Ok Dopers, help me run away from home.

In My Humble Opinion
1

So, for a variety of reasons, I’ve decided I no longer want to live in Calgary, or Alberta, or Canada, for that matter. Nothing dramatic - I just don’t want to be here anymore.

I will be finishing my degree in April, and at that point I plan on liquidating all of my assets and running away. I anticipate that I’ll have about $150,000 or $200,000 to play with, depending on the housing market around here (which shows no signs of slowing in my particular price bracket).

Now, there are parts of the world where $150,000 or $200,000 is a lot of money - enough to live comfortable for at least a few years, and I’m hoping to find such a place.

I’ve essentially decided to become a beach bum. So - my requirements are: must have beaches. A nice climate. Local political unrest should be minimal, and the chance of me getting attacked by a machete wielding maniac should be no higher than they are here in the big city.

Furthermore, it would be nice if I could get some sort of job - nothing huge, you understand - I’m thinking like waitressing for tips, or perhaps working at a dive shop and handing out the flippers or something. The actual wage isn’t super important as I’ll have my little cushion to fall back on, but some sort of activity would be nice. Don’t get me wrong - I plan on spending the bulk of my time painting, or writing really horrendously bad, self indulgent poetry that doesn’t even rhyme, but some sort of work would be nice as a side line, ya know?

I’m assuming that this is going to rule out any sort of US destination, although I’m not sure. I have a diploma as well as a degree and about 15 years of work experience, but I still don’t think that makes me particularly appealing in the US, particularly as I want to be a beach bum.

So - what about places like Bermuda? Bahamas? (come on pretty momma) Mexico? Cayman Islands? Jamaica?

I’m not even sure where to start looking - can any of you kind, wise dopers offer suggestions? Know of places that would be more willing to accept a wayward Canadian girl into their fold? Would I be further ahead looking at commonwealth countries? Is my estimation of my appeal to the US wrong? Right? Both? If it would strengthen my application, investing in the local economy by opening a hut selling ice water to tourists (or some such) wouldn’t be out of the question, either.

Please - I await elucidation! :slight_smile:

2

I would think Goa or Thailand would suit you nicely.

I’m curious…what’s the point of doing this? I’m asking because I would never, never in a million years do it so I’m interested in what’s inspiring you and what you are looking to get out of the experience.

3

Try Bequia. Out of the way, but they speak English. I’d never heard of it until I met someone who lives there.

Other than that, I suggest someplace in the Pacific–a commonwealth possession or realm, but not one that’s going to be swamped by rising seas in a couple of years, or is under the typhoon track.

4

Why would I run away from home and lying on a beach for the rest of my days?

Well, because I can, I suppose.

I’m not particularly interested in money. I’m not driven to have a career. I want to go somewhere and chill out and relax and meet someone to fall in love with. I know that he doesn’t live here. :slight_smile:

5

What languages do you know? How good are you at picking up new languages?

I susspect you could manage a lifetime in Cambodia on that sort of money, and much of that area is very beautiful. But you would be at the whim of the political situation there.

How abouts taking a 2 year post-graduate course somewhere in Europe, Amsterdam or France come to mind.

6

Greece. One of the Agean Islands will do. You can easily find work at a hostel or dive shop or somesuch. Just think: Culture and beaches!

7

You might take a look at Belize or Costa Rica, both of which are supposed to be beautiful, relatively cheap, and have great beaches. They’re also close enough to Canada for the occasional trip back, if you get homesick.

8

http://www.escapeartist.com is a decent site, though not organized very well. I’ve been using it to plan my big retirement/escape (in 20 years :frowning: )

9

I may be in Barbados in a couple months. I’ll check it out and report back.

10

I would recommend Costa Rica as well. I have been there and it has a beach culture, good weather with several subclimates, gorgeous scenery, no unrest, it is pretty cheap, and it is very friendly to Americans/Canadians. Even though the official language is Spanish, a large portion of the population speaks some English and those involved in the service industries tend to speak English very well. The tourism trade is huge so there are always Americans, Europeans, and Canadians around. Costa Rica has no military, fairly low crime, and an excellent health care system. About 1% of the population is expats and there are sizable English speaking enclaves. Costa Rica borders both the Caribbean and the Pacific. The country is small enough to drive to either coast in an afternoon. Even though the standard of living is rather high for Latin America, the average income is only about $200 a month so your money will go far.

11

Well!

I suppose its the maple syrup thing, isn’t it?

storms off in a huff

:stuck_out_tongue:

12

Ok - so Belize is looking pretty good…

Now - here’s a stupid question: None of these sites have ANY immigration information, or they have information for people FROM Belize (for instance) to immigrate TO Canada - not a huge help, as I’m sure you can imagine.

So - does anyone know anything about that? Maybe you’re not allowed to immigrate to places like the Bahamas, or Bermuda, or Belize. Or maybe no one wants to - but - any info along those lines would be super helpful.

Also, any info from Barbados would be awesome Robot Arm

13

I don’t know what the tax accounting net gain rules are for cashing out of a residential sale in Canada, but before you decide to take the money and run, you might want to talk to an experienced Canadian accountant to make sure you won’t be bitten financially if you don’t re-invest in another residence.

I know it seems like a lot of money but it’s really not. You can easily run through that amount in a few years (or less). You might want to think about re-investing the majority of it, and taking out enough for a 6 month vacation. If that’s your life savings, and you have some low level health issues. (which I think you’ve mentioned in the past) starting over again without a pot to pee in financially might be stressful.

Of course you might have additional significant sources of money or an inheritance etc., and then all this advice would be moot.

14

Belize is a British territory, so you should be okay, but it’s much covetted by Guatemala.

15

I’ve lived in my home long enough that I don’t have to pay capital gains, if that’s what you mean.

I don’t care if I run through the money - it’s only money, after all.

Now - how about Mexico? Anybody have tips about Mexico?

16

Ok, confirmed that the house sale is no problem (My SIL is an auditor for Revinue Canada - she knows it ALL!).

So, lets open this up a little.

Let say that I’m going travelling for a year. I want a beach and some good weather. Would it behoove me to buy a car and drive down the west coast of the US?

What sorts of objections could I run into at the border? Answering “I’ve come to look for America” when asked “purpose of visit” seems risky. :slight_smile:

17

Then pray they flirt and ask you if you’re visiting for “business or pleasure”. You can answre pleasure, shag an American at the border, and cross that off your list.
…assuming it’s, you know, on your list…

18

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

In fact, in a few weeks I hope to do it again…

19

**an ex-**British territory :smack:

20

I’m going to put in another vote for Belize. My mom and dad have been wanting to move there for years and I can see why. It’s gorgeous, and part of the British Commonwealth - they have a weird tax system that somehow (at least in Belize, not sure about the whole Commonwealth) subsidizes everyone’s basic medical insurance.

I’m not sure what the rules are for Canadians, but with an American I think you have to apply to the Commonwealth offices for a travel/work visa of some sort. Be sure to get a passport, just in case.

Driving down California would definitely be feasable, I think - if you don’t mind a trip of a few days, what with the traffic in southern California and the Vegas area. Once you get down to Texas (I’d stay away from Baja California, personally - it’s glutted with people who have the same fantasy as you, but loads more money, and none of them…uh, worth falling for, haha), you can cross the border legally if you have a passport (I think that’s because Canada doesn’t share a border with Mexico) and don’t have any weird plants or animals with you (or maybe they like that kind of thing down there). Plan on having to stop every night on the drive. When I drove from Pennsylvania to Nevada, it got really dangerous driving anything more than 13 hours - the 20 hour day just about killed me.

Good luck! If you decide to come near the Reno/Lake Tahoe area, give me a buzz.

~Tasha