Why should I move to YOUR country?

[Kagemusha]

Divinus i would suggest you go and find your resting place from Eastern Mediterranian islands i would recommend Cretes.By yourself a peachouse, swim and fish in the sea.Eat full but healthy food and flush it down with wine and beer.Dance and laugh with the locals,because they are wery nice and wellcoming people.I dont know about you,but thats where i would like to spend my retirement days.

[LeftEyeNine]

Divinus i would suggest you go and find your resting place from Eastern Mediterranian islands i would recommend Cretes.By yourself a peachouse, swim and fish in the sea.Eat full but healthy food and flush it down with wine and beer.Dance and laugh with the locals,because they are wery nice and wellcoming people.I dont know about you,but thats where i would like to spend my retirement days.

Yeah, blooody right..

Greek or Turk we're all Mediterranean first. I have to add my appreciation for such a recommendation, Divinus.

[Idaho]

Exeter, isn't that the home of Met Office, Britain's leading center of globalwarmophobia? They moved there in 2003, I believe. Smack in the middle of the Exe estuary, a location that will be awash with floodwaters in 30 years time if we are to believe the Met Office's own dire predictions. Which I guess we shouldn't, hm? I mean if they locate their main office in the, um, frontline of global warming?

Naah mate - my house and the Met Office are on a largish hill a couple of miles from the Estuary. Global Warming will just give us a sea view

[Geoffrey S]

Divinus i would suggest you go and find your resting place from Eastern Mediterranian islands i would recommend Cretes.

Thinking about it, also good. I met a couple of older people there who moved over to enjoy the rest of their lives, and they found it a most pleasant place.

[Del Arroyo]

As for Mexico, that is a serious "no way jose". Sorry, but I think that pretty much goes for all of South America. No offense, but I don't want to live in a 3rd world country. I know that sounds elitist. If it does, I'm okay with that. I want to move freely through most of the country and not have to worry about

a. bandits or revolutionaries
b. A government crippled by corruption where I can give a cop 20 dollars and go home.
c. Beggars.

Well, what I'm trying to tell you is that none of these things are realistically going to be a problem for a retiree living in Mexico. I mean, if you want bandits, beggars, and REAL corruption, visit Honduras. Mexico is a different ballgame.

The only really iffy areas in Mexico are going to be certain zones very close to the Guatemalan border and certain cities along the US border (such as Ciudad Juarez). Also large swathes of Mexico City are basically like L.A.'s Compton but without the guns.

I just got back from a year living and working in Guadalajara. I was not nor was anyone I knew a victim of crime, corruption was never a problem, and I saw very few beggars. What bothered me most was the filth of the big city. but in 99% of Mexico, that isn't a problem, either.

If I may speak honestly, I will say that if prices are a real concern for you, you may have to be a bit more open-minded. I'd be willing to wager that most of what you've heard about Mexico et al is 95% false.

..

Anyway, as Ronin said, Portugal may be another option to look at. From what I understand the prices are somewhat lower there than in the rest of Europe, and it is known for being a quiet little country. I'd watch out though-- Spain is supposed to have low prices too, but from what I've heard things are getting as pricey there as in other parts of Europe.

DA

P.S.: If you want to move freely throughout the ENTIRE country worry-free, Colombia is certainly out.

[Kagemusha]

Thinking about it, also good. I met a couple of older people there who moved over to enjoy the rest of their lives, and they found it a most pleasant place.

I also hope to live there someday.That is if i ever live to see my retirement days.

[Don Corleone]

I might be wrong about all of this, but if DA attempts to relocate to a European country, he'll take a huge tax hit on accumulated wealth (like money in 401K accounts) he attempts to bring in with him.

As a retiree, you're looking for political stability, warmer climate, low crime, lower cost of living and a low tax policy. Beautiful scenery, nice climate, good services etc. would come in the 2nd tier.

Might I suggest Singapore? You can't get more politically stable. The weather is quite warm, but not overpowering. The taxes are reasonable, and you won't be taxed on accumulated wealth you already possess that you bring in, just any new income you earn (though consulting, part-time work or 401K distributions). The scenery is beautiful, it's very clean and crime is practically non-existant. The food is delicious, public services are great, and the women are stunning. The one big drawback is the price and upkeep of an automobile, but you really don't need one.

There is a healthy muslim minority, but the government doesn't tolerate extremism from anybody so you wouldn't have to worry about that sort of thing. Other than the car problem, the only other big issue you'd face is the cost of airfare to come back to US to visit.

Also, be warned, start planning now. The IRS HATES it when financially independent retirees leave, and have a lot of nasty tricks in store for you if you don't work with a financial adviser. It can be very, very, very difficult to get even 50% of your assets out of the country if you don't do it right.

[Del Arroyo]

Might I suggest Singapore?

Pardon my ignorance but I though Singapore was one of the absolute most expensive places on the planet.

And, since I can't edit my posts (darn you nutso moderators!), I will mention a unique plus-side of Mexico here-- it is much easier to visit home from Mexico, if that's something you plan on doing ever.

DA

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Germany is always fun, but the south is better than the north IMO. Austria, especially Salzburg, is nice, and it's only a short distance from the German border.

[Goofball]

Look no further, my friend. Vancouver Island is the place to be:





We've got this:



this:



this:



and a whole lot more.

The weather is warm, and so are the women.

Come on up and enjoy...

[GoreBag]

It's a trick. It rains like mad in British Columbia.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Come to New Jersey:

All the corruption of a 3rd world country, but with the same exact currency as the US!

All the lovely transplanted Noo Yawkerz - a miracle of higher culture!

Smog so plentiful you don't need cigarettes!

Almost forgot! Property Taxes higher than the combined Scandinavian income taxes! Combined!

---

On the plus side, we've avoided some of the worst of the oil hikes. Doesn't seem as bad as other states.

[Byzantine Prince]

Come to Canada! You can get married to another man, or smoke minimum amount of weed with no criminal reprocutions. It's great!

Also if you decide to come to Alberta, then you can work in the oil fields up north and get filthy rich, like I'm going to be soon.

[Shaka_Khan]

Check out Puerto Rico . There is no tax in Puerto Rico, and it's a commonwealth associated with the US.

Or check out UAE. It's a wealthy country thanks to the oil and gas.

[Divinus Arma]

Wow. All the suggestions! Thanks folks.

Regarding some of the items mentioned here:

I have no problem with immigration. I have a problem with ILLEGAL immigration. Living in Southern California, I can see and feel the effects. In my first post, I clearly stated that I would adopt local customs, learn the language, and be an educated productive member of society. This statement is directly reflective of my disgust with illegal immigration. As a potential immigrant myself, I consider it my obligation to ASSIMILATE, rather than force my language and culture on you. I just respect the culture of each country too much to do otherwise. And likewise, if you come here, I would want you to learn english, pursue education, and not take from the government.

I have a close firend who works in a barbershop, making about $4k US per month. She works with an illegal immigrant who makes the same amount but does not pay taxes. This same illegal immigrant has children who were born in the US. She claims to makes less than the poverty level, so she gets a huge monthly welfare check for her kids, as well as food stamps, free medical care, and free education for the kids.

The illegal immigrant is destroying the Southwestern US. There are day laborer pick up spots all over the place, littered with trash, undesirable males loitering around. Many shops are beginning to adopt dual language signs in there stores: spanish/english. And this is becasue they refuse to learn english!

What's worse, becasue they are poverty stricken and uneducated, their kids are born into terrible neighborhoods (all 7 or 8 of the kids) where they join gangs and plague the educational system. My sister in law is a teacher and she tells us all the time how the dirt-birth babies are destroying the educational system. She has to spend half her time with english-second-language students and the real citizen children get screwed. The urban schools all suck becasue no teacher wants to work there with the crime and ESL students. So the good teachers leave and the crap teachers stay, which only makes the problem worse!

Granted, if I lived in Mexico, I would want to get the hell out too. I have plenty of respect for those that would risk their lives for a better life. But we simply cannot afford to absorb them without turning our country into the same slumhole that Mexico is.

And Del Arroyo, my respect to you. You are obviously a capable, intelligent, and educated individual and I appreciate your individual efforts and ability.
I could never move to Mexico however, because of the impression that the illegal immigrants have given me. I am disgusted with Mexico. I virtually loathe it. I would rather live in Moscow, Finland, Greenland, Alaska, New York, New Jersey, anywhere ANYWHERE but Mexico. I would rather live in a socialist, homosexual, liberal, anti-American European country than Mexico. I would rather live in a tiny one room craphole in the middle of nowhere in North Dakota than spend more than a layover in Mexico.

I wish, more than I can express words, that Mexico would be the same standard of government and economy as a modern Western Nation. Then, and only then, would I even consider this. When Mexico is like Spain, or France, or England, or Denmark, or the US, or Canada, or Germany: THEN I would consider it. When 2 million people a year stop swimming the rio grande, packing into semi trucks, and backpacking across the mountains to take our jobs in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, services, and retail: THEN I may consider it.

No my friend. No Mexico for me.


Sorry. I kind of went off the deep end there for a minute.

[Del Arroyo]

Well geez, Divinus Arma, I bet that if we picked some random country-- say, Germany-- and started emptying out all of our ghettos and trailerparks and sending the people there, the Germans would probably start feeling pretty much the same way about us, if that was the only information they had on Americans.

Trust me, mainstream Mexicans aren't so crazy about the people you're describing either. But your venom is one-sided-- where is your disgust for the greedy capitalists who seek out these workers? The shallow, pretentious consumerist whores who generate an ever-increasing demand for their labor? And where is your disgust for an entire generation of youth who would rather sit around playing video games than get their hands dirty and earn a buck?

This thing works both ways. Mexico could probably manage to deal with all of its massed poor internally, but the US is right next door and that's where the jobs are at. The US could almost certainly figure out how to deal with its labor shortage WITHOUT such massive immigration, but Mexico is right next door, and that's where the workers are at.

And what about the things that US Citizens are doing to Mexico?? Do you think that Mexican society as a whole is thrilled with millions of drunk, drugged gringo partiers running around the country, flouting all standards of common decency, spreading venereal disease, and corrupting local values??

And what about the Mexicans who go to the US and come back? What effect do you think they might be having on traditional social values?? And what about LA gang culture?? That's something that WE, the US of A invented, and we are inflicting it on them each time one of those little snitheads gets deported or returns for other reasons.

I mean, get real, buddy.

..

Yet despite all the messy things that are going on, there are still an awful lot of great people and an awful lot of great places, in BOTH countries.

Based on what you said in the previous post, Divinus Arma, I have decided that you absolutely MUST visit Mexico, at least for a vacation, and see the REAL Mexico for yourself. There are many there who judge Americans solely on what they've seen of spring-breakers and-- I'm guessing this will blow your mind-- say they're certain they'd never even want to visit the USA. On your visit to Mexico you may find much more that surprises you.

Let me know when you plan to take this trip so I can advise you on where to go.

DA

[GodsPetMonkey]

I am a little worried about Australia simply becasue Australia has like half of all the deadliest animals in the world.
Examples: Eighty percent of Australia's snakes are venomous. Uhm... deadly spiders and insects... Great White Shark infested waters... not to mention Nicole Kidman and Paul Hogan!

Wow really? I did not know that...
I once had a 3m carpet python living in my house (non-venomous if you don't know). Didn't see any signs of vermin for months! (I lived in a house built in 1912, loads of crawl space).

But really, as long as you’re not silly enough to stick your willie into a hollow log is western Queensland your fine... the vast majority of dangerous reptiles live away from people (snakes tend to be west of the main cities, all coastal, and crocs to far north). As for Great Whites, well, they tend to stick to far off shore to be a threat to anyone, and we have the best surf life savers in the world, as soon as there is any sign of a shark on a patrolled beach everyone is warned.

Besides, Australia is a big place, you can find areas with less dangerous animals, but with the most venomous sake (western taipan) and spider (funnel-web, very deadly to primates), I can understand your apprehension. As long as you don't invite disaster, the animals will leave you well alone. Deaths from these animals are incredibly rare (in fact I believe that the funnel-web has not claimed a life since an anti-venom was developed).

We keep Paul Hogan in a cage and Nicole overseas

[Brutus]

Actually only people who are of retirement age should consider the Netherlands. In 30 years it's going to be under the sea.

Man, that would be brilliant! My mother's house at the edge of the sea level border would then become a house right at the beach instead of 2 hours away from it! And as in 30 years the mediterrenean will be too hot in summer, we will have an excellent climate!

Free beach house, here I come!

[yesdachi]

Sorry. I kind of went off the deep end there for a minute.

That was one of the most entertaining “off the deep ends” I have read in some time!

[BDC]

Not Britain. It's too wet.

[Divinus Arma]

Well geez, Divinus Arma, I bet that if we picked some random country-- say, Germany-- and started emptying out all of our ghettos and trailerparks and sending the people there, the Germans would probably start feeling pretty much the same way about us, if that was the only information they had on Americans.

Trust me, mainstream Mexicans aren't so crazy about the people you're describing either. But your venom is one-sided-- where is your disgust for the greedy capitalists who seek out these workers? The shallow, pretentious consumerist whores who generate an ever-increasing demand for their labor? And where is your disgust for an entire generation of youth who would rather sit around playing video games than get their hands dirty and earn a buck?

This thing works both ways. Mexico could probably manage to deal with all of its massed poor internally, but the US is right next door and that's where the jobs are at. The US could almost certainly figure out how to deal with its labor shortage WITHOUT such massive immigration, but Mexico is right next door, and that's where the workers are at.

And what about the things that US Citizens are doing to Mexico?? Do you think that Mexican society as a whole is thrilled with millions of drunk, drugged gringo partiers running around the country, flouting all standards of common decency, spreading venereal disease, and corrupting local values??

And what about the Mexicans who go to the US and come back? What effect do you think they might be having on traditional social values?? And what about LA gang culture?? That's something that WE, the US of A invented, and we are inflicting it on them each time one of those little snitheads gets deported or returns for other reasons.

I mean, get real, buddy.

..

Yet despite all the messy things that are going on, there are still an awful lot of great people and an awful lot of great places, in BOTH countries.

Based on what you said in the previous post, Divinus Arma, I have decided that you absolutely MUST visit Mexico, at least for a vacation, and see the REAL Mexico for yourself. There are many there who judge Americans solely on what they've seen of spring-breakers and-- I'm guessing this will blow your mind-- say they're certain they'd never even want to visit the USA. On your visit to Mexico you may find much more that surprises you.

Let me know when you plan to take this trip so I can advise you on where to go.

DA

Well DA, I agree with everything that you wrote. The capitalist whores who employ these people are just as guilty. I hate them all equally: Republicans and Democrats alike. As for the American Drunks in Mexico, you may as well scream at the bar that feed them alcohol. It's the same argument, my friend. I've only been to TJ and I have heard that much of the country is nice. Except for my in-laws who were robbed in Baja. And my Dad who drank the water during a scuba-diving trip and developed a permanent intestinal problem after getting deathly ill. And my relaitves going to Mexico city: the most polluted city in the entire world. And my sister-in-law's old illegal immigrant chef boyfriend who witnessed a murder in Mexico City. And my other relatives who went to Cancun but were terrified to leave the resort. And those retirees that purchase land in Mexico that was all stolen by the Mexico Federal Police with no compensation.

Ya. I'd rather eat my own feces, drink my own blood, and cut off my left hand than move to Mexico. Good times!

As for Gang culture, you should do a little research.

But you still have my respect.

[Incongruous]

Ok my rant is over. It's just that after living in NZ for five years under Helen Clarke things get you man. About the social strife, dude, you need to live here to feel it, in the street a few blocks away some Maori extremist started putting up "Anti-Pakeha" billboards, trust me race relation in NZ have reached boiling point and now that the New Right has gained strength poloticians are only going to make it worse. As for the Greeny Cleant image there have been quite a few docos about it and all that you find out is negative.
But there are so many more posotives than negatives, hey I mean you only need to watch LOTR to see it, the weather is good (not great) and you should live in Wellington, the capital and the best. Away from all those JAFA's, just be pre-pared for the power of the anti-nuclear stance in all its great greeny glory, its actually a very good stance in my opinion and we very rarely get power shortages.
Then theres the Rugby, Super 14 and NPC you'l love them both soon enough trust me.
So by all means come to NZ, I reckon it's great, better than LA, LONDON (Well actually I like London better but I am a Londoner) and Aukland ( I prefer to keep Aukland seperate from the rest of us normal kiwis)

[Papewaio]

JAFAs?

Howabout Northland and the Bay of Islands?

[Divinus Arma]

Ok my rant is over. It's just that after living in NZ for five years under Helen Clarke things get you man. About the social strife, dude, you need to live here to feel it, in the street a few blocks away some Maori extremist started putting up "Anti-Pakeha" billboards, trust me race relation in NZ have reached boiling point and now that the New Right has gained strength poloticians are only going to make it worse. As for the Greeny Cleant image there have been quite a few docos about it and all that you find out is negative.
But there are so many more posotives than negatives, hey I mean you only need to watch LOTR to see it, the weather is good (not great) and you should live in Wellington, the capital and the best. Away from all those JAFA's, just be pre-pared for the power of the anti-nuclear stance in all its great greeny glory, its actually a very good stance in my opinion and we very rarely get power shortages.
Then theres the Rugby, Super 14 and NPC you'l love them both soon enough trust me.
So by all means come to NZ, I reckon it's great, better than LA, LONDON (Well actually I like London better but I am a Londoner) and Aukland ( I prefer to keep Aukland seperate from the rest of us normal kiwis)

Okay! I really am biased towards NZ. So the major social strifr\e is between whites and indingesous Maoiri? Is that right?

I mat retire in , well, 13 years, if I stay in the military. 13 Years goes fast!!!!! Crap the lasy t seven have gone by in a blink!

Anyway. I expect a 3k a month pension and medical paid for. My understanding is that the US dollar goes twice as far in NZ. Also, I understand that I need a sposor in order to emigrate.

I will have chioldren with me. I want good schooling for them. More than anyhting I want a "home" feeling to my country. I love the US, but something is different here. There is an air in the US that I cannot describe. Imperialist? I don't know. I will do my duty and be done with it. I wish to leave the US and the path it pursues after I am done defending her.

[Incongruous]

Aye, the recent conflict has broken out mainlt due to peace settlements which I personally hate due to my uncles shop being forcefull bought in order to hand it over to the so-called "native" Maori (there are conflicts on this due to the fact that there was another people her befor ethe Maori, the Moriori's whom the Maori ate and completely wiped out save a few hundred who are now seeking the title of indigeonous people). Also polotics here at the moment are a mess due to Labour's misshandling of the state under Clarke.

Education here varies, as long as you don't send your kids to low rate school in a low rate area it will be fine, other than NCEA which is a complete balls-up but by the time you get here I'm sure it will be fine. As for getting in, I think you can get in no problem so long as you have 1 million dollars NZ.
But come to Wellington, it's the best!

[Taffy_is_a_Taff]

Bopa,

I'd totally forgotten about the pre-Maori people.
Would you be willing to start a thread about it to refresh my memory?

[Papewaio]

Aye, the recent conflict has broken out mainlt due to peace settlements which I personally hate due to my uncles shop being forcefull bought in order to hand it over to the so-called "native" Maori (there are conflicts on this due to the fact that there was another people her befor ethe Maori, the Moriori's whom the Maori ate and completely wiped out save a few hundred who are now seeking the title of indigeonous people).

The Waitangi Treaty was made between the Crown and the Maori people, otherwise in all probability it would be French New Zealand...

As for the Moa Hunters that is indeed worthy of another thread.

[kiwitt]

Come to New Zealand ... a little propaganda he. he.

As to some Cities: Here are some city comparisons, albeit on a smaller scale in NZ
Auckland = Los Angeles (Sprawl, traffic)
Wellington = Chicago (windy)

[Bulawayo]

I have seen this site before. Does anyone from New Zealand think that it has any good and relevant information?

http://www.celticnz.co.nz/

[Incongruous]

The Waitangi peace settlement was made when Britain already had dominance over NZ. It has now become a burden upon non-maori Kiwis, its racist and unfair.

As for Wellington, you cannot compare any city in the U.S to it, its a major city surrounded by forested hills, mountains and valleys.

That Celtin NZ thing is pap, but there is a maori story that in the south island the Maori had to fight a white skinned red haired demon tribe who lived in caves not Pa's, these caves can be seen today but the story has no credibility other than being rather old.