Sun Jun 07, 2020 2:28 pm
Sun Jun 07, 2020 2:59 pm
Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:17 pm
Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:20 pm
Abergavenny wrote:Think you need to decide which countries you are looking at If you keep a house in uk you will pay the usual council taxes As a Uk passport holder you will have the right to NHS treatment if required However health care agreements with other countries will differ and likely to change post Brexit
One thing that catches a lot of people out is the exchange rate and that could change your income drastically positive or negative For instance you get over 25% less euros that
you did to the pound 10 years ago
The cost of living depends on the country you choose and the area within those countries You can live reasonable comfortable in Spain on £500 a week for two without any mortgage in most parts Similar in Portugal , Malta ,Greece
Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:28 pm
Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:30 pm
Welshman in CA wrote:Why would you want to keep a house in the UK if you're living elsewhere ? Are you just looking at Europe or worldwide ? There's always places like Thailand if you're looking for value for money & cost of living.
Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:35 pm
Welshman in CA wrote:As you're wife is American have you thought of Florida ? With the exception of the odd hurricane it meets your criteria, get dual citizenship or just a green card and you're good to come & go, I've had my green card for 14 years now. The language is a bit of a barrier to start but you've had plenty of practice.
Sun Jun 07, 2020 3:41 pm
Sun Jun 07, 2020 4:04 pm
Sun Jun 07, 2020 4:33 pm
oohahhPaulMillar wrote:I’m no expert but can see a lot of pitfalls in buying property abroad. I personally just wouldn’t be happy making a huge commitment, but I can see why people would be tempted
Have you thought of renting?? I have a friend who took early retirement at 55 and has a decent pension. What he did was sell his house and downsize to something smaller and cheaper to run
Every year in October he and his wife drives down to the Algarve and spends 6 months there (he flys home for Xmas/New Year leaving the car in Portugal)
He rents a villa in Algarve for 6 months and lives in his own house spring/summer
It seems to work for him with no major commitment. He uses his own car abroad which is a lot cheaper than hiring one and has some kind of long term travel insurance policy which I believe is reasonably priced
Sun Jun 07, 2020 4:34 pm
rumpo kid wrote:Can see it now.. house boat on the keys, nice set of daps and a cravat..
Sun Jun 07, 2020 5:00 pm
Sun Jun 07, 2020 5:13 pm
103 Barmy Army wrote:oohahhPaulMillar wrote:I’m no expert but can see a lot of pitfalls in buying property abroad. I personally just wouldn’t be happy making a huge commitment, but I can see why people would be tempted
Have you thought of renting?? I have a friend who took early retirement at 55 and has a decent pension. What he did was sell his house and downsize to something smaller and cheaper to run
Every year in October he and his wife drives down to the Algarve and spends 6 months there (he flys home for Xmas/New Year leaving the car in Portugal)
He rents a villa in Algarve for 6 months and lives in his own house spring/summer
It seems to work for him with no major commitment. He uses his own car abroad which is a lot cheaper than hiring one and has some kind of long term travel insurance policy which I believe is reasonably priced
You’re right. This would lessen the commitment and also allow me to see more of the world. I suppose it would depend on the cost of renting as once the money freed up from selling my house is gone, I’d have no way of replacing it from my pension. I still haven’t been to Portugal, but the Algarve looks amazing.
Mon Jun 08, 2020 5:03 am
Mon Jun 08, 2020 6:08 am
103 Barmy Army wrote:I hadn’t considered the Algarve, but it looks stunning. I’d get a nicer house in Thailand, but the Algarve could very well be more suited to my lifestyle and is nearer to UK for family visits. It’s definitely where I’ll be booking my next holiday as I’ve been been meaning to go for years.
Thanks for all the different ideas.
Mon Jun 08, 2020 6:16 am
Mon Jun 08, 2020 6:48 am
103 Barmy Army wrote:I hadn’t considered the Algarve, but it looks stunning. I’d get a nicer house in Thailand, but the Algarve could very well be more suited to my lifestyle and is nearer to UK for family visits. It’s definitely where I’ll be booking my next holiday as I’ve been been meaning to go for years.
Thanks for all the different ideas.
Mon Jun 08, 2020 7:11 am
Mon Jun 08, 2020 7:28 am
Aberbeeg Blues wrote:I’ve had a place in NORTH Cyprus for the past 12 years. Living costs are dirt cheap compared to rest of Europe. £12 a month council tax,£10 a month electricity,the most expensive yearly cost is my £500 pool maintenance.
I have a 4 bedroom villa with my own pool cost me 95 grand ( down the South of Cyprus it would cost approx 300 grand).
There are approx 30 thousand ex pats who live in North Cyprus. I get 17% interest on my savings in the bank ( who have the same guarantee as UK banks)
A pint of local beer EFES is 8 or 9 Turkish Lira and I’m currently getting about 8 lira to the pound.
Me and Mrs actually go out most nights cos it’s so cheap. 3 course meal approx £8.
We tend to fly from Bristol with EasyJet to Larnaca and then get a North taxi to pick us up for £25 ( hours drive).
North Cyprus isn’t recognised by any Country apart from Turkey so if we fly into the North we have to travel via Istanbul.
This is definitely the cheapest place to the UK
Mon Jun 08, 2020 7:59 am
Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:15 am
Aberbeeg Blues wrote:I’ve had a place in NORTH Cyprus for the past 12 years. Living costs are dirt cheap compared to rest of Europe. £12 a month council tax,£10 a month electricity,the most expensive yearly cost is my £500 pool maintenance.
I have a 4 bedroom villa with my own pool cost me 95 grand ( down the South of Cyprus it would cost approx 300 grand).
There are approx 30 thousand ex pats who live in North Cyprus. I get 17% interest on my savings in the bank ( who have the same guarantee as UK banks)
A pint of local beer EFES is 8 or 9 Turkish Lira and I’m currently getting about 8 lira to the pound.
Me and Mrs actually go out most nights cos it’s so cheap. 3 course meal approx £8.
We tend to fly from Bristol with EasyJet to Larnaca and then get a North taxi to pick us up for £25 ( hours drive).
North Cyprus isn’t recognised by any Country apart from Turkey so if we fly into the North we have to travel via Istanbul.
This is definitely the cheapest place to the UK
Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:25 am
103 Barmy Army wrote:Aberbeeg Blues wrote:I’ve had a place in NORTH Cyprus for the past 12 years. Living costs are dirt cheap compared to rest of Europe. £12 a month council tax,£10 a month electricity,the most expensive yearly cost is my £500 pool maintenance.
I have a 4 bedroom villa with my own pool cost me 95 grand ( down the South of Cyprus it would cost approx 300 grand).
There are approx 30 thousand ex pats who live in North Cyprus. I get 17% interest on my savings in the bank ( who have the same guarantee as UK banks)
A pint of local beer EFES is 8 or 9 Turkish Lira and I’m currently getting about 8 lira to the pound.
Me and Mrs actually go out most nights cos it’s so cheap. 3 course meal approx £8.
We tend to fly from Bristol with EasyJet to Larnaca and then get a North taxi to pick us up for £25 ( hours drive).
North Cyprus isn’t recognised by any Country apart from Turkey so if we fly into the North we have to travel via Istanbul.
This is definitely the cheapest place to the UK
Hadn’t thought about this, despite living in the south for 4 years, as my knowledge of the north isn’t the best. I do remember needing an additional car insurance that was much cheaper in the local village as opposed to buying it on the border.
We did have two separate incidents over the north where guys tried to over charge us, but you get good and bad everywhere. The way of life was very laid back and it also provides the option of easily visiting the south. Something to look into. Thanks!
Mon Jun 08, 2020 9:58 am
103 Barmy Army wrote:Abergavenny wrote:Think you need to decide which countries you are looking at If you keep a house in uk you will pay the usual council taxes As a Uk passport holder you will have the right to NHS treatment if required However health care agreements with other countries will differ and likely to change post Brexit
One thing that catches a lot of people out is the exchange rate and that could change your income drastically positive or negative For instance you get over 25% less euros that
you did to the pound 10 years ago
The cost of living depends on the country you choose and the area within those countries You can live reasonable comfortable in Spain on £500 a week for two without any mortgage in most parts Similar in Portugal , Malta ,Greece
I didn’t realise that I’d still be entitled to NHS as a UK passport holder if I don’t live in the UK. My wife is an American citizen, with an indefinite right to remain in the UK visa, so I’d have to look into that. There’s always medical insurance I suppose.
Country-wise, Cyprus would be the dream move having spent 4 great years there. However, I’m hoping to move and live off my work pension which I get aged 43. I’d have to live off that - with employment being a bonus as never guaranteed - until state pension kicks in later on in life. Cost of living would rule out Cyprus.
I’ve always loved Spain, so that is probably the favoured one at the moment for cost, weather and geographical reasons. I’ve read that Thailand is quite cheap, but was putting it out there to see if any other options are viable from people’s own experiences.
Thank you for the information.
Mon Jun 08, 2020 10:36 am
Bluebina wrote:103 Barmy Army wrote:Abergavenny wrote:Think you need to decide which countries you are looking at If you keep a house in uk you will pay the usual council taxes As a Uk passport holder you will have the right to NHS treatment if required However health care agreements with other countries will differ and likely to change post Brexit
One thing that catches a lot of people out is the exchange rate and that could change your income drastically positive or negative For instance you get over 25% less euros that
you did to the pound 10 years ago
The cost of living depends on the country you choose and the area within those countries You can live reasonable comfortable in Spain on £500 a week for two without any mortgage in most parts Similar in Portugal , Malta ,Greece
I didn’t realise that I’d still be entitled to NHS as a UK passport holder if I don’t live in the UK. My wife is an American citizen, with an indefinite right to remain in the UK visa, so I’d have to look into that. There’s always medical insurance I suppose.
Country-wise, Cyprus would be the dream move having spent 4 great years there. However, I’m hoping to move and live off my work pension which I get aged 43. I’d have to live off that - with employment being a bonus as never guaranteed - until state pension kicks in later on in life. Cost of living would rule out Cyprus.
I’ve always loved Spain, so that is probably the favoured one at the moment for cost, weather and geographical reasons. I’ve read that Thailand is quite cheap, but was putting it out there to see if any other options are viable from people’s own experiences.
Thank you for the information.
Good luck, what works pension pays out at 43?
Mon Jun 08, 2020 11:20 am
103 Barmy Army wrote:Bluebina wrote:103 Barmy Army wrote:Abergavenny wrote:Think you need to decide which countries you are looking at If you keep a house in uk you will pay the usual council taxes As a Uk passport holder you will have the right to NHS treatment if required However health care agreements with other countries will differ and likely to change post Brexit
One thing that catches a lot of people out is the exchange rate and that could change your income drastically positive or negative For instance you get over 25% less euros that
you did to the pound 10 years ago
The cost of living depends on the country you choose and the area within those countries You can live reasonable comfortable in Spain on £500 a week for two without any mortgage in most parts Similar in Portugal , Malta ,Greece
I didn’t realise that I’d still be entitled to NHS as a UK passport holder if I don’t live in the UK. My wife is an American citizen, with an indefinite right to remain in the UK visa, so I’d have to look into that. There’s always medical insurance I suppose.
Country-wise, Cyprus would be the dream move having spent 4 great years there. However, I’m hoping to move and live off my work pension which I get aged 43. I’d have to live off that - with employment being a bonus as never guaranteed - until state pension kicks in later on in life. Cost of living would rule out Cyprus.
I’ve always loved Spain, so that is probably the favoured one at the moment for cost, weather and geographical reasons. I’ve read that Thailand is quite cheap, but was putting it out there to see if any other options are viable from people’s own experiences.
Thank you for the information.
Good luck, what works pension pays out at 43?
Thank you.
Military. I should have had an immediate pension aged 42 upon completion of a 22-year career, but I’ve extended a year which I’m really grateful about given the current climate.
Mon Jun 08, 2020 11:25 am
Bluebina wrote:103 Barmy Army wrote:Bluebina wrote:103 Barmy Army wrote:Abergavenny wrote:Think you need to decide which countries you are looking at If you keep a house in uk you will pay the usual council taxes As a Uk passport holder you will have the right to NHS treatment if required However health care agreements with other countries will differ and likely to change post Brexit
One thing that catches a lot of people out is the exchange rate and that could change your income drastically positive or negative For instance you get over 25% less euros that
you did to the pound 10 years ago
The cost of living depends on the country you choose and the area within those countries You can live reasonable comfortable in Spain on £500 a week for two without any mortgage in most parts Similar in Portugal , Malta ,Greece
I didn’t realise that I’d still be entitled to NHS as a UK passport holder if I don’t live in the UK. My wife is an American citizen, with an indefinite right to remain in the UK visa, so I’d have to look into that. There’s always medical insurance I suppose.
Country-wise, Cyprus would be the dream move having spent 4 great years there. However, I’m hoping to move and live off my work pension which I get aged 43. I’d have to live off that - with employment being a bonus as never guaranteed - until state pension kicks in later on in life. Cost of living would rule out Cyprus.
I’ve always loved Spain, so that is probably the favoured one at the moment for cost, weather and geographical reasons. I’ve read that Thailand is quite cheap, but was putting it out there to see if any other options are viable from people’s own experiences.
Thank you for the information.
Good luck, what works pension pays out at 43?
Thank you.
Military. I should have had an immediate pension aged 42 upon completion of a 22-year career, but I’ve extended a year which I’m really grateful about given the current climate.
Oh yes of course!
Having read through the thread, North Cyprus seems like a good option, certainly sounds cheaper than most countries, especially with the house price? Good luck anyway keep us informed of your choice!
Mon Jun 08, 2020 1:01 pm
103 Barmy Army wrote:103 Barmy Army wrote:Aberbeeg Blues wrote:I’ve had a place in NORTH Cyprus for the past 12 years. Living costs are dirt cheap compared to rest of Europe. £12 a month council tax,£10 a month electricity,the most expensive yearly cost is my £500 pool maintenance.
I have a 4 bedroom villa with my own pool cost me 95 grand ( down the South of Cyprus it would cost approx 300 grand).
There are approx 30 thousand ex pats who live in North Cyprus. I get 17% interest on my savings in the bank ( who have the same guarantee as UK banks)
A pint of local beer EFES is 8 or 9 Turkish Lira and I’m currently getting about 8 lira to the pound.
Me and Mrs actually go out most nights cos it’s so cheap. 3 course meal approx £8.
We tend to fly from Bristol with EasyJet to Larnaca and then get a North taxi to pick us up for £25 ( hours drive).
North Cyprus isn’t recognised by any Country apart from Turkey so if we fly into the North we have to travel via Istanbul.
This is definitely the cheapest place to the UK
Hadn’t thought about this, despite living in the south for 4 years, as my knowledge of the north isn’t the best. I do remember needing an additional car insurance that was much cheaper in the local village as opposed to buying it on the border.
We did have two separate incidents over the north where guys tried to over charge us, but you get good and bad everywhere. The way of life was very laid back and it also provides the option of easily visiting the south. Something to look into. Thanks!
Is a UK bank account an option?
Also, what’s the food costs over there?
Food in the south that was really expensive, as well as the electricity (which I’m led to believe is the most expensive in Europe by my friends in the south), so good to see the cheap north price for electricity.
Mon Jun 08, 2020 3:10 pm
103 Barmy Army wrote:Bluebina wrote:103 Barmy Army wrote:Abergavenny wrote:Think you need to decide which countries you are looking at If you keep a house in uk you will pay the usual council taxes As a Uk passport holder you will have the right to NHS treatment if required However health care agreements with other countries will differ and likely to change post Brexit
One thing that catches a lot of people out is the exchange rate and that could change your income drastically positive or negative For instance you get over 25% less euros that
you did to the pound 10 years ago
The cost of living depends on the country you choose and the area within those countries You can live reasonable comfortable in Spain on £500 a week for two without any mortgage in most parts Similar in Portugal , Malta ,Greece
I didn’t realise that I’d still be entitled to NHS as a UK passport holder if I don’t live in the UK. My wife is an American citizen, with an indefinite right to remain in the UK visa, so I’d have to look into that. There’s always medical insurance I suppose.
Country-wise, Cyprus would be the dream move having spent 4 great years there. However, I’m hoping to move and live off my work pension which I get aged 43. I’d have to live off that - with employment being a bonus as never guaranteed - until state pension kicks in later on in life. Cost of living would rule out Cyprus.
I’ve always loved Spain, so that is probably the favoured one at the moment for cost, weather and geographical reasons. I’ve read that Thailand is quite cheap, but was putting it out there to see if any other options are viable from people’s own experiences.
Thank you for the information.
Good luck, what works pension pays out at 43?
Thank you.
Military. I should have had an immediate pension aged 42 upon completion of a 22-year career, but I’ve extended a year which I’m really grateful about given the current climate.
Mon Jun 08, 2020 3:42 pm
Mon Jun 08, 2020 6:49 pm