Half Time Change of Life.

[El Presidente]

I love Oz but it was always a goal to live overseas for  5 years to a decade once my youngest turns 18. That is in 18 months or so away and so my mind has turned to where in hell I would base myself?  I would travel extensively from there but I would want to immerse myself in the local culture. It would need to be tax friendly, warm, and on the water  As much as I travel I haven't as yet found the ideal locale. 

So let me raise the question. 

If you could pick a city/country to live for 5 years.....which would it be and why? 

 

 

[MahDooRow]

49 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

tax friendly, warm, and on the water 

All of the above ^ plus the best beach in the USA with the whitest sand in the world (98% quartz) --> Siesta Key, Florida.

[madandana]

I would say Minnesota but I think it falls short on all accounts?

 

But, I'd be glad to visit you in the Florida Keys!

[JLFIRST]

San Diego, California

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[Colt45]

Monaco, Cayman Islands.....

[boopdeep]

13 minutes ago, JLFIRST said:

San Diego, California

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That was my first thought, until I noticed one of the requirements was "tax friendly." And, unless Pres meant he wanted to live in a place where they tax you for the weather, then SD likely does not qualify. 

That being said, there are very few, if any, places in the US better than SD. Unbelievable weather, lots to do, laid back, and gorgeous at every turn. Plus, still get the big city amenities without big city hassle (like traffic).  

[Onelove]

I would look for the most tax friendly part of the Caribbean......

or a large (70ft plus) boat and start taking cash payments only

Edited December 8, 2016 by Onelove

[kwsaw63]

Penang, Malaysia ticks all the boxes Rob. Tax friendly if you come in under the "Malaysia my 2nd home" scheme; it's an island so you're never far from the water; 24c-34c all year round. Plus the bonus of some of the best street food in the world.

[BMWBen]

49 minutes ago, MahDooRow said:

All of the above ^ plus the best beach in the USA with the whitest sand in the world (98% quartz) --> Siesta Key, Florida.

I always say once I hit the powerball I'll be parking my yacht behind Marina Jacks, I love sarasota I was just there for thanksgiving.

[HarveyBoulevard]

Saint Barthelemy...St. Barths...or St. Barts as we 'mericans say it.  Just be careful of the landing at the airport!!!

 

[dvickery]

Monaco

derrek

[Colt45]

As an aside, I imagine it's up to Di.......

[polarbear]

I've always had an attraction to Texas thanks to my love of cigars and hot rods

A good friend of mine in his early 60's is talking about retiring in Greece. Not sure of the Tax benefits but from what I've been told it ticks all the other boxes

[El Presidente]

29 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

As an aside, I imagine it's up to Di.......

I will call her once I get there .......

[Colt45]

17 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I will call her once I get there .......

No doubt in a fine soprano, my sweet doofus........

[MrGlass]

I have no idea about the tax situation, but I can tell you that the Seychelles was undoubtedly the most beautiful place I have ever visited and it definitely ticks your other two boxes.

[Mattb82]

2 hours ago, MahDooRow said:

All of the above ^ plus the best beach in the USA with the whitest sand in the world (98% quartz) --> Siesta Key, Florida.

I second this. I lived there for two years 

[Fuzz]

1 hour ago, kwsaw63 said:

Penang, Malaysia ticks all the boxes Rob. Tax friendly if you come in under the "Malaysia my 2nd home" scheme; it's an island so you're never far from the water; 24c-34c all year round. Plus the bonus of some of the best street food in the world.

I had the opportunity to do this 6 yrs ago, but I didn't like their requirement that I deposit RM$300,000 into a term deposit account at a local bank, and maintain a balance of RM$150,000 after the second year. I mean, I get that you want to know I will be able to support myself whilst living in Malaysia, but that's still a hefty chunk to be locked away.

[polarbear]

Where do we forward CVs for the position of Vice El Presidente and Chief Czar Fort Holder while you're gone?
I promise to treat all your wine as if it were my own...

[Jeremy Festa]

First pick would be Galway

Second would be Porto Cervo 

Third maybe Taormina or Positano?

Fourth, somewhere on Zakinthos 

 

[zeedubbya]

I will second that Siesta Key is simply amazing but I would happily spend the remainder of my days on a beach somewhere on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.  Gorgeous beaches, friendly people, incredible fishing, seemingly not too much crime. 

I have no idea of the tax ramifications, but it looks awesome from a quick google search.  No capital gains tax, no income tax unless you run a business or work, and property taxes are low?  

Ticks all my boxes.  

And you could even maybe start a fake Cuban Cigar business.  Seems they're all there right?  With your marketing prowess you could turn the place into an empire in short order   But seriously--this would be the place for me.  

 

[WarriorPrincess]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

I will call her once I get there .......

Will you now....i might not answer the call 

[PatrickEwing]

I wouldn't mind anywhere along the Bay of Biscay, likely on the Spanish side. 

[Trigga]

As long as Cuban cigars become legal here, I'd say San Diego, USA.

[Philc2001]

I've got similar ambitions Rob, I hope to find a good spot in about 5 more years.

Have you thought of a continent you prefer? How about language? Do you intend to buy real-estate, or just rent? Do you intend to work or start a business in the new adopted country? Will it be you and spouse, or do you intend to bring offspring? 

I've been researching it for some time, and it might be worth your while to subscribe to "International Living" magazine. Every month they feature new destinations that basically checkmark all your criteria, plus several others, such as cost of living, quality of healthcare, climate, entertainment, real-estate costs, etc. Every year they do an exhaustive ranking and list their top 25. 

Panama, Belize, Malta, Cost Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Malaysia, Thailand, and lately Colombia, have become perennial multi-year favorites.

Malta, which is a tiny island in the EU south of Italy with a very long and colorful history, always scores high in Europe, party because they are english speaking, but also cost of living is reasonable, they have great health care, and the fact that you can fly from this tiny island to Rome in under 30 minutes for under $100 (USD) return. 

Closer to you Aussies, Thailand and Malaysia are considered pretty great. Thailand is very affordable and has fantastic beaches, great food, and lovely people. But I haven't been to Malaysia, so I can't compare.  

If taxes, cost of living and healthcare are of any serious consequence to you, then you will likely want to avoid the USA. The coastal areas in the US are great, but relative to several countries that rank in the top 10 it is very expensive to live and/or buy property here, it is difficult (if not impossible) to get long-term immigration status, and the cost of healthcare will break you. 

There is a lot to think about.