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Almot wrote:
There are snowbirds in Tx where it's cheaper than in Az, and in Az where it's cheaper than in Fl. And there are snowbirds in places where it's cheaper than in Tx, and warmer in winter too. My winter retreat costs $120 a month if rented by the year, water included, no electricity. No big deal in winter, it's warm. In summer I wouldn't stay there, too hot and humid.

If you want it cheap, you'll get it, though you might not like it. Cheaper places cost that little for a reason. It can be climate, or remoteness, or political instability, or something else.

I recall a TV documentary about great Costa Rica and their public healthcare last year. A guy from BC was bitten by snake when walking down the alley - not in a jungle somewhere. Local doctors ordered an X-ray and couldn't tell what it was. It was getting worse... and worse... and worse... On the 2nd or 3rd day he grabbed flight home, paying whatever price there was. By then he couldn't walk, vomited. Went to Vancouver General emergency straight from the airport, within a few hours was diagnosed and told that he needed a shot of antivenom IMMEDIATELY. The hospital didn't have it, but they flew it from Seattle same day. The guy lived. Had he stayed in Costa Rica, things could've been different.

Our experience (technically our friends) was quite good. You never know, there may be more to the story. Costa Rican health care system also covers dental and vision (glasses). Like any country there are good and bad things. I highly recommend visiting Costa Rica for a couple weeks. Lots to see and do and they have their own brand of Latino culture. There is less of a historical emphasis and more of a nature and environmental emphasis to tourism in Costa Rica so don't go expecting to see an abundance of perfectly preserved Hispanic cities like Mexico.

Cheers.

There are snowbirds in Tx where it's cheaper than in Az, and in Az where it's cheaper than in Fl. And there are snowbirds in places where it's cheaper than in Tx, and warmer in winter too. My winter retreat costs $120 a month if rented by the year, water included, no electricity. No big deal in winter, it's warm. In summer I wouldn't stay there, too hot and humid.

If you want it cheap, you'll get it, though you might not like it. Cheaper places cost that little for a reason. It can be climate, or remoteness, or political instability, or something else.

I recall a TV documentary about great Costa Rica and their public healthcare last year. A guy from BC was bitten by snake when walking down the alley - not in a jungle somewhere. Local doctors ordered an X-ray and couldn't tell what it was. It was getting worse... and worse... and worse... On the 2nd or 3rd day he grabbed flight home, paying whatever price there was. By then he couldn't walk, vomited. Went to Vancouver General emergency straight from the airport, within a few hours was diagnosed and told that he needed a shot of antivenom IMMEDIATELY. The hospital didn't have it, but they flew it from Seattle same day. The guy lived. Had he stayed in Costa Rica, things could've been different.

pawatt: My error as I always think of AZ as THE snowbird location and there are many in Texas where things are cheaper.

Moisheh

Many, many people are living and snowbirding with combined CPP way less than 15K, and with nothing else but OAS and GIS. None of those is taxable, though GIS is reduced as your CPP goes up. Again, a lot of people out there with low CPP. Even if they have interest income, this is mere 1.5K or 2K from 100K in your savings account or GIC. For most people it still makes sense getting those 2K of interest rather than keeping it in safety deposit box, though there can be situations when it's better to keep a low profile.

About expat insurance or travel insurance. What people should realize is that - especially in places other than the US - there is no direct payment from insurer to the hospital. You have to pay up upon discharge and then get reimbursed by the insurer. So keeping a solid chunk of cash in easily accessible savings account is a necessity, and those bear very low interest. So you have money but no income other than CPP and OAS/GIS.

Another thing about insurance - very often it says in the small print "emergency medical". It means, they cover inpatient or outpatient treatment only if there is a risk to lose a limb or organ or life within 24 hours. So if you need a stent, but doctor says that it's not THAT urgent, the insurer won't pay a dime. Not all the plans are like this, but many are.

CPP for both of us is less than half the 22K. We started at age 60. Yes we worked for wages all our life. Your other assumptions are correct. We do not get the GIS(we still have some investment income) but know others who do, and have lots of $. There are other ways to have lots of $ and not get income from it....keep cash in a safety deposit box or under the mattress for example. We have no other pension than CPP and a small amount of investment income. I expect we will qualify for GIS in a few years.

Many snowbirds in south Texas are paying $200.00 to $300.00 a month park rent and a few parks without swimming pools for less than $200.00. Cost of living here is very low and fruit & produce at giveaway prices. They save enough on heating costs to pay park rent & more.

How does one have $$ that produce no taxable income?? Interest and investment income is taxable. Sounds to me like someone is scamming the system. That $22,000 includes all income: CPP and I think Social security. Netjam: Did you work your whole life? How could your CPP for you and the wife be less than $22,000. Even if it is around $15,000 the GIS is only a few dollars. 40 years ago snowbirds could live on very little. Park rental rates were cheap and included electricity. But today between the fuel to get south, park rent, electricity and health insurance $22,000 is not gong to do much when you still have to live in Canada the other 6 months. It takes about 350 gallons minimum to travel. That is around $1500. Park rent in a cheap spot is 5 times $500. So we are at $4000 US without electricity and food. Health insurance for 2 varies by age and condition but a good guess would be $1500.00 .

Moisheh

netjam wrote:
Moisheh We know a number of folks with GIS that snowbird. They have lots of $ that produce no taxable income. In our case we have no pension except CPP which is far less than $22K

They must be putting their $ under the mattress.

Moisheh We know a number of folks with GIS that snowbird. They have lots of $ that produce no taxable income. In our case we have no pension except CPP which is far less than $22K

Almot: Are you saying that you receive a GIS?? No traveler from Canada can afford to travel if there is income is so low they need the GIS. The threshold for the GIS is a combined income of $22,128.00. I would like to know how anyone could go south on that income? That is below the poverty line! Inquiring minds need to know!

Moisheh