Question about Living/Retiring Overseas with an RV situation Options

[TylerOSU]

Anyone have any sites or info on retiring/living overseas via the RV lifestyle?

Been hunting around and obviously you always hear about so and so country you can live cheaper than the States, but the biggest hurdle is getting citenzship+cost of moving.

One place off the top of my head that is geographically close is Mexico. And based on the conversion factor alone (13:1 for the dollar), a measly $1k in the savings can be $13k down south. I am a bit naive to all this so please, teach me up. :}

EDIT:

Also been looking into Panama(Pensionario program is interesting), Malta, Belize and the Phillipines(3rd largeest English speaking country), to name a few.

This post has been edited by TylerOSU: Nov 9 2009, 06:24 PM

[bajadan]

Tyler,

Having spent a total of two years dry camping in Mexico out of an RV, I can answer some of your questions.

First, there is something for everyone in Mexico. The way I have enjoyed Mexico may not suit you. Example, Cabo is the end all destination for many tourists. Personally, I consider Cabo the armpit of Mexico. Not my style.. but it makes a lot of people happy and want to return.

If you want to work in Mexico, this probably will greatly reduce the areas you can live. My guess would be near the larger cities or state capitols. Again, not my style.

A good place to start looking up info on Mexico is to join one of the Mex. travel clubs. The one I recommend the highest is Vagabundos del Mar, here is a link. http://www.vagabundos.com/ These types of clubs can supply you with all of the help to acquire visas, insurance, any licenses you may need, plus have up to date travel info.

If you want to meet sometime for coffee and just yack away about Mexico, I can meet you halfway from Vancouver.

Dan

[Mike & Pat]

While overseas, assigned to a USAF base with 5000 active duty, our own DOD schools and commissaries, etc. we had an insulated American community which with teachers and dependents numbered around 12,000. I would say that 60-75% of the folks assigned there rarely ventured farther than 20Km from base, within which radius everybody spoke English. Many divorces occurred from spouses that were homesick and never went past Little America while there. Most never learned the local language, beyond being able to order from a menu with a little help from the locals around the base who spoke English. They had all of Europe within 10 hours driving time, and missed it completely. Those folks will never know what they missed, nor realize it later. They viewed it as a worst assignment in their lives. Then there were the minority like us. 7 years was not enough time to see it all, not even make a dent in what was there for the taking. We left places like Egypt with invitations to come back for a real Bedouin dinner. Germany and Switzerland with lifelong friends, and many pleasant acquaintances in all the countries we visited. We also ran into a very few rude and anti-American folks. Just like we have rude folks here. They could not color our views of the wonderful people and experiences we had.

Good luck!

That's not fair bringing back memories of the "barracks rats" that hated duty in Germany. And the "little America" comment was one I had forgotten many years ago. My wife and I married in Germany, Kaiserslautern, and traveled extensively visiting France, Belgium, Luxemburg, The Netherlands. After a lot of these trips I would go back to work and listen to the GIs complaining that there wasn't anything to do. Whats really sad is that for less than 200DM (exchange rate of 2.5Dm to the Dollar, yes I remember 4.5DM per Dollar) these guys could buy a EuroPass and travel all over Europe by train. The apartment we first lived in cost us 350DM per month, I speak German without an accent so got a lot of "slack" because of it, also the fact that I was born German didn't hurt either.

Thanks for the memories.

Tyler, welcome to Escapees. All I can say is GO FOR IT. Live your life as you see fit. You have made a good start by asking questions. Do your research and then do some more research.

[RV]

Yer welcome Mike!

My first shirt was born in Germany and took us on our first few ski trips. Boy did I get reamed a couple of times trying to tip and being a normal American . . . assuming. He taught me a lot. His name was Max Herman, and he retired to the States as a citizen. His wife was born here. Thank you for the memories as well.

Ya' been there done that! Here, Spangdahlem AFB Jan 1990-Jan 1997! USAF Combat Arms. K-Town was a trip, talk about an American community!

This post has been edited by RV: Nov 9 2009, 04:13 PM

[TylerOSU]

Now we've stumbled on a whole other issue. I am a patriot and would never want to assist others who want to willingly give up their citizenship. I originally thought you didn't know you didn't have to when you were wondering about getting citizenship in another country but this makes it sound like that's your intent. Please tell me that's not your intent and I just read it wrong? I may disagree with policies at times but I have never been ashamed of my country. I've been to other countries .... many, many countries all over the world. I'm proud to be an American ... always.

We can agree to disagree, I'm glad you are comfortable with your world view, as am I. It's all good.

Now I will say America for sure has it's strengths and weaknesses like any other country. I didn't choose to live here like some, and I am gratefull for the positives it has brought to me and others, but as you know from your travels, there are MANY other countries that may fit someone's aims/goals better than the USA.

And I don't really want to get into anything deeper please, so lets leave it at that. :}

[TylerOSU]

one potential problem I have not seen addressed is medical care, for wife in particular. The more rural you get the more difficult it may be to get. Based on your assessment of wife's health, I would carefull consider medical care availability and cost wherever you go.

Indeed, a troublesome factor.

[TylerOSU]

Tyler:

As you can see, this particular forum may not have all the answers to the questions you seek. Your long term plan of living in third world country may prove problematic in the long run, given your wife's medical issues. There are other options. If heathcare is your #1 issue, look into moving to France. Their health care is probably the best in the world, and even non-citizens can get it if they buy into it....and best of all, even that scenario is based on income.

Here's a site that may help you : http://www.escapeartist.com/

Another option you've probably not considered: there is a whole world of people all around the globe who get informal jobs doing various kinds of caretaking work -- looking after big country estates, tending horses for a movie star's ranch, patrolling a private beach somewhere.... (I'm not kidding). These jobs usually come with housing of some sort. If you are sharp, personable, and know how to be discreet, you are like gold to these people. Do you have a special skill? Carpentry, animal care, tending to boats? The possibilities are endless once you crack the door open.

Funny you mention that, my current job I take care of Disabled Peoples in a group home, and these are skills that transfer to any country, and can also go into elderly care too as the world continues to have a larger older population. I was reading somewhere I think by 2020 something like 20% of the US will be over 65, compared with around 12% now. Contrast that with back in 1900 where it was about 5%.

[TylerOSU]

Dan!

Great post!

You wrote:
"You are young enough and have a degree - and could consider joining the US military as an officer. It would give you great medical care for your wife, pay more than you make now, alllow you to retire after 20 years service, and allow you to travel overseas - one more option that is out there. Nothing like extensive travel for extended times to improve ones views of the US - in comparison to the places you live overseas."

Many folks with BS degrees that are not on the needed list also become enlisted, and have a shot at OTS/OCS in the future. I was enlisted with a BS later and it made quite a difference in my promotions. Of course that is just one square, performance from that knowledge makes all the difference. I started my BS too late to meet the 35 age limit. However the military paid for it mostly, and a masters for a BS candidate is definitely a ticket in.

Tyler pay attention. His advice on living on even a retirement income is spot on as the brits say.

My father just retired from 30 years NG, and I too thought about it back in college doing ROTC, but decided to focus on my degree, and my own political personal reasons clash too much with military, despite it's many positives. I would not do it justice I think to really honor it well.

[Wanderin']

We can agree to disagree, I'm glad you are comfortable with your world view, as am I. It's all good.

Now I will say America for sure has it's strengths and weaknesses like any other country. I didn't choose to live here like some, and I am gratefull for the positives it has brought to me and others, but as you know from your travels, there are MANY other countries that may fit someone's aims/goals better than the USA.

And I don't really want to get into anything deeper please, so lets leave it at that. :}

'tis true but I'm proud to be an American and perhaps "other countries" may be where you should go if you feel they will service you more.

This post has been edited by Wanderin': Nov 9 2009, 07:57 PM

[JoeZ]

Lived as an expat for a while - would do it now if DW would go with me. Before you even think about living in another country it is mandatory that you talk to others who have been there. In most places where it is "cheaper" to live you will be judged as a rich American, even if you are not. Gratuities Bribes expected for services will be higher. As a non citizen you have basically no rights to complain, no rights to many services (like medical care), and in some areas local law enforcement is slow to provide protection for outsiders. Infrastructures in some places are not up to US standards and waits for service can be horrendous. Our experience was minimum 6 months for a phone, internet (dial up) was twice that long. Getting a driver's license, id papers, etc. can be a pain, especially when you have no idea what the bureaucratic procedures are. If you have the personality to take things in stride and roll with it then it certainly can be done.

It is important to pay attention to what Kirk was saying about where will you get the dollars to convert to the cheap currency and you have to show proof of where the dollars are coming from when you enter the country. You cannot work in most other countries. You can buy a business but there are very strict rules for foreign ownership. In our case we were required to have a native partner that could not be fired. It is possible to live as an expat - many do with great success. I personally loved the laid back living and my friends. But other countries do not want Americans with no money anymore than we want burdens on our economy.

[TylerOSU]

Tyler,
Good for you, your plan should work, and you are allowing the time for it.

This link outlines some experiences of working in Mexico.
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/la...dex.pl?read=288

On the more negative side, and supporting my comments about learning the language of any host country whether there at the orders of your government or company, and keeping a low profile, as in learning, and learning to appreciate, the culture you are living in with no attitude towards the host people as inferior, is my next link below.

But learning that people in all countries love their country is not a negative.

I love my country, and my culture. I also loved living in other countries and learning theirs. Oh I sided with my country on geopolitical issues, and like, with friends here when they try to discuss politics, sometimes just changed the subject. Social intercourse does not mean sucking up, ask any diplomat. If you take the social graces out of the phrase social intercourse, you can see what you are left with in that context. Someone is getting . . . well you know what I mean. I was fortunate in that I was doing my Masters in International Relations with Troy State while I was there. Boy were those courses eye openers. They gave me the tools to understand the cultures from an historical and geo political perspective as actors on the international stage and our roles on that stage. I did not realize that course of study would be so eye opening when I signed up. Honestly. It was just the most interesting looking degree that dovetailed with my military career. I had no idea when I started how much it would contribute to our personal understanding and ability to know where folks were coming from in our own travels.

This one outlines what I meant by the ugly American. Whether I am living or just visiting another country I remember that I am a guest, and learn to at least speak somewhat clearly in their language. The fact that I might make mistakes is irrelevant in that I made the effort to acknowledge my hosts as that. By effort I don't mean a few mangled words, but being able to converse in simple subjects. Actually, so many people overseas speak very good English, like in Germany, and hold back to see if you, in their country, are willing to try. Then many times, they realize you aren't taking a superior attitude, and most likely will switch to English as a courtesy. This can generate some friends but then you don't get to practice the language. Remember that most folks outside the US speak at least two languages, many 4 or more, but I mean conversationally and fluently. They work at them in school, they don't just pass tests and can't speak fluently. The reason is simple. Most other countries with few exceptions are smaller than some of our states, and they have to be able to do commerce with other countries on a personal level. They practice!
http://ezinearticles.com/?Want-to-Retire-o...;&id=812608

Mexico is not the only country that can be a nice place to live. Costa Rica because of its peaceful and stable culture is an often overlooked destination, but it pretty close to the equator. Argentina has a large immigrant population of Germans, Italians, and believe it or not Jews displaced during WWII. Many of the gauchos with their flowing pants and colorful costumes wear a Yarmulke (sp?) under their hat, I kid you not.

No matter where you go, home will always be home. The adventure and new experiences can be wonderful. If we could have gotten a job back in Germany with an American company we would have done maybe five years there after I retired. We did not like everything, but the experiences and our friends there were wonderful. However we did get tested first. Did we know the geopolitics of the region? The geography? The leaders of their country/ies. Basic stuff most Americans consider unimportant. Most of us can't name the president of Mexico or Canada without googling it and that's a fact.

While overseas, assigned to a USAF base with 5000 active duty, our own DOD schools and commissaries, etc. we had an insulated American community which with teachers and dependents numbered around 12,000. I would say that 60-75% of the folks assigned there rarely ventured farther than 20Km from base, within which radius everybody spoke English. Many divorces occurred from spouses that were homesick and never went past Little America while there. Most never learned the local language, beyond being able to order from a menu with a little help from the locals around the base who spoke English. They had all of Europe within 10 hours driving time, and missed it completely. Those folks will never know what they missed, nor realize it later. They viewed it as a worst assignment in their lives. Then there were the minority like us. 7 years was not enough time to see it all, not even make a dent in what was there for the taking. We left places like Egypt with invitations to come back for a real Bedouin dinner. Germany and Switzerland with lifelong friends, and many pleasant acquaintances in all the countries we visited. We also ran into a very few rude and anti-American folks. Just like we have rude folks here. They could not color our views of the wonderful people and experiences we had.

Anyway hope those links and my comments help. Travel abroad is broadening if you are willing to learn, and it does not involve an iota of unamericanism. Just remember they are as proud of their country, as we are of ours. Always remember that there are folks in every country who you could not pay to move to the US, and aren't anti-America. Just as there are folks here who would not go to another country. My goodness there are folks who won't cross into Canada from here!

That's not a slam on Americans, just that some can adapt and overcome, as we say in the military, and some choose not to. I love watching Jay Leno doing his street walking routine and asking everyday folks who is the president of our country, or the vice and getting some very off base answers.

You have the time to choose a destination, save money and make tentative plans. A good priority list. If at the end you choose not to go elsewhere for monetary or adventure the worst thing that happens is you have money in the bank and can pursue another dream. Not bad!

We fulltimed for 7 years and now are off the road and pursuing another dream. See we already did fulltiming, and at the time thought it would be for life. I have never found saving for a dream, which we always did and paid cash for rigs, vehicles, property etc. to have a downside.

What we have found is that our dreams change about every five years. Or are modified, or opportunity knocks with something more fun, and we just have to answer the door. I strongly suggest you go to my website and read the newsletters from the road. I don't do travelogues but showed the trials we experienced as well from a unique perspective. Having said that, we would not take back one day of our fulltime travels, this dream, or the previous careers and experiences. I think, even being older than you, we have a couple of dreams left in us yet. You should have many, go for them, save for them, and adapt and overcome. And never be afraid to change to a new one, once you have accomplished the last one, or to change to a new one, if the last one becomes overridden by new situations and goals.

Good luck!

Wow, very insightfull. I too found it sad so many military families I guess never do branch out of their bases, a real shame.

[TylerOSU]

Anyone have experience with Panama or Phillipinnes?

[AC7880]

Anyone have experience with Panama or Phillipinnes?

Are you planning to buy a RV then ship it to the PI? Buy a RV and drive it to Panama? If you intend to ship a RV to the PI I can comment on that in this thread. If you want to discuss living in the PI without a RV I have experience and opinions - but don't intend to discuss them on the escapees rv site.

Is this discussion RV related at ALL any more?

There are many sites and books for folks who want to relocate overseas. Folks even posted links to some of those sites that would be on topic. When you go to those sites you may not want to mention that you don't like the US - just that you are considering re-locating. Many folks who do re-locate overseas still love the US and may take offense.

This thread should be CLOSED. It is not rv related, and is so far off topic on most of the posts as to be ridiculous. The discussion is now way out of bounds on many levels, and the personal attacks will only continue if this off topic thread continues. A search on "Mexico" on the site will give lot's of on-topic info on RVing in Mexico. A search on expat sites of relocating to Mexico permanently will give lot's of info.

Internet - a powerfull place to do appropriate research in the correct venues on almost any topic.

[RV]

Tyler I appreciate your candor about having your Dad in the Guard and that the military is not for you. That saves my sucessors a lot of time in basic and/or boot training. Lots of folks don't have any exposure and the military may just be a way to be employed, travel, or just get away from home in addition to those who join knowing that it is the life they dreamed of since being a kid, like those that want to a be a fireman at age six and do later etc.

If not wanting to join the miltary were a clear indicator of the oft misused term "patriotism," then a lot of decent loyal and productive Americans would be suspect as the majority do not ever serve, and many serve the minimum term and find out it is not for them. Some can't make it through basic. That's just fact.

What most Americans gain from travel abroad is that, in the words of the famous movie "There's no place like home." The military, like RVing is not for everybody. Many friends and relatives think we're nuts to go traipsing around in an RV, homeless as it were!

Apparently you have never been out of the country, and many never leave their hometown, not just here but everywhere around the world.

You started this thread asking about RVing in other countries. My suggesstion would be to take a month off after you have saved enough for that, and without losing your job take your RV deep into Mexico, not just a border town.

Or since you won't be able to take your RV to the Phillipines, if overseas is your choice for an adventure, then when you have enough saved, take at least a two week trip to whatever country, and check it out. If you don't, then you are going in blind. Of course to do that effectively, you would have to learn some basics about the country/culture/language and get out into the boonies. Now beware. Without that prep, just like wandering in the US in a bad area because you didn't know, can get you killed. The Phillipines and that region has a high muslim population and in the real world of today, some are radicals.

Whether adventure, a yearning to travel, or a thought to get more bang for your buck in whatever currency, be careful and know what you are committing yourself to before you jump. Remember you don't earn dollars in other countries unless you are sponsored by an American company or the government.

No one can give you real information second hand about living in another country. We did Alaska, and being there with the vistas and experiences is quite different with mosquitoes and long travel times, than a two dimensional screen sitting at home watching the Discovery Channel. You are looking for even less than that here. No pictures just links.

There are options like the peace corps etc as well.

I don't think wanting to live in another country or disagreeing with some of our policies is unamerican. In fact the right wingers that wave the flag right now in the media (present company excepted) are the most vociferous about disagreeing with our current administration and our policies. Kind of a contradiction in terms. If disagreeing with US policy is unpatriotic, then disagreeing with the policies today would have to be . . . what?

For clarity I am not a liberal, served proudly and honorably, and am not a right winger either. I believe the statement, which I have engraved on a brass plaque, given to me by my men, that, "For Those Who Have Fought For It, Freedom Has a Taste, That The Protected Will Never Know." One of the freedoms I fought for was our right to disagree with our government and its policies, your's, the extremists on the left, and those on the right. Now let's not take that as political, I studiously avoid politics in mixed company. It does relate to my personal view that our great country is founded on, and promotes dissent, unlike totalitarian regimes. It keeps us honest. If disagreeing with some US policies was an indicator of a lack of patriotism, then our open society and the freedoms I fought for are already down the tubes. And many who disagree with current policies, some of which I disagree with, (and at some time all disagree with one or more of our policies) would be what?

Unfortunately Tyler, you'll find in third world countries where your dollar will buy more, that by and large, those rights to dissent are even less than here. But that involves immersion and experience. In my experience, being a non native even less. Don't burn your bridges.

Tyler, many folks get a liveaboard yacht or RV, thinking they will do that lifestyle forever. Then, on their first trip out, find out it not only is not for them, but have a choice of spouse or house!!!!! Not all, but as we all know some.

I'd advise you try Mexico and Canada with your RV using some of your savings, then use a bit more after learning the language and culture to visit your country of choice. If you are not that serious, I submit you aren't going to make it. If you are, then you dip your toes in the water, and see if it suits.

I learned my first foreign langauge at age five. There are serious psych research reports that when you learn a second language at age six or under, that you will have a better facility for other languages later, and that proves out for my experience. However some folks can do it despite not having that experience. Some can't. If you can't learn another language that may be a show stopper right there.

Again, good luck.

This post has been edited by RV: Nov 10 2009, 12:42 PM

[Caseyj]

Tyler -

You sure have covered the spectrum of this board in the last few days. Please don't let the negative comments change your your impression of us. Most of us consider the feelings of others and are respectful when the conversation seems to get tilted. Some, we have to scold.

There is alot of experience on this board and much of it was learned from those of yesterday. The only thing that changes is the technology, personalities and fuel prices.

To get back to your question, prior to my interest in RV's, I was in the Navy and looked forward to the day where I could purchase a liveaboard sail boat and visit anywhere I wanted to go. Still think about it. You'll find that your not always in control of everything you want to do. So if you have the moxey, follow your heart. You'll never regret it. Best of luck and I commend you for your search for a better life for you and your family. Happy Holidays!

[Mark Nemeth]

TylerOSU, I apologize for the late moderation of this thread, but we are not available on the weekends to moderate. I have removed all posts that were off topic, and I am quite surprised that so many long term members here on the board apparently forgot the rules for posting. If I see a fragfest like this get started again, all of the perpetrators and participants will be permanently banned from these boards. I hope that's "Nuff Said"

Tyler, please feel free to start another thread if you wish to explore these questions further. For the sake of a clean break, I am going to close this one. Again, my apologies!