going back to beneficiary's country

[no name 1]

Something I wonder when people say they will retire in another country(either the SO's or a 3rd random country), how do kids factor into it? Or is it mostly couples who don't want to have kids? Because when I am old I think I will want to be near my children and future grandchildren, or at least in the same country, not on the other side of the world from them on purpose. I don't get that part. Life is short.

and I would like my kids to know both of their parents' countries as well, which means moving to the UK at some point...

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

London does not cost 4x more than living in LA/NY, it just doesn't

[no name 1]

That's exactly right. If you have $$$, the U.S. is the best place in the world.

I hope that's sarcasm Mark.

Really? GWB makes it one very unattractive place to me. Not to mention close-minded Americans. Or greedy ones. Or the lack of cheap international travel. Or good food. I can go on & on....

I wasn't sarcastic. I suppose London is just as good, but you'd need 4x the money to maintain

the same standard of living.

How does GWB affect you personally?

Not all Americans are close-minded or greedy.

Why do you care about cheap travel if you can travel First Class?

There's plenty of good food and great restaurants.

Not all Americans think America is the #1 place to live either.

GWB passes laws, appoints justices, send fellow Americans to war, makes Americans targets, he affects my life very much so....

London does not cost 4x more than living in LA/NY, it just doesn't

Not a chance.

Edited August 7, 2007 by devilette

[chri'stina 190]

Something I wonder when people say they will retire in another country(either the SO's or a 3rd random country), how do kids factor into it? Or is it mostly couples who don't want to have kids? Because when I am old I think I will want to be near my children and future grandchildren, or at least in the same country, not on the other side of the world from them on purpose. I don't get that part. Life is short.

and I would like my kids to know both of their parents' countries as well, which means moving to the UK at some point...

Of course...and I want my kids to visit India while they are growing.

But I mean when people say in the far future they want to retire to a random island or something. It doesn't seem like future family comes into play in the decision. But realistically if you have small cute grandchildren who are growing up and you are getting old, it seems people would want to be more near that if possible. Not living a completely separated life from all family in a random country.

[mawilson 2,133]

London does not cost 4x more than living in LA/NY, it just doesn't

Sure it does. It only doesn't if you don't spend any money. Making do is the national pastime.

[no name 1]

London does not cost 4x more than living in LA/NY, it just doesn't

Sure it does. It only doesn't if you don't spend any money. Making do is the national pastime.

I've spent 4 years in LA, 5 in NYC & 2 in London (as a freaking student). I beg to differ.

[GaryC 7]

That's exactly right. If you have $$$, the U.S. is the best place in the world.

I hope that's sarcasm Mark.

Really? GWB makes it one very unattractive place to me. Not to mention close-minded Americans. Or greedy ones. Or the lack of cheap international travel. Or good food. I can go on & on....

Sorry you don't like it here. It's a good thing there's a great big world out there for you to choose from. Please feel free to choose another place to live.

I am speaking to Mark's comment that America is the #1 place to live....(according only to Mark, of course).

Wait till Hillary's in, Gary, you'll be just as thrilled as I am now.

I also think that the USA is the best place to live. Part of my reason for thinking about retiring to PI is for Luz's benefit although I really do like it there.

And Clinton#2? Starting to look less likely. Have you seen the latest polls?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/20...t/national.html

If she doesn't win does that mean your moving?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

London does not cost 4x more than living in LA/NY, it just doesn't

Sure it does. It only doesn't if you don't spend any money. Making do is the national pastime.

Yes it is

If you rent property, London is cheaper than NY. If you buy, London is cheaper than LA.

Going out to eat costs more in London, drinking costs less.

Travel is cheaper, especially if you are trying to get somewhere from LA.

Swings and roundabouts.

[no name 1]

That's exactly right. If you have $$$, the U.S. is the best place in the world.

I hope that's sarcasm Mark.

Really? GWB makes it one very unattractive place to me. Not to mention close-minded Americans. Or greedy ones. Or the lack of cheap international travel. Or good food. I can go on & on....

Sorry you don't like it here. It's a good thing there's a great big world out there for you to choose from. Please feel free to choose another place to live.

I am speaking to Mark's comment that America is the #1 place to live....(according only to Mark, of course).

Wait till Hillary's in, Gary, you'll be just as thrilled as I am now.

I also think that the USA is the best place to live. Part of my reason for thinking about retiring to PI is for Luz's benefit although I really do like it there.

And Clinton#2? Starting to look less likely. Have you seen the latest polls?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/20...t/national.html

If she doesn't win does that mean your moving?

Do not bring your agenda into this thread too.

Edited August 7, 2007 by devilette

[mawilson 2,133]

GWB passes laws, appoints justices, send fellow Americans to war, makes Americans targets, he affects my life very much so....

GWB doesn't pass laws, Congress does. GWB signs their bills into law (or vetoes them, as the case may be.)

GWB appoints justices with the advice and consent of the Senate.

War is good for business and the economy. It also brings us one step closer to world domination.

Americans had been targets long before GWB took office.

[Reba 2]

But I mean when people say in the far future they want to retire to a random island or something. It doesn't seem like future family comes into play in the decision. But realistically if you have small cute grandchildren who are growing up and you are getting old, it seems people would want to be more near that if possible. Not living a completely separated life from all family in a random country.

Why not? Your children will be growing up pretty dang far from their Indian Grandparents. What's the dif if its this generation or the next really?

My Grandmother and Grandfather picked up their 4 kids and moved to Canada from England a generation ago, and none of the rest of the family came with. And my Grandmother has quite a large family! (she's the eldest of 7). She had one sister move to Spain, a brother that moved to France, and the others stayed in England. Needless to say, they didn't get to see each other very often, but they managed, spread out all over the place as they were.

Its a big big world out there. People move around it. There are some countries on this planet that wouldn't have any growth at all if it weren't for immigration (Canada fer instance). And each of those immigrants is leaving behind someone. Just like half of each couple here at VJ.

Back to topic, yeah, James and I would like to move to Canada. Sooner rather that later if possible. The US wasn't our first choice to begin with, and we will eventually tackle Canadian immigration again.

[mawilson 2,133]

If you rent property, London is cheaper than NY. If you buy, London is cheaper than LA.

Where do you rent property in London that it's cheaper than NY?

Anywhere nice would cost you £500-700 per week, which is what???? US$4,500-6,000 per month?

Going out to eat costs more in London, drinking costs less.

Going out to eat costs a LOT more. Drinking costs the same. $5-6 a pint here, £2.50-3.50 there.

Travel is cheaper, especially if you are trying to get somewhere from LA.

If "somewhere" is Europe, of course it's cheaper.

Swings and roundabouts.

"Swings and traffic circles"

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If it wasn't for the darn political instability in Ethiopia, I'd love to retire there. 13 months of sunshine. Well, maybe they get something figured out there until we get to retirement.

Going back to Germany at some point mighyt be an option as well - if folks outside the metro areas ever get used to seeing an interracial couple.

[GaryC 7]

That's exactly right. If you have $$$, the U.S. is the best place in the world.

I hope that's sarcasm Mark.

Really? GWB makes it one very unattractive place to me. Not to mention close-minded Americans. Or greedy ones. Or the lack of cheap international travel. Or good food. I can go on & on....

Sorry you don't like it here. It's a good thing there's a great big world out there for you to choose from. Please feel free to choose another place to live.

I am speaking to Mark's comment that America is the #1 place to live....(according only to Mark, of course).

Wait till Hillary's in, Gary, you'll be just as thrilled as I am now.

I also think that the USA is the best place to live. Part of my reason for thinking about retiring to PI is for Luz's benefit although I really do like it there.

And Clinton#2? Starting to look less likely. Have you seen the latest polls?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/20...t/national.html

If she doesn't win does that mean your moving?

Do not bring your agenda into this thread too.

Sorry, but you brought her up.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If you rent property, London is cheaper than NY. If you buy, London is cheaper than LA.

Where do you rent property in London that it's cheaper than NY?

Anywhere nice would cost you £500-700 per week, which is what???? US$4,500-6,000 per month?

Well, if you limit yourself to Mayfair, that is what you will pay. If you want to compare like with like, it will likely be cheaper. It is very feasible to get a nice place in a nice area (Islington, South Ken, Chelsea, Clapham) for the equalivent of what you will pay for broom closet 4-th floor walkup in the Lower East side.

Going out to eat costs more in London, drinking costs less.

Going out to eat costs a LOT more. Drinking costs the same. $5-6 a pint here, £2.50-3.50 there.

I ate at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant (3 michelin stars) for less than $100 a head last time in London, including wine. I doubt the equivalent costs $25 in New York/LA $5 a pint - for decent beer? possible, but not the norm. Here it is more like $6-$7. Wine costs a lot more and generally so do spirits.

Travel is cheaper, especially if you are trying to get somewhere from LA.

If "somewhere" is Europe, of course it's cheaper.

Asia and Oz are cheaper too, even though they are geographically closer