retirement??where??usa??overseas??help! (beach, friendly, social security, retired)

[steven776]

i will be able to retire in 6-8 years and wanted some input from you all please.i will be on a very fixed low social security income.i have no problem working to off set it but why retire then.in the usa or out ?where is the best places or citys to retire in the usa and out of it?any input will be so greatful and please ask me questions if more info is need to help answer this for me. thanks.steven

[ogb4619]

This subject is discussed many times in many other forums.
It amazes me to see that few people have your intelligence - even to dare to raise the issue of living overseas.
For my 2 cents worth - think about Asia, Malaysia specifically.
You need -
English language; cheap housing, food, cars, petrol.
You need long term visas, access to airport for occasional home trips; central for worl travel.
You need political stability, zero violence, economic/currency stability; full international services (banking, insurances etc).

I retired from Australia 13 years ago and came to Malaysia.
Best country in the world. Well, i've only travelled in 36 countries so far.
Live like a king on less than US$1,000 per month.
cheers
greg

[texdav]

Well it might be alraight if you are use to very high humidity and really hot. I'm from Texas and found it too hot for me.

[ogb4619]

I can appreciate your concern for heat Tex.
I was brougfht up on a sheep and cattle property in central Australia where 110 F was the norm in summer.
Here in December, it's around 26 (i think that's 70 something in your lingo). Yes, humidity can be oppressive in summer.
greg

[steven776]

the heat is no problem with me i work outside all year and it is much better than 30degrees or less with a wind chill lower.thank you for your in put and help. i get lots of retirement mags. and they all want to sell you property and nothing about cost of living, climate,employment(part time)if needed,food,friendly people and so on. so much they don't tell you. thanks for the info. if you have more please let me know. steven

[Tek_Freek]

Something we are going to look into:

Costa Rica, No Artificial Ingredients - Hotels, travel agencies & tours

There was an interesting article in USA Today last Friday, but I couldn't find it on the web site.

The article listed a 1 bedroom, 1 bath 700 sq ft condo with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, A/C, laundry room, large terrace, and shared facilities including a swimming pool, barbecue area and 24 hour security for $125,000. Two blocks from the beach in Playa Potrero.

I'd buy that as a place to go in the winter....

If you go to http://usatoday.com/ and put Costa Rica in the search box you will get a list of web links lower down the page. Actually, you could do that for any location.

[steven776]

thank you for your help.god bless

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

...
The article listed a 1 bedroom, 1 bath 700 sq ft condo with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, A/C, laundry room, large terrace, and shared facilities including a swimming pool, barbecue area and 24 hour security for $125,000. Two blocks from the beach in Playa Potrero.
...

Don't forget that condos have a monthly charge in addition to the mortgage that is sometimes pretty high and not capped. The facilities, security, and maintenance are not always managed for economy... I looked at a $220K condo that had a monthly charge about $500 (and would likely only go up).

[Tek_Freek]

Originally Posted by cdelena

Don't forget that condos have a monthly charge in addition to the mortgage that is sometimes pretty high and not capped. The facilities, security, and maintenance are not always managed for economy... I looked at a $220K condo that had a monthly charge about $500 (and would likely only go up).

In Costa Rica or California?

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

In Costa Rica or California?

The example I mentioned was in the US but I know they vary from about $100 to over $500 on the places I have investigated in Costa Rica. It depends upon the property and services offered and sometimes covers water service.