If things worked out and you could make the move to some foreign country which one would you pick and why?

I know there are a lot of expats in both the PI and Costa Rica mixing pleasure with a laid back lifestyle. And there is huge gringo presence in and around Guadalajara but I have never heard anything about them being there for the women. You would think by now Brazil would be seeing some serious attempts by those starting a new life. And there are a number of guys on this board and others who talk about moving to Argentina although I don't know if they are exclusively dealing with BA or have other places in mind.

Brasil for me:-)))))))))

For sure, when I retire or hit the lottery!

Speaking the pretty good Portuguese and the garotas are the reasons!

I would want to be mobile. If I hit the lottery, I'd dump all my stuff and build a "traveler's" home based on a sturdy set of suitcases, some reliable clothing and walking shoes, and a few small hi-tech devices. And I'd be in Rio for a month, London for three, Costa Rica for a few, then off to Bankok ... living in time-shares and other types of cobbled-together arrangements, trying not to buy furniture.

The mobile timeshare plan sounds good to me to. All my tech devices are small, I have a tiny Vaio and Cybershot, but I might switch to the thin Casio. I never check luggage, just pay a few dollars for laundry. There really isn't that much else I need.

I doubt I could stay in Thailand or the Philippines for more than a month at a time. The air quality is pretty bad and it gets to me.

I think my base outside of the US might be Argentina. I enjoy Brazil girls more, but I'd be concerned about the higher crime rate and too much of a good thing.

Argentina to me seems like a great place to live and a good base to get to the rest of South America which I plan to explore more thoroughly.

The only concern I have about Argentina is the value of the dollar. It's a great deal now, but if the rate went back closer to 1:1, it would get expensive again.

Of all the Latin American countries Argentina just sounds better and better. I wish someone would do a serious visit to other areas besides BA. I like the idea of a homogenous population without the ethnic or racial hassles so many other places have. The infrastructure sounds good also. Food is good, plenty of "culture", a relatively sophisticated population all make the country sound like a nice place to spend time. I know there are a fair number of former British citizens who have lived in the country for decades along with many Italians and Germans.

Tight fit, any suggestions of a location other than BsAs to explore? I have visited several provencias....but more as a tourist rather than as a potential expat.....Two places on my list to explore are Cordoba (Argentina's second largest city) and Mendoza (center of wine production in Argentina and with a small expat community of Yanquis)...

post some ideas, and maybe I will explore for you.....I go to Argentina regularly...

If you don't hit the lottery and still want to retire abroad, what's a good number to retire with? Is $1M enough? Where would you place your money? Is there a way to avoid taxes by putting money in the Carribean? Also when is the best time agewise to cash Social Security? If you retire early, let's say 50, what amount of Social Security will you forego?
I would pick a place by the ocean, Brasil for me.

I would rotate every two to three months or so between four places.

Brazil, Thailand, Argentina, and Germany. Add I haven't even been to Germany or Brazil yet. I would also probably regularly visit Costa Rica and the Philippines, with occasional trips to Singapore and the Czech Republic.

If I had to settle down in one place I would debate between Argentina and Thailand.

I like Argentina or Brazil. Argentina for the language. If I had more bread, probably Spain. One million won't do it though unless interest rates are suddenly at 10+% and there is no inflation for the next thirty years. SS is not usable until 62-65. US citizens living abroad still pay federal taxes, no?

Actually,

I moved to Singapore about a month ago and I absolutley love it. However, it's also the case that I am 36 yr old guy still working hard not close to retirement. Here you get a great combination of high wage, low taxes, clean secure municipality, great first world conviences, English language, incredible food, and of course absolutely stunning gogreous women.
There is a tremndous array of pay for play avenues on the island that are medium priced, low price opportunities within a 45 minute bus or ferry ride in Indonesia and Malaysia, and best of all within two hours fly time are the man paradises of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam etc.
Unfortunately for me I am here with my Latina wife and can only sporadically enjoy the fruits of man's paradise. Nevermind, I have absolutely no regrets about this move and do not miss living in the US one bit.

Singapore is great esp. if you've got skilz. Your latina wife is probably also considered an exotic beauty there.

My money is on Thailand,Costa Rica and the Netherlands. The Phillipines are too dirty, broken-down and crime ridden for me.
It makes East Oakland (Where I live) look good by comparison.
Thailand has its share of filth and squalor but has a dynamicism and work ethic.
There is much beauty and nice facilities along with a low crime rate.

Hey Mongerx, what do you do for a living in Singapore? What's the situation like for a guy like me?

Aside from the mongering issues, I'd definitely learn Dutch and move to the Netherlands. Better soccer, cycling, liberal democracy, intellectual climate, and civilian women. As far as the mongering issues go, however, they're rather expensive compared to what you can get in third-world countries.

Book Guy,

The economy is in a bit of a funk here, so its best to locate a job before you arrive. I don't know your background, but IT is supercompetitive. If you are a teacher, you hav a good chance getting a job at one of the international schools. Financial services is also a decent industry and main Mulinationals are moving their Asian headquarters here from Hong Kong. I hope this a help. If you want to hit my inbox with more specifics about your situation perhaps I can offer more.

For anyone more than a little interested in living in the Philippines here is a pretty good site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LivingInThePhilippines2/

They have a good 100 posts a day and a fair number of the people are actually living in the country and/or married to a filippina. The upside of the board is that you will find some pretty detailed information on the nuts and bolts of day to day living in the country. The downside is that the moderator is some guy in his 60s who has a 20+ year old wife and refuses to allow any posting whatsoever about sex or anything derogatory about the country and its people.

It's kind of funny watching the members gingerly step around very real issues such as garbage collection, sewage treatment, home construction, governmental corruption, and the like. Even so, it's a great site to check out to hear from people who have really made the move and are enjoying it. Just don't expect to hear much said about Angeles City.

>>Where Would You Want to Live Outside of the US?>>

For the weather, Iceland, Alaska or Norway. I like the cold. I don't like to sweat without a VERY good and hard reason.

For pussy, the PI.

I fell in love with Brazil from my first real visit (Fortaleza, up north in Ceara) - but 27.5% income tax on more than R$20,000 per year? OTOH, if you can prove you lived there less than 180 days in the year, you're not a "resident" and you're exempt.

Now I'm thinking, summer in Punta Del Este, Uruguay ... rentals are out the roof January & February, but the purchase of a nice flat isn't too expensive. And no personal income tax. Winter (170 days) in Brazil.