Best Ex-Pat area for full time residency

A bit off topic, yet has relevance still, and something to think about. There are many languages and even more dialects. Take English as an example. Here in USA, listen to a New Englander, Midwesterner, Southerner, Californian, ghetto. Now throw in Great Britain, Australia, even the English spoken in the islands.
You are 'literate' in English, yet I guarantee that you can be lost in the dialects of your own language...

Spanish is the same as they are all different as well... Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Centro America, Northern part of South America, Southern part. I won't even get into indigenous languages...

Keep in mind that in the USA, we have MANDATORY education, that basically costs nothing to attend (Yes, we pay taxes...) In other countries, many of the so called schools are just a shack with a person trying to teach basic language skills when they themselves are not fully literate in their own language. Bring a handful of beans or corn to pay for your lesson for today. The mothers get beaten for sending the kids to school because the father needs help in the fields.

I have stood outside of many of these places and pondered, what is worse, to learn wrong or not learn at all?... (Don't give a quick answer as it is a deep question...) At least they are trying...

So, if one is not literate in their own language, because of where they are born- without opportunity, how would an 'educated' person expect them to learn another language proficiently?

I love to hear people chastise others with "learn the language"! just because they don't have proper language skills. I ask them how many languages they speak. I am literate (Read, write and speak) in 6 and can hold my own in another 6. I won't get into how many dialects I have as I have traveled extensively, on my own dime, not military. (Yes, I am a cunning linguist :B LOL) No offense intended to our military, Thank you for your service!It is just different being alone, self sufficient, no one to turn to for help so far away from home...
You also can't learn about a country visiting a tourist area. If a person visits Disney for a week, do they know anything about our country? NO. It is a tourist setup. You need at least 30 days in non-tourist areas to even get an idea of what a country/culture is like.

Back on topic.
I have spent much time abroad, had an estate in what is today considered the most dangerous city per capita, in the world, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, C.A. I certainly don't recommend living there now, although the islands are much different than the mainland.

Central America is very economical, yet can be very dangerous and unstable, without many of the conveniences that we take for granted. I will just say that if you aren't well versed in international travel, you might want to think it over a few times... Understand that the world is not like the USA, and when in Rome...

I never did care for Belize. Costa Rica is nice, however it is more expensive than the others.
I am tired of typing, so I will say that I really like Uruguay. Often asked what is my favorite country? The USA of course! We have everything and according to many, deserve it, although I am not quite sure why... YMMV

We are living in a globalized world. People are moving from one country to another. Patriotism as many of you know it is now waning. People speak many different languages and when they discover their own kind anywhere they tend to gather and speak their language, use their customs and food.

It's ironic to read this thread. In Mexico there are over 1.5 million Americans living here. In the ex-pat enclaves very few if any speak fluent Spanish and have no intention of doing so. They almost never mix with local people.

Why? That's what human beings do. That said, I wouldn't rely on answers from military people who have traveled the world. Their view is much different than that of a tourist mostly due to their training, living conditions, and the work they perform. It would be a very biased point of view.

To the OP, there are lots of options. The Americas are nice because you're always close to home and if you feel you will need an injection of U.S. Americana you can always find it.

House sitting is another option. Move from country to country not having to worry about residency requirements or moving your stuff. A great way to find the right place to live.

Rving in Mexico, China and Europe are very popular. Friends are now in Spain and love it. Free overnight parking from the Spanish government for rvers all over the place, not to mention inexpensive rv parks unlike in the U.S. There are some truck campers who live and rv in the U.K. and Europe you may want to check them out on the Truck Camper forum here or Austrailians on the Fifth Wheel forum.

Good luck and it's fun living in a foreign country. I never intended on staying in Mexico. 32 years later and I'm still here. Best decision I could have made as far as job opportunities, peace of mind, quality of life, well the list goes on. Wherever you go, learn the language. It takes you to many places that most people will never discover.

NYCgrrl wrote:

RandACampin wrote:

NYCgrrl wrote:

OUR culture and OUR language is NOT native American......enough said.

:S enough said!

Whaaaaaaaaaa?...do you need me to fill in all the blanks?
I speak many forms of English:W.

Doubt if it will make sense even then, but go ahead.

Popsie wrote:
These experiences are not recent:

Our oldest son lived in Panama for several years and liked it - no problems.

We've been to Mexico many times, and were happy with our visits, but wouldn't consider it now due to the news we read about crime. We have friends who own a house in San Miguel de Allende. They used to go down for several months every year and rent it out the rest of the time. Now they only rent it out and do not go down.

We've also visited most of Costa Rica, and found it to be very pleasant and friendly to Americanos, but we didn't live there.

You might consider making a short list and visiting the contenders for a month or so at a time before making a decision. You need to look at the whole situation including taxation and medical care.

When we were in Costa Rica and considering moving there, we could have shipped cars and furniture etc. duty free when relocating, but I've heard that now they tax all your "imports" which is a problem. A good factor then was low cost good quality medical care, but I don't know if that's changed.

best of luck!

I was stationed in Panama while I was in the army> I lived there for 5 years and My wife is from Panama. We love it there. Its cheap lots of other Ex pats. great weather lots of beaches, and they have mountains and the atlantic ocean and Pacific ocean is 50 miles apart. Pretty cheap. The traffic is awful but you can buy a beach hose pretty cheap, and they use american money. Check it out. There is a lot on the internet.

Hmmm. Tough question. We have seen a fair amount of the world and would love the opportunity to live in at least a few of the places we have seen. Sooo, in no particular order and for various reasons,

San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Culture, people, climate is perpetual spring time, things to do, facilities, medical etc etc.

San Sebastian Spain, for all of the above reasons although hotter in the summer. Close to France, Germany, Switzerland etc. However, you can only get a visa for 3 months at a time so three months in and three months out.

Tangiers Morocco, again for all the above reasons but you can stay 6 months at a time with the right paperwork. Excellent compliment to spain though as you can live in tangiers for 3 or 4 months and then go back to spain. Morocco is a very cool country with lots to see and do AND LEARN. Honestly it would be a great immersion experience for Arabic..however the country functions equally in french so one might find that a little easier to learn first. We would like to think we will live there once we are retired. Time will tell.

I think a few months at a time in one of the many smaller river towns would be nice. Again, three months in and three months out (of the Schengen zone) and again the off times could be spent in Morocco.

Many seem to be attracted to Costa Rica or Belize but although we think Costa Rica is a must visit it wouldn't be high on the list. Belize would be on the bottom, I think some choose Belize because it is English speaking (the only english speaking country in central/south america. But not our thing.

If you are planning on learning a language that will probably be useful in your newly adapted country, LEARN SPANISH. It is the second most spoken language in the world (in terms of how many speak it after mandarin), not hard to learn, lots of resources on line, and is readily spoken in many parts of the world. We found spanish speakers in Italy, France, Portugal and much of europe. In the north of Morocco it was commonly spoken and in Tangiers it was spoken as readily as french.

Re culture and language when living in another country:, NEVER give up your language or your culture...EVER. Enhance your life by embracing and respecting the language and culture of your new home but never give up your own and never let anyone tell you need to give up anything to become part of your new society. Culture and language are what make the world a rich and interesting place.

Oh, and learning other languages is an excellent way to keep your mind young. I am 55, speak four languages reasonably fluently and am working on number 5. All learned since I was fourty. I'll stop when I'm dead. :) I have nothing against english speaking people (its my native language) but I sure wouldn't want to live among them if I was wanting to broaden my horizons. We are 5 years from retirement. We will be going down that same road you are right now. Where to live. But probably for only 6 months to a year at a time. Then time to move on. Life is short, death is long, experience all you can.

Happy hunting. Get a passport and start exploring.

RPreeb wrote:
I've never lived anywhere that required me to speak anything other than English. If I had, I'd have made whatever effort was necessary to learn the local lingo. We lived for 2 years in the Bahamas, where they do speak English. I've visited quite a few other countries, but no longer have any desire to live anywhere but the US. I took 3 years of high school French, and could probably pick it back up if I needed it, but I don't need it.

When I go into a store or restaurant and I can't understand the server because their English is marginal at best, it can be a problem. If it's someone who is a new immigrant, then it's excusable. If it's someone who has lived here for a long time, or even was born here and still can't speak decent English, then I take exception to it. Learning the native language is often the first step to really understanding a culture.

No matter what the liberal opinion is, English is the language in the US, and by lobbying for second (or multiple) language support, all that is accomplished is to encourage the racial and ethnic separation which leads to divisive racism. Cultural diversity is a good thing as long as it's understood that one's ethnic culture must be secondary to the culture of the nation or region where one is living.

I realize that there is far more to racism than just cultural diversity, but encouraging and promoting such separatism just adds fuel to the racist - or the so-called America First - doctrine. I don't condone or espouse their foolishly narrow-minded view of the world, but I also don't see any good reason to give them easy excuses to justify their philosophy.

I would remind you of your history. For much of this country's early history more people spoke French and Spanish than English. The French all along the Mississippi and westward. At the same time Spain held most of what is now Texas, New Mexico Arizona parts of Utah and California. Later Russian was the "official" language of much of coastal Alaska from the Aleutians down through South East Alaska.

And this is to say nothing of the hundreds of Native Languages that were here for thousands of years before those illegal immigrants, our European forefathers landed and took this land.

And during WWII it was one of those native languages Dina or Navaho that confounded the Japanese and helped us win the war. The Navaho Code Talkers.

Our Nation does NOT have an official language. English is NOT our official language.

This country was founded on and by people who spoke a variety of languages.

As I said previously, Humility, patience and understanding...and it wouldn't hurt to know some history to put it all in context.

RandACampin wrote:

NYCgrrl wrote:

OUR culture and OUR language is NOT native American......enough said.

:S enough said!

Whaaaaaaaaaa?...do you need me to fill in all the blanks?
I speak many forms of English:W.

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Before we complain about what language people speak in the US, it would probably help if the US actually had an official language...

+1

Before we complain about what language people speak in the US, it would probably help if the US actually had an official language...

People will assimilate to their own cultural neighborhoods.
My lineage is Polish and when my grandfather came her in the late 1800's he settled in the Polish neighborhood. There were Italian neighborhoods and German neighborhoods too.

My wife's lineage is Italian and her grand parents did the same thing, settled with other Italians.

People may have gone to work during the day, but when they came home they came back to little Poland.
No different than today, with whatever country the immigrants came from.

As a kid I could barely understand a word my grandfather said to me because of his accent. When he talked with my mother and aunts and uncles it was all Polish.

It takes the second generation to actually assimilate to society.

I work in an area with a LOT of Indian and Pakistani immigrants. The immigrants are still in with their cultural traditions. Their kids, they are about as "Americanized" as you can get.