I've been pondering this question. I love canada, but in recent years I've started to get fed up with this country and our culture and wondering if I'd be happier living (at least part of the year) in another country. I've been doing some research, and my criteria for such a place would be 1) safety, 2) cleanliness, 3) access to women, 4) not a stifling climate. I feel like everyone in the world is told to move to canada to instantly better their lives, but where can a white canadian man move to better his life? It's not so much cheaper cost of living that I am after, but better quality of life (ie better selection of women, no punitive divorce laws, more things to do, more happiness). For myself I would probably look at somewhere in Spain or Eastern Europe that has a large expat community, beautiful women, diverse culture, and isn't mired in poverty like the Asian/South American countries that people usually go to as ex-pats. Anyone here done this or thought about it?
Would you live/retire in another country as an ex-pat?
- Thread starter desert monk
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Anytime...when the bank balance permits! Ain't white man but there are many nicer places to retire.
Yup , think about it allot. Canada is great and will always be home but every time I visit Ireland I feel like I belong there. Add to that 100 dollar flights to warm places and it might work.
In a perfect world.....
Canada from June till the end of October.
Hawaii from November till February
Italy from March to May.
Canada from June till the end of October.
Hawaii from November till February
Italy from March to May.
I don't speak a word of Italian and never let that stop me. As long as I have hands, I can speak Italian.Yes, England where I lived for a while. Or the south of Spain, where my wife wants to go to live (I speak French, English and Spanish; if I spoke Italian, Italy would be at the top of my list for sure.) Some countries I would never consider: North Korea, Afghanistan, the United States, or, of course Sweden, the worst of a bad lot!
Lived in Eastern Europe for a decade. Being an expat is both good and bad. Regular 40 Degree + heat waves in summer suck balls. As do massive bureaucracies in foreign languages, health care, and a whole lotta shit you don't know you'll miss until you move. But, it's fucking amazing to live/breath/eat/shit another culture and another part of the world. And seeing the new sights and people not as some eejit tourist, but actually living there - 'tis a grand thing. You only live once, and I'd highly recommend getting the fuck out of dodge for at least part of that. Those who never do are missing out.
One caveat: You mentioned divorce laws - well, I wouldn't recommend moving to Eastern Europe (or anywhere, really) if you were looking for love. Looking to get laid by women who find your stupid boring Canadian background exotic and enticing, sure. It actually happens and, at least in my mind, never stops being funny. But love and marriage? With someone who you most likely barely share a language with, do not share a culture and interests with, and is most likely looking at you as little more than a ticket out of their crappy life/rut? Not a good ideer.
One caveat: You mentioned divorce laws - well, I wouldn't recommend moving to Eastern Europe (or anywhere, really) if you were looking for love. Looking to get laid by women who find your stupid boring Canadian background exotic and enticing, sure. It actually happens and, at least in my mind, never stops being funny. But love and marriage? With someone who you most likely barely share a language with, do not share a culture and interests with, and is most likely looking at you as little more than a ticket out of their crappy life/rut? Not a good ideer.
I'm with you - never been to Italy but willing to give it a go. Ireland sounds good too.In a perfect world.....
Canada from June till the end of October.
Hawaii from November till February
Italy from March to May.
Lived in Eastern Europe for a decade. Being an expat is both good and bad. Regular 40 Degree + heat waves in summer suck balls. As do massive bureaucracies in foreign languages, health care, and a whole lotta shit you don't know you'll miss until you move. But, it's fucking amazing to live/breath/eat/shit another culture and another part of the world. And seeing the new sights and people not as some eejit tourist, but actually living there - 'tis a grand thing. You only live once, and I'd highly recommend getting the fuck out of dodge for at least part of that. Those who never do are missing out.
Excellent post. Living in is not the same as touring.
Canada will always be home for me. But, I also know that I can't/won't retire here and putz around all day. Ideally, we'll keep a vacation home or three around the world so we can change the scenery when we get bored.
I already made that decision worked a year last year in the Middle East in the Gulf region, money was really good but absolutely bored out of my mind and the weather was just awful (imagine 45 degrees or more for about 6 months of the year) now living in Colombia and yes there have been trials and tribulations but loving it, but as stated before Canada in the summer months to see family and friends.
I have been to England numourous times over the years and love visiting, but I remember one day at the pub a local I was talking to said England is a nice place to visit but you wouldn't want to live here. I was thinking maybe Austria or Switzerland, virtually no taxes, very high standard of living and lots of hot women. Yes I know it's expensive but you can't take it with you.
Yes. But consider health care. Maybe not the major concern at the outset of retirement, but it will be an overwhelming concern by the end of retirement. At some point health private health insurance becomes crazy expensive. That point is somewhere around 60 years old.
Thought about it a bit for most of my working years, as I've enjoyed the expat life for a few years. But there are practical issues.
Health care. You get older and you need insurance. In most countries that do have public health care, you would have to be a permanent resident to get social health care. Otherwise, health insurance gets too expensive, or health care is not up to par with here in Canada.... although public health care here is not so great either, wrt waiting times and hospital crowding.
Then, once you're there, what do you do? Go drinking every day? Might be ok if you have a local wife, but single you might find it a bit boring after you fucked you brains out after a few weeks.
Thought of the Caribbean on an island. Nice ocean scenery from your villa, but once you get used to it, there is really not that much to do there except socialize with the same expats. Then if you have some sort of medical emergency, you won't have the highly specialized ER's you have here.
Heard of people going to Costa Rica. So what do you do there for the next few years?
So my conclusion: there's no place like home.... especially as you get older past retirement age.
Health care. You get older and you need insurance. In most countries that do have public health care, you would have to be a permanent resident to get social health care. Otherwise, health insurance gets too expensive, or health care is not up to par with here in Canada.... although public health care here is not so great either, wrt waiting times and hospital crowding.
Then, once you're there, what do you do? Go drinking every day? Might be ok if you have a local wife, but single you might find it a bit boring after you fucked you brains out after a few weeks.
Thought of the Caribbean on an island. Nice ocean scenery from your villa, but once you get used to it, there is really not that much to do there except socialize with the same expats. Then if you have some sort of medical emergency, you won't have the highly specialized ER's you have here.
Heard of people going to Costa Rica. So what do you do there for the next few years?
So my conclusion: there's no place like home.... especially as you get older past retirement age.
I've visited Australia twice and loved it. I would consider moving there, if I was sufficiently wealthy. To one of the bigger cities, living in a condo in a beach community. Like perhaps in one of the suburbs of Sydney.
OTOH, I have met many Australians who have moved to Canada, or who dream of moving to Canada. There are lots of them working in Alberta and B.C. I recently asked one why she moved here, and was basically told that it is not fun living in a country that gets 45C heat waves. Our colder weather is terrifically attractive to many Aussies, it seems.
OTOH, I have met many Australians who have moved to Canada, or who dream of moving to Canada. There are lots of them working in Alberta and B.C. I recently asked one why she moved here, and was basically told that it is not fun living in a country that gets 45C heat waves. Our colder weather is terrifically attractive to many Aussies, it seems.
1. Spain or EE would fail your first criteria of "safety" relative to Canada which is safer.I've been pondering this question. I love canada, but in recent years I've started to get fed up with this country and our culture and wondering if I'd be happier living (at least part of the year) in another country. I've been doing some research, and my criteria for such a place would be 1) safety, 2) cleanliness, 3) access to women, 4) not a stifling climate. I feel like everyone in the world is told to move to canada to instantly better their lives, but where can a white canadian man move to better his life? It's not so much cheaper cost of living that I am after, but better quality of life (ie better selection of women, no punitive divorce laws, more things to do, more happiness). For myself I would probably look at somewhere in Spain or Eastern Europe that has a large expat community, beautiful women, diverse culture, and isn't mired in poverty like the Asian/South American countries that people usually go to as ex-pats. Anyone here done this or thought about it?
2. Cleanliness. Same as above, probably. Canada is cleaner.
3. Access to women. What makes you think Spain or EE would be better than Canada in this regard? Do you speak Spanish?
4. Climate. If you like it warmer, then i assume Spain would beat Canada.
Better selection of women? What's wrong with the selection in Canada?
No punitive divorce laws. What about a prenup or don't get married?
More things to do. Such as?
More happiness. What would make you happy? No country can guarantee that, of course, but Canada would be one of the tops on many lists for where people would choose to live given a choice.
Once you've figured the above things out & done enough research to decide where you want to go, i'd suggest visiting there for a few months first. Then you'll have a better understanding of the destination & if you want to return or try another place. You might want to visit several top possibilities & see which of them you like the best.
Already am doing, came to Canada from the UK 12 years ago... Paul Young summed it up best in 1983. Wherever I lay may hat, that's my home...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_a2-Pve4g
My hat is firmly laid in Canada.... for now...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_a2-Pve4g
My hat is firmly laid in Canada.... for now...
I would live here from April to late October then come back for Christmas(7 Grans) I would either pick Ste. Maarten or St. Thomas US VI.
