In the Philippines, most things are just about as expensive as in the USA. Housing would be the exception, a very nice small house can be bought for USD30-40K. You can eat very cheaply on the Filiplno diet (rice, fish, local fruit/veggies) but for other things, supermarket prices are like the USA. Expect to pay US prices for clothing, and maybe double for appliances. Public transportation is very cheap, safe and efficient, and air fares supercheap. . Medical and dental ridiculously cheap and apparently competent. Cataract surgery $1,000, tooth extraction $10. Big Mac $1.40. A side of rice with good lentil soup in the street market 40c. Cash limit at ATMs is US$200, and there is about an 80% chance a machine will work.
We have AC in our house, but haven’t turned it on once. Fans are sufficient. Utilities and connected data higher than USA, and spotty.
Complicated immigration procedures, lots of paperwork and bureaucracy, but always in English, and everything finally works… But bureaucrats are always friendly and helpful. One good thing about immigration is you don’t need to do anything before arrival. Just get off the plane and get 30 days, extend painlessly another month, then a 6-month extension no hassle, then a permanent residence card without having to prove or convince anyone.
Like anywhere in the third world, the key to happiness is to learn to be stoic and patient. Accept things the way they are and learn to live with them.
I’m starting to wonder whether it would be good to do a left coast split for the winter and just base around LA. I need to be in the center of something. I wonder what LA real estate is like.
I could deal with Frisco.
Then there’s an island existence for 5 months and back north.
But I don’t know of any place in the South I would be comfortable in.
Baltimore has environs which were described to me as being a good deal for moving to.
If you’re looking for a place where you can use marijuana without fear of arrest, I think your choices are going to be far more limited. I think it’s now legal in Uruguay. So how does Montevideo sound to you?
If by Frisco you mean San Francisco, you should be aware that it’s not a real estate bargain by any means. Nor is it particularly warm in the winter. And they won’t like it if you call the city “Frisco”.
Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi used to be mine but I am badly out of touch with the area. I’m as likely these days to head north and into the mountains (seclusion) than any place warm and populated.
No one’s mentioned Mexico yet? Cheap, great people, and close to the US should you need to return in a hurry (medical care you don’t trust in Mexico, although that’s absurd not to trust a private hospital).
If you’re single and just want someplace to go and die, then Pattaya, Thailand, might be what you’re looking for.
I am scared of Mexico. Probably that’s watching too much breaking bad itis, but I don’t understand the power structures there at all, and that’s not good. They have a very very bad reputation. you cannot read about the one where they let prisoners out at night to commit murders so they could be alibied by the guards, and ever forget it. I don’t want to be anywhere near where these things happen.
I’m trying to think down the coast maybe all the way to LA. It must be a big deal to buy on the beach in southern california. What about mid between LA and SF. I wonder how much a 1BR in a.decent neighborhood somewhere near the LA beaches would run.
Yes … sunshine, cold crisp air, everything decked with virgin snow … very beautiful I thought … compared to damp smelly grey ooze everything dripping and slugs everyplace, yech, damn trees in the way … have you ever been to Washington State? … [adorable grin] …
As it happens, today I saw a link to this list of the ten best places in the world to retire. Many were already mentioned here, with Mexico in the top spot. But Malta was also listed (albeit at number ten) and it’s not a destination I ever thought of.
Not from me - I have friends both places and have visited a fair bit. The roads around Baltimore always gray my hair, what little I have left. And VB is too crowded when the tourons are in town and a little too empty/spotty during the winter. And as far as winter it isn’t that much easier than PA; less snow but some serious freezing rains now and then. I may consider the area around Williamsburg or just maybe over around Natural Bridge.
My dream spot would probably be Buenos Aires, Argentina. Decent climate, and the culture is right up my alley (music, dancing, cuisine, etc.) Healthcare and economics are passable, and I’ve got enough Spanish and German to be able to get by, at least after some practice. The Philippines sound fun, too, except for that nutcase they’ve got in charge…but who am I to judge as an American. :o
Are there people who do the opposite? Like stay in their home town during the winter, and then go somewhere cold in the summer? Cuz I’d like to do that. (I hope I’m not ruining the hypothetical, I just want to know if anyone does that)
Around Dallas PA there are a few folks who do that; live and work around NC to FLA and then spend June and July in the mountains. A few of the “summer homes” around Harvey’s Lake belong to people south of the Mason-Dixon line. But I don’t know if their numbers are close to the Snowbird totals.