Retirement in another Country

[poconojoe]

I retired in Pennsylvania. The state doesn't tax any of my pensions or Social Security. That's a big plus! Pennsylvania is not perfect, but I like the fresh air, State parks, rivers, lakes, firearm freedoms and layed back attitude. There are many other states that are pension friendly, so look into that.

There's so many nice areas here in America. It's been a bit unstable here lately, but no where near what you might experience somewhere else.
Lots of really nice places for boating, lakes, rivers, etc.

Still seems safer than most countries. Just keep far away from the major cities.

America has an abundance of beautiful national parks, rolling hills, mountains, interstate highways, busy cities, secluded rural areas...we have it all. Tropical, seasonal and in between.

Just do your homework before you decide.

 

[alldodge]

We thought about moving to that area. We're almost as far north in WI as one can get...... Getting tired of 8mths of winter.....

I like the area, but if you need major health anything your at least 1.5 hours away

 

[alldodge]

Just do your homework before you decide.

Yep, that's what I'm doing. Don't want to get into the reasons for even thinking about it because it will go against the rules real fast. We have a great health care system for those who can afford it and I can, so I'm one of the lucky ones

 

[WIMUSKY]

I like the area, but if you need major health anything your at least 1.5 hours away

We're used to it also, we're at least 1hr away.....

 

[KJM]

Agree Mexico on the Pacific side does look good.

Have read up on Vietnam but can't make myself think about that one. Thailand others have been, but not so sure about the medical side. Ecuador is just to close to Columbia

Some of the places been reading that have great medical. Need to look it uo again but forget which one says you just pay 7 to 11% and that pays all the Meds. Would like a place that isn't to hot or cold. If it wasn't for the cold I would look at Canada

Brother in law spent a couple months in Panama and really likes it except for the heat

British Columbia on Canada's west coast is a fair bit warmer then the rest of the country. The scenery, boating and fishing are phenominal apparently. The health care ain't all that bad. If you have a serious condidtion you will get the treatment you need in a timely fashion, for elective type things you might have a bit longer wait, but you also won't go broke paying for it.

 

[southkogs]

Cookeville area of Tennessee is pretty popular right now. Get outta' town by about 15 min, and there are transplants livin' all over.

 

[alldodge]

Same here, I'm not that far from Cookeville

 

[KJM]

Like was said earlier, the grass is always greener on the other size. You want to get out of Tennesse while I always thought somewhere in the upper southern states sounded good. I would like to live somewhere where winter is about equal to my fall.

 

[alldodge]

. I would like to live somewhere where winter is about equal to my fall.

Move to San Diego

 

[KJM]

Move to San Diego

Canadians are not allowed to retire in the states, 6 months at a time....

 

[JimS123]

In my working years I traveled all over the country fixing problems in factories. When my CEO relocated the office down south (for HIS own benefit) I quit and started consulting for all his competitors. Now I became a world traveler.

When a job came up and I had to travel to LA, or Chicago, or Paris, etc, etc. I was always enthused. Then I went. Like the old song..."Is that all there is?".

We built our dream house when I was 40. Still live there. I am 5 minutes from launch ramps on waterways that can literally take me anywhere in the world. I am in a world renowned fishing area. In other words, I have been on the other side of the fence and I like it here better.

In my 6th year of retirement now. I am an oddity!! By that I mean that I am happy and satisfied with life and i have nothing to complain about. Oh sure the politicians are idiots and the taxes are too high, but my SS can cover it. OTOH, my CEO got screwed because he moved to a state with no income tax, but then they installed it a year later. Sucks to be him.

On the subject of Canadian health care, I have no personal knowledge but my in-laws were Canadian and their stories were all horror. If they needed treatment they would cross the border and pay out of their own pocket.

 

[ezbtr]

Ya know, I'm kinda thinking Florida Keys, fishing, a decent , cheap house, bars, sun, boat, have heard not super cheap, but I may just pickup and bail, sell Mustang (nice 06) take the dogs and cat and escape, hopefully gf will be outta my paid off house here in central, TX by Weds I'm retired, young/57, beat up body but just dont take **** well

 

[dingbat]

….

 

[gr8knurlin]

Canadian Health care is top notch (people & expertise) but because of our universal system (taxpayer funded) wait times can be an issue - In popular tourist destinations and larger cities there are lots of private healthcare providers but it's pay to play, not sure how the system works for non-Canadian residents (Apply for refugee status and everything will be free).... I was amazed by the US healthcare system when I broke my ankle in Manhattan - very freaking efficient - under 1.5 hours to be assessed & x-rayed, referred to a specialist, compete diagnostics and get casted up & provided with crutches and a stroller - thank god for good insurance because although it was efficient the cost was about $7500 - when I returned home to Canada on December 23rd I spent 14 hours in hospital getting re-assessed, another 6 hours with a specialist but only had to wait 3 days for my surgery - every system has it's pluses and minuses which usually depends on money.

Back to retirement - I have friends who winter in San Felipe on the Baja, Only 3 hours from Yuma and they live among a whole community of Canadian snow-birds.
Also know people who live 3 months at a time between Alberta, Canada (spring & fall) and the Philippines. They work 3 month stints in camp jobs up north then take 3 months at their "villa's" in the Philippines. They make about $60K CAD a year working 6 months (pipefitter/welders) and that allows them live like kings in gated ranch style villas with full time staff when in the Philippines on 1/2 their income while investing the rest. - sounds pretty good, they love it.
We plan to retire on a boat likely up and down the coast and the intercontinental water way - we will keep a condo/townhouse in Alberta as a home base to see the kids and still get out sledding in the winter.

 

[tpenfield]

When I retire, I'm staying right where I am, because I'm too darn lazy to move. I've been to Canada only twice but I felt very healthy while there.

 

[Scott Danforth]

a coworker is looking at buying a 3-br condo in mexico as a retirement home. new build for about $45k another co-worker's wife is from Venezuela . He said he would be retiring down there.

I really want to win the lottery and buy an island and live off the grid for my retirement

 

[alldodge]

I really want to win the lottery and buy an island and live off the grid for my retirement

Don't think u would like off the grid.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Don't think u would like off the grid.

getting closer each minute I have to drive on Florida roads

 

[Bob Sander]

I believe Canada has terrible health care, that's why alot ventured south b4 covid. Universal Health Care. Supposedly. South Korea has the best according to 1 source. Just have to worry about rockets from N. Korea....

Speaking as an American living in Canada and have had experience with both systems, that just plain isn't true. Americans simply don't understand the Canadian system very well.

The American and Canadian systems both have their pros and cons. Canada is particularly frustrating because of the longer wait times for elective and non-emergency procedures.

But add up all the pro's/cons at the end of the day and I much prefer the Canadian system. Interestingly enough... so does Donald Trump as mentioned in his book "The America We Deserve". He makes it clear that Canadians both live longer and pay less overall for healthcare to boot.