Never in a million years. I love to travel to foreign countries, particularly Italy, but I'd never want to actually live anywhere but the USA.
posted by tc1000
over 2 years ago
I have only been to Canada and Mexico. I did live in Mexico for a short time when I was a lot younger (18) but the more I saw of how the majority of people in Mexico live...I couldn't bear it and it hasn't changed that much in all these years. I really love to watch House Hunters International and House Hunters in the US. Some of the prices shock me and all I think is those people must have really secure, high paying jobs.
I don't think so. Mexico did come to mind, but I don't know enough about the country to live there.
I LOVE House Hunters International -- the houses certainly are expensive though. Paris is ridiculous. I saw that same episode. They've done Paris before also -- a little 700 square foot apartment is usually around $500,000. As far as the other places, though, the places they pick are expensive anyway, like the Amalfi Coast...I'm also surprised at the prices in some of the Latin American countries - I kinda thought they'd be cheaper. But those are usually on the ocean so those are more too.....
what cracks me up is that some of these people are buying these for VACATION homes! Now they have to go to the same place every time and they have to pay for airfare too - I'd just think for some of those house prices you could take an awful lot of vacations to an awful lot of places...I could see everything on my bucket list and STILL have money left over if there was $500,000 to spend.
But, I digress, the question was, have I considered retiring to a foreign country? Hmmmm, Canada comes to mind only because after you have lived there for 6 mos you get free health care. Otherwise, I'd consider Costa Rica but that's about it. Everywhere else is either too expensive or there's a language barrier.
..and to clarify on my last posting, I know they speak Spanish in Costa Rica but there are a lot of ex-pats there so I think it would be ok to get by.
I like living in this country but I'd love to have free health care too.
We've considered living on a Greek Island, but, I'm sure we'd get bored after a few months. There was a time that living in Greece was dirt cheap...but times have certainly changed with the Euro and the falling value of the American dolllar.
I have said that if my husband passed away (G-d forbid) and I was in good health I'd join the Peace Corps for a few years and then move to Costa Rica. The government is stable there and most people speak English. The cost of living is less. The only downside is that Medicare does not cover our of US care so if there were any major problems I'd have to come back to the states.
GALID/ALL: Galid, I agree with what you said. That's why as timeshare owners and RCI members, for a mere fraction of the cost of purchasing a vacation home, we're able to stay in as many different locations as we choose, any time we want, for as long as we can get around...God Willing. And when we can no longer use our TS/RCI benefits, it passes to my grandson, who has already indicated he'd love to travel. Ironically Paris was one of the first places he mentioned. He's instructed to let his dad and siblings enjoy it too if they want. He'll have a relatively small maintenance fee, no worries about upkeep and repairs and the freedom to explore the world. I'm happy that this is something I can pass along to loved ones.
Paris being a major city has prices comparable to New York City which is just ridiculous.
Thanks for your interesting replies everyone.
My husband was born in Greece, we went every yr. to see his family.... Always went somewhere else for a week before landing in Greece..... America is for Me....They do not have the conveniences we do, restrooms, etc... Very expensive in Europe now....
But what about health care? I don't think I want to be sick in Mexico or Costa Rica
