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the Philippines
I agree with the earlier post that Thailand is a beautiful and enticing place. I've also spent quite a lot of time in the Philippines. There's some great sailing around the islands and very cheap. Great diving, as well. The people are very nice and many, many speak English. Unlike other Asian countries, most of the signs, menus and such are in English. There's even main chains like Calif Pizza Kitchen, Outback steak houses, etc. Lots of large shopping malls that resemble the US. Yes, there's poverty and corruption in government, but there's a vibrant economy with investment from global corps and banks. Just stay out of the far south where there has been militant/religious problems. Otherwise a great country on many levels.
I agree with the earlier post that Thailand is a beautiful and enticing place. I've also spent quite a lot of time in the Philippines. There's some great sailing around the islands and very cheap. Great diving, as well. The people are very nice and many, many speak English. Unlike other Asian countries, most of the signs, menus and such are in English. There's even main chains like Calif Pizza Kitchen, Outback steak houses, etc. Lots of large shopping malls that resemble the US. Yes, there's poverty and corruption in government, but there's a vibrant economy with investment from global corps and banks. Just stay out of the far south where there has been militant/religious problems. Otherwise a great country on many levels.
ALBANY WESTERN AUSTRALIA
DITO A THOUSAND TIMES. More and more people from all over the world are moving down here and spreading out along the coast from Walpole in the West to Esperance in the East. Check it out!!
DITO A THOUSAND TIMES. More and more people from all over the world are moving down here and spreading out along the coast from Walpole in the West to Esperance in the East. Check it out!!
Retirement plans... perpetual summer?
As the big change in life approaches we have been actively searching for places to live: 1) A web-based quiz indicated that Bellingham, WA was the ideal place for us. As a result we took a 2-week vacation in the WA, BC area and really liked what we saw. Bellingham was great - we certainly could live there, but our favorite spot was Victoria, BC. Really enjoyed Vancouver as well. 2) We are seriously toying with the idea of living in perpetual summer, that is 6 months in New Zealand and six months in the US, possibly living on the boat while here. The problem is that the cost of living seems to be sky-rocketing in NZ. We noticed a big jump from a year ago when we visited in March. I still have at least a year to figure it out ;D
As the big change in life approaches we have been actively searching for places to live: 1) A web-based quiz indicated that Bellingham, WA was the ideal place for us. As a result we took a 2-week vacation in the WA, BC area and really liked what we saw. Bellingham was great - we certainly could live there, but our favorite spot was Victoria, BC. Really enjoyed Vancouver as well. 2) We are seriously toying with the idea of living in perpetual summer, that is 6 months in New Zealand and six months in the US, possibly living on the boat while here. The problem is that the cost of living seems to be sky-rocketing in NZ. We noticed a big jump from a year ago when we visited in March. I still have at least a year to figure it out ;D
Tom
It's purely a personal choice. Some like Crystal clear water and some like shopping malls nearby. Cheap is one of those hard to define words. Sure you can live along alongside a jungle somewhere on a river in Africa. Cheap and clean ( I think). My paradise is clean air, plenty of clean water and great food. Not much noise,and no hassles. My backyard offers that. My paradise is between my ears. Sailing I do for fun. Living aboard is 1/3 the cost as opposed to living on land. At least it use to be. I haven't done it for some years. Enjoy your freedom and visit this country right here. I'm sure there are plenty of coastal rivers and bays you haven't explored, while living on the cheap. You'll be a LOT safer too. Keep your money at home. Just my opinion. Costa Rica or the Med on a canal Keep it up, Ctskip
It's purely a personal choice. Some like Crystal clear water and some like shopping malls nearby. Cheap is one of those hard to define words. Sure you can live along alongside a jungle somewhere on a river in Africa. Cheap and clean ( I think). My paradise is clean air, plenty of clean water and great food. Not much noise,and no hassles. My backyard offers that. My paradise is between my ears. Sailing I do for fun. Living aboard is 1/3 the cost as opposed to living on land. At least it use to be. I haven't done it for some years. Enjoy your freedom and visit this country right here. I'm sure there are plenty of coastal rivers and bays you haven't explored, while living on the cheap. You'll be a LOT safer too. Keep your money at home. Just my opinion. Costa Rica or the Med on a canal Keep it up, Ctskip
Kermie
has listed my first choice, but if I wanted to leave the US (Why would anyone want to leave Puget Sound!?!) I would go to Panama. A legacy of America's ownership of the Canal Zone is that it has a water system that delivers safe drinking water to the entire country. Most, if not all, of the residents speak English in addition to Spanish, and they are a friendly warm people. The currency is the US dollar so you don't have to interpolate in your head to figure what stuff costs. They grow some of the best coffee in the world and their rum is cheap and good as well. The islands on both the north and south sides of the country are very interesting cruising grounds and Costa Rica is just next door. It is law abiding and safe to live there.
has listed my first choice, but if I wanted to leave the US (Why would anyone want to leave Puget Sound!?!) I would go to Panama. A legacy of America's ownership of the Canal Zone is that it has a water system that delivers safe drinking water to the entire country. Most, if not all, of the residents speak English in addition to Spanish, and they are a friendly warm people. The currency is the US dollar so you don't have to interpolate in your head to figure what stuff costs. They grow some of the best coffee in the world and their rum is cheap and good as well. The islands on both the north and south sides of the country are very interesting cruising grounds and Costa Rica is just next door. It is law abiding and safe to live there.
I Recommend Considering South Africa
I have spent 15 years in South Africa. The cost of living is about half of the US. Generally medical services, housing, hotels, locally made clothing, utilities, food, and other locally manufactured items are of good quality and cost less that in the US. Cars and fuel are more expensive than the US. Goods imported into South Africa are more expensive than in the US. The total annual taxes are generally higher in South Africa. English is spoken everywhere. South Africa has good deep water harbors at Richards Bay, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Simonstown, Cape Town, and Langebaan. I have been to them all. There are a few smaller harbors suitable for sailboats. Marinas and clubs with sailboats are found in all of the above mentioned harbors. South Africa is for blue water sailors. Cape Town and Durban have excellent sailing clubs, world class sailors, and are the primary sailing centers in Southern Africa. Both Cape Town and Durban have excellent facilities for sailboat maintenance and repairs. Mozambique and the Indian Ocean islands are great places to visit by sailboat. The summer in Cape Town is delightful but the winter brings gales that will test your seamanship.
I have spent 15 years in South Africa. The cost of living is about half of the US. Generally medical services, housing, hotels, locally made clothing, utilities, food, and other locally manufactured items are of good quality and cost less that in the US. Cars and fuel are more expensive than the US. Goods imported into South Africa are more expensive than in the US. The total annual taxes are generally higher in South Africa. English is spoken everywhere. South Africa has good deep water harbors at Richards Bay, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Simonstown, Cape Town, and Langebaan. I have been to them all. There are a few smaller harbors suitable for sailboats. Marinas and clubs with sailboats are found in all of the above mentioned harbors. South Africa is for blue water sailors. Cape Town and Durban have excellent sailing clubs, world class sailors, and are the primary sailing centers in Southern Africa. Both Cape Town and Durban have excellent facilities for sailboat maintenance and repairs. Mozambique and the Indian Ocean islands are great places to visit by sailboat. The summer in Cape Town is delightful but the winter brings gales that will test your seamanship.
Nope not in Sales but I am in Sails
Shemandr wrote: "Seriously, I've never sailed those waters and I am looking forward to the experience" Pick the month of June for the long warm days and steady winds. With the exception of this year (Rainy) it is usually reliable weatherwise. It will be an experience you will not forget, give yourself several weeks. The year 2007 has been terrible weatherwise here so far which is why you think I am in sales. Last year was awesome, long warm season with unusualy good winds, we were spoilled rotten. I hate the rain!
Shemandr wrote: "Seriously, I've never sailed those waters and I am looking forward to the experience" Pick the month of June for the long warm days and steady winds. With the exception of this year (Rainy) it is usually reliable weatherwise. It will be an experience you will not forget, give yourself several weeks. The year 2007 has been terrible weatherwise here so far which is why you think I am in sales. Last year was awesome, long warm season with unusualy good winds, we were spoilled rotten. I hate the rain!
Tom, What defines for you cheap living?
Simply maintaining your present life style at a lower cost or living with a "what you don't spend you don't have to earn" approach? Are you thinking to sell up and move to some place where you can enjoy all of the perks of living in the USA but only have to spend half as much? There are places that will cheerfully accept you and your US dollar pension checks but I am sure that your life will be somewhat different. Consider the availability of medical care.
Simply maintaining your present life style at a lower cost or living with a "what you don't spend you don't have to earn" approach? Are you thinking to sell up and move to some place where you can enjoy all of the perks of living in the USA but only have to spend half as much? There are places that will cheerfully accept you and your US dollar pension checks but I am sure that your life will be somewhat different. Consider the availability of medical care.
Ross - medical care for 'routine' matters is
just as good in most populated places in the world. The only difference in these places is that the physicians are not forced to practice such aggressive defensive medicine (which only enhances the pockets of the bloody trial shysters) hence the cost of care is MUCH less.
just as good in most populated places in the world. The only difference in these places is that the physicians are not forced to practice such aggressive defensive medicine (which only enhances the pockets of the bloody trial shysters) hence the cost of care is MUCH less.
RichH, The whole world is populated
and only in the more urban areas will you find the better quality care. Those of us who are of an age are beginning to need some repairs now and then that are well outside the realm of routine medical care.
and only in the more urban areas will you find the better quality care. Those of us who are of an age are beginning to need some repairs now and then that are well outside the realm of routine medical care.
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