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What about the obviously English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom? Maybe most Western countries are too expensive to live in?
Our deepest sympathies for your loss of Daisy!! What a sweetie she was!! We so wish healing and peace for you both at this difficult time!! Thank you too, for the incredibly valuable information you share, and for being such great people. We're so grateful!!
We moved to Medellin, Colombia from Mexico and we love it here. Weather is near perfect. Cost of living low. Excellent healthcare and the friendliest people. Bureaucracy is frustrating but as you said it’s the same for every country on your list. The supposed crime here has not surfaced. Seems like just more scare tactics. The only countries on your list we would consider are Malaysia or Albania. The rest are either too expensive or not enough infrastructure.
Thanks for sharing! We felt safe in El Poblado and Sabaneta, but our tour guide told us to avoid several areas in Medellin after 6PM. It's about the same level of safety as Ecuador right now.
I live in Colima, Colima, Mexico, and have been there for approximately 8 years. It is safe, cheap in cost, and very friendly to people like me. I have been in many countries during my military time and Mexico offers the best economic opportunity to make money and work from home on the Internet if you want, and it gives me the short distance to return to the US if and when I need to. The Mexican Immigration Department now reports that 6.5 million Americans now live in the mid-belt of Mexico and are a diversity of retired and business-type people. Hola Mexico!
Hola from Mérida Mexico! I would love to know more about Colima. My husband and I have been living here in Mérida for almost 2 years. We like it a lot. The size, safety, infrastructure, and people. What is hard to get used to is the heat from April through October. We absolutely love Mexico, and would love to live in another city before fully investing in purchasing our own home here. Can you fill my ear with more details about Colima and the things you really like about living there day to day?
@@loricarrasco1256 Hiya. Have you heard of Aguascalientes? It's located in the middle of the country with nice temperatures which vary with every season. Unless you want to be near to the beach. Good luck from a yucatecan 👍
@@rastafarian6253my family is from Michoacán. You need to be careful with the outskirts of Morelia- unfortunately there are a lot of narco gangs that harass people. 😢
Obviously, I retired in Panama. I was considering Costa Rica as well. Panama is centrally located (flights to USA, SA and Europe), access to good health care, a decent road network, a wide variety of regional microclimates, fantastic retirement discount benefits, uses the US dollar (no currency exchange), variety of visa programs. I don't regret my choice after nearly 2 years. 😎
Retired: One thing I learned is if you use a CC with a Visa logo on it, Visa charges a 1.5% "currency conversion fee" even if your country uses USD. I, too, live in one of those and questioned it through my banking institution. Visa stated to it that if you use a visa logo card outside the US, you have to pay it. That also goes for using your debit card at an ATM. Sad but true!
@@barry6768 To live comfortably a modest income of $2,000 per month for a single person. It depends on location and the lifestyle you want to live. Some costs are much lower, others are higher than the US. As an example, a new or used vehicle is about 1.5 times more expensive. On the otherhand, a Dr. or dentist visit is $30. If you buy imported goods (including food) from the US those prices are higher than US prices. Generally, most costs are lower. Some will say 1,000 per month is doable but you will not be living the typical North American middle income lifestyle.
This isn’t accurate. If you have a credit card like capital one or chase sapphire that doesn’t charge International transaction fees, there is no additional charge. I use a chase sapphire visa and have never need charged a currency conversion fee in Ecuador or any other country. We have a Charles Schwab atm card that doesn’t charge any fees and even refunds fees charged by the dispensing bank.
Malaysia is now the hotspot in SE Asia with the impressive futuristic Kuala Lumpur, plus food and nice condos plus it’s affordable and no real language barrier.
Hola, great to see CR on your list. We retired here almost 3 years ago. The amount to prove here is 1000. For pensanado. We haven't seen any more crime here and we travel to San Jose city and all over. It's mostly petty crime here. I have had many people ask us about more crime and us who live here permanently are NOT seeing it! You can still get great deals away from tourist spots and beach towns. We live with our local people in all local neighborhood in the hills where the coffee grows and we have the best temperature and climate of all of Costa Rica and it's very affordable and we shop at our huge local farmers market and our food is cheap and fresh and mostly organic. Great video, Pura vida!
@@AmeliaAndJPI forgotten to tell you Costa Rica just passed that tourist visa is now 180 days instead of 90 days. Great news for people here that live here without residency and have to do boarder runs 😊😊😊😊. We are residents so we don't have to
I have a house in Costa Rica for 15 years, I live about 9-10 months a year in CR out on the Gold Coast in a small tourist town. Prices have gone up here just like everywhere else but I think that it’s still 35-40 percent less than Canada! We went out for dinner the other night to a local bar/restaurant , dinner for three and 3 drinks was $51 try doing that in Canada or the US. In my area crime appears to be low, it feels very safe, in the Central Valley San Jose would be higher
That's so sad to say Daisy final goodbye... It hurts a lot. I lost recently 2 of my kitties and I know how it feels. You guys doing a good job sharing your experience with others. ❤
I just read the newsletter. It's very sad news about you guys taking off. I've watched so many of your videos. I will continue to follow you guys in your travels on this channel. I hope you can make it to Spain and Thailand. Great channel.
I'm a retired American with 1500/month. Living in the Philippines for 18 months and have explored different parts and decided to find a cooler location. Then I discovered Malaybalay Bukidnon Mindanao of the Philippines. I love the cooler climate here and it seems everything is very affordable. I came to this country because the kids are required to speak English as a second language. It is the unifying language with virtually all legal documents (including rental and all real estate docs I. English). I love the people. I plan on staying for good!
I understand your loss. We also have a dog 14ys old we got for the kids as a pup. I didn't think I had any real feelings for her but when she had a close call i got emotional about it. They are family.
I live in a smaller town 30 minutes from Malaga in Spain and we live somewhat cheaper here than we did in the Philippines. The roads are fantastic, shopping centers are top, health care is top and beautiful scenery. The only downside is that it is very hot in July and August, but you can't have everything in life. Portugal is also good and Panama is too small and has too much rain, but zero tax is interesting.
Thank you both for another GREAT video. I just returned from Santiago de Chile and it was lovely. So far it’s at the top of my list for retirement. I still have a couple more places to explore and I appreciate your information. Condolences on your loss of Daisy.
I was researching Ecuador but I decided in Thailand. Nice seafood, less earthquakes, and also some developed beach areas with nice trees around are the main reasons for choosing Thailand.
I have been there but that flight going or coming back is HUGE - long and tiring - I like both but my Spanish is 1000x better than my Thai - best of luck bro
Asian countries like Thailand would be perfect if you don't need to travel back and forth often between the US, (especially the East Coast). If you do, options in Asia won't be viable.
I am so glad you picked Portugal as your number 1 pick. I searched online and if you have parents who were born in Portugal you have the option to apply for citizenship and I speak Portuguese. What a great idea plan to visit as I am retired and explore this option. Thanks for the video.
Big problem in Portugal - opening flood gates without considering countries capacity to take on the new comers is plane stupidity… All these channels promoting countries digital nomad laws, visas, residency without consideration or research into countries capacity to take on new comers…
Interesting list, I like the balanced view of all the places. I lived in Asia for 13 years and have traveled extensively in Europe, and a lot of South America, and I keep going back to Mexico (mostly Lake Chapala & Manzanilla) - nice locals, lots of expats, reasonably priced, lots to do….and it’s easy to get back to British Columbia where I live now. I know there is a lot of talk about cartels, etc in Mexico but I haven’t felt unsafe so far. I love Asia and that would be my second choice, probably Thailand or the Philippines, but the long journey from BC is a definite drawback, but the food is amazing and locals are friendly.
We live in the US, my spouse is from Colombia. He does go back to visit semi-often, but he really isn't interested in moving back. We have been to Spain and Portugal and both look good to us, although Portugal was a bit more attractive (Porto) and if Spain (Valencia). I agree, every place has it's pros and cons, but all that you suggested are decent and interesting. I guess for the time being we'll remain in Chicago, but the taxes here are getting pretty annoying. Thanks for your channel, you both do a wonderful job. With much appreciation.
I've been to 8 out of these 20. Albania is my favorite. Yes, language is a struggle but the people are so nice and welcoming that it's easy to work around that. Live ecuador, You can pick your climate my selecting an altitude you like, ranging from beaches to alps. Go for a year as a tourist to see how you like it. Tirana, the capital, is interesting, but, in my opinion, not the best albania has to offer.
Hi, German here. Moved 2008 to Thailand, 2016 to Cyprus and thinking about going back to Thailand. In my opinion, Spain would be the best, the next 2 in not particular order: Croatia and Portugal. Where ever you go: GOOD LUCK.
Wait...did I miss Mexico? Surely you've thought about Merida?...It's safer that most places, the cost of living is low, the city is dramatically changing with new infrastructure...30 minutes to the beach...I mean...other than the HOT summers ( that's why we have A/C ) it's a win win 🎉
The secret is out on Portugal and in Lisbon, for example, housing and rental prices have skyrocketed. The typical Lisboan makes 900-1100€ per month and is increasingly being priced out, and this is causing a lot of resentment towards immigrants moving there. I've been to Madeira and I found it overcrowded and even polluted - I could smell more exhaust there than in Madrid. Northern Portugal is an option but it's a bit rainy and cold in the winter. Note that Portugal can seem VERY cold in the winter due to lack of insulation and poor or non- existent heating.
My wife and I moved to Portugal 2 years ago and love it. The climate on the Silver Coast is incredible and the cost of living is low. If you want to live in the Lisbon, Porto or Algarve areas, the cost will be much higher.
Awesome. I'm a year and half deep in Ecuador and also, looking at options. I love Ecuador AND, there are things on the horizon here that could move the economy into a worse place. I just got back from Columbia and I give it a thumbs up.
Croatia is an amazing country and I’m surprised more people don’t consider moving there. People are extremely nice , it’s way more safe than the other countries on this list and not to be rude but I have to disagree about needing to learn Croatian. I’ve been 4 times (7 different cities within Croatia) and I didn’t encounter not one person that didn’t speak at least basic English. Majority of the people I was able to communicate with just fine.
I visited Portugal (Lisbon and Porto) in the spring. Loved both cities and would definitely consider it for living in Western Europe. I understand you can get more affordable housing just outside the cities with good train links into the cities.
I've had Dengue three times including the worst hemorrhagic one (there are 4 types), it knocks you over but you survive, best recommendation: Papaya leaf Tea, coconut water and ibuprofen to lower fever (never aspirin!)
but portugal is under the foot and heel of the european union, world health organization, etc. I wouldnt go anywhere near europe. The most independent european country, ukraine, is under military invasion right now.
@@PolishBehemoth Hey, Polish guy. How do you feel about today's Ukrainians glorifying those Ukrainians who killed 100,000 Poles in the Wolyn massacre? You seem to live by the principle, "enemy of my enemy if my friend", no matter how disgusting your alliance is.
You mentioned fires in Greece, but you should have mentioned more of the increasing natural disasters in many of these countries. Wild fires have been bad in Spain and Portugal for example . Also very digital nomad heavy based on visa details.
@@AmeliaAndJP Sure I understand, but your audience may find that a little limiting. I imagine tailoring to your subscribers is what enables that digital nomad lifestyle.
Yes, I've been thinking about spending a year or two in Spain, but at this point will avoid the summers there bc of the heat waves and fires, and that applies to many of the other Mediterranean nations as well. Things have reached the point where you really need to take climate change into account when making decisions about where to go and when. The tax situation in Spain is concerning as well. I wish I had a better grip on that factor. I've been hoping to spend a couple of years in both various parts of Asia and S. America, following Spain/Europe, as well, but things are getting more and more complicated in many places in terms of climate, geopolitics and domestic corruption and unrest...
@@DeusExMachina50 I don't know about that. There has been ongoing drought and repeated heat waves. Even if arson or human carelessness was involved in starting the fires, their ability to spread and persist is very likely climate related. I'll have to take a closer look into what happened.
Malta sounds a great choice, bet it's quite laid back!. Being fortunate enough living and working all over South East Asia for the past 18yrs my favorite is still Thailand from living in Bangkok to Phuket but it's priced itself out, I'm a Brit lived the past 3yrs in Indonesia Jakarta and now Batam Island it's worth a look. If your considering Malaysia give Johor Bahru a look it's a drive over the bridge to Singapore.
Portugal is a Great Country but unfortunately the property prices and rents are spiralling 🌀 out of control because of the floods of ex-pats over the last 10 years ❤💙🍀 Great video guys love ya to pieces 🤙
Portugal is a great place to visit but once you live there you will discover just how difficult it is to do anything here. The bureaucracy is insane, the taxes are high, the cost of living keeps gowing up and to get a tradesman to do anything on your property can takes months and a lot of frustration. Portugal was a great destination 15 years ago. Now I would think long and hard before coming here.
Don't just blame floods of expats for the high prices. Companies keep wages low and the government keeps taxes high and doesn't invest in affordable housing. Also they make it difficult to build, renovate and rehabilitate dilapidated buildings that could result in more homes. Tourists and expats do come and spend money here, which trickles up. As restaurants and stores have more customers, this creates jobs for people. There's no way a poor country's poor masses will stimulate their economy. Look at Haiti. A number of countries have programs to attract retirees, and a vibrant middle class is what will stimulate the economy of places like Mexico, Portugal, Greece, Ecuador, etc. The billionaires won't help much, nor will the poor. With some exceptions, I think expats do more good than harm to a country that has a stagnant economy. Gentrification happens everywhere, but as for everyone everywhere, we are our own worst enemies, and whining about foreigners moving in when you have a government that takes away half of people's income and doesn't give back much is just choosing to see a small fragment of the whole problem.
@@TommyPinkerton And now you're benefiting that same system without having worked there, not even a part of your life? Calling the locals whiners and saying they should be grateful to serve you is the kind of attitude that gives sertain expats a bad rep. (Especially the type who's only there to benefit and doesn't respect the host.) I can sympathize with the Portuguese youth. Housing costs is a real problem. The price increase hasn't been gradual, much because of social media and retiree's hunt for a steal. Respect the people of the country you're in. Listen to them, see it from their point of view, learn from them. It's basic respect and decency. Please tell me you've at least learned the language. When you're an expat in a foreign country that's what you do. You respect the host when you visit someone else's house. Don't just barge in being ignorant and say they should be grateful for your presence.
Great video! We retired in Spain and live living here but the only drawbacks are the bureaucracy and the taxes. Other than that, couldn't think of a better place to live.
This is a nice list, I would probably choose Panama as a Plan B, my Plan A is Mexico, thanks! The other countries are too far from the States, Costa Rica may be cost-prohibitive.
I was recently in Costa Rica and experienced sticker shock in supermarkets and restaurants. As expensive if not more that in the USA. I live in the northeast of the US so it isn't cheap here either.@@alrent2992
I lived in Portugal for 3. Years. Just be careful with where you rent the buildings are not insulated or ventilated so indoor humidity is a big problem in the winter 🥶 also mildew .
Can you be more specific about the danger/crime you are looking to avoid? What exactly do you fear might happen to you in Ecuador, or what has already happened?
Nothing has happened to us other than a loss of views and income from the negative press. We're not worried for ourselves in the places we go, but it's getting more difficult to film videos here that people will watch.
Geographic distance is easily trumped by airport connectivity for ease of access for getting back to the US. Asuncion to San Francisco is easily 18h 10m+ hours while a direct flight from singapore to san francisco is about 15 hours. Fights directly to Kuala Lumpur are roughly 20 hours. Time zone difference is harder of course.
Hello guys , I think you missed the best option of all ! Thailand , please give it a look people and food are great . Prices are cheap and safe to live . I suggest Hua Hin central Thailand it wonderful place .... Good luck , see you there ....
We moved to Costa Rica from Canada 2.5 years ago. First in the mountains, Now we have moved to the Nicoya. On a beautiful mountain in the blue zone , yet only 10 minutes from spectacular sandy beaches and incredible sunsets. Cost of living here all depends where you want to reside and how you want to live. Same as most other countries. We live very comfotable on less the $1500 a month for the both of us. But, We do own both our properties. You can still find rentals here for under $800 a month away from the very popular tourist areas/ Is it one of the more expemsive south americans countires? Coastal living here for sure. Inland lesser cost of living. Costa Rica also just changed the tourist visa to 180 days AS OF THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER 2023. This is to encourage more snowbirds to winter here. Costa Rica is such a beautiful country and the people are awesome too. I know a few people who left here , are trying our Thailand and now wanting to leave and come back to Costa RICA. The beauty with Costa Rica also. Is its close proximity to north America.
I've heard Thailand is not the expats panacea of yesteryears. That was originally on our list as an option, but no more. Malaysia might still be an option, and if you're able to reside somewhere near the Thai border for day trips or weekends to Thailand, that could be pretty cool.
@@ginakerry2588 We are travelling Asia and the surrounding countires in 2024. Most of Europe i have already travelled after living there for 22 years. Our next adventure will be exploring the eastern part of the world. Very excited and looking forward to it.
One thing that people who get a retirement visa that requires a substantial money deposit have to be aware of is that most foreign banks don't have anything similar to an FDIC. If something happens to your money, possibly someone gets prosecuted, but you're SOL as far as getting your money back. The Philippines has what's called the "PDIC" but it only covers $8,793 USD (P500,000).
@@AmeliaAndJPI’m a Colombian but I was raised in the United States. Many foreigners living in Medellin and other parts of Colombia are in denial over safety. I travel to Colombia frequently to visit friends and family. Many locals want to leave the country for the violent United States. Lol Many need to understand Ecuador was always safer than Colombia. The Mexican cartels are fighting a proxy war in Ecuador and the cartels are also active in the Pacifico region of Colombia. The violence in Choco, tumaco, and Buenaventura is just as bad as Ecuador.
Amelia and JP. If you are thinking about Portugal. Then why look at Brazil. Especially Florianopolis suppose to be a safe city. Or Uruguay 🇺🇾. Equador may be hard to leave though. I am thinking of Thailand 🇹🇭, Going to visit first..
I've been to Brazil many times and have great friends there. I've been to Florianopolis and Curitiba plus lots of other places in Brazil, however, I don't think I could live there full time.
I ended up in Brazil from the USA, after researching Ecuador for a couple of years. In Brazil because I met a Brazilian man online, whom I ended up marrying last month!
So, my wife and I live where we work on a nature preserve in northern Michigan and she thought we should retire to Central or South America. We shelved this gamble and instead bought a house with a VA loan 65 miles away in a nice community with a 5 minute walk to a beach on Lake Huron. No culture shock, we're familiar with the climate, and it's an affordable option.
I lived in Malaysia 7 years and I have to say that it has a lot going for it. There are actually 2 “Malaysia’s”.” There is peninsular Malaysia and there is East Malaysia which is on Borneo, part of the same central government but at the same time somewhat different ethnically, with a strong spirit of independence. These are the states of Sarawak and Sabah, and I prefer them, actually.
Very good list, my personal favorite is Malaysia as I spend a lot of time in Kuala Lumpur, I think its a great place for digital nomads, my main issue with it is the heat and humidity. I would also add Argentina to the list, Buenos Aires is another one of my favorite places to stay as a digital nomad and its relatively easy to stay there long term.
for over 2 years now in Costa Rica, Playa Pelada exactly. We loved it here but COL is high where we are. The COL is high in tourist areas near the beaches in Guanacaste. But no regrets
Hi Sorry for your babies passing. I know how painful it is. Im losing my Stella to old age and im not ready to be without her company. Thank you for all that you share.
We visited Lisbon and Porto Portugal this summer. I love Lisbon. The people are exceptionally friendly, the food is great, and the prices are reasonable. It full of natural and man made beauty. The sidewalks are made a beautiful white smooth marble stones. There are steep hills everywhere. Even when the stone sidewalks are dry, they are slippery. Be careful walking. I saw several people who fell with nasty abrasions. I was slipping on the sidewalks when they were dry.😮
Hey omg thank you for these videos ☺️ if you get a chance to visit Malaysia State Sarawak on the island of Borneo you should 🤩 it was so nice and yes sooooo far away!
Spain and Portugal are my favorites on your list! Both are safe, great healthcare, great foodie scene, good infrastructure for travel, pedestrian-friendly, fun activities, culture, fully-developed, beaches and islands, only a bit more expensive than the cheaper options on your list (but much higher value!), the northern areas are cool if you don't like the summer heat, great expat communities, bustling social scenes to meet people from all over the world, part of Europe, your friends/family will actually want to visit you here.. It's a no-brainer in my opinion..
The major downside to Spain is they tax foreign sourced income if you stay in the country more than 183 days/year. We need to do more research to see if there's any way to reduce the tax burden because it would be a lot for us as US citizens.
@@AmeliaAndJP the border between Portugal and Spain is not controlled (under the Schengen Agreement), so it's possible to live in Portugal in a border town, such as Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the south or Valença in the north, and make trips to Spain as easily as driving across town.
I have lived in Costa Rica now for almost five years and it has really changed, but mostly for the better. There has been an uptick in crime, which also appears to be a worldwide phenomenon. I live in the Central Valley, and really enjoy not having to use heat or A/C. It's also incredibly walkable, which means one doesn't have to have a car if one doesn't want one. Pura Vida!
What are you smoking? Costa Rica is super expensive compared to other countries in Latin America. The locals rip off visitors and the infrastructure is poor compared to how expensive the country is.
Sorry about your loss my condolences, may the lord keep Daisy soul , your videos are fantastic and detailed great information keep up the excellent work. GOD bless!!
Good luck understanding spoken Portuguese in Portugal. Yes, the written language is similar to Spanish, but the spoken Portuguese of Portugal sounds more like Russian! We are in small town France just over the border from Spain. Consider that option too, costs are on a par with Spain.
I live in France, too, and love being here. I was surprised how inexpensive for most things France is compared to the US. Devices, and fuel are considerably higher, but most things are cheaper for better quality. And real estate is WAY cheaper here. Plus, France is wonderful, and I love the people. It does help that I've gotten quite good in the language, that took about 2 years of hard work (the first year of it in the US).
We have been in Tirana Albania for the past 6 months and are moving to Sarande on November 1st. More people speak English here than any other country we have been to! (41 in the past 2 years and 60 overall). The people are incredibly friendly but the public transportation system is lacking. Great coffee shop culture and low cost of living make it an attractive choice to try for a year or more. AND incredibly safe. No bars on windows and items are left unsecured outdoors because nobody takes anything!
Hola, what about El Salvador. I think is the safest latin-america country now. Can you explore options and let us now please. You guys have a lot of experience and know where to look for details.
I'm against dictatorships, but there isn't a place in the world that embraces classical (Real not fake) liberalism today, including the US and Canada which are also totalitarian in nature. At least places like El Salvador, Dubai and Singapore have common sense laws on crime and low taxes.
I find it hard to believe that Mexico can't crack your Top 10 list. My wife and I have been going to San Miguel de Allende for 15 years and absolutely love the place. The proximity to the U.S., ideal weather year around, friendly population, excellent international cuisine and natural beauty make it our number #1 retirement destination. It is also a lot safer than what is portrayed in the media, plus there are many other potential destinations within Mexico.
Hi I grew up in one of the best countries in Europe. Moved to the US years ago but want to leave as soon as I am able to. I‘m a EU citizen and will be living in the EU again. Plan B for me is SE Asia. Malaysia is great. The Philippines is awesome, with lots of friendly people. Japan is another great place and very safe.
I have been watching TH-cams about Japan and appears to be a really safe and progressive country. Though I am not considering moving there (73 years old) I think it would be a great country to move to. But difficult to be granted a visa and live there, work etc. If I were younger, striving for a career I would move out of the US in a heartbeat and create a lifestyle with healthcare, education etc benefits. Agree, SE Asia seems to have a lot going as a place to move to as well and rarely hear any complaints about moving there.
Just as a thought,maybe you should Dan's advice on the Vagabond Buddha channel of living a short time at the various counties before making a big move. Now that you have more freedom follow the seasons of better weather as you explore new places. My suggestion is head to SE Asia from November thru February starting from Thailand for a month and then off to Malaysia for up to 3 months or other counties in the area. Then off to Europe in the spring. Lots of fun and great blogging and no matter what we will be looking forward to your adventures.
Greece is #1 on my list. Learning Greek I am not finding so difficult. Anyways, I'm looking at eastern greece at the islands. Lower humidity, nice beaches, mountains and pine trees, the sort of place that will be more suited for me s a seasonal allergy sufferer. I like their language and traditional music. Turkey would be nice too. Beautiful southern coast. Very low cost of living. Great food. But I'd rather not live somewhere that I will stick out too much.
@@deebee2603 I was looking at the island just south of Skopelos myself, Euboea, particularly the Kymi area. But Skopelos seems ideal too. I'll check it out more...those beaches sure seem inviting.
Have you thought about 'House sitting" ? a great opportunity for a couple to experience a variety of Countries , living rent free while working on line .
Thank you for mentioning Greece. It is a beautiful country. You might want to steer clear because of the bureaucracy and the healthcare. It’s difficult enough for Greeks to navigate this. I can’t imagine doing so as a non-Greek speaker.
In Greece they still use pen and paper for just about everything, it’s the least digital country in Europe and the bureaucracy is probably the worst in the world, takes months to get basic paperwork.
Sorry for your pain. I too lost my male RussianBlue cat a year ago, and even today, miss him like crazy. My female stood on her hind legs as he slept, skin and bones, and she stared at him for almost 30 minutes, which for me was a sign that I needed to let him go, she was sensing his illness. I realized I needed to let go of my selfishness. Was so very painful to say goodbye. My female will be 18 in a couple of months and together we are seniors trying to get by - dealing with hearing losses and other issues together. Our pets become the best companions. You will know when you have to let go and put your companion first, relieving them of the not so good quality of life they have always enjoyed.
Dear Amelia and JP. I am your big fan. Thank you for all your advice on life outside of the USA. I am retired, and my husband passed away 7 months ago. We talked about moving out. Now I am alone and want to move to a safe place. Could you make a video about a retirement visa?
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ROMANIA !!!
What about the obviously English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom? Maybe most Western countries are too expensive to live in?
@@patrickcorliss8878 too expensive. defeats the purpose.
Malta sounds good if you can't move to Spain. Sicily is near by which is a blast very fun. Consider Croatia
If you move to Portugal please consider the city of Aveiro. You'll thank me later
Oh Emelia & JP, So sorry for you loss of Daisy. 🐾 . I’ve been enjoying your posts for over 2 years.
Gracias. We really miss her 🥺
Indeed, your slightly understated presentation today may be attributable to a residual mourning, but this will pass with enough time.
It's so difficult to lose your baby! Daisy had la dolce vita with you!
Our deepest sympathies for your loss of Daisy!! What a sweetie she was!! We so wish healing and peace for you both at this difficult time!! Thank you too, for the incredibly valuable information you share, and for being such great people. We're so grateful!!
We moved to Medellin, Colombia from Mexico and we love it here. Weather is near perfect. Cost of living low. Excellent healthcare and the friendliest people. Bureaucracy is frustrating but as you said it’s the same for every country on your list. The supposed crime here has not surfaced. Seems like just more scare tactics. The only countries on your list we would consider are Malaysia or Albania. The rest are either too expensive or not enough infrastructure.
Thanks for sharing! We felt safe in El Poblado and Sabaneta, but our tour guide told us to avoid several areas in Medellin after 6PM. It's about the same level of safety as Ecuador right now.
@@AmeliaAndJP what about other states or cities in Colombia. Manizales, Bucaramanga, and Armenia? these areas have very low crime stats
Forget malesia I was there 2 weeks ago 85% Muslim
@@patriciavandevelde5469 - Muslims actually make up 64% of the Malaysian population. I’m curious as to the reasons for your Islamophobia?
Hey Amelia&JP,What about,Bulgaria?They're getting ready,to join the Schengen region,soon!Any thoughts,on Bulgaria
I live in Colima, Colima, Mexico, and have been there for approximately 8 years. It is safe, cheap in cost, and very friendly to people like me. I have been in many countries during my military time and Mexico offers the best economic opportunity to make money and work from home on the Internet if you want, and it gives me the short distance to return to the US if and when I need to. The Mexican Immigration Department now reports that 6.5 million Americans now live in the mid-belt of Mexico and are a diversity of retired and business-type people. Hola Mexico!
Hola from Mérida Mexico! I would love to know more about Colima. My husband and I have been living here in Mérida for almost 2 years. We like it a lot. The size, safety, infrastructure, and people. What is hard to get used to is the heat from April through October. We absolutely love Mexico, and would love to live in another city before fully investing in purchasing our own home here. Can you fill my ear with more details about Colima and the things you really like about living there day to day?
Wonderful!
@@loricarrasco1256 Hiya. Have you heard of Aguascalientes? It's located in the middle of the country with nice temperatures which vary with every season. Unless you want to be near to the beach. Good luck from a yucatecan 👍
I am researching Morelia and small towns around it and I hear the weather is great
@@rastafarian6253my family is from Michoacán. You need to be careful with the outskirts of Morelia- unfortunately there are a lot of narco gangs that harass people. 😢
Obviously, I retired in Panama. I was considering Costa Rica as well. Panama is centrally located (flights to USA, SA and Europe), access to good health care, a decent road network, a wide variety of regional microclimates, fantastic retirement discount benefits, uses the US dollar (no currency exchange), variety of visa programs. I don't regret my choice after nearly 2 years. 😎
Retired: One thing I learned is if you use a CC with a Visa logo on it, Visa charges a 1.5% "currency conversion fee" even if your country uses USD.
I, too, live in one of those and questioned it through my banking institution. Visa stated to it that if you use a visa logo card outside the US, you have to pay it. That also goes for using your debit card at an ATM.
Sad but true!
How much total do you need to live there? I’d appreciate an insiders perspective. Thanks!
@@barry6768 To live comfortably a modest income of $2,000 per month for a single person. It depends on location and the lifestyle you want to live. Some costs are much lower, others are higher than the US. As an example, a new or used vehicle is about 1.5 times more expensive. On the otherhand, a Dr. or dentist visit is $30. If you buy imported goods (including food) from the US those prices are higher than US prices. Generally, most costs are lower. Some will say 1,000 per month is doable but you will not be living the typical North American middle income lifestyle.
@@retiredinpanama thanks so much for your help. Have a good one!!
This isn’t accurate. If you have a credit card like capital one or chase sapphire that doesn’t charge International transaction fees, there is no additional charge. I use a chase sapphire visa and have never need charged a currency conversion fee in Ecuador or any other country. We have a Charles Schwab atm card that doesn’t charge any fees and even refunds fees charged by the dispensing bank.
Malaysia is now the hotspot in SE Asia with the impressive futuristic Kuala Lumpur, plus food and nice condos plus it’s affordable and no real language barrier.
I have zero interest in moving out of the U.S. , but I enjoy watching the videos and hearing about what's out there.
Hola, great to see CR on your list. We retired here almost 3 years ago. The amount to prove here is 1000. For pensanado. We haven't seen any more crime here and we travel to San Jose city and all over. It's mostly petty crime here. I have had many people ask us about more crime and us who live here permanently are NOT seeing it! You can still get great deals away from tourist spots and beach towns. We live with our local people in all local neighborhood in the hills where the coffee grows and we have the best temperature and climate of all of Costa Rica and it's very affordable and we shop at our huge local farmers market and our food is cheap and fresh and mostly organic. Great video, Pura vida!
Great! Thanks for sharing! 👍🇨🇷
@@AmeliaAndJPI forgotten to tell you Costa Rica just passed that tourist visa is now 180 days instead of 90 days. Great news for people here that live here without residency and have to do boarder runs 😊😊😊😊. We are residents so we don't have to
@@sandrabedard7848I miss living there so badly! 😢 Beautiful place and beautiful people
@@alessandromorelli9412 yes definitely!!
Don’t come to Costa Rica. It is becoming more dangerous as days go by… go to Europe
I have a house in Costa Rica for 15 years, I live about 9-10 months a year in CR out on the Gold Coast in a small tourist town. Prices have gone up here just like everywhere else but I think that it’s still 35-40 percent less than Canada! We went out for dinner the other night to a local bar/restaurant , dinner for three and 3 drinks was $51 try doing that in Canada or the US. In my area crime appears to be low, it feels very safe, in the Central Valley San Jose would be higher
So sorry for Daisy's passing. Dogs add so much joy to our lives!💔
That's so sad to say Daisy final goodbye... It hurts a lot. I lost recently 2 of my kitties and I know how it feels. You guys doing a good job sharing your experience with others. ❤
I just read the newsletter. It's very sad news about you guys taking off. I've watched so many of your videos. I will continue to follow you guys in your travels on this channel. I hope you can make it to Spain and Thailand. Great channel.
I've never considered Croatia. I'm going to check it out! Thanks for the tip!
You’ll love it there, trust me! It would be first on my list if it wasn’t so far to travel to/from the US to get there.
So sorry to hear about your loss of Daisy. Our pets become part of our family and are loved so much
Thanks. It's been a rough couple of weeks 🥺
I'm a retired American with 1500/month. Living in the Philippines for 18 months and have explored different parts and decided to find a cooler location. Then I discovered Malaybalay Bukidnon Mindanao of the Philippines. I love the cooler climate here and it seems everything is very affordable. I came to this country because the kids are required to speak English as a second language. It is the unifying language with virtually all legal documents (including rental and all real estate docs I. English).
I love the people. I plan on staying for good!
Thanks for sharing and congrats on your escape! 🥳🇵🇭
1,500 dollars a month is a salary of a company senior manager or director here in the Philippines. Congrats 🎉
Any earthquakes/ floods over where you are?
I understand your loss. We also have a dog 14ys old we got for the kids as a pup. I didn't think I had any real feelings for her but when she had a close call i got emotional about it. They are family.
We miss her horribly 🥺
I live in a smaller town 30 minutes from Malaga in Spain and we live somewhat cheaper here than we did in the Philippines. The roads are fantastic, shopping centers are top, health care is top and beautiful scenery. The only downside is that it is very hot in July and August, but you can't have everything in life. Portugal is also good and Panama is too small and has too much rain, but zero tax is interesting.
Thank you both for another GREAT video. I just returned from Santiago de Chile and it was lovely. So far it’s at the top of my list for retirement. I still have a couple more places to explore and I appreciate your information. Condolences on your loss of Daisy.
I was researching Ecuador but I decided in Thailand. Nice seafood, less earthquakes, and also some developed beach areas with nice trees around are the main reasons for choosing Thailand.
It should have been number one.
I have been there but that flight going or coming back is HUGE - long and tiring - I like both but my Spanish is 1000x better than my Thai - best of luck bro
@@jimmy999-z2j I hear you. In the end it's where you are most comfortable.
Asian countries like Thailand would be perfect if you don't need to travel back and forth often between the US, (especially the East Coast). If you do, options in Asia won't be viable.
I am so glad you picked Portugal as your number 1 pick. I searched online and if you have parents who were born in Portugal you have the option to apply for citizenship and I speak Portuguese. What a great idea plan to visit as I am retired and explore this option. Thanks for the video.
That would be a great option for you!
@leor8519 - Portugal is over-rated and it seems that everyone is going to Portugal.
Portugal is under attack by Kalergi plan also, badly.
Why do you think it's over-rated?@@KP-de6td
Big problem in Portugal - opening flood gates without considering countries capacity to take on the new comers is plane stupidity… All these channels promoting countries digital nomad laws, visas, residency without consideration or research into countries capacity to take on new comers…
Interesting list, I like the balanced view of all the places. I lived in Asia for 13 years and have traveled extensively in Europe, and a lot of South America, and I keep going back to Mexico (mostly Lake Chapala & Manzanilla) - nice locals, lots of expats, reasonably priced, lots to do….and it’s easy to get back to British Columbia where I live now. I know there is a lot of talk about cartels, etc in Mexico but I haven’t felt unsafe so far. I love Asia and that would be my second choice, probably Thailand or the Philippines, but the long journey from BC is a definite drawback, but the food is amazing and locals are friendly.
We live in the US, my spouse is from Colombia. He does go back to visit semi-often, but he really isn't interested in moving back. We have been to Spain and Portugal and both look good to us, although Portugal was a bit more attractive (Porto) and if Spain (Valencia). I agree, every place has it's pros and cons, but all that you suggested are decent and interesting. I guess for the time being we'll remain in Chicago, but the taxes here are getting pretty annoying. Thanks for your channel, you both do a wonderful job. With much appreciation.
Gracias! Colombia is amazing, but slightly more dangerous than Ecuador so we crossed it off our list for that reason.
My spouse is also Colombian and I have a sister currently living in Valencia. Ecuador was looking good, but I guess no place is perfect
Chicago? Dems please stay in Chicago, don't move.
@@GUITARTIME2024 No, they don't speak Catalan, more likely Valenciano. I assume Spanish is widely spoken.
😂😂
You two both have such great energy, thank you for all the high quality content!
Thanks!
I've been to 8 out of these 20. Albania is my favorite. Yes, language is a struggle but the people are so nice and welcoming that it's easy to work around that. Live ecuador, You can pick your climate my selecting an altitude you like, ranging from beaches to alps. Go for a year as a tourist to see how you like it. Tirana, the capital, is interesting, but, in my opinion, not the best albania has to offer.
I live in Uruguay. It is a very good place to live and invest
Hi, German here. Moved 2008 to Thailand, 2016 to Cyprus and thinking about going back to Thailand.
In my opinion, Spain would be the best, the next 2 in not particular order: Croatia and Portugal.
Where ever you go: GOOD LUCK.
Wait...did I miss Mexico? Surely you've thought about Merida?...It's safer that most places, the cost of living is low, the city is dramatically changing with new infrastructure...30 minutes to the beach...I mean...other than the HOT summers ( that's why we have A/C ) it's a win win 🎉
Portugal is at the top of my list too . I’m also looking at Uruguay, Montenegro and France
Montenegro is a very underrated country!
I hear Uruguay is called South American Switzerland.
Montenegro and France sound great to me.
The secret is out on Portugal and in Lisbon, for example, housing and rental prices have skyrocketed. The typical Lisboan makes 900-1100€ per month and is increasingly being priced out, and this is causing a lot of resentment towards immigrants moving there. I've been to Madeira and I found it overcrowded and even polluted - I could smell more exhaust there than in Madrid. Northern Portugal is an option but it's a bit rainy and cold in the winter. Note that Portugal can seem VERY cold in the winter due to lack of insulation and poor or non- existent heating.
@@goldvideotrue, it’s become an over rated, over priced, over polluted hole.
Love to hear how you two are donig with all of the strife in Equador! I hope you are well - Bob
Gracias por todo! I live in Florida from Chile originally and want leave this country! Portugal has been #1 for a long time!
I LOVE Costa Rica. Hubby and I visited both sides of the country several decades ago and we enjoyed every minute we were there.
Same!! It's a great place.
My wife and I moved to Portugal 2 years ago and love it. The climate on the Silver Coast is incredible and the cost of living is low. If you want to live in the Lisbon, Porto or Algarve areas, the cost will be much higher.
Great! Thanks for sharing! 👍
Good job guys, love how thoroughly you looked into the top 10
Awesome. I'm a year and half deep in Ecuador and also, looking at options. I love Ecuador AND, there are things on the horizon here that could move the economy into a worse place. I just got back from Columbia and I give it a thumbs up.
Croatia is an amazing country and I’m surprised more people don’t consider moving there. People are extremely nice , it’s way more safe than the other countries on this list and not to be rude but I have to disagree about needing to learn Croatian. I’ve been 4 times (7 different cities within Croatia) and I didn’t encounter not one person that didn’t speak at least basic English. Majority of the people I was able to communicate with just fine.
Thanks for sharing! 👍
Truth !
Now that Croatia is in the Shengen, is it harder to get a long term visa?
I'd love to spend time there, but they aren't so easy when it comes to residency visas.
Portugal is nice and the D7 is easy ...
You guys!!! Your top two choices based on your criteria, for you both -- perfect choices! I wish you both MUCH LUCK.
What about Colombia?
If we leave Ecuador, it will be for safety reasons and Colombia is just as bad if not worse so we removed it from our list along with Mexico.
Colombia is dangerous
Colombia has a very volatile political situation right now and crime is a big problem , besides .
Colombia and Ecuador both have many safe areas - but each person has their own perception of safety
Thanks for doing this guys. I'm starting to get a bit skiddish about moving to Ecuador. Uraguay seems to be pretty safe too.
Took a trip there, was very impressed by the lovely people
I visited Portugal (Lisbon and Porto) in the spring. Loved both cities and would definitely consider it for living in Western Europe. I understand you can get more affordable housing just outside the cities with good train links into the cities.
We are having a really bad Dengue fever year here in Paraguay. Mosquitos are always terrible but with Dengue it's deadly.
I've had Dengue three times including the worst hemorrhagic one (there are 4 types), it knocks you over but you survive, best recommendation: Papaya leaf Tea, coconut water and ibuprofen to lower fever (never aspirin!)
Yes! Portugal is so beautiful 😍 the people is AWESOME, so friendly. Portugal is fenomenal. The best moved we made! It’s so SAFE! Health care is great.
Great! Thanks for sharing! And congrats! 🇵🇹
but portugal is under the foot and heel of the european union, world health organization, etc. I wouldnt go anywhere near europe. The most independent european country, ukraine, is under military invasion right now.
@@PolishBehemoth Hey, Polish guy. How do you feel about today's Ukrainians glorifying those Ukrainians who killed 100,000 Poles in the Wolyn massacre? You seem to live by the principle, "enemy of my enemy if my friend", no matter how disgusting your alliance is.
Portugal is so over-rated.
Portugal is the new california as is italy and Spain and also France and Mexico. The LA times and others covered this
You mentioned fires in Greece, but you should have mentioned more of the increasing natural disasters in many of these countries. Wild fires have been bad in Spain and Portugal for example . Also very digital nomad heavy based on visa details.
These are the places we are considering and we're not retired so we have to choose countries that will work for us.
@@AmeliaAndJP Sure I understand, but your audience may find that a little limiting. I imagine tailoring to your subscribers is what enables that digital nomad lifestyle.
Yes, I've been thinking about spending a year or two in Spain, but at this point will avoid the summers there bc of the heat waves and fires, and that applies to many of the other Mediterranean nations as well. Things have reached the point where you really need to take climate change into account when making decisions about where to go and when. The tax situation in Spain is concerning as well. I wish I had a better grip on that factor. I've been hoping to spend a couple of years in both various parts of Asia and S. America, following Spain/Europe, as well, but things are getting more and more complicated in many places in terms of climate, geopolitics and domestic corruption and unrest...
@@DeusExMachina50 I don't know about that. There has been ongoing drought and repeated heat waves. Even if arson or human carelessness was involved in starting the fires, their ability to spread and persist is very likely climate related. I'll have to take a closer look into what happened.
Agree about the nomad based details. If you’re researching requirements anyway, why wouldn’t you add in the requirements for a retiree visa ?
I've been living in Panama as a retiree for 33 years. I highly recommend it as a retiree destination. ...Roy
Great!
Malta sounds a great choice, bet it's quite laid back!.
Being fortunate enough living and working all over South East Asia for the past 18yrs my favorite is still Thailand from living in Bangkok to Phuket but it's priced itself out, I'm a Brit lived the past 3yrs in Indonesia Jakarta and now Batam Island it's worth a look. If your considering Malaysia give Johor Bahru a look it's a drive over the bridge to Singapore.
Great to hear you are dog lovers. I got a 15 y.o. and I decided to adjust any plan depending on her. And I'm happy!
I’m so sorry about Daisy 😢 It’s just hard when it’s time to say goodbye. She had terrific humans & some adventures ❤️
So sorry for the loss of the dog. I lost Buzz in 2018 and look at picture each day. Luckily Yogi is doing a great job in his place.
Love your concise presentation covering the hi and low points. Thanks.
Portugal is a Great Country but unfortunately the property prices and rents are spiralling 🌀 out of control because of the floods of ex-pats over the last 10 years ❤💙🍀
Great video guys love ya to pieces 🤙
Portugal also Tax pension income ,,,check if your country has a Tax Treaty with Portugal & read it carefully.
Portugal is a great place to visit but once you live there you will discover just how difficult it is to do anything here. The bureaucracy is insane, the taxes are high, the cost of living keeps gowing up and to get a tradesman to do anything on your property can takes months and a lot of frustration. Portugal was a great destination 15 years ago. Now I would think long and hard before coming here.
@@jw841 Yes 1000 % bureaucracy is terrible 😞
Don't just blame floods of expats for the high prices. Companies keep wages low and the government keeps taxes high and doesn't invest in affordable housing. Also they make it difficult to build, renovate and rehabilitate dilapidated buildings that could result in more homes. Tourists and expats do come and spend money here, which trickles up. As restaurants and stores have more customers, this creates jobs for people. There's no way a poor country's poor masses will stimulate their economy. Look at Haiti. A number of countries have programs to attract retirees, and a vibrant middle class is what will stimulate the economy of places like Mexico, Portugal, Greece, Ecuador, etc. The billionaires won't help much, nor will the poor. With some exceptions, I think expats do more good than harm to a country that has a stagnant economy. Gentrification happens everywhere, but as for everyone everywhere, we are our own worst enemies, and whining about foreigners moving in when you have a government that takes away half of people's income and doesn't give back much is just choosing to see a small fragment of the whole problem.
@@TommyPinkerton And now you're benefiting that same system without having worked there, not even a part of your life? Calling the locals whiners and saying they should be grateful to serve you is the kind of attitude that gives sertain expats a bad rep. (Especially the type who's only there to benefit and doesn't respect the host.) I can sympathize with the Portuguese youth. Housing costs is a real problem. The price increase hasn't been gradual, much because of social media and retiree's hunt for a steal. Respect the people of the country you're in. Listen to them, see it from their point of view, learn from them. It's basic respect and decency. Please tell me you've at least learned the language. When you're an expat in a foreign country that's what you do. You respect the host when you visit someone else's house. Don't just barge in being ignorant and say they should be grateful for your presence.
My pick from your list is spain. Portugal, costa rica. Then add italy and mexico
Great video! We retired in Spain and live living here but the only drawbacks are the bureaucracy and the taxes. Other than that, couldn't think of a better place to live.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks as always. We really appreciate your advice and perspectives.
This is a nice list, I would probably choose Panama as a Plan B, my Plan A is Mexico, thanks! The other countries are too far from the States, Costa Rica may be cost-prohibitive.
Stay away from tourist areas.
I was recently in Costa Rica and experienced sticker shock in supermarkets and restaurants. As expensive if not more that in the USA. I live in the northeast of the US so it isn't cheap here either.@@alrent2992
So sorry for your loss!
I lived in Portugal for 3. Years. Just be careful with where you rent the buildings are not insulated or ventilated so indoor humidity is a big problem in the winter 🥶 also mildew .
Thanks for the heads up!
Lol, rent an updated home. Portugal by far is the best place to live and the safest.
@@alanmartins6349 ? It wasn’t meant to be funny
@@alanmartins6349used to be.
@@marrlena947 yes I agree I don’t think the homes are worth the prices the quality isn’t there.
Portugal has a nice balance of everything - safety, infrastructure, weather, prices, food, english-speakers. Agree with #1.
my sympathies on your Daisy. I love old dogs...
Dear little Daisy… What a great dog she was😢 Very sorry for your loss.
Can you be more specific about the danger/crime you are looking to avoid? What exactly do you fear might happen to you in Ecuador, or what has already happened?
Nothing has happened to us other than a loss of views and income from the negative press. We're not worried for ourselves in the places we go, but it's getting more difficult to film videos here that people will watch.
I got robbed on the bus in Quito at gunpoint recently
Geographic distance is easily trumped by airport connectivity for ease of access for getting back to the US. Asuncion to San Francisco is easily 18h 10m+ hours while a direct flight from singapore to san francisco is about 15 hours. Fights directly to Kuala Lumpur are roughly 20 hours.
Time zone difference is harder of course.
13 hour, 1 stop from Asuncion to Florida.
Hello guys , I think you missed the best option of all ! Thailand , please give it a look people and food are great . Prices are cheap and safe to live . I suggest Hua Hin central Thailand it wonderful place .... Good luck , see you there ....
We moved to Costa Rica from Canada 2.5 years ago. First in the mountains, Now we have moved to the Nicoya. On a beautiful mountain in the blue zone , yet only 10 minutes from spectacular sandy beaches and incredible sunsets. Cost of living here all depends where you want to reside and how you want to live. Same as most other countries. We live very comfotable on less the $1500 a month for the both of us. But, We do own both our properties. You can still find rentals here for under $800 a month away from the very popular tourist areas/ Is it one of the more expemsive south americans countires? Coastal living here for sure. Inland lesser cost of living. Costa Rica also just changed the tourist visa to 180 days AS OF THE 8TH OF SEPTEMBER 2023. This is to encourage more snowbirds to winter here. Costa Rica is such a beautiful country and the people are awesome too. I know a few people who left here , are trying our Thailand and now wanting to leave and come back to Costa RICA. The beauty with Costa Rica also. Is its close proximity to north America.
I've heard Thailand is not the expats panacea of yesteryears.
That was originally on our list as an option, but no more.
Malaysia might still be an option, and if you're able to reside somewhere near the Thai border for day trips or weekends to Thailand, that could be pretty cool.
I don't think $1500 a month for both of you is accurate,this country became pretty expensive and unsafe....
What made you decide to leave Canada? My wife is Canadian born but we live in the US. We’ve talked of retiring in Canada.
@@randywatson9142 Is your question directed for me Randy?
@@ginakerry2588 We are travelling Asia and the surrounding countires in 2024. Most of Europe i have already travelled after living there for 22 years. Our next adventure will be exploring the eastern part of the world. Very excited and looking forward to it.
One thing that people who get a retirement visa that requires a substantial money deposit have to be aware of is that most foreign banks don't have anything similar to an FDIC.
If something happens to your money, possibly someone gets prosecuted, but you're SOL as far as getting your money back.
The Philippines has what's called the "PDIC" but it only covers $8,793 USD (P500,000).
Also, inflation can kill the value of the money you deposit.
We're living in Colombia and are quite surprised it isn't near the top of your list. It has a new Digital Nomad visa too.
If we leave Ecuador it will be for safety reasons and Colombia is just as dangerous. We loved our time in Colombia but wouldn’t want to live there.
@@AmeliaAndJPI’m a Colombian but I was raised in the United States. Many foreigners living in Medellin and other parts of Colombia are in denial over safety. I travel to Colombia frequently to visit friends and family. Many locals want to leave the country for the violent United States. Lol Many need to understand Ecuador was always safer than Colombia. The Mexican cartels are fighting a proxy war in Ecuador and the cartels are also active in the Pacifico region of Colombia. The violence in Choco, tumaco, and Buenaventura is just as bad as Ecuador.
Amelia and JP. If you are thinking about Portugal. Then why look at Brazil. Especially Florianopolis suppose to be a safe city. Or Uruguay 🇺🇾. Equador may be hard to leave though. I am thinking of Thailand 🇹🇭, Going to visit first..
Brazil is interesting! We don’t qualify for a visa in Uruguay.
I think Florianopolis is good, even Curitiba, PR.
I've been to Brazil many times and have great friends there. I've been to Florianopolis and Curitiba plus lots of other places in Brazil, however, I don't think I could live there full time.
@@peterkelly8357 i AM Brazilian, what makes a foreigner think this? Is It because of the violence? Or is something Else? Just curiosity
I ended up in Brazil from the USA, after researching Ecuador for a couple of years. In Brazil because I met a Brazilian man online, whom I ended up marrying last month!
So, my wife and I live where we work on a nature preserve in northern Michigan and she thought we should retire to Central or South America. We shelved this gamble and instead bought a house with a VA loan 65 miles away in a nice community with a 5 minute walk to a beach on Lake Huron. No culture shock, we're familiar with the climate, and it's an affordable option.
I lived in Malaysia 7 years and I have to say that it has a lot going for it. There are actually 2 “Malaysia’s”.” There is peninsular Malaysia and there is East Malaysia which is on Borneo, part of the same central government but at the same time somewhat different ethnically, with a strong spirit of independence. These are the states of Sarawak and Sabah, and I prefer them, actually.
Does Sarawak retain British colonial sensibility (?)
An eternal spring city for me. Da Lat, Baguio, Medellin. But I'll be looking for smaller place in the mountains.
Very good list, my personal favorite is Malaysia as I spend a lot of time in Kuala Lumpur, I think its a great place for digital nomads, my main issue with it is the heat and humidity. I would also add Argentina to the list, Buenos Aires is another one of my favorite places to stay as a digital nomad and its relatively easy to stay there long term.
Thanks for sharing!
for over 2 years now in Costa Rica, Playa Pelada exactly. We loved it here but COL is high where we are. The COL is high in tourist areas near the beaches in Guanacaste. But no regrets
Hi
Sorry for your babies passing. I know how painful it is. Im losing my Stella to old age and im not ready to be without her company.
Thank you for all that you share.
Sorry to hear that 🥹
We visited Lisbon and Porto Portugal this summer. I love Lisbon. The people are exceptionally friendly, the food is great, and the prices are reasonable. It full of natural and man made beauty. The sidewalks are made a beautiful white smooth marble stones. There are steep hills everywhere. Even when the stone sidewalks are dry, they are slippery. Be careful walking. I saw several people who fell with nasty abrasions. I was slipping on the sidewalks when they were dry.😮
Quite true!
I've heard some good things about Algarve.
It looks great. Thanks for the tip.@@MORE1500
I can't say this enough. This was better any visual entertainment I have seen from any studio since Fellowship of the Ring.
Portugal would be my pick...
It’s in the eu, so no go
Don’t be silly, the EU is hell.
@@Jo.King_ eu is awful. The only European countries I would even consider living in,is Eastern Europe.
Hey omg thank you for these videos ☺️ if you get a chance to visit Malaysia State Sarawak on the island of Borneo you should 🤩 it was so nice and yes sooooo far away!
Spain and Portugal are my favorites on your list! Both are safe, great healthcare, great foodie scene, good infrastructure for travel, pedestrian-friendly, fun activities, culture, fully-developed, beaches and islands, only a bit more expensive than the cheaper options on your list (but much higher value!), the northern areas are cool if you don't like the summer heat, great expat communities, bustling social scenes to meet people from all over the world, part of Europe, your friends/family will actually want to visit you here.. It's a no-brainer in my opinion..
The major downside to Spain is they tax foreign sourced income if you stay in the country more than 183 days/year. We need to do more research to see if there's any way to reduce the tax burden because it would be a lot for us as US citizens.
Good point! Maybe it is better to live in another country and just visit Europe as a tourist for up to 3 months per year.. @@AmeliaAndJP
@@AmeliaAndJP the border between Portugal and Spain is not controlled (under the Schengen Agreement), so it's possible to live in Portugal in a border town, such as Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the south or Valença in the north, and make trips to Spain as easily as driving across town.
Condolences on the passing of your beloved Daisy. Been watching since the beginning and she was a joy to follow over the years.😞
I'm so sorry about Daisy. Thank you for your wonderful videos.
I have lived in Costa Rica now for almost five years and it has really changed, but mostly for the better. There has been an uptick in crime, which also appears to be a worldwide phenomenon. I live in the Central Valley, and really enjoy not having to use heat or A/C. It's also incredibly walkable, which means one doesn't have to have a car if one doesn't want one. Pura Vida!
What are you smoking? Costa Rica is super expensive compared to other countries in Latin America. The locals rip off visitors and the infrastructure is poor compared to how expensive the country is.
Enjoy your life in CR best wishes.
Sorry about your loss my condolences, may the lord keep Daisy soul , your videos are fantastic and detailed great information keep up the excellent work. GOD bless!!
Good luck understanding spoken Portuguese in Portugal. Yes, the written language is similar to Spanish, but the spoken Portuguese of Portugal sounds more like Russian!
We are in small town France just over the border from Spain. Consider that option too, costs are on a par with Spain.
I live in France, too, and love being here. I was surprised how inexpensive for most things France is compared to the US. Devices, and fuel are considerably higher, but most things are cheaper for better quality. And real estate is WAY cheaper here. Plus, France is wonderful, and I love the people. It does help that I've gotten quite good in the language, that took about 2 years of hard work (the first year of it in the US).
@@Ron_Robertson so true. France is very good value and good quality for most things.
@@duncansmith7562 Yes, it really is. It surprises so many people when they visit here for the first time.
We have been in Tirana Albania for the past 6 months and are moving to Sarande on November 1st. More people speak English here than any other country we have been to! (41 in the past 2 years and 60 overall). The people are incredibly friendly but the public transportation system is lacking. Great coffee shop culture and low cost of living make it an attractive choice to try for a year or more. AND incredibly safe. No bars on windows and items are left unsecured outdoors because nobody takes anything!
How do you feel about Uruguay? I would consider Argentina as well but the inflation is crazy
We don't qualify for a visa in Uruguay, but it would be on our list otherwise.
@@AmeliaAndJP ah . Ok.
❤Just heard about your little Daisey passing & I'm sorry for your loss! Blessings & peace wished to both of you❣️🐕💐❣️
Hola, what about El Salvador. I think is the safest latin-america country now. Can you explore options and let us now please. You guys have a lot of experience and know where to look for details.
Safe for how long?
We're waiting to see how things work out there. It's too soon to tell and we're not huge fans of dictatorships.
You couldn’t pay me to live in El Salvador
I'm against dictatorships, but there isn't a place in the world that embraces classical (Real not fake) liberalism today, including the US and Canada which are also totalitarian in nature. At least places like El Salvador, Dubai and Singapore have common sense laws on crime and low taxes.
I will be happy to discuss Spain, I have looked a bit into the taxes. I could discuss.
I find it hard to believe that Mexico can't crack your Top 10 list. My wife and I have been going to San Miguel de Allende for 15 years and absolutely love the place. The proximity to the U.S., ideal weather year around, friendly population, excellent international cuisine and natural beauty make it our number #1 retirement destination. It is also a lot safer than what is portrayed in the media, plus there are many other potential destinations within Mexico.
I love. San Miguel Allende❤❤❤❤❤❤
mexican banks are not good though; where would you keep your money?
Will go there this December, so glad you said this!
@@connieb.6061 I'd keep my money in Chase, it's banks and ATM are located everywhere in Mexico
@@connieb.6061 In Mexico, how likely is it for a bank staff/employee to steal/embezzle all your money?
Welcome to Costa Rica 🇨🇷
😊
Happy to have you on board
Hi I grew up in one of the best countries in Europe. Moved to the US years ago but want to leave as soon as I am able to. I‘m a EU citizen and will be living in the EU again. Plan B for me is SE Asia. Malaysia is great. The Philippines is awesome, with lots of friendly people.
Japan is another great place and very safe.
Thankyou
I have been watching TH-cams about Japan and appears to be a really safe and progressive country. Though I am not considering moving there (73 years old) I think it would be a great country to move to. But difficult to be granted a visa and live there, work etc. If I were younger, striving for a career I would move out of the US in a heartbeat and create a lifestyle with healthcare, education etc benefits. Agree, SE Asia seems to have a lot going as a place to move to as well and rarely hear any complaints about moving there.
Just as a thought,maybe you should Dan's advice on the Vagabond Buddha channel of living a short time at the various counties before making a big move.
Now that you have more freedom follow the seasons of better weather as you explore new places.
My suggestion is head to SE Asia from November thru February starting from Thailand for a month and then off to Malaysia for up to 3 months or other counties in the area. Then off to Europe in the spring. Lots of fun and great blogging and no matter what we will be looking forward to your adventures.
Greece is #1 on my list. Learning Greek I am not finding so difficult. Anyways, I'm looking at eastern greece at the islands. Lower humidity, nice beaches, mountains and pine trees, the sort of place that will be more suited for me s a seasonal allergy sufferer. I like their language and traditional music. Turkey would be nice too. Beautiful southern coast. Very low cost of living. Great food. But I'd rather not live somewhere that I will stick out too much.
Good choice .. check out Island of IKARIA ,
@@deebee2603 I was looking at the island just south of Skopelos myself, Euboea, particularly the Kymi area. But Skopelos seems ideal too. I'll check it out more...those beaches sure seem inviting.
Thanks so much for compiling this info ❤. Great luck to you guys
Thanks for watching!
Have you thought about 'House sitting" ? a great opportunity for a couple to experience a variety of Countries , living rent free while working on line .
We may do that in the future 👍
Hubby and I loved Greece. It was warm and beautiful.
Thank you for mentioning Greece. It is a beautiful country. You might want to steer clear because of the bureaucracy and the healthcare. It’s difficult enough for Greeks to navigate this. I can’t imagine doing so as a non-Greek speaker.
In Greece they still use pen and paper for just about everything, it’s the least digital country in Europe and the bureaucracy is probably the worst in the world, takes months to get basic paperwork.
@@invader7191 It truly is different from the rest of Europe. Wonderful place and people. Its systems need to be updated.
Thank you so much for such an informative video, enjoyed it !
It’s off topic but our pet cat Sunday has become ill and at 18 years we also now have a decision to make. It’s just incredibly hard.
oh no! So sorry you have to go through this! It's so difficult 🥺
Sorry for your pain. I too lost my male RussianBlue cat a year ago, and even today, miss him like crazy. My female stood on her hind legs as he slept, skin and bones, and she stared at him for almost 30 minutes, which for me was a sign that I needed to let him go, she was sensing his illness. I realized I needed to let go of my selfishness. Was so very painful to say goodbye. My female will be 18 in a couple of months and together we are seniors trying to get by - dealing with hearing losses and other issues together. Our pets become the best companions. You will know when you have to let go and put your companion first, relieving them of the not so good quality of life they have always enjoyed.
Sorry for your loss of Daisy. I have a Daisy Chihuahua.
Dear Amelia and JP. I am your big fan. Thank you for all your advice on life outside of the USA. I am retired, and my husband passed away 7 months ago. We talked about moving out. Now I am alone and want to move to a safe place. Could you make a video about a retirement visa?
So sorry for your loss 🥺 Here's some info about Retirement Visas: ameliaandjp.com/10-retirement-visas-low-income-requirements/
@@AmeliaAndJPThank you! I will check on this. Sorry about Daisy 💔
I’m in sort of same boat. I think for a retired female, safety, your budget, health care and expats/amt of English would be the most crucial