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Like best lists for just about anything, generalities rule.
While we currently own a home in Mexico (and did previously from 2008 thru 2012), I enjoy reading these lists, looking for places to visit in the coming year (though we have been to most in the top 10, we enjoy going back to many of them).
I'm all for visiting but many of these are 3rd world countries that personally, I would never want to live in. Others are extreme culture shock that would make me unhappy living there and the European countries are very expensive if you live in a major city. It's all good though because we are all different and want different things and can afford different things.
Maybe we're weird, but we enjoy culture shock. The older we get, the more likely we are to venture farther afield into non-touristed areas, both here in Mexico and on international travels. I think it helps keep us young...challenging both our physical capabilities and our mental faculties. YMMV.
Maybe we're weird, but we enjoy culture shock. The older we get, the more likely we are to venture farther afield into non-touristed areas, both here in Mexico and on international travels. I think it helps keep us young...challenging both our physical capabilities and our mental faculties. YMMV.
Personally, culture shock for me would be south east Asian countries. I would always be afraid to eat the food, not knowing what was in it for example. The thought of eating cats and dogs and a few other creatures is repulsive to me. I know that's a culture thing but I can't get over it.
Ireland is the only one on that list I would consider if I had to consider living outside of the US.
I could do any of the European countries but I would stay away from large cities. I lived in Italy when younger for a while but I had relatives there and speak the language which is a huge plus.
No category and not a word mentioned about personal safety. I can't imagine why.
Portugal and Italy are the two most welcoming countries listed, yet their scores for "fitting in" are not that high.
The World Health Organization has rated the healthcare in France as the highest in the world, so why does France get such a low rating for healthcare?
For "buying and investing" Spain gets an 82 and France gets a 77. The government of Spain has confiscated properties owned by retired Brits and left them with nothing; you couldn't give me a property for free in that country. France has some of the best property laws in the world, along with Canada and the UK, yet France only gets a 77 score. Uruguay has long been touted as a safe place to buy a home and invest in farmland and resort property, yet they only get a 75. One has to wonder; were they throwing darts at a board to come up with these numbers?
Would the lower rating for France be because the access to healthcare may be restricted for foreigners retiring there? In developed countries the potential costs of healthcare often outweigh the advantages to the country of people retiring there.
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