Ronstar
Moderator Emeritus
I wouldn’t retire to any of the countries in OP’s link. I’d retire to the Lake Louise/ Banff area in Alberta, Ca, or Az, Ut, Co, Wy, Sd, Nd, Mt, or Id in the Us
I prefer the idea of a temporary expat. That is, airbnb 3–6 months in several locations and spend the rest in the USA.
I would not choose either location based on cost but on quality of life. Spain and Portugal would be very high on my list.
Everyone knows it's Connecticut. Anywhere else in New England is a close second.
Texas is a good choice, but it's almost full, and one would have to learn the language and wear cowboy boots.
I can’t imagine why anyone would move to a foreign country to retire and live unless they speak the language, have a cultural affinity, and can deal with the local bureaucracy and judicial system. Even more so if one has family here in the US.
I certainly agree with this. The big question in my mind on articles like this is WHY would a person want to pick up and move to another country in retirement? Sure, there are good points about many places, but what is the big, overriding reason for going there on a permanent basis? And does it really outweigh all the minor accommodations in living style you would have to make?
I can’t imagine why anyone would move to a foreign country to retire and live unless they speak the language, have a cultural affinity, and can deal with the local bureaucracy and judicial system. Even more so if one has family here in the US.
We were in Playa del Carmen two weeks ago and felt very safe. However, good restaurants are expensive, cheap restaurants selling local foods are not very good and certainly are not for long time living.
What is the Tax Structure in some of these countries, like Costa Rica, Bahamas, or any of the smaller Carib Islands ?
Would I have to give up my American citizenship ? Dual Citizen ? Pay taxes to both countries ?
The Political Climate in these places would be an important factor to consider also.
There's "why are the articles written" and then "why would a person actually move"I certainly agree with this. The big question in my mind on articles like this is WHY would a person want to pick up and move to another country in retirement? Sure, there are good points about many places, but what is the big, overriding reason for going there on a permanent basis? And does it really outweigh all the minor accommodations in living style you would have to make?
If we were to choose another country it would be Mexico. We love the people, culture, food and excellent affordable healthcare. For us there is only one reason to leave the USA, it is the ever-increasing violent crime.
That is funny because morder rate in Mexico is 5+ times higher than in USA.
EU countries have very low murder rate but so do places like most of New England.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/murder-rate-by-country
I think there's the impression that you can "live like a king" and maybe even escape paying so much in taxes if you move. So there's a big market for articles that dance around the fact that neither of those are easily attained.
That is funny because morder rate in Mexico is 5+ times higher than in USA.
EU countries have very low murder rate but so do places like most of New England.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/murder-rate-by-country
If we were to choose another country it would be Mexico. We love the people, culture, food and excellent affordable healthcare. For us there is only one reason to leave the USA, it is the ever-increasing violent crime.
Violent crime has been steadily decreasing in the USA over time, at least according to the FBI, who I suppose know something about it. See:
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-w...CyuVZRo7qxofudkXBrjHQYQXYYE96KkCglUl4MbxdE1h0
Good point. I don't believe there is a country in the world where, as a US Citizen, you can move to and not pay US taxes, as the USA taxes its citizens no matter where they live, so living abroad doesn't mean you stop filing a tax return with the IRS and possibly the State where you used to live.