US residents, are you considering moving out of the US?

[Sho'Nuff]

Definitely thought about it. Not sure where I would go though.

 

[werepossum]

Not even remotely considering leaving, but I have given in to the inevitable "fundamental transformation" of America. This is the first year in about twenty that I have not tried to buy union/buy American and especially avoiding products made in Red China. This year I bought whatever I wanted, regardless of origin. It's a brave new world in America and there's no point in paying extra to deny it.

 

[CLite]

I've spent months in other countries, been just about everywhere but South America. No place like home (USA) in my opinion, although experiencing different cultures/places for shortish periods of times is truly enjoyable.

 

[unokitty]

Why US baby boomers are retiring in Latin America

Latin America is drawing a particularly large number of expatriates, both because of its proximity to the US and because of the relative inexpensiveness of many parts of the region. While no one knows the precise number of retirees living in the area, signs suggest it is substantial – and growing:

•The number of Americans receiving Social Security checks in Central America and the Caribbean – one gauge of how many people live outside the US – rose 26 percent between 2005 and 2012, to 28,126, according to the Social Security Administration. It jumped 112 percent in Panama and 32 percent in Costa Rica.

•The number collecting US Social Security checks in South America increased 48 percent over the same seven-year period, to 22,019. It rose 87 percent in Colombia and 47 percent in Ecuador.

•Mexican officials estimate that more than 1 million US-born citizens now live in Mexico – up from 360,000 in 2000.

"There are 20,000 Americans just here in Lake Chapala and more in Guadalajara," ...

The Mexican states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Baja California have traditionally served as destinations both for tourists and retired Americans. But Mexico City has become a magnet for American migrants, too, as security and quality of life have improved in the city.

In Jalisco, the number of US citizens over age 55 more than doubled between 1990 and 2000, increasing from 2,480 to 5,918. The number has expanded far more dramatically over the past decade. "We have the best weather in the world, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and very good medical care," says Bruce Newby, the president of the American Society in Guadalajara, Jalisco's capital city.

Better weather, cheaper health care, dollar buys more...

I'm brushing up on my Spanish already.

Uno

 

[Mai72]

Why US baby boomers are retiring in Latin America



Better weather, cheaper health care, dollar buys more...

I'm brushing up on my Spanish already.

Uno

And the ladies. I saw so many 60+ year old foreign men with 22 year old beautiful Thai women! It's paradise!

http://www.thaibrides.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/How_To_Attract_A_Thai_Woman1.jpeg

 

[werepossum]

And the ladies. I saw so many 60+ year old foreign men with 22 year old beautiful Thai women! It's paradise!

http://www.thaibrides.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/How_To_Attract_A_Thai_Woman1.jpeg

Maybe the price of admission is cheaper, but in America rich 60 year old men can marry beautiful 22 year old Thai girls too. The amount of required wealth goes way up, but the chance of her having a penis goes way down. This is the balance of nature.

 

[SheHateMe]

Never. This is my home! I don't know anyone anywhere else.

 

[gevorg]

A better question would be what would it take for you to move. We already lost all our privacy. Elections are a joke. What nanny or police state moves the government will have to take for you move to another country? Implanted RFID chips?

 

[Fern]

Maybe the price of admission is cheaper, but in America rich 60 year old men can marry beautiful 22 year old Thai girls too. The amount of required wealth goes way up, but the chance of her having a penis goes way down. This is the balance of nature.

LOL

Fern

 

[Fern]

I'm considering moving away (again).

I've already lived in Europe for a number of years. My wife was born in Italy and holds a French passport/citizenship so anywhere in Europe would be relatively easy. And I have friends that live abroad and can possibly help significantly in getting me into non-European countries. One friend I've seen twice over the holidays has done extensive research on picking up citizenship in various countries around the world. He has about 3 (IIRC) now and will be dropping his US citizenship.

Naturally, my wife would like to return to Europe. But money and the distance we'd be from our son are serious drawbacks.

Fern

 

[BoberFett]

As much as many of our stupid policies annoy me, it's still one of the best places on Earth. And if the US truly goes to hell, the rest of the world is going with us.

 

[dmcowen674]

Not as much as Dave would like us to go. . . .

Yes, please, all of you rich brats leave. Thank you.

 

[Doppel]

No, where you gonna go? Most of the people who say yes are bullshitters, even if they don't know it/won't admit it. The US fails in so many ways, but I still think it's the best place to live, depending on one's circumstances; some would do better elsewhere and would benefit from moving, and some who don't live here would see a hit to their quality of life if they moved.

Yes, please, all of you rich brats leave. Thank you.

Rich people help pay for impoverished people like you; people like you can't pull your weight when it comes to roads and government. You should thank them.

 

[BoberFett]

Yes, please, all of you rich brats leave. Thank you.

You don't even grasp how truly stupid you are...

 

[HeXen]

US sucks but it's not like I can afford to go anywhere. Just because you hate your own country doesn't mean you will just pack up and go like all the hardass people out there tell you to do.

 

[Joepublic2]

Yes, but only because I'd want to live somewhere where its warm all the time, have cheap land and relaxed drug laws. There is no perfect place to live but there's a lot that are way more laid back than the US.

 

[Fern]

I do think about it periodically. Not seriously, but I have gone so far as to look into likely places. So far, New Zealand sticks out, since I like varied terrain, seasonal weather, and I'm too old & stubborn to be bothered with a new language.

A friend just returned from NZ and Australia and he said it was very very expensive there.

Language isn't necessarily a barrier in non-English speaking countries as there are large expat communities all over. I.e., you'll be surrounded by English speaking people.

By the way: Expats are still subject to Federal Income Taxes, though you may receive Limited credits or deductions for local taxation. You have to give up your US citizenship to avoid US tax burdens. Google-Fu also indicates Canada and most European nations share social security information to avoid duplicate payments.

I'm pretty sure they're sharing the SS info due to totalization agreements (i.e., SS treaties between countries). In general, totalization agreements help increase your benefits and you'll still get 2 different payments.

Fern

 

[Fern]

Yes, please, all of you rich brats leave. Thank you.

A great many people leave not because they are rich but because they aren't. A SS retirement check goes a lot further in many other countries.

Fern

 

[brianmanahan]

You don't even grasp how truly stupid you are...

i once thought he was a consummate troll

but nowadays i just think thats what he is really like

 

[WhipperSnapper]

I picked yes.

I worked and lived in South Korea for 2 years. I was also able to visit Thailand for about a month. I am currently home in NJ and I don't care for it here anymore.

Is it also possible that you just no longer like living in New Jersey?

 

[Lepton87]

You shouldn't care about language barriers, pretty much everywhere in the world people have to learn English at school. In my country you can't even pick another foreign language instead of English which is frankly stupid, it's English+ some other foreign language. Apart from English speaking countries you will have the least problems in Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands. When I was there I haven't had any problems with communication. But if you want to move somewhere permanently or for a very long time I think it's just rude not to learn the local language.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

I did, 6 years ago. Now I make double what I would in the US, drive a BMW and have 2 passports, and look over the most beautiful harbour every morning from my apartment when I wake up. Life is good.

 

[Agent11]

Nope. I've thought about buying a few thousand acres in a third world country, but I would need a lot of money for development and security. . . And I would be dealing with a third world government. . . Which doesn't sound very nice. With my luck they would go communist.

 

[nickbits]

I moved to the US from Canada 5 years ago. I wouldn't move back.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hell, I would in a second if I knew I could find work in a decent place to raise my family. I don't think that's too much to ask for.