Except for emergency healthcare, English spoken (more or less!), public libraries /recreation centres, and decent weather in a few places for 3-4 months a year I really see no great advantages to be retired in Canada - not financially, not emotionally and in very few other practical considerations either. I am a bachelor. I don't own a business or property. I slowly moved all my possessions to a storeroom in Asia so that at 62 I now live out of a suitcase in one of the most expensive metropolitan areas of Canada (GVRD) - for reasons of family obligation that are unlikely to last more than 5 years....
I am a Canadian citizen and resident very well-travelled in Southeast and South Asia. I got most of my medical care overseas because I could see a specialist within a few days in Saigon, Penang or Mumbai who spends 30-40 minutes in a consult instead of 15. I could afford to eat out. And there is the history, the beaches, and more.
In fact I am chomping at the bit to get old fast, so I can take my CPP, OAS and possibly GIC and get the heck out of here! The only thing that holds me back is virtually no savings. My retirement income will be meagre - dependent on the tax-payers in fact. On $700 I could live in Nepal or Cambodia but not Thailand or Taiwan. To live in any of the rapidly developing Asian Tigers it'll take GIC and probably part-time work or running a small business either overseas or here half the year for cash. Actually I could even report it. As I recall it isn't taken off dollar for dollar.
My plan is to just rent a room in a shared apartment here in Canada (as indeed I do now) for the absolute minimal 'footprint' in Canada and for only one reason: continuing to qualify for GIC. And getting treated if I develop something disastrous like cancer.
Snowbirds, who actually do this - I am most keen to learn from you. I sit at your feet for wisdom. Do any of you regret doing this?
I am a Canadian citizen and resident very well-travelled in Southeast and South Asia. I got most of my medical care overseas because I could see a specialist within a few days in Saigon, Penang or Mumbai who spends 30-40 minutes in a consult instead of 15. I could afford to eat out. And there is the history, the beaches, and more.
In fact I am chomping at the bit to get old fast, so I can take my CPP, OAS and possibly GIC and get the heck out of here! The only thing that holds me back is virtually no savings. My retirement income will be meagre - dependent on the tax-payers in fact. On $700 I could live in Nepal or Cambodia but not Thailand or Taiwan. To live in any of the rapidly developing Asian Tigers it'll take GIC and probably part-time work or running a small business either overseas or here half the year for cash. Actually I could even report it. As I recall it isn't taken off dollar for dollar.
My plan is to just rent a room in a shared apartment here in Canada (as indeed I do now) for the absolute minimal 'footprint' in Canada and for only one reason: continuing to qualify for GIC. And getting treated if I develop something disastrous like cancer.
Snowbirds, who actually do this - I am most keen to learn from you. I sit at your feet for wisdom. Do any of you regret doing this?