Lets say that you are not happy with how things are playing out in the US, and you are reviewing your options if you decide you can't live here anymore.
What country would you like to move to? And why?
I'm thinking some of the scandanavian countries, but open to ideas. And don't want to find myself in a similar situation.
None, the #usa# is literally the best place in the world to live. If you're not happy here, then you're not happy anywhere. period.
I used to feel that the USA was the best place to live but my views are changing and if this is the new normal going forward, I would relocate to somewhere less aggragavating to me.
Really topnotch healthcare system is a must.
I looked into Denmark but as a retiree, it's almost impossible.
Lets say that you are not happy with how things are playing out in the US, and you are reviewing your options if you decide you can't live here anymore.
What country would you like to move to? And why?
I'm thinking some of the scandanavian countries, but open to ideas. And don't want to find myself in a similar situation.
Where's it looking good abroad?
Definitely a country that limits immigration and doesn’t want to become Muslim majority.
Lets say that you are not happy with how things are playing out in the US, and you are reviewing your options if you decide you can't live here anymore.
What country would you like to move to? And why?
I'm thinking some of the scandanavian countries, but open to ideas. And don't want to find myself in a similar situation.
Where's it looking good abroad?
My parents met in Japan.
Japanese cooking is among the purest foods.
Japanese people also love cats.
I love rice and fish and ramen and sushi and can tell you what a teppanyaki restaurant is ( hint: it's not benihana although I love benihana)
I have eaten scallops, eel, octopus, squid, fish eggs and I love all of it.
I know what koji sauce is (aka yumyum sauce and I know it is not based in koji)
I know our American wasabi is just colored mustard with horseradish while Japanese wasabi is different
I know what a chirashi bowl is and I'm not afraid to eat it ( you can get one fresh at Kroger if they have it)
I know that well before COVID, the Japanese students would have a mask on even if they just had a cold.
I never caught anything from a Japanese student because for six years while I worked at a college from 2012-2018, i was never sick.... the last time i was sick was in 2016..in January (when college was not in session) and it was well beyond the time for them to infect me since a flu is 1 to 2 weeks.
Japanese students listen and have respect more than Americans
Both have retirement visas (I'm close to retirement, possibly next year at 55). I'd have plenty of money to qualify for the retirement visa. In the USA, I'm looking at having to buy my own healthcare for up to 10 years before Medicare age. In the USA this would be north of $1200 per month -- probably more, due to high co-pays and deductibles. In Italy, I would be paying closer to $300 per month. A huge savings.
I've looked at property in Italy. A few towns I like along the coast...I could get a real nice apartment for under $200,000. A more modest place under $100,000. I could afford either.
Italy would be easier for me (language, food, customs).
I may do this part time for a year or two. The biggest unknown for me is what is the health care environment going to look like in the USA in the next 3-5 years. I could be poor here or relatively well off somewhere else, all due to health care costs. It's crazy.
Both have retirement visas (I'm close to retirement, possibly next year at 55). I'd have plenty of money to qualify for the retirement visa. In the USA, I'm looking at having to buy my own healthcare for up to 10 years before Medicare age. In the USA this would be north of $1200 per month -- probably more, due to high co-pays and deductibles. In Italy, I would be paying closer to $300 per month. A huge savings.
I've looked at property in Italy. A few towns I like along the coast...I could get a real nice apartment for under $200,000. A more modest place under $100,000. I could afford either.
Italy would be easier for me (language, food, customs).
I may do this part time for a year or two. The biggest unknown for me is what is the health care environment going to look like in the USA in the next 3-5 years. I could be poor here or relatively well off somewhere else, all due to health care costs. It's crazy.
Those sound very appealing - France or Italy.
I wonder about Portugal, a friend visited there and loved it...
As for health care, I am learning that a surprising number of people stay in jobs they don't like just to keep their medical insurance. It even has a name - job lock.
Both have retirement visas (I'm close to retirement, possibly next year at 55). I'd have plenty of money to qualify for the retirement visa. In the USA, I'm looking at having to buy my own healthcare for up to 10 years before Medicare age. In the USA this would be north of $1200 per month -- probably more, due to high co-pays and deductibles. In Italy, I would be paying closer to $300 per month. A huge savings.
I've looked at property in Italy. A few towns I like along the coast...I could get a real nice apartment for under $200,000. A more modest place under $100,000. I could afford either.
Italy would be easier for me (language, food, customs).
I may do this part time for a year or two. The biggest unknown for me is what is the health care environment going to look like in the USA in the next 3-5 years. I could be poor here or relatively well off somewhere else, all due to health care costs. It's crazy.
Those sound very appealing - France or Italy.
I wonder about Portugal, a friend visited there and loved it...
As for health care, I am learning that a surprising number of people stay in jobs they don't like just to keep their medical insurance. It even has a name - job lock.
Best of luck to you.
Portugal has been popular for the last 4-5 years. I've been a few times. Many people speak English. The weather is good. However, there seems to be some backlash, particularly in Lisbon due to the large influx of foreigners. Not sure I'd want to live there.
As for health care, you are exactly right. I pay less than $100 per month right now. I have considered staying at my job another 2-3 years to bank more money for a future property overseas. Obviously, the health care savings are immense.
A former coworker who is 59 is moving to France next month. She and her partner were able to secure retirement visas (both have pensions). The biggest downside is you cannot work - at all. So you have to be willing to give up your career. Healthcare is good. They've found an apartment for the first year in an area where they know some other people. They do not speak French. We'll see how that goes...
Hate to say, nowhere is safe. The hard right/fascists are on the rise in Western Europe and Eastern Europe is certainly at risk for falling back into Russia's orbit.
France: National Rally / LePen
Germany: AfD
Portugal: Chiga
Italy: Meloni's party is a direct descendent of Mussolini's fascists
UK: Reform
Hungary/Serbia/Slovakia: Orban, Fico, the murderous Serbs
Europe's historic tribalism, xenophobia/racism and resistance to true federalism are rising, cracks showing in EU efforts. How can the EU exist in coming years? How can sanity prevail? I don't see it.
Once US democracy and its buttressing of a rational EU are fully smashed, expect the European monsters to come to the fore. As history has shown, Europeans apply few brakes when it comes to murdering each other.
As bad as it may become in the US, heading to Europe at this point would be jumping from the frying pan and into a coming fire.
I wonder about Portugal, a friend visited there and loved it...
As for health care, I am learning that a surprising number of people stay in jobs they don't like just to keep their medical insurance. It even has a name - job lock.
Best of luck to you.
Portugal has been popular for the last 4-5 years. I've been a few times. Many people speak English. The weather is good. However, there seems to be some backlash, particularly in Lisbon due to the large influx of foreigners. Not sure I'd want to live there.
There's a lesson in there for you libs. Nobody likes mass immigration. Stop doing it and stop forcing it on people