Discussions in the Abaco home about going Ex-Pat.
I am curious if any others here are in a similar phase. Over the years I have enjoyed learning about other countries just to have that knowledge of their pros/cons should I ever need to leave with the fam. Lately, given recent developments beyond our control, my wife and I are actually regularly discussing different places. I have spent some time in Vancouver B.C. for example, but it's too expensive now. Looking south.
Anybody else in this phase? Feel free to share notes, if so. I work with a gentleman from Ecuador and he will probably return there upon retirement (soon). He loves it. I enjoyed a long-running series of podcasts on Chile until they recently ended. Even had a letter I wrote to the host read in his show about a year ago (that was interesting).
Anybody else in this phase? Feel free to share notes, if so. I work with a gentleman from Ecuador and he will probably return there upon retirement (soon). He loves it. I enjoyed a long-running series of podcasts on Chile until they recently ended. Even had a letter I wrote to the host read in his show about a year ago (that was interesting).
We settled on Wyoming.
Initially Cheyenne, possibly more remote in the coming years.
I am too old to think that I can do anything about this mess and would not care about the politics of a foreign land as long as I could maintain a low enough profile not to get their attention. I would be gone but my wife can't stand to leave the kids and grand kids so we wait.
My choice is Italy not because of their government but in spite of it. Generally, they are so incompetent at governance that everyone ignores them. The people are great, the climate good and the food, scenery and wine magnificent. I like the final scene in Godfather III when an ancient Michael Corleone is sitting out in the sun wrapped in a blanket with his scraggly dog then slumps and falls over. perfect way to go!
Yes. Going Galt, to some degree. I would want to keep working.
Please tell us about your experiences at Abaco. Some have the perception that it would not be a particularly good place for the Gulch.
I only visited Abaco once for a few days 30 years ago. I was a very laid-back evironment. Diving was decent there. Priobably safer to choose Honduras Bay Islands or ABC islands for lower hurricane risks. Many Australians have cisterns for water, too.
See also:
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/83...
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/d3...
The one just above included Abaco.
There is another one in the Producer's Lounge as well:
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/da...
Going ex-pat as a single man isn't quite as inviting.
This is the problem with foreign purchase. We are the immigrant, illegal or otherwise. And, we fall prey to the local rules and changes.
An added piece of information: In Belize firearms are permitted. Meaning by permit only, one, no larger than 22LR, with permission of the government. For me, this is not acceptable.
As long as I have that freedom here I am happy. I know the enemy here. In another country, not so much.
Jan
Santiago is a first world city with healthcare to rival the states. The economy is still going strong with LOADS of opportunities. I’ve started a number of businesses. Laws are strongly respected, especially property rights. Cops cannot be bribed.
For me, there was no other option. When you discount the entire Northern Hemisphere (due to Fukushima radiation and collapsing economies and sanity), Chile was it. There are many reasons to have chosen Chile in its own right. Check out AllAboutChile.com and Chile.EscapeArtist.com (one of my businesses).
Red Hot Chile is the name of the internet radio show. The shows are archived on http://overseasradio.com/red-hot-chile-r.... The links don’t seem to be working right now, but should be back soon.
I have Bahamian friends who also came to Chile to escape The Bahamas, so I’m not sure why someone would want to emigrate there. Europe is toast once the dollar and euro crash. Any other countries, dependent on the dollar, will crash too. Ecuador is one such country (where I’m vacationing now) as they don’t even have their own currency.
I tried the Free State Project for 1 ½ years. It’s great in theory, but fell far short in practice.
At one point, there were three libertarian developments in the works in Chile. Freedom Orchard will be resurrected soon, but there’s no news available yet for the public.
Moving to Chile was one of THE BEST decisions I’ve made. For anyone waiting, or allowing the excuses to delay departure, it may already be too late.
The other thing with Italy, for us - while it is part of the European Socialist Market, it's probably one of the few where you have somewhat of a free hand, and can make money if you work hard and can negotiate their system. As an expat there, it's not easy to start a business, but (and this is important) you are successful to be able to employ Italians in your business, they tend to be somewhere between "We see nothing" to grudging approval and respect. Additionally - they've been considering dumping the Euro for years - they never liked being on it in the first place - and when they go back to the Lira, their economy will improve.
Also of note - it's probably one of the few EU countries where firearm ownership - while restricted - has a very low bar to cross. Hunting is considered a national right, especially in the rural parts of the country. And the road to Italian Citizenship is a pretty straightforward (if lengthy) process.
I've read about the history of New Zealand... a country that almost went socialist, and pulled back from the edge to a free enterprise society. Sounds good to me, as we are heading beyond the point of no return in that regard...
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/com...
I did it in 2006 when I saw the train coming down the tracks. I now live in Boquete, Panama. Life is good and no hassles. Small village of 20,000 people and about 3,000 expats who are like minded about leaving the States. Anyone interested in learning more can email me.
Cheers
Tom Brymer
tbrymer@brymerpa.com
One of you mentioned Ecuador. It's number 1 on the list. They claim a couple can live comfortably on about $1500 per month! Colombia (who'd a thunk it?), Panama, and Mexico are at 2, 3, & 4. Portugal, Spain, and Malta are the top three in Europe with Thailand in the top ten in Asia. Pretty interesting report, especially the information about available healthcare resources and low costs!
Panama has had decent economy, boosted somewhat by the canal. Nicaragua has a canal construction plan so that could change Panama's economy. Its at least 5 years in the future (possibly never.)
BTW, I met Wesley Snipes' tax advisor Eddie Kahn while there, just before he was captured by local police and delivered to US Treasury agents for a special flight back for tax evasion. So if anyone is trying to escape from US tax problems Panama is not the place.
http://bit.ly/1Gd6srm