If you wished to retire outside the USA, where would you go?

Question

Factor in disability, speaking only English and having a fixed income.

Answer 1

I have done exactly what you asked. As for now, we live in the Philippines.

1. English is still taught in the public school system. so is widely spoken and understood most of the time.
2. Health Care is acceptable quality and reasonably priced. With no insurance, I pay about $5.00 for each doctor's visit. A specialist might charge as much as $20.00. (These rates are about the same as my co-payments were using an HMO in the US.) A prescription is only usually required for controlled drugs. I do not need a prescription for antibiotics, or regular maintenance medicine.
3. Manila is the least expensive major city in the world. Cable TV cost about $12.00 per month. Basic phone with Broadband DSL will run about $30.00, total. We rent a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, for about $300.00 per month in a vey safe neighborhood. A domestic helper (maid) will cost another $50.00 per month.
4. The Philippines is one of the few countries left on the planet where the people generally like Americans.
5. The climate is tropical.
6. There is already an established American retired community here.

I also tried Australia for a year. The people there are great, but the health care is not free unless you are a citizen. I did establish a cash paying system with one doctor at $40.00 per visit, which was half of what he charges tourists. The declining value of the dollar would require almost as much money as living in the US, without Medicare, or any other social benefit. Plus, they have recently tightened visa restrictions, pretty much ruling out living there for people with disabling conditions.

With the US Dollar trading at 1.40 to the Euro as of Friday, a person would need to somehow triple their income to consider living in Europe. Also, without a work visa, or student visa, it would be impossible to take up residence there. Unless, you can prove that one of your biological grandparents was born in a EU member nation, and you need to prove it.

Belize is a former British colony. But, I didn't find English widely spoken or understood while visiting there. I found it to be very similar to any other Central or South American country. You can live there on a fixed income, but that income would need to be pretty high to enjoy what I would consider an acceptable standard of living. Brazil would be my pick if I had to stick to South America. Mexico would probably be the smartest pick in Central America, as you could at least cross the border to use Medicare if you needed a serious operation. *Note- without cash payment they will absolutely let you die on the doorstep of the hospital in most countries outside the US. If you are not a citizen of that country, or have some sort of refugee status, the universal health care does not apply to us. It isn't like America where they must admit you and worry about the bill later.

As others have already stated, the language requirement is a problem. But, I am not aware of any place on the planet where English is widely spoken and you don't have to make some compromises. Europe, Canada, The US, Australia, and New Zealand are the only places where you can absolutely get by on English alone.

Other countries that I considered before settling in the Philippines were, Thailand, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Morocco, Australia, and New Zealand. New Zealand probably had the strictest visa rules that seemed to exclude people with disabilities. Both Australia and New Zealand have online visa qualifying websites. Both directly ask if you have or have ever had a serious disease or injury. Canada asks the same now if you want to reside there. If you answer honestly your visa will be denied. But with a US passport you can visit as a tourist for a limited time period. It is very important to distinguish between a limited time "tourist visa" and a "resident visa", so I would highly suggest searching for the requirements needed to live in a foreign country first. This can be the spoiler to this type of plan, so I think it is best to start there, then work your way down the list of priorities.

Best of Luck.

PS: I am completely open to suggestions to this if they are backed by genuine, recent experience. This is a very good question and I am just sharing what I have learned from my own experiences. If someone has found something I have not, please do contact me by E-mail through my profile.

Answer 2

China. A lot of people in Northern China speak English or are learning it. The health care surpasses that of NA in cities like Dalian, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.

Cost of living is very low, and the people are wonderfully kind and friendly and helpful. Crime is almost non existent, as a foreigner it shouldnt be an issue for you at all. You can walk down the street alone at 3 AM and be perfectly safe, just stay out of the alleys which is just common sense anyhow.

You dont hear people fighting, the people arent constantly angry and confrontational with each other - it is noisy but its a happy sound - not an angry one.

Lots of good western style restaurants and hotels, even an Outbacks in Beijing if you need a "western fix". The Swiss Hotel, Dong fan da Shan in Dalian - McDonalds, Pizza Hut, etc But the Chinese restaurants are just wonderful too, as long as you can read the menu to take a Chinese friend with you.

Walmart is everywhere, as are Western food stores, but buying Chinese cheese etc works too. Food isnt a problem once you learn your way around a city.

Christian churches everywhere too.

There is something to do and see every single day, life is never dull, I love the markets - and street vendors, the tea houses.

Transportation is no problem because taxis are so cheap, about $1.50 Cdn to go all the way across the city. $70 cdn to hire a driver for an entire day to take you sight seeing in some remote area.

Flying to places like Sanya in the winter is very cheap. (Tropical).

The "A" trains are wonderful and spacious and comfortable too, and very cheap.

Mandarin is so easy to learn, probably the easiest language in the world next to Spanish. WAY easier than it is to learn English

Answer 3

Well, I had an answer until I got to the "factor in" part. The "English only" part isn't the stopper... the other two are. Most other countries aren't as advanced as the U.S. in the matters of access for people with disabilities. Sorry, I don't know an answer for you.

Answer 4

Well, English only is the catch - I speak 3 languages, but lets stick to the "rules".

Belize would be a good choice, as would Canada, or the UK. Thought about Australia or New Zealand, but fixed income put the stop on that.

So, using the limitations, Belize.

Answer 5

The Philippines. English is spoken here, your money will last longer on the exchange rate, caregivers and drivers can be employed to assist you at home and moving around, good hospitals and service plus 7100 tropical islands to select moving into, some with beautiful remote beaches for a relaxed lifestyle.

Answer 6

Norway. Beautiful country, friendly people and they are required to learn English in school so most people speak English, but Norwegian is a great language to learn. Health care is provided by the government.

Answer 7

, friendly people and they are required to learn English in school so most people speak English, but Norwegian is a great language to learn. Health care is provided by the government.

Answer 8

Switzerland

Answer 9

retirement is a good time to pick up a foreign language. :)
English is not your limitation so much as the fixed income.

Answer 10

Be sure it is somewhere you can get health care. In some countries you have to sign a waiver saying you will not apply for or receive any benefits. (Otherwise, I'd retire to New Zealand.)