I'm looking for a place to retire - Page 6

roy · #51 (**permalink**) 27th June 2008, 10:48 AM

with your $2,400 monthly income you will live like a king in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

PAT · #52 (**permalink**) 24th March 2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synthia

I'm at the poverty-stricken end of retirement funds. What to most people seems really cheap is really expensive by my standards. If I didn't have great friends who put me up and feed me, I probably wouldn't be able to visit the US for more than a couple of weeks a year.

I hung around Panama City for quite a while. I realized fairly soon that it was going to be too expensive for me, but I had hopes that I would find some way to make it work. As is usual, the longer I'm here, the more things I find that are problems, so not being able to afford it doesn't seem too bad.

One thing I am learning is that there seem to be a lot of expats here who actively dislike Panamanians. This seems to be worse than in other countries I've been to. I think maybe it is that the place is touted as being so Americanized that people don't expect to be in a Latin American culture. Most of them have not traveled in other Central American countries, so regard things that are really quite sophisticated for the region as being rather primitive.

I assume I'm going to run into the same thing everywhere. For now I'm giving up on the retirement hunt and considering spending the week in India.

I know this is an old thread, however I thought to keep it with the timeframe so people know when you were in Panama City. I've done extensive research about moving there. I realize Panama City can tax the budget like most metropolitan areas. Did you travel elsewhere? I've read if you live outside of the city itself, it is very economical. I've also read that if you do not live in a designated ex-pat community, it is economical. Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated. I'm planning on traveling there this summer. I picked this time to get an idea of what the worst weather I will be facing is like upon moving there.

It's a shame that expats will go to another country and treat the native people poorly. I've heard that the Panamiam people are helpful and friendly. The only drawback is that English is not spoken fluently by many people in more rural areas. So learning Spanish is a must.

What everyone who is looking to retire for a reasonable amount of money should understand is.....there is a reason why it is cheaper. A lot of these countries are emerging markets. Some countries are better than others. Like anything else....You get what you pay for no matter the country. It's our job to educate ourselves. If some country does not meet our expectations, than we have not done our jobs. To take our ignorance out on the native people is unbelievable. Have we as a society not learned anthing from history? I only state this for the benefit for all of us no matter where we go. For the long term if we wish to remain in that country and not have civil unrest we need to remember one word. EMPATHY.

Howard Lewis · #53 (**permalink**) 7th April 2009, 08:05 AM

The Greek Island of Rhodes is amazing

jj111155 · #54 (**permalink**) 10th April 2009, 04:48 AM

everything you want and more is here on palawan island

Quote:

Originally Posted by synthia

I'm looking for a place to retire. I used to think I wanted to be on a remote beach somewhere, but now that I am actually old enough, I think I'd like a more urban environment, possibly even a big city, if I could get to the beach on, say, an overnight bus ride.

I've been trying staying in different places for a few months, and I've learned that I need high speed internet, easy access to English language books, current movies, cable TV with a fair amount of American programs, air-conditioning, and at least a one-bedroom apartment. I want to be able to buy things easily, not have to travel for two hours to get anythng more than the basics. If it's not at the beach, then I want a pool. I want sunny, fairly hot weather.

And, oh, yes, I want all this on a budget of less than $1000 US a month. I realize I'm not going to find such a place, but where, in your opinion, comes closest.

Rod007 · #55 (**permalink**) 13th April 2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Lewis

The Greek Island of Rhodes is amazing

Howard,

Please could you explain in what way you think Rhodes Island is amazing?

PS- I'd love to live somewhere amazing some time during my life time.

PPS- I lived in London for over one fifth of a centuary (1/5 C) ... and the only thing that I found amazing about that was "how the hell did I live there for such a long time"?!

King Silk · #56 (**permalink**) 13th April 2009, 04:22 PM

Forget Thailand Buddy. It's gone off the boil!

Howard Lewis · #57 (**permalink**) 13th April 2009, 10:50 PM

Its not the best place in world I just like it because it is safe, zero crime. The people speak English when they know you are English. The weather is consistant all year round. Slightly chilled in January but apart from that hot hot hot. It has its touristy parts, its nightclub section and yet still manages to keep itself Greek and surounded by history.

The children are all very polite something that has definately gone down the pan in the UK. They all have a respect for there elders.

Beautiful scenery, great food and at a price that doesn't break the bank.

Regards

Howard

Rod007 · #58 (**permalink**) 14th April 2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Lewis

Its not the best place in world I just like it because it is safe, zero crime. The people speak English when they know you are English. The weather is consistant all year round. Slightly chilled in January but apart from that hot hot hot. It has its touristy parts, its nightclub section and yet still manages to keep itself Greek and surounded by history.

The children are all very polite something that has definately gone down the pan in the UK. They all have a respect for there elders.

Beautiful scenery, great food and at a price that doesn't break the bank.

Regards

Howard

So far it sounds really good Howard.

How much would you say is needed for a single man to live a conservative sort of life living in a one-bedroom flat with a fast internet being number one priority?

Chica · #59 (**permalink**) 14th April 2009, 10:00 AM

My paradise is a place called Dacta, pronounced Datcha, in Turkey. This is a beautiful penninsula beginning at Marmaris. Datca is a small seaside town about a 30 minute drive from Marmaris,that has a harbour and several small beaches but it is the air that attracts people. Everyone that visits falls in love with the place. It is condidered to be in the top 3 most healthiest place to live in the world, due to, they say, the low growing shrubs and herbs. The humidity in the summer is much lower than most other places on earth. However, just down the road are pine forests that will take your breath away!!

The cost of living is cheap. A 2/3 bedded appartment should cost you no more than 336USD a month so a smaller place would be much cheaper. There is a emergency hospital there and the big one is in Marmaris.

There are a few Brits settling there now and the Turks are learning to speak english. Food is very cheap on the local weekly market.

Historicaly, Turkey is a facinating coutry and if you like walking there are lovely walks around Datca.

This is the place that I would love to retire to and am looking into the medical side of things. My husband had a heart attack so medical insurance is a must.

chica. xx