Getting Out Of Dodge

[Larry's Torch]

A number of years ago I was seeing an SP whose retirement plan was to sell her house and move to Panama. I'm assuming she's done this as her house was listed years ago and we haven't been in touch since she retired.
A friend I've known for decades; who has done quite well in his business is in the process of moving to Mexico after retirement.
Currently I'm toying with the idea of retiring to the Philippines. Not necessarily based on what's happening down south, but it may be an influential factor. The fact that my money will go so much further there and the cost of living is so low. No I'm not planning upon pooning or getting a young "girlfriend", that's not what this thread is about.

Has anyone here considered this?
Do you know of anyone who has done this?
Thoughts?

 

[Pumped]

Nowhere is safe now.

 

[PuntMeister]

I know some peops who have done this. Sounds really enticing.

Problem is, your assets down there will not keep up if you liquidate your assets up here. So after a few years of bliss, you may never be able to move back, unless you like trailer parks or tents.

The red pill 💊 may be a one-way ticket. Go in eyes open.

 

[Nikolas]

"There is no more new frontier, we have got to make it here."

 

[vanperb]

Currently I'm toying with the idea of retiring to the Philippines. Not necessarily based on what's happening down south, but it may be an influential factor. The fact that my money will go so much further there and the cost of living is so low.

Has anyone here considered this?
Do you know of anyone who has done this?
Thoughts?

There's a list of places where the Canadian dollar stretches a lot further. Several YouTube channels are dedicated to low cost retirement.

I can't because too many people here that require my emotional, and physical support. Starting over again when I'm truly alone again maybe. Been planting seeds with some friends and relatives about retiring en masse somewhere. Last I heard, which was a year ago, Panama is an excellent place to retire to.

 

[Uncled]

Last I heard, which was a year ago, Panama is an excellent place to retire to.

Just make sure the locals know that you are a Canuck, not a Yankee.

I figure Americans won’t be too popular after Trump re-takes the Panama Canal by force.

 

[Crookedmember]

Just make sure the locals know that you are a Canuck, not a Yankee.

I figure Americans won’t be too popular after Trump re-takes the Panama Canal by force.

I don't think the Americans have been too popular since November.

 

[islander1-1]

I had a good friend that at 65 sold the farm, pulled up stakes and moved to Panama. Happy for about 2 years, Then the onslaught of medical issues and he had to return to our medical system here $$. Cost him a lot of bucks in plane fare. He lasted only a cpl more years, and beers and passed away with his liver giving out. Check your medical coverage in these countries.

 

[LLLurkJ2]

I had a good friend that at 65 sold the farm, pulled up stakes and moved to Panama. Happy for about 2 years, The the onslaught of medical issues and he had to return to our medical system here $$. Cost him a lot of bucks in plane fare. He lasted only a cpl more years, and beers and passed away with his liver giving out. Check your medical coverage in these countries.

Given reports of methonol poisoning lately, check your test kits!

 

[apl16]

A number of years ago I was seeing an SP whose retirement plan was to sell her house and move to Panama. I'm assuming she's done this as her house was listed years ago and we haven't been in touch since she retired.
A friend I've known for decades; who has done quite well in his business is in the process of moving to Mexico after retirement.
Currently I'm toying with the idea of retiring to the Philippines. Not necessarily based on what's happening down south, but it may be an influential factor. The fact that my money will go so much further there and the cost of living is so low. No I'm not planning upon pooning or getting a young "girlfriend", that's not what this thread is about.

Has anyone here considered this?
Do you know of anyone who has done this?
Thoughts?

I'm going to Europe for the month of March.

I'll be checking out different places to retire.

Plan on moving in a year or two. I enjoy the relaxed attitude in many European countries and the quality of life and food is wonderful.

It's great for some people and not for others.

Southern Europe will likely be my goal.
I love olive skinned ladies with dark hair and eyes!

 

[sybian]

I know there a lot of people moving into the little towns in the BC interior, as a financial move,….there are still places you can purchase a very nice home for 600 thou…..and still have hospitals and other services.

 

[dave443]

I have a friend living in the Philippines. He has lived there for about 5 years full time. He went for 6 months at a time for about 5 years before that. He loves it and hates coming back here.
He and his partner bought a condo about 8 years ago and live very nicely for not much money.
There are decent hospitals in most areas that expats live I have gone for 3 months at a time and will start going 6 months at a time starting next fall
I may move permanently in a couple of years because of the cost of living and I love it there. It’s very laid back most people speak English and it’s easy to fly to different islands and explore. Also easy to get cheap flights to other Asian countries.
Where I stay there is an international airport 15 minutes from the condo I usually stay at so can be back in Canada in less than 24 hours.

 

[Ray]

A number of coworkers have retired to Thailand. One of the couples has been there 10 to 15 years now. The country has a modern healthcare system, which is important, and they live in a smaller community, away from the hustle and bustle. Their pensions go a very long ways, as long as one is not living extravagantly.

One of my friends moved to Mexico last year with his partner. She's from there, so she's familiar with the system. Sold their condo here for a decent amount, that money goes a very long ways in Mexico.

I'd like to retire somewhere that doesn't have winter, but I've got too many attachments here with kids and grandkids, along with childhood friends.

 

[Crookedmember]

I know there a lot of people moving into the little towns in the BC interior, as a financial move,….there are still places you can purchase a very nice home for 600 thou…..and still have hospitals and other services.

Grand Forks is like that. Quite a nice little town to boot.

 

[PolarPlesiosaur]

I don't think the Americans have been too popular since November.

The Americans have never been too popular.

 

[PolarPlesiosaur]

I have a friend living in the Philippines. He has lived there for about 5 years full time. He went for 6 months at a time for about 5 years before that. He loves it and hates coming back here.
He and his partner bought a condo about 8 years ago and live very nicely for not much money.
There are decent hospitals in most areas that expats live I have gone for 3 months at a time and will start going 6 months at a time starting next fall
I may move permanently in a couple of years because of the cost of living and I love it there. It’s very laid back most people speak English and it’s easy to fly to different islands and explore. Also easy to get cheap flights to other Asian countries.
Where I stay there is an international airport 15 minutes from the condo I usually stay at so can be back in Canada in less than 24 hours.

Why would you fly when you could take a boat?

 

[dave443]

Why would you fly when you could take a boat?

I was talking about other Asian countries. Thailand etc. Easy to fly to. Of course some of the islands in the Philippines are accessible by boat or ferry. Flights between islands are cheap. A retired person there can wait for sales and fly for 50 to 100 for example from Clark or Manila to Cebu.

 

[Larry's Torch]

I know some peops who have done this. Sounds really enticing.

Problem is, your assets down there will not keep up if you liquidate your assets up here. So after a few years of bliss, you may never be able to move back, unless you like trailer parks or tents.

The red pill 💊 may be a one-way ticket. Go in eyes open.

Definitely looking at all of the facts. With a fair amount of savings and a monthly pension it looks doable.
The Philippines have a retirement visa which is affordable and healthcare insurance is available. Even with these requirements the cost and quality of living looks better than here.