Countries
So I want to move to the tropics and never see ice again unless it's in a glass. I've started mapping out potential destinations because I need to visit places before I can move, in order to get a feel for them. I'm thinking hopefully in 8-12 years or so I'll have enough saved up that I can invest in a small piece of land somewhere between 23.5°N and 23.5°S, which is not only motivated by climate but also astronomy as I would have access to the star skies of both hemispheres.
So if I'll plan to get myself a place by the time I'm 40 or 45, I'll need to do some exploring first, see which cultures I feel comfortable with, what places would make me feel welcome, because this country sure doesn't.
One of the most important things to look at is whether foreigners even *can* buy land in a given country. In Western countries that isn't often an issue, but in much of the developing world, foreigners have a lot of limitations in order to prevent rich Western conglomerates from buying up all the land -- and with rising demand, causing prices to rocket sky high -- which would put land out of reach for the locals. So in many countries with low GDP and cost of living, foreigners can't buy land. Not freehold anyway, which is the term for "pay once, own forever". Many of the countries that don't sell freehold sell leasehold to foreigners instead, which is "pay once, own for a limited time", often for something like 30, 60 or 90 years. That's not something that appeals to me greatly because if I do manage to live to x years old, I don't want to have to deal with being evicted in my older years. The long-term security of freehold is appealing and I prefer to focus on countries where foreigners can purchase freehold.
Some of the interesting prospects are:
* Egypt. Freehold is available (except in the South Sinai peninsula). Prices seem to be generally considered pretty low. Close to Europe, easy access back to Europe if desired. One of the more moderate countries of the Arab League. It would be cool to live in the world's oldest country (by some stretchy definitions, but still). Building codes lax though, caution about buying anything that might be falling apart.
* Brazil. As far as I'm aware, freehold is available. Have heard some reports that moving money in and out of the country has been problematic and bureaucratic and some land deals have fallen through because of that. Vast country, lots of different climates available. Personal feeling that it's going to be a strong growth country in the decades to come. People reputed to be very friendly. Far from Europe/US.
* Costa Rica. Foreigners have the same real estate rights as locals, by constitution, includes freehold. Close to North America. Adjacent countries Nicaragua and Panama also have some interesting aspects. Some tropical cyclone risk, except Panama which dodges the hurricane belt.
* Thailand. Big drawback is you can only buy condos freehold, not land. Would have to give up on exploring solar energy science. People reputed to be very friendly. Tourist country on the beaten path is both good and bad. Some stunning natural beauty especially in the south. Prices very reasonable. Might be better to save the country for a second home if I get rich enough, with solar science concentrated at main home. Mainly Buddhist country = good. Monsoon region, some tropical cyclone risk.
* Malaysia. Freehold available to foreigners. Predominantly Muslim country, which causes some problems. Dodges tropical cyclone belt. Malaysia, Truly Asia. Personal feeling that it's going to be a strong growth country.
* Cambodia. Risky at the moment but bears keeping an eye on, see how it develops in the next 5-10 years. High risk high yield investment opportunity?
These make for 4 fairly distinct regions to tour. Egypt. Brazil. Central America. Southeast Asia. I don't think I can afford to take more than one long vacation from work per year, so let's say check one of these regions per year. Now it's just a question of more fact finding and deciding which region I want to go check out first. I'm thinking either Egypt or Southeast Asia first. Probably Jan-Mar 2011. It's too late to prep a vacation for this winter, and I do want to be here and make money the whole off-winter. But next winter looks promising. Then again, so did this winter until I got derailed by Florida, but that's life. I'm gonna do my damn best that this is the last winter I have to spend in this country though.
So if I'll plan to get myself a place by the time I'm 40 or 45, I'll need to do some exploring first, see which cultures I feel comfortable with, what places would make me feel welcome, because this country sure doesn't.
One of the most important things to look at is whether foreigners even *can* buy land in a given country. In Western countries that isn't often an issue, but in much of the developing world, foreigners have a lot of limitations in order to prevent rich Western conglomerates from buying up all the land -- and with rising demand, causing prices to rocket sky high -- which would put land out of reach for the locals. So in many countries with low GDP and cost of living, foreigners can't buy land. Not freehold anyway, which is the term for "pay once, own forever". Many of the countries that don't sell freehold sell leasehold to foreigners instead, which is "pay once, own for a limited time", often for something like 30, 60 or 90 years. That's not something that appeals to me greatly because if I do manage to live to x years old, I don't want to have to deal with being evicted in my older years. The long-term security of freehold is appealing and I prefer to focus on countries where foreigners can purchase freehold.
Some of the interesting prospects are:
* Egypt. Freehold is available (except in the South Sinai peninsula). Prices seem to be generally considered pretty low. Close to Europe, easy access back to Europe if desired. One of the more moderate countries of the Arab League. It would be cool to live in the world's oldest country (by some stretchy definitions, but still). Building codes lax though, caution about buying anything that might be falling apart.
* Brazil. As far as I'm aware, freehold is available. Have heard some reports that moving money in and out of the country has been problematic and bureaucratic and some land deals have fallen through because of that. Vast country, lots of different climates available. Personal feeling that it's going to be a strong growth country in the decades to come. People reputed to be very friendly. Far from Europe/US.
* Costa Rica. Foreigners have the same real estate rights as locals, by constitution, includes freehold. Close to North America. Adjacent countries Nicaragua and Panama also have some interesting aspects. Some tropical cyclone risk, except Panama which dodges the hurricane belt.
* Thailand. Big drawback is you can only buy condos freehold, not land. Would have to give up on exploring solar energy science. People reputed to be very friendly. Tourist country on the beaten path is both good and bad. Some stunning natural beauty especially in the south. Prices very reasonable. Might be better to save the country for a second home if I get rich enough, with solar science concentrated at main home. Mainly Buddhist country = good. Monsoon region, some tropical cyclone risk.
* Malaysia. Freehold available to foreigners. Predominantly Muslim country, which causes some problems. Dodges tropical cyclone belt. Malaysia, Truly Asia. Personal feeling that it's going to be a strong growth country.
* Cambodia. Risky at the moment but bears keeping an eye on, see how it develops in the next 5-10 years. High risk high yield investment opportunity?
These make for 4 fairly distinct regions to tour. Egypt. Brazil. Central America. Southeast Asia. I don't think I can afford to take more than one long vacation from work per year, so let's say check one of these regions per year. Now it's just a question of more fact finding and deciding which region I want to go check out first. I'm thinking either Egypt or Southeast Asia first. Probably Jan-Mar 2011. It's too late to prep a vacation for this winter, and I do want to be here and make money the whole off-winter. But next winter looks promising. Then again, so did this winter until I got derailed by Florida, but that's life. I'm gonna do my damn best that this is the last winter I have to spend in this country though.