.

2. Buy 3 months worth of health insurance here in Canada. The cost can be quite high: We checked into it for our family of 4. $700+ for coverage up to $60k, with a large deductible.

3. Go three months without health insurance. You assume the risk and potential costs of any health issues that come up. Risking no coverage, if you are in good health, it is another option. After all, 4 billion people or more in this world have no "health coverage" or even access to western-style medical care. Is it so ridiculous to think that you might go three months without coverage and still emerge whole, sane, and with your finances intact?

{snip}


Kate, moving back to the province of Manitoba in 2010, comments on the waiting period for her health care coverage:

"One item you should re-investigate is the section on Health Care Coverage. We are returning to Canada and have been assured by Manitoba Health that we can be covered, as soon as we register with them, As long as we provide certain documents to them immediately: Proof of residence (i.e. proof of property purchase), our airline tickets (showing when we arrived), and proof of citizenship. There may be other requirements by province, but it is really unfortunate if there are people believing they must go 3 months without coverage and/or paying ridiculous fees for coverage...

...It is possible that insurance companies are not aware of this situation (at least not the one we originally contacted and Luckily did not pay for!), Or that they choose to be ignorant to this situation. We were lucky that we phoned Manitoba Health to clarify when our coverage would start, before paying an insurance company."

Follow-up: Kate is correct: Manitoba does not require a waiting period. However, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick do require a 3-month waiting period for public health insurance to start.

http://www.kurucz.ca/expatrepat/index.html

I don't believe international medical coverage for 3 months would be very expensive
beyond what we pay the BC system. Re "free health care" in Canada:

Jane, a Canadian moving back from the U.S. in 2008 notes her reason for returning to Canada:

"I am a 60 yr. old, unemployed, female moving back to Ontario because I can no longer afford to live in the U.S.A. without health care...."

What is the value of the Canadian health care system? If in doubt, watch Michael Moore's film "Sicko".

And note that health care is not free in Canada - in BC unless your employer pays it, you pay $57 per month for your health care...

http://www.kurucz.ca/expatrepat/index.html

 

[storm rider]

I myself have given this matter a geat deal of thought....and if I had followed my gut instincts/research in early 2008 I would be financially secure enough to do this.

From what I have looked at and read on various online information boards that deal with pooning and my own general knowledge I can off this opinion.

Jamaica = BAD....the crime rate there is very nasty....resorts are an oasis in a sea of violence

Brazil = IFFY....the pooning in Brazil is crazy and the gals are attractive....the crime there can be brutal...think of being "quick napped" and held at gun point at an ATM and being forced to give over all the cash you can....the best advice for driving at night in Rio is to never stop at a red light as you may be car jacked...the police there do not walk around with a lousy 9MM they are armed with M 16's

Costa Rica = Pooning is awesome unless you are stupid enough to take a gal from the Blue Marlin at the Del Rey and pay a premium for a gal who most likely works at one of the MP's during the day for a fraction of the cost....the crime rate is better than Brazil in that you can safely walk the streets during the day anf have no fear of pick pockets and guys that squirt your shoes with stuff and try the shoe shine scam....there are a lot of corrupt cops though that will not hesitate to hit you up for a bribe or steal from you as you are being searched...the one thing you dont do is to walk any place at night...you take a cab and keep your ass safe as muggings are rampant upon gringos

Thailand = GOOD For pooners this country is heaven on earth (if they like asian gals)....the cost of mongering is dirt cheap...the cost of food is negligable...same thing goes for accomadations if properly researched...crime towards westerners is fairly non-existant as the populace in general knows not to bite the hand that feeds the tourism gravy train.....there is some civil unrest...such as the recent clashed between the Redshirts (supporters of the ousted PM Thaskin) and the government...something that a westerner can easily avoid if he has enough brains.Though I am aware of a retired Cochrane firefighter who married a Thai gal and was murdered by her Thai BF....something like this is very rare and pretty much happened because the guy got careless...meaning if you marry a Thai gal who may not have your best interests to heart...you sure as hell dont disclose ANY of your financial details to as she may want the whole package

Pillipines = GOOD same reasons as Thailand - the political situation

Other countries were mentioned in this thread and I have not commented as I have nothing to add.

The most important thing to do if a guy is considering a move like this is to visit that country and live there for at least 3 months and decide after that if he likes it and can live there...there are a lot of factors to consider such as the infrastructure we are accustomed to in Canada/health care/langauge barrier and a lot of other things....another consideration of course are travel visas...in Thailand/Costa Rica you can be there for 3 months and then have to exit and then you can come back(a visa run....skip to the next country for a day and then re-enter with a fresh visa)

As I have said...had a made the decision I wanted to do in 2008 I would now be retired and exploring the countries I have mentioned as I would have the means to do so...not 12 months a year....just for the lousy cold 6 months of our Canadian winter and I would be loving it....awesome pooning....tropical environments...sending exotic handcrafted stuff back to my poker buddies in Canada....sending my ex wife postcards from those tropical destinations whilst she is freezing her ass off.....I would be happier than Oprah Winfrey hitting an all you can eat buffet LOL

I will get there eventually....and I will enjoy all the hard work I have endured all these years.

Hope this helps the OP.

SR

 

[magicmystery]

and how much money do you think you'd need to retire in a country like that? Brazil, Costa Rica, Thailand, Phillipines etc. Pooning is going to be cheaper but if you are doing it a lot you are still going to spend a lot of money. What X amount is sufficient for you to put on stable investment to get Y monthly income to live off in these countries?

 

[InTheBum]

and how much money do you think you'd need to retire in a country like that? Brazil, Costa Rica, Thailand, Phillipines etc. Pooning is going to be cheaper but if you are doing it a lot you are still going to spend a lot of money. What X amount is sufficient for you to put on stable investment to get Y monthly income to live off in these countries?

You can live very very well on 2k a month in Thailand. Rent a simple apartment and everyday will seem like GRAVY!

Hate to say it folks, but Vancouver sucks ass. The sooner you leave this living shithole and enjoy life, the better and happier you will be!!

 

[Sweet Kimmie]

Go with Thailand!

Rich culture, endless beaches, amazing food and $20 massages ~ Thailand all the way!