Baby Boomers U. S. (The Blog)

Monday Musings for Baby Boomers – The 3-D Chalk Guy is Back

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 04:04 AM PDT

Smile!

Monday has always been a little bit of a let down, what with it being the beginning of the work week and all.

So to start things out on a bright note for the week, I bring you the…

Baby Boomers Monday Musings.

Not too sure where the art was done but it is really cool. I got an e-mail that was circulating and made the slide-show into a short video.
These were all done on Flat Pavement… But they show up as Full Size 3-D! Amazing!

If these images are copyrighted by the artist, sorry don’t know your name, and you want credit let me know.

Hope that put a little smile on your face and Keep On Smilin’

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Off the Grid: Retiring to A Foreign Country

Posted: 18 Sep 2011 04:07 AM PDT

This is a Guest Post by Dee Mason, writer and traveller. If you would like to Guest Post for Baby Boomers US please visit our Guest Post for Us page.

As it becomes increasingly apparent that retiring at age 45, or retiring at all for that matter, is not a viable option for United States baby boomers, a growing number of men and women in their late 40s and 50s are taking control of their futures in a surprising way. They are packing up and moving to other countries. There are a number of developing or recently developed countries where the United States dollar is quite strong. For men and women who have worked for many years, have grown children that are not physically or monetarily reliant on them, and are willing to be adventurous, moving to another country has become a means to increase their quality of life and make their savings last longer. There are pros and cons to this choice, but for more and more people, it is becoming an increasingly attractive option.

Making Decisions

Deciding the country of relocation is the most important first step, as knowing where to go determines how to get there. The majority of the baby boomers who made a successful move to a foreign country chose their relocation point based on the cost and quality of living, the strength of the dollar against the local currency, ease of communication, and tax laws. Other factors to take into consideration include the accessibility and cost of medical care, and the cost and ease of transportation between the new location and US-based family members. Once you have chosen a location, plan to spend some time examining immigration laws, required paperwork, vaccination requirements, and the actual cost of making the move.

What to Look For and What to Avoid

Look for countries and cities that have a stable infrastructure, a working, efficient public transportation system, and clean living conditions. If you do not speak the local language of the country, write to other expatriates that are already living there and ask if your lack of language ability will leave you isolated or unable to function efficiently. Also examine the cost of studying the local language, once you have moved there. Immigration is a pain no matter what country you may choose for relocation, but those countries with reciprocity agreements with the US are slightly less hassle-filled. Look for countries where renting or buying property is reasonably priced. With careful digging, it is possible to find a comfortable, two-bedroom home, where you can relax with your catnapper recliner, on a beach, in a country with year-round sunshine that will cost considerably less than its US-based counterpart. Avoid countries where the US dollar is weak against the local currency. Avoid living in places where a car or motorcycle is the only way have access to necessary items, as driving will most certainly become more difficult as you age. Avoid buying or renting property that is extremely remote. It makes it difficult for help to reach you if you are in trouble, and it positions you as a "sitting duck" for any thief who wants to prey on the wealthy, isolated foreigner.

Potential Countries

There are a handful of countries that have become very popular for retirement age expatriates over the last few years, as each provides comfortable, safe, low cost living alternatives to traditional American retirement communities. South American countries, such as Argentina and Belize, have emerged as excellent options over the course of the last 15 years. Argentina is inexpensive, boasts a wide array of world-class cultural activities, a variety of beaches, mountains, lakes, and rivers, and attractive real estate options. It is best to have some prior knowledge of Spanish or Castellano before moving to Argentina, as English is only spoken in pockets outside of Buenos Aires. Belize was a British colony, and consequently, is a completely bilingual country, so for American retirees it is easy to communicate with everyone. Until recently, the monetary unit was backed by the UK, but it is now backed by the US, and since 1999, foreign retirees are eligible for special tax benefits and a specialized residency status under the Retired Persons Incentive Program. Thailand has also long been a choice for retirees. In addition to excellent food and clean, modern facilities, Thailand also offers excellent, low-cost medical and dental care. South Korea, and Seoul in particular, has emerged as a more recent option. Much like Thailand, South Korea is incredibly modern and clean, with an excellent public transportation system and a wide variety of cultural activities. Children in South Korea are required to learn Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese, and the majority of the signage is multi-lingual, so if you are unfamiliar with language, it is quite possible to exist comfortably in Korea. Retiring here will require a large investment upfront, but the cost of living is very low.

Making the decision to leave the United States in order to retire is a large one. Examine your move from all sides and be sure to speak with other retirees who are already there. If the move is done well, retiring to a foreign country can help your money stretch farther, allow you to retire at an optimal level, and, most importantly, create the opportunity for a whole new life.

Dee Mason is a veritable vagabond and is only happy when she’s on the road. She has been travel writing both professionally and for fun for a number of years and writes for numerous sites and publications.

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