Live Stoner Chat Retirement to Spain.

[GCase]

Spain is like what the UK was 20 years ago..good and bad points.....so it will be like 40 years back in the US.
Temperature wise..think Florida.
Lots of older/retired expats from most of Europe coming for the warm weather.
It is a lot more chilled than the UK as far as rat race goes.
Cost of living is cheaper than the UK...and because of the weather..some of the best things in life like sun and sea are free.

Biggest problem is unemployment...but if you are retired you won't be looking for work...

The other thing..Muddy looked at spending a couple of years either in spain or Portugal..but he said the health care/insurance costs were Stupid expensive...

I'm not great at geography..but I Think Malaga is a good few hours south of us..if you Like exploring other countries..I'd be looking at the north of Spain..near the French border.
Not because one of the regions there has just legalised canna.....but because if you base up there..you can Drive to the rest of Europe. France/Germany/Holland/Italy..all within driving distances....skiing over the French border.

When do you Go..?

Good stuff Mossy.

That is the biggest deterrent--health care cost and quality. The only solution international healthcare (keep on dreaming). However, if one is from Europe or UK can get back home quickly if necessary. Suppose we could do same living in Mexico if not for the savages.

 

[Feenix]

Feenix great plan.

Poor Mexico. Why is US and UN not taking action. Most are unaware of grotesque violence. See borderlandbeat.com

Came across a vacation report site for Mexico. Not only have vacationers from all over been victimized but everyone seems to be in on the crime--hotel innkeepers, taxi drivers etc.

I really like Mexico and would be there often and live extended periods.

So--Costa Rica is now not economically feasible or is it the property issues. Have family friend who married a local (internet meeting) and is building a house. Tropical,so house does not have to be a big thick insulated home--can see him on patio nice breeze and a bowl of fruit with lime.

I shall be on the look out for a safe and fun Spanish speaking country. Good luck or should I say--Hasta Luego.

PS--Fresh water trout in Northern Mexico. Wouldn't that be fun.

Sure would, The Ebro has a Muskie family member that should be interesting.
They been saying Nicaragua is stable and reasonable. Not for me.
Costa Rican property that I looked at was no bargain. You can still live there reasonable in certain places but the old days of cheap living at the level of back home are over.
Honduras can be downright hostile in places. Not for me.
Same with Belize. Guatamala has cartels,
There are reasons folks are willing to risk the trip through Mexico and jumping the US border from all over Central America. A very dangerous endeavor. I don't want to live among people in distress when i can't help or do anything about it. I'd go broke trying anyhow.
The prices for property in Spain don't seem too bad but medical may be an issue. However, I'm fed up to my eyeballs with doctors and such and am in better health from practicing some of the common sense and knowledge right here in AFN.
My wife is in good health and a bi annual check up is a good reason to visit the kids back stateside.

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[Feenix]

Good stuff Mossy.

That is the biggest deterrent--health care cost and quality. The only solution international healthcare (keep on dreaming). However, if one is from Europe or UK can get back home quickly if necessary. Suppose we could do same living in Mexico if not for the savages.

Mexico has great health care that last time I looked cost about $600 per year to get on the program and expats are welcome after a certain time of residency. I don't remember how long because having a son who holds dual nationality cuts through all that .Also hundreds of private clinics owned by competent doctors with reasonable prices. There are very high priced for the rich and professional class as is anywhere. Mexico is a very class conscious country with very distinct lines drawn clearly by prices. An example is the doctor taking us for tacos with his family made 10 and the bill was over $500. The place was fancy but the tacos were every day tacos.
And the spas, hot springs, mud, you name it. dirt cheap for stays during the week. Their city trade comes on weekends and they book solid.
There are enclaves of Americans that are probably as safe as anywhere. San Miguel Allende comes to mind if you like town life. Not for us. We are ready to start a new chapter, not sit back in a shoebox condo playing bridge or bingo waiting to croak.

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[GCase]

Mexico has great health care that last time I looked cost about $600 per year to get on the program and expats are welcome after a certain time of residency. I don't remember how long because having a son who holds dual nationality cuts through all that .Also hundreds of private clinics owned by competent doctors with reasonable prices. There are very high priced for the rich and professional class as is anywhere. Mexico is a very class conscious country with very distinct lines drawn clearly by prices. An example is the doctor taking us for tacos with his family made 10 and the bill was over $500. The place was fancy but the tacos were every day tacos.
And the spas, hot springs, mud, you name it. dirt cheap for stays during the week. Their city trade comes on weekends and they book solid.
There are enclaves of Americans that are probably as safe as anywhere. San Miguel Allende comes to mind if you like town life. Not for us. We are ready to start a new chapter, not sit back in a shoebox condo playing bridge or bingo waiting to croak.

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Excellent information thanks Feenix. Often wondered about healthcare in Mexico.

 

[Mossy]

That is the biggest deterrent--health care cost and quality.

However, if one is from Europe or UK can get back home quickly if necessary.

We have a reciprocal health agreement..while the UK is still in the EU.
If we are Visiting from the UK we can get a 6 monthly pass which entitles us to emergency treatment..and when we move over we get a designated doctor for all health care.
Because my husband is retired..I get free health cover under his entitlement...that is why I don't know the health care costs.....Spain does a lot more natural medicine that the UK..and Most stuff that you would have to go to the Docs for in the UK..is done by your local chemist..including antbiotics.

I don't want to live among people in distress when i can't help or do anything about it. I'd go broke trying anyhow.

Aye..me too..

The prices for property in Spain don't seem too bad but medical may be an issue. However, I'm fed up to my eyeballs with doctors and such and am in better health from practicing some of the common sense and knowledge right here in AFN.

I Agree..but then I have to say I had the lump the doc thought was cancer and my run in with kidneys stones..both were hospital jobs..although the kidney stones probably could have been avoided..coz you only get them when you are dehydrated.

My wife is in good health and a bi annual check up is a good reason to visit the kids back stateside.

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Sounds like a Plan to me. I do think part of the reason Muddy's insurance problems might have been high is pre-existing conditions.

Not for us. We are ready to start a new chapter, not sit back in a shoebox condo playing bridge or bingo waiting to croak.

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Window to Europe..Go Explore......French houses can be cheap too..but I hear the cost of Living is a lot Higher.
I suppose if you want to get 10 acres..some of it would be going to self sufficiency too.

 

[Feenix]

We have a reciprocal health agreement..while the UK is still in the EU.
If we are Visiting from the UK we can get a 6 monthly pass which entitles us to emergency treatment..and when we move over we get a designated doctor for all health care.
Because my husband is retired..I get free health cover under his entitlement...that is why I don't know the health care costs.....Spain does a lot more natural medicine that the UK..and Most stuff that you would have to go to the Docs for in the UK..is done by your local chemist..including antbiotics.



Aye..me too..



I Agree..but then I have to say I had the lump the doc thought was cancer and my run in with kidneys stones..both were hospital jobs..although the kidney stones probably could have been avoided..coz you only get them when you are dehydrated.



Sounds like a Plan to me. I do think part of the reason Muddy's insurance problems might have been high is pre-existing conditions.




Window to Europe..Go Explore......French houses can be cheap too..but I hear the cost of Living is a lot Higher.
I suppose if you want to get 10 acres..some of it would be going to self sufficiency too.

My wife is a trooper when it comes to medical. She hates to be ripped off by the medicos. For real problems in the past we call our friend in Mexico city. Get on a plane , get picked up at the airport and are treated. She had an infection that the US doctor said he would have to operate $10,000+. We made the call and on arrival the doc had specialists waiting that were on call to his hospital. An hour later he had her treated with medication. The ultrasonde guy was the same who scanned her before our childs birth 10 years prior. For the same $25 us. An hour later we were at a nightclub dancing. Within four days, we went home, she was cured. Total bill $800us that I had to insist he take because when I asked to settle up, he said" No, es pago" out of friendship. I insisted because I knew he would have paid the others out of pocket. that is just the way he is,

When he delivered our child previously, the Caeserian (sp?) birth, private suite with a bed for me, my meals with the family total $600us. And his wife literally filled the room with flowers. It is hard to beat. He's old and retired now and his children run the hospital, they say call any time.

I'll pass on France. Last time I was there I got to Calais at night on the Dover ferry and was told no trains til morning and the bus to the station would be announced. They got a kick out of me running to catch the last bus that would make the train. They never announced it or told me and I was sitting quietly right there by the desk.They dissed me because I was a yank. I had heard stories of it happening but chose not to believe. Now I believe. If I had been a nuisance, drunk, or just an asshat in general I wouldn't have taken it personal.

 

[GCase]

What a story--friend in great places.

Last week, watched the Westminster dog show think it was 2016 but also watched 2015. In the final judging of breeds and possibly at large---announced two or more dogs as out of Mexico City--I thought yep--rich politicians. I understand most believe that is where the evil really lurks by facilitating the gangsters.

 

[Feenix]

What a story--friend in great places.

Last week, watched the Westminster dog show think it was 2016 but also watched 2015. In the final judging of breeds and possibly at large---announced two or more dogs as out of Mexico City--I thought yep--rich politicians. I understand most believe that is where the evil really lurks by facilitating the gangsters.

As long as the drugs were leaving for the north as fast as they came in, everyone was happy to ride the gravy train. When el Chapo decided to set up retail distribution inside Mexico , flooding the streets, those who's responsibility it was to act, were forced to.