Retiring to Vietnam to be upper middle class for only $1,000 x month?

[mike carey]

If you want to continue wider conversations, I've started this thread.

 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

Moving to a poor country to live better than your neighbors is like choosing to take remedial classes in school so you can be the smartest student in the class.  You'll get by just fine; but, are you really living your best life?

Edited June 5, 2024 by Vegas_Millennial
Added semicolon

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

23 minutes ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

Moving to a poor country to live better than your neighbors is like choosing to take remedial classes in school so you can be the smartest student in the class.  You'll get by just fine, but are you really living your best life?

But this discussion isn't about moving to a poor country and trying to live better than your neighbors.

It's about having a good, personal quality of life for the money you have saved.

If you've traveled enough, you know that there are many places with a lower income range that still have an incredible standard of living.  

[Guest MikeThomas]

On 6/4/2024 at 8:43 PM, nycman said:

Nor should they.

I think it’s amazing when people think they can just move into community and be treated like a "local".

That’s not how it works. 

I agree.  I certainly didn't mean to imply they should.

[pubic_assistance]

On 6/4/2024 at 8:05 PM, BenjaminNicholas said:

To me, it's an incredibly (entitled, funny, odd) American behavior to expect the entire world to speak English.  

30 years ago.. yeah

Today you can easily get that impression because English is the default tourist language throughout the world.

I am often shocked at the ease with which you can find English spoken even in the most remote corners if they want to promote their tourism.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

20 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

30 years ago.. yeah

Today you can easily get that impression because English is the default tourist language throughout the world.

I am often shocked at the ease with which you can find English spoken even in the most remote corners if they want to promote their tourism.

Expectation is different than happenstance.

Americans- especially untraveled ones- think if they just speak English loudly, they will be accomodated.

I see it on a routine basis. 

I also kinda love it when cultures (French, South American, MX, Asian) don't just roll over and placate.

[marylander1940]

On 6/5/2024 at 10:23 AM, mike carey said:

If you want to continue wider conversations, I've started this thread.

 

 

 

 

[nomad]

I know a former Belami star that is doing this.  He left Budapest about a year ago and moved to Thailand.  He travels occasionally to other places for work but is based in Thailand with his girlfriend.  He saved enough to buy a small apartment recently.  Has really gotten into Muay Thai and slimmed down a lot from all the cardio related to it.  Working out well so far for him.  Happy for him.

[Whoisyourdaddy]

I love the idea of living like a king for a long period rather than occasionally. I definitely see the appeal.

However, I can see the medical disadvantages as we get older

[Bargara Leatherboy]

As Australians who holidayed in Bali a lot, we often thought that we would like to retire there.

Medically the hospitals seemed great, but when you investigated - you would not want to be sick and in any Bali hospital - (even the international medical centres developed for the tourist trade).

While an expat visa looked good, you had to prove income, AND hire one local on a full time wage. ($300 per month) they would drive for you, cook, clean and garden.  Plus they would shop in the local market for you at local price not expat price.

Then you looked at rental properties, most were on a 10 year lease, and it was expected that you paid the 10 year lease up front ( no refund if you did not stay the 10 years) .  Bearing in mind that your expat visa lasts for 5 years and you can only hope it will be renewed so you can live out your lease ....

Banjar fees. (local council). the local Banjar required taxes or fees to be paid monthly - this was to ensure that you got decent treatment and were not black listed, for services .

Medical insurance, plus the need to fly to Singapore or Australia for any decent medical treatment.

When you add all of this up- it was easier to stay in Australia and take long holidays ....