Where to retire?

[StealthLobo]

On 1/10/2025 at 12:53 PM, Just_Chris said:

We live near 2 navy bases in Japan and there is an army base not far. Yokosuka is the home of West Pac which my dad was a part of when he was in Navy so I get to think about him all the time especially when the ships are in port and I can walk along the little park and see them. 

My wife and I have kicked around buying a condo in Thailand but not in Bangkok, way too hectic for me at this point in my life. We like Chiang Mai and condos are not super expensive even the ultra modern ones. My wife doesn't like Manila since it's crowded and polluted but if I was single and retired I'd be there. If you make arrangements before you get there you can stay for about 3 years and because pretty much everyone speaks English and "malling" is a national pastime in the Philippines you can always get around and find places to eat. 

Baguio would be my spot in the Philippines. Manilla is too overcrowded for me too. Chang Mai is wonderful though.

[415hawaiiboy 2.0]

On 1/9/2025 at 3:53 PM, Just_Chris said:

We live near 2 navy bases in Japan and there is an army base not far. Yokosuka is the home of West Pac which my dad was a part of when he was in Navy so I get to think about him all the time especially when the ships are in port and I can walk along the little park and see them. 

My wife and I have kicked around buying a condo in Thailand but not in Bangkok, way too hectic for me at this point in my life. We like Chiang Mai and condos are not super expensive even the ultra modern ones. My wife doesn't like Manila since it's crowded and polluted but if I was single and retired I'd be there. If you make arrangements before you get there you can stay for about 3 years and because pretty much everyone speaks English and "malling" is a national pastime in the Philippines you can always get around and find places to eat. 

I know of a retired guy who moved to Fukuoka (with new Thai wife) and then to one of the coastal towns in Thailand.  He’s loving it.  
 

Chiang Mai might be good, but I think I like the beach/ocean too much.  
 

Naples near the NATO naval base seemed interesting.  Cheaper than Rome.  Warm.  Pompeii is nicer than Naples and merges into one big MSA.  I think I would like Naples more than Pisa, because I like bigger city life.  
 

I have in fact looked for jobs via job boards on bases as a US civilian.  Even if they are lower paying.  
 

In Japan, the Camp Zama / Yokohama area seems interesting (I have Japanese heritage as well).  Kichijoji Tokyo is an area I’ll probably check out this summer when I visit - out of the central fray but fun and there’s International Christian University there (folks speak English) can really do some life long learning and have some network (I’ve done two virtual lectures there).  Being from Hawaii, I have friends working in military over Tokyo area.
 

Fukuoka is interesting. 
 

I still have some Korea ties.  My Hawaii high school friend who worked in NYC, then Seoul, is looking at moving Lisbon as the next move.  
 

I would do international earlier with my kids since I benefited living in Seoul (Yongsan 8th Army) as a kid.  Gave me a bigger world perspective compared to my peers back in Hawaii.  However, the cost of international school $30K-$50K per child, makes this cost prohibitive (remember I’m saving to retire).  In Korea, Incheon or Seoul would be fun to live.  South Korea isn’t as popular as Japan, so you’d have fewer US friends visiting.  But I think folks after they visit Japan, will look to Korea for a different experience.  So the friends will come.  
 

So, summers abroad is their experience.  

I’ve been to China last year and many expats have left.  I saw fewer than 20 US and Western European people in about three cities with combined population 40 million.  While ominous, it also seems like an opportunity as there is some price deflation.  
 

Croatia, Greece, never been to these but on the list.

 

Southern Spain (interesting), Lisbon (a bit sleepy for me).   Singapore interests me. Might check out Buenos Aires soon.  
 

Anyways, living abroad is on my mind after the kids are out of the house.

[415hawaiiboy 2.0]

On 1/9/2025 at 4:00 PM, StealthLobo said:

Baguio would be my spot in the Philippines. Manilla is too overcrowded for me too. Chang Mai is wonderful though.

Baguio - I need to check that place out. 

[Just_Chris]

On 1/9/2025 at 4:28 PM, 415hawaiiboy 2.0 said:

I know of a retired guy who moved to Fukuoka (with new Thai wife) and then to one of the coastal towns in Thailand.  He’s loving it.  
 

Chiang Mai might be good, but I think I like the beach/ocean too much.  
 

Naples near the NATO naval base seemed interesting.  Cheaper than Rome.  Warm.  Pompeii is nicer than Naples and merges into one big MSA.  I think I would like Naples more than Pisa, because I like bigger city life.  
 

I have in fact looked for jobs via job boards on bases as a US civilian.  Even if they are lower paying.  
 

In Japan, the Camp Zama / Yokohama area seems interesting (I have Japanese heritage as well).  Kichijoji Tokyo is an area I’ll probably check out this summer when I visit - out of the central fray but fun and there’s International Christian University there (folks speak English) can really do some life long learning and have some network (I’ve done two virtual lectures there).  Being from Hawaii, I have friends working in military over Tokyo area.
 

Fukuoka is interesting. 
 

I still have some Korea ties.  My Hawaii high school friend who worked in NYC, then Seoul, is looking at moving Lisbon as the next move.  
 

I would do international earlier with my kids since I benefited living in Seoul (Yongsan 8th Army) as a kid.  Gave me a bigger world perspective compared to my peers back in Hawaii.  However, the cost of international school $30K-$50K per child, makes this cost prohibitive (remember I’m saving to retire).  In Korea, Incheon or Seoul would be fun to live.  South Korea isn’t as popular as Japan, so you’d have fewer US friends visiting.  But I think folks after they visit Japan, will look to Korea for a different experience.  So the friends will come.  
 

So, summers abroad is their experience.  

I’ve been to China last year and many expats have left.  I saw fewer than 20 US and Western European people in about three cities with combined population 40 million.  While ominous, it also seems like an opportunity as there is some price deflation.  
 

Croatia, Greece, never been to these but on the list.

 

Southern Spain (interesting), Lisbon (a bit sleepy for me).   Singapore interests me. Might check out Buenos Aires soon.  
 

Anyways, living abroad is on my mind after the kids are out of the house.

I don't live far from there, Zama is about a 90 minute train ride from there.. 

Kichijoji is really cool, it's got a famous area that they call harmonica in Japanese ( I don't remember what it translates to) because the alleys and openings resemble a harmonica but it's full of food stalls. There is also a famous yakitori place there, been around for over 100 years and it's one of my favorite spots to eat. It's not very touristy outside of the Studio Ghibli stuff so if you like city life without the big crowds it's fun. 

Singapore is interesting and yes they are very strict, it's quite expensive to live probably comparable to Hawaii but the food is so good and cheap. There is also a lot to do and Malaysia is right across the straight which is even cheaper but the food isn't as good. 

[Just_Chris]

On 1/9/2025 at 4:00 PM, StealthLobo said:

Baguio would be my spot in the Philippines. Manilla is too overcrowded for me too. Chang Mai is wonderful though.

I've heard really good things about Davao and they've got a beach. I met a former Air Force vet who opened up a bar near the former Clark Air Base so I checked it out. Let's just say it was not what I was expecting, he didn't tell me it was a pay by the hour type place 😂

[StealthLobo]

On 1/10/2025 at 3:30 PM, Just_Chris said:

I've heard really good things about Davao and they've got a beach. I met a former Air Force vet who opened up a bar near the former Clark Air Base so I checked it out. Let's just say it was not what I was expecting, he didn't tell me it was a pay by the hour type place 😂

Ive never been to the south, but looks pretty amazing. My partner spent a lot of time in Cebu and Bohol and talks really highly of the south.

Heh, isn't the Philippines well known for all the DOMs that migrate there?

[SWspartan]

[CoachKenFTW]

On 1/9/2025 at 4:28 PM, 415hawaiiboy 2.0 said:

I know of a retired guy who moved to Fukuoka (with new Thai wife) and then to one of the coastal towns in Thailand.  He’s loving it.  
 

Chiang Mai might be good, but I think I like the beach/ocean too much.  
 

Naples near the NATO naval base seemed interesting.  Cheaper than Rome.  Warm.  Pompeii is nicer than Naples and merges into one big MSA.  I think I would like Naples more than Pisa, because I like bigger city life.  
 

I have in fact looked for jobs via job boards on bases as a US civilian.  Even if they are lower paying.  
 

In Japan, the Camp Zama / Yokohama area seems interesting (I have Japanese heritage as well).  Kichijoji Tokyo is an area I’ll probably check out this summer when I visit - out of the central fray but fun and there’s International Christian University there (folks speak English) can really do some life long learning and have some network (I’ve done two virtual lectures there).  Being from Hawaii, I have friends working in military over Tokyo area.
 

Fukuoka is interesting. 
 

I still have some Korea ties.  My Hawaii high school friend who worked in NYC, then Seoul, is looking at moving Lisbon as the next move.  
 

I would do international earlier with my kids since I benefited living in Seoul (Yongsan 8th Army) as a kid.  Gave me a bigger world perspective compared to my peers back in Hawaii.  However, the cost of international school $30K-$50K per child, makes this cost prohibitive (remember I’m saving to retire).  In Korea, Incheon or Seoul would be fun to live.  South Korea isn’t as popular as Japan, so you’d have fewer US friends visiting.  But I think folks after they visit Japan, will look to Korea for a different experience.  So the friends will come.  
 

So, summers abroad is their experience.  

I’ve been to China last year and many expats have left.  I saw fewer than 20 US and Western European people in about three cities with combined population 40 million.  While ominous, it also seems like an opportunity as there is some price deflation.  
 

Croatia, Greece, never been to these but on the list.

 

Southern Spain (interesting), Lisbon (a bit sleepy for me).   Singapore interests me. Might check out Buenos Aires soon.  
 

Anyways, living abroad is on my mind after the kids are out of the house.

My family is from Hong Kong and the mainland. Since dual citizenship is a no-go over there, we are mostly American citizens. But I've been examining HK's new residency program really closely. As you say, there are some bargains to be had.  And it's hard to go wrong with a HK company structure.

Singapore is the Platinum Club, high rollers only, everyone else need not apply! Good luck to anyone looking to resettle on their own. Malaysia seems like a really good compromise, however, with really good infrastructure.

[415hawaiiboy 2.0]

On 1/9/2025 at 6:28 PM, Just_Chris said:

I don't live far from there, Zama is about a 90 minute train ride from there.. 

Kichijoji is really cool, it's got a famous area that they call harmonica in Japanese ( I don't remember what it translates to) because the alleys and openings resemble a harmonica but it's full of food stalls. There is also a famous yakitori place there, been around for over 100 years and it's one of my favorite spots to eat. It's not very touristy outside of the Studio Ghibli stuff so if you like city life without the big crowds it's fun. 

Singapore is interesting and yes they are very strict, it's quite expensive to live probably comparable to Hawaii but the food is so good and cheap. There is also a lot to do and Malaysia is right across the straight which is even cheaper but the food isn't as good. 

Awesome recommendations of Kichijoji.  Thank you.  
 

One of my half brothers (he’s near retirement age) is really thinking about moving to Japan from Hawaii with his wife.  The biggest thing he likes is the cost of prepared food is reasonable.  He would say, $14 would pay for eating out for lunch in Hawaii but in Japan (I guess the cheaper places), $14 could feed him and his wife.  

[415hawaiiboy 2.0]

On 1/9/2025 at 7:12 PM, CoachKenFTW said:

My family is from Hong Kong and the mainland. Since dual citizenship is a no-go over there, we are mostly American citizens. But I've been examining HK's new residency program really closely. As you say, there are some bargains to be had.  And it's hard to go wrong with a HK company structure.

Singapore is the Platinum Club, high rollers only, everyone else need not apply! Good luck to anyone looking to resettle on their own. Malaysia seems like a really good compromise, however, with really good infrastructure.

I haven’t been to Singapore, so I’ll find out one day.  
 

Malaysia is interesting.  The west coast of Malaysia, like Penang, the beaches weren’t that nice (no sandy).  I heard the east coast beaches are nice.  My wife might not like living in a Muslim country (although religion seemed subtle). Kuala Lumpur was ok, kind of boring.  Problem with Malaysia is not sure how many of my friends would randomly visit.  Say I want to live abroad for 5 years straight, seeing old friends would be important for us.

 

My wife likes Bangkok.  I wanted to move there before our kids were born.  
 

She wouldn’t want to live in Hong Kong for some reason.  I almost moved there in 2008 to build casinos. 
 

Japan, Italy, Thailand for the top counties for me.

[Supersix]

35 minutes north of Fresno

[happycamper]

Also...

When my dad retired he spent 3 years backpacking around the world. 6 months starting in the UK all the way to Jordan, Syria, and Egypt (shows the time frame of this lol) for about 8 months. 4 months at home, then 8 months in SE Asia, starting in Japan, through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia. Then 4 months at home, and 6 months in China.

After this he was pretty content that he'd seen everything he wanted to see (he'd been stationed in Germany and we had lived in South America together for a year when I was in high school). So now he's on a hobby farm south of Worland. 

It also meant that in college when I went to visit my dad over christmas/spring break, it was always "fly out to somewhere super cool". If you don't want to commit to being an expat, you could plan a big hurrah like this before your forever home. 

[StealthLobo]

On 1/11/2025 at 4:10 AM, happycamper said:

Also...

When my dad retired he spent 3 years backpacking around the world. 6 months starting in the UK all the way to Jordan, Syria, and Egypt (shows the time frame of this lol) for about 8 months. 4 months at home, then 8 months in SE Asia, starting in Japan, through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia. Then 4 months at home, and 6 months in China.

After this he was pretty content that he'd seen everything he wanted to see (he'd been stationed in Germany and we had lived in South America together for a year when I was in high school). So now he's on a hobby farm south of Worland. 

It also meant that in college when I went to visit my dad over christmas/spring break, it was always "fly out to somewhere super cool". If you don't want to commit to being an expat, you could plan a big hurrah like this before your forever home. 

Wow. That sounds amazing

[Just_Chris]

On 1/9/2025 at 7:37 PM, 415hawaiiboy 2.0 said:

Awesome recommendations of Kichijoji.  Thank you.  
 

One of my half brothers (he’s near retirement age) is really thinking about moving to Japan from Hawaii with his wife.  The biggest thing he likes is the cost of prepared food is reasonable.  He would say, $14 would pay for eating out for lunch in Hawaii but in Japan (I guess the cheaper places), $14 could feed him and his wife.  

That's the thing, everyone thinks it's so expensive but it really isn't, a plane ticket and hotel is expensive but after that food is cheap. I'm a sucker for the egg salad sandwiches at Lawson's. They're so cheap and delicious. I never ate egg salad in the States. I seriously go to the grocery store one night a week and buy a package of tuna sashimi, 6 bucks. It's so good and you get 8 pieces. Today we're going to head down to an area called Misaki-Miura which is a fishing village and eat fish. It's so off the track for tourists who visit Japan it's really inexpensive for what you get. 

The one drawback is housing, people don't invest in it so you don't really make money. It's a place to live and when you die either a child will neglect it and someone else will knock it down and build something or your kids knock it down and sells the land to actually make money. Also I found out real quick I had too much shit. I had like 10 pairs of Jordans, a bunch of sweatshirts, 5 suits, and probably like 10 pairs of pants. Most of it is gone. Don't have the room. I have no backyard but I do have a parking space which is a premium here. 

On 1/9/2025 at 7:50 PM, 415hawaiiboy 2.0 said:

I haven’t been to Singapore, so I’ll find out one day.  
 

Malaysia is interesting.  The west coast of Malaysia, like Penang, the beaches weren’t that nice (no sandy).  I heard the east coast beaches are nice.  My wife might not like living in a Muslim country (although religion seemed subtle). Kuala Lumpur was ok, kind of boring.  Problem with Malaysia is not sure how many of my friends would randomly visit.  Say I want to live abroad for 5 years straight, seeing old friends would be important for us.

 

My wife likes Bangkok.  I wanted to move there before our kids were born.  
 

She wouldn’t want to live in Hong Kong for some reason.  I almost moved there in 2008 to build casinos. 
 

Japan, Italy, Thailand for the top counties for me.

Like @CoachKenFTW said, SG is Crazy Rich Asians, it's cool to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. Housing is ridiculously expensive, think like 75% of your income and you might up in some swamp because that's all you can afford. The food is amazing but the touristy stuff is just that. You also don't get much variety in weather and when they burn the fields in Indonesia the AQ is atrociously bad. 

I found Malaysia tranquil but yeah kind of boring, KP has the one spot that's touristy but other than that meh

Never been to Bangkok but I know a few people who love it, one of our friends was sent to work there for his Japanese firm and spent a few years there. He said hot and humid and stuffy

I love HK, but very pricey for housing and very crowded, that being said the mountains are gorgeous, the food is amazing and it's pretty good location wise to get around to the rest of Asia. 90 minutes to Taiwan, 4 hours to SG, 2 hours to Manila, 4 hours to Tokyo, 3 hours to Shanghai, 4 hours to Beijing, 5 hours to Bali, 3 hours to Seoul

Our next trip is New Zealand hopefully, I told my wife to prepare for me not to return home 

[Supersix]

35 minutes north of Fresno.

[StealthLobo]

On 1/11/2025 at 3:23 PM, Just_Chris said:

That's the thing, everyone thinks it's so expensive but it really isn't, a plane ticket and hotel is expensive but after that food is cheap. I'm a sucker for the egg salad sandwiches at Lawson's. They're so cheap and delicious. I never ate egg salad in the States. I seriously go to the grocery store one night a week and buy a package of tuna sashimi, 6 bucks. It's so good and you get 8 pieces. Today we're going to head down to an area called Misaki-Miura which is a fishing village and eat fish. It's so off the track for tourists who visit Japan it's really inexpensive for what you get. 

The one drawback is housing, people don't invest in it so you don't really make money. It's a place to live and when you die either a child will neglect it and someone else will knock it down and build something or your kids knock it down and sells the land to actually make money. Also I found out real quick I had too much shit. I had like 10 pairs of Jordans, a bunch of sweatshirts, 5 suits, and probably like 10 pairs of pants. Most of it is gone. Don't have the room. I have no backyard but I do have a parking space which is a premium here. 

Like @CoachKenFTW said, SG is Crazy Rich Asians, it's cool to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. Housing is ridiculously expensive, think like 75% of your income and you might up in some swamp because that's all you can afford. The food is amazing but the touristy stuff is just that. You also don't get much variety in weather and when they burn the fields in Indonesia the AQ is atrociously bad. 

I found Malaysia tranquil but yeah kind of boring, KP has the one spot that's touristy but other than that meh

Never been to Bangkok but I know a few people who love it, one of our friends was sent to work there for his Japanese firm and spent a few years there. He said hot and humid and stuffy

I love HK, but very pricey for housing and very crowded, that being said the mountains are gorgeous, the food is amazing and it's pretty good location wise to get around to the rest of Asia. 90 minutes to Taiwan, 4 hours to SG, 2 hours to Manila, 4 hours to Tokyo, 3 hours to Shanghai, 4 hours to Beijing, 5 hours to Bali, 3 hours to Seoul

Our next trip is New Zealand hopefully, I told my wife to prepare for me not to return home 

North or South island?

[death]

On 1/10/2025 at 9:10 AM, happycamper said:

Laos

 

[CPslograd]

On 1/8/2025 at 10:34 AM, azgreg said:

So, I'm a little over six years away from my target retirement date. Me and SWMBO have been talking about where to retire. We've discussed teh following options:
1 - Staying in Vegas - Not a fan of this option. I don't much like it here.
2 - Moving back to our house in Phoenix. My oldest sone is renting it now with a friend of his and he's expressed interest in buying it.
3 - Tucson. We have a lot of relatives in Tucson and I like it there.
4 - Wickenburg. Not far from family in Phoenix with nice rolling terrain and a straight shot down the 60 to arguably the best senior citizen medical facilities in the country.
5 - Sonoita. We have relatives near there (Sierra Vista) and it's pretty country side with plenty of wineries (wifes idea).
6 - Become an expat. I like the travel idea and there's plenty of places to move to where it's fairly cheap to live. However, it would be to far from family.
7 - Move to another state. Not much of a fan about this idea. See family comment above.
8 - Build an ADU on our Phoenix property.
9 - Build on our property in Northern Arizona which sits between Show Low and Concho. Gets pretty cold up there and I'm sitting about 1,000' over the water table. A well will cost North of $30K by itself.

The Arizona options have the drawback in that I'm really getting tired of the summer heat. We can alleviate that by traveling all summer. We would like to visit all the national parks in the US.

Decisions decisions..............

I love Tucson.  Awesome place.  Couldn't do it June through September though, I'd have to have a place out of the heat.

Prescott kicks ass, and isn't as overpriced as Flagstaff if you are thinking Northern AZ

[CPslograd]

On 1/8/2025 at 10:34 AM, azgreg said:

So, I'm a little over six years away from my target retirement date. Me and SWMBO have been talking about where to retire. We've discussed teh following options:
1 - Staying in Vegas - Not a fan of this option. I don't much like it here.
2 - Moving back to our house in Phoenix. My oldest sone is renting it now with a friend of his and he's expressed interest in buying it.
3 - Tucson. We have a lot of relatives in Tucson and I like it there.
4 - Wickenburg. Not far from family in Phoenix with nice rolling terrain and a straight shot down the 60 to arguably the best senior citizen medical facilities in the country.
5 - Sonoita. We have relatives near there (Sierra Vista) and it's pretty country side with plenty of wineries (wifes idea).
6 - Become an expat. I like the travel idea and there's plenty of places to move to where it's fairly cheap to live. However, it would be to far from family.
7 - Move to another state. Not much of a fan about this idea. See family comment above.
8 - Build an ADU on our Phoenix property.
9 - Build on our property in Northern Arizona which sits between Show Low and Concho. Gets pretty cold up there and I'm sitting about 1,000' over the water table. A well will cost North of $30K by itself.

The Arizona options have the drawback in that I'm really getting tired of the summer heat. We can alleviate that by traveling all summer. We would like to visit all the national parks in the US.

Decisions decisions..............

Close to your kids, or close to an airport with good access to your kids would probably be the most important factor IMO.  You'll want to be around them and your grandkids, that's what life is all about when you get down to it.

[CPslograd]

On 1/10/2025 at 8:46 PM, Supersix said:

35 minutes north of Fresno.

I hear that.

Although right now, the San Joaquin Valley is freaking beautiful.  Early rain to get some green on the ground, awesome temperatures, clear skies by afternoon...

Camarillo probably has the best weather on Earth, but this December/early January, I'd rather be here on the Valley floor.