The Expat Retirement Thread (or expat thread)

Quote: Evenbob

I know a woman who works
in a E African country and
once a month has to drive
150 miles to another country
to buy groceries. At first she
thought it was quaint, she
now dreads it. Any country
like Portugal that has a poor
economy and high unemployment,
I would check out in person
multiple times before I moved
there. Does not sound like a fun
place to be a 'rich' American.

I absolutely would do so. I went to college in a small town and remember having to go about 30 miles to get certain things. Not that that is huge, but I remember that life.

Can't even explore now but thus far Portugal, Spain, and Panama are looking at the best "escape" countries if the USA keeps on the path we are.

Quote: AZDuffman

Can't even explore now but thus far Portugal, Spain, and Panama e.

No brainer for me, Spain hands down.
Great climate, great food, friendly
people. Lots of English spoken there.
Half of EU goes on vacay to Spain,
very modern place with lots to see
and do.
I would still take Mexico any day.
Nice climate, nice people, huge
expat community, great food,
cheap living, the US is a car
ride away. The violence aspect
is way over stated. If you're a
single woman gringo you might
have problems, but men are OK
if you mind you own business.
Just saw a series of videos with
three guys who went to Mexico
for a week, to the cartel run
cities, looking for problems and
they found none at all. They were
completely ignored and had a
great time.

Quote: Evenbob

No brainer for me, Spain hands down.
Great climate, great food, friendly
people. Lots of English spoken there.
Half of EU goes on vacay to Spain,
very modern place with lots to see
and do.
I would still take Mexico any day.
Nice climate, nice people, huge
expat community, great food,
cheap living, the US is a car
ride away. The violence aspect
is way over stated. If you're a
single woman gringo you might
have problems, but men are OK
if you mind you own business.
Just saw a series of videos with
three guys who went to Mexico
for a week, to the cartel run
cities, looking for problems and
they found none at all. They were
completely ignored and had a
great time.

Just do not buy real estate in Mexico.

Quote: AZDuffman

Just do not buy real estate in Mexico.

Two million Americans live in
Mexico for a reason.

Quote: Evenbob

Two million Americans live in
Mexico for a reason.

Living is one thing, just do not buy. Mexico has a habit of not respecting title to land.

I just applied for a job in Barbados. I guess I should Google it as I know very little about it.

Don't discount Costa Rica, longtime favorite of Californians.

Quote: AZDuffman

Can't even explore now but thus far Portugal, Spain, and Panama are looking at the best "escape" countries if the USA keeps on the path we are.

I've visited all three countries. I went to Portugal in the summer of 1984 and I had a problem with the food. It was very tasty, but the bacteria content kept me running to the toilet. One Portuguese woman said that after visiting relatives for a few months in Canada, she had the same problem returning to Portugal. The cost of living was very low at the time, but I went before they joined the European Union (1 January 1986). I remember trying to explain to some young men that you had to pay more for a bottle of wine in a restaurant in America than you paid in a store. They thought the concept was ridiculous.

Portuguese bullfighting involves jumping onto a bull's face while he is charging you. You have to use your body to obscure his vision so that the bull grows confused and stops trying to flip you into the air. Your buddies help you subdue the bull. Finally one man holds on to the tail so when everyone leaps off the bull, he is weighted down. When it doesn't work the bull throws everyone to the ground and tries to stomp people to death.

Quote: Pacomartin

I've visited all three countries. I went to Portugal in the summer of 1984 and I had a problem with the food. It was very tasty, but the bacteria content kept me running to the toilet.

Food and water in Portugal are
not reliable. Never drink the tap
water without boiling it. Never
eat at a buffet or anyplace that
has cold food. Never eat fruit
or veggies without washing them
in boiled water first. Portugal in
many ways is a 3rd world country
and food hygiene is not at the
top of their priority list.

https://www.iamat.org/country/portugal/food-and-water-safety

Quote: Pacomartin

Portuguese bullfighting involves jumping onto a bull's face while he is charging you. You have to use your body to obscure his vision so that the bull grows confused and stops trying to flip you into the air. Your buddies help you subdue the bull. Finally one man holds on to the tail so when everyone leaps off the bull, he is weighted down. When it doesn't work the bull throws everyone to the ground and tries to stomp people to death.

Luckily I am too old to even be asked to join in that!

Not sure when "Bull Poker" started. But I've seen a few these using those large rodeo bulls.