1. Advertising
    y u no do it?

    Advertising (learn more)

    Advertise virtually anything here, with CPM banner ads, CPM email ads and CPC contextual links. You can target relevant areas of the site and show ads based on geographical location of the user if you wish.

    Starts at just $1 per CPM or $0.10 per CPC.

The best country for an American to relocate to

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Will.Spencer, Oct 5, 2006.

  1. bogart

    bogart Notable Member

    Messages:
    10,911
    Likes Received:
    509
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    235
    #821
    You can save a lot of money by eating mangu. The brugal is very good btw.

    If you get a couple of goats you wouldn't need a gardener :D

    A friend of mine had a luxury house down there but he left his wife and the house was built on her beachfront lot.
     
    bogart, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  2. Mia

    Mia R.I.P. STEVE JOBS

    Messages:
    23,694
    Likes Received:
    1,167
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    440
    #822
    Was Thailand ever mentioned? My sign guy just left there for a month. His son lives there and he spends a month there with him every year. He said climate wise it was just incredible. Same temperature, no wind, and everything is just completely open. No windows in the stores/shops, etc..

    I guess crime is not a problem either. Everyone has a bell with a distinctive ring. If someone tries to steal from a shop, neighbors hear that bell ring, apparently they stone the person to death right there. I guess it does not happen very often from what he said.

    He did not really go into the local economy, taxes, religions, etc., but he said that the people were nice, the climate was fantastic, and massages were cheap.

    One of the downsides to the climate though is the bug, and rat population.. Apparently those are both issues.
     
    Mia, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  3. Hon Daddy Dad

    Hon Daddy Dad Peon

    Messages:
    1,041
    Likes Received:
    49
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #823
    Bugs and rats are popular food in Thailand.

    Here's a recipe for rat:

    http://www.earthportals.com/Portal_Messenger/ratfordinner.html

    Here some bug food:

    http://www.thaitable.com/Thai/travel/fried_bugs.htm
     
    Hon Daddy Dad, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  4. bogart

    bogart Notable Member

    Messages:
    10,911
    Likes Received:
    509
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    235
    #824
    Thailand is a good place to rent a beach house.

    A lot of the places listed a graet place to visit but I wouldn't want to have a lot of $$$ tied up in real estate.
     
    bogart, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  5. SEOBusiness

    SEOBusiness Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,046
    Likes Received:
    36
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    185
    #825
    Country?Hongkong,China. How do you think about this mate?
     
    SEOBusiness, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  6. Hon Daddy Dad

    Hon Daddy Dad Peon

    Messages:
    1,041
    Likes Received:
    49
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #826
    In some places in Thailand you can buy a brand new apartment for $35,000 right next to the beach with 100 year lease.
     
    Hon Daddy Dad, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  7. Codythebest

    Codythebest Notable Member

    Messages:
    5,764
    Likes Received:
    253
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    275
    #827
    I'll say Spain, especially the Canary Islands...
     
    Codythebest, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  8. Will.Spencer

    Will.Spencer NetBuilder

    Messages:
    14,789
    Likes Received:
    1,040
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    375
    #828
    Thailand seems to have almost everything, except that the tax structure isn't nearly as optimal as Panama's.

    Thailand does have a monarchy and the government is quite closed -- but the government also seems relatively decent at minding its own business.

    Hong Kong was a great place, but it's been going downhill since the red Chinese took over. It can't have much of a future, the way it is going.

    Spain, and particularly the Canary Islands, are very nice. It's a popular retirement destination for Brits.

    Unfortunately, the government of Spain is intrusive and bureaucratic. It's difficult to get anything done (like having a happy life) when you have to fill out a form to do anything.

    And, of course, the other natural consequence of that is an unpleasant tax system. Government harassment doesn't come cheap. You not only have to put up with being harassed, you have to pay for it.

    If you move to Spain, plan to pay their 45% income tax.
     
    Will.Spencer, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  9. bogart

    bogart Notable Member

    Messages:
    10,911
    Likes Received:
    509
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    235
    #829
    Spain is a great place. The issue for an American is the low exchange rate on the dollar.
     
    bogart, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  10. Will.Spencer

    Will.Spencer NetBuilder

    Messages:
    14,789
    Likes Received:
    1,040
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    375
    #830
    If the exchange rate is a major concern for you, here are some countries where the U.S. dollar is used as currency:
    • British Indian Ocean Territory
    • British Virgin Islands
    • East Timor
    • Ecuador
    • El Salvador
    • Marshall Islands
    • Micronesia
    • Northern Mariana Islands
    • Palau
    • Panama
    • Turks and Caicos Islands

    Other countries, like Belize, tie their currencies values to the U.S. dollar. The Belizean dollar is constantly pegged to the U.S. dollar at a two to one ratio.
     
    Will.Spencer, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  11. bogart

    bogart Notable Member

    Messages:
    10,911
    Likes Received:
    509
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    235
    #831
    I'm earning dollars and it would kill me to change them to euros. That's a 50% reduction in my income.

    Central America are good destinations. Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador have a low cost of living and only a couple of hours away from the US.
     
    bogart, Feb 3, 2008 IP
  12. Hon Daddy Dad

    Hon Daddy Dad Peon

    Messages:
    1,041
    Likes Received:
    49
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #832
    Just out of interest Bogart, are you considering a serious move?
     
    Hon Daddy Dad, Feb 4, 2008 IP
  13. bogart

    bogart Notable Member

    Messages:
    10,911
    Likes Received:
    509
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    235
    #833
    I'm thinking about it :D

    This is on my property in Central America.

    [​IMG]
     
    bogart, Feb 4, 2008 IP
  14. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

    Messages:
    25,924
    Likes Received:
    1,354
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    380
    #834
    Looks like some lot I saw in Guanacaste a while back. seriously ;)
     
    Blogmaster, Feb 4, 2008 IP
  15. Hon Daddy Dad

    Hon Daddy Dad Peon

    Messages:
    1,041
    Likes Received:
    49
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #835
    Honduras like Belize seems interesting if not a little hairy Bogart.

    Will, surely you have to consider also the economic outlook of a country, and its relative self sufficiency also?

    How dependent is a country on imports for raw materials etc?

    Peak oil I believe has to be a factor in a decision as to where you live. Oil will continue to rise in price and alternatives will have to be sort. Australia has lots of coal and natural gas reserves which will be useful in powering trains and cars via electricity and LPG, LNG, CNG.

    Reliable water supplies are also a consideration as water continues to become a more precious resource. That's why the Western Australian government is investing heavily into wind turbine powered desalination plants.

    In the long term Perth and other parts of Western Australia will be good places to live.
     
    Hon Daddy Dad, Feb 4, 2008 IP
  16. bogart

    bogart Notable Member

    Messages:
    10,911
    Likes Received:
    509
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    235
    #836
    Belize and Honduras are really different. Honduras is more like Costa Rica but a lot cheaper.
     
    bogart, Feb 8, 2008 IP
  17. wisdomtool

    wisdomtool Moderator Staff

    Messages:
    15,825
    Likes Received:
    1,367
    Best Answers:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    455
    #837
    Thailand is great, people are friendly down there and the cost of living is low. Problem is don't live in Bangkok, any other major cities would be ok. Bangkok traffic really sucks.
    BTW the climate can be too high and humid.

     
    wisdomtool, Feb 8, 2008 IP
  18. prettyboy

    prettyboy Banned

    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #838
    Panama or Brazil I guess in South America are the best place to relocate, where you can enjoy and relax!
     
    prettyboy, Feb 8, 2008 IP
  19. wisdomtool

    wisdomtool Moderator Staff

    Messages:
    15,825
    Likes Received:
    1,367
    Best Answers:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    455
    #839
    For me Melbourne is kinda boring, I wont mind Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong are really too fast paced. Philippines seems to be a nice place too. Panama and Brazil I am not sure, I thought they are more towards Spanish than English?
     
    wisdomtool, Feb 8, 2008 IP
  20. larven

    larven Peon

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #840
    Yes, you should definitely make your mind to be there. I have been there. Worth living place.
     
    larven, Feb 28, 2011 IP