20 replies to this topic

[CrazyExpat]

We found spots offering good health care, culture and affordability.

Forbes cannot promise retirees "paradise on $30 a day." Quite the opposite. We promise seniors wishing to move out of the U.S. that they will not find paradise anywhere. Each country is unique--with assets and liabilities--and the key to successful retirement as an ex-pat is carefully matching your own personal priorities and finances to the country that has caught your eye.

To help matters along, Forbes has compiled its own list of the 10 best retirement havens, based on a wide variety of criteria ranging from safety to retiree-friendly visa requirements to decent medical care. The countries on our hit list: Austria, Thailand, Italy, Panama, Ireland, Australia, France, Malaysia, Spain and Canada.

No place is perfect. Some countries rank high in one area but lower in others. Australia is by one well-regarded rating, the Country Brand Index, the most livable place in the world. (For the Country Brand and other rankings, see "Retire At Home Or Abroad?")But if you plan to return to the U.S. frequently, Australia makes for a long slog. Canada is No. 2 in the Country Brand ratings and certainly convenient for Americans, but its harsh winters are well-known. Italy scores high on quality of life, medical care, and even cost of living and climate for retirees residing in the Southern parts of the country. But its complicated taxes and bureaucracy require patience.

So, the key to any decision: Know yourself and do your homework.

For the full article:

http://www.forbes.co...ire-abroad.html

[Beer Chang]

CrazyExpat, on 15 October 2009 - 10:59 PM, said:

Forbes cannot promise retirees "paradise on $30 a day."

Some guys do this in Thailand but not easy.

Forgetting about health insurance, I live on about 45K Thai baht/mo.

[lvdkeyes]

45K Baht is cheap living, for sure. I can't believe anyone could live on 30K.

[Wino]

lvdkeyes, on 16 October 2009 - 08:48 AM, said:

45K Baht is cheap living, for sure. I can't believe anyone could live on 30K.

30,000 baht a month is possible, but not much of a life for a Westerner. A Thai could live high on the hog for that.

[Beer Chang]

Just looked at a place today, the Green Roof Inn on Soi Kopai which was 4,600 per month including wifi. Electric and water extra.

[Wino]

Beer Chang, on 16 October 2009 - 11:31 AM, said:

Just looked at a place today, the Green Roof Inn on Soi Kopai which was 4,600 per month including wifi. Electric and water extra.

What was it like? Something you could live in?

[Beer Chang]

Yes, I could.

But I prefer where I live for 9K a month, better location and a pool, and some intangibles such as teerak is happy here.

[lvdkeyes]

If you prefer it, can afford it and teerak is happy, why change?

[Beer Chang]

That's it, it's all about one's budget and the 4,500 difference is not that important to me.

I'd rather cut my bar bill by 4500 a month and live where I want. There are bars with 35 baht Tigers. And minimarts with outdoor seating that sell 20 baht Archas.

[CrazyExpat]

I think it is possible to live on 30k a month there but think 45k plus would make it quite a bit easier. With 30k, is there a contingency for any medical issues that may arise?

[Wino]

Beer Chang, on 16 October 2009 - 12:11 PM, said:

There are bars with 35 baht Tigers. And minimarts with outdoor seating that sell 20 baht Archas.

What more do you need? Have a few beers and watch the world go by. That is living large!

[Beer Chang]

What I left out is that my tight budget is self imposed. I have a lump sum of money and need to make it last.

So I do have substantial backup in case of an emergency.

I really would not be any happier if I was spending 90K a month instead of 45K.

[Wino]

Beer Chang, on 17 October 2009 - 05:13 AM, said:

What I left out is that my tight budget is self imposed. I have a lump sum of money and need to make it last.

So I do have substantial backup in case of an emergency.

I really would not be any happier if I was spending 90K a month instead of 45K.

Why throw money away. If you are happy, that is what counts.

[Beer Chang]

Just got back from an afternoon wandering around Pattaya. We stopped at Minimart 24. Had three Archas for a grand total of 60 baht. If I'm just chatting with my buddys no need to pay bar prices.

[CrazyExpat]

Beer Chang, on 17 October 2009 - 05:13 AM, said:

What I left out is that my tight budget is self imposed. I have a lump sum of money and need to make it last.

So I do have substantial backup in case of an emergency.

I really would not be any happier if I was spending 90K a month instead of 45K.

Then, you are living the good life!

[Thaimo]

I have a friend who does live on 30,000 baht a month. He lives in a furnished apartment, small but nice, and his rent is 5000 baht a month. He eats almost exclusively Thai food and probably doesn't spend more than 100 to 200 baht a day for it if he even spends that much. He goes out to the bars infrequently. He's been living here for nearly two years and seems perfectly happy.

There are also people who have little or no interest in nightlife in the bars. Some people live way out in the boondocks and are quite satisfied with their quiet life, and life in those areas is certainly much less expensive than big city life. I have one friend who lives out there, but he spends a few days each month in Pattaya.

What it amounts to is whether you have the money to finance the lifestyle you're looking for.

[Beer Chang]

Thaimo, on 18 October 2009 - 12:35 AM, said:

What it amounts to is whether you have the money to finance the lifestyle you're looking for.

You hit the nail on the head Thaimo.

[WannaGo]

Are most of you retirement age, or are some of you still working?

[Beer Chang]

I'm not of retirement age but quit my job to live in Thailand. I might go back to work if the right opportunity arises.

[Thaifan]

I know i'm lucky that my home is paid for and I am happy to eat mainly Thai food, and rarely go out for a drink, but I manage on only 20,000 per month. Maybe it wouldn't be possible if I lived in Pattaya or Bangkok but the Van only costs me 100 baht when i do want to visit either of them.