Have We Missed the Window of Opportunity for Retiring Abroad?

There are a lot of us, we Americans/Europeans who thought with our hearts instead of our wallets. It was a time of plenty, but many of us missed out on the American and European dream. Others did it right, but had it all snatched away during the great real estate bubble scam that started early this century. Yes, they sucked it all away from us and left us with small retirements and few possibilities of cashing in on anything from the West.

To be poor in the US makes life as hard as a Nepali’s, or at least that’s how it feels. To be poor where everyone walks is a lot easier than being poor in a society where we see the affluence of others all around us.

But to be rich in a land where others are walking, now that’s luxury. That makes all the difference. I know because I was the former until I moved to Nepal. Now I’m the latter. Yes, moving to Nepal was the smartest thing I’ve done thus far.

As I was researching what’s available in the ‘retire abroad’ subject and saw this:

P.S. This is a great-value deal. Get your copy of A Retirement ‘Loophole’ for the Rest of Us: The Getaway Nation Where You Can ‘Live Rich’ on $1,700 a Month today –

That’s more than twice what a person can live on in Nepal, especially the way I want you to do it; staying with me.

Surprisingly, I didn’t find much. The information below is from a 2013 article.

In the Philippines, your dollar stretches (and stretches and stretches), and most expats live comfortably on $800 to $1,200 per month. This will fund a lot of luxuries, such as household help. In the provinces, the monthly salary for live-in maids is around $65. In a coastal town on Negros Island a haircut can cost as little as 77 cents.

In many places the monthly rent for two-bedroom apartments and bungalows is $200 to $300. Private health care is inexpensive and the Philippines is a popular destination for medical tourism.


Thailand has a lot of living options. Some foreign retirees choose to live in the hubbub atmosphere of Bangkok. Some live in the north, where life is quiet, peaceful, and very inexpensive. Others choose the south for its beautiful beaches.


A one-bedroom condo in a modern building with all the expected amenities (plus some) will run $300 to $600 per month in many parts of the country. An “over-the-top,” luxury two-bedroom condo, with great views and 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, will rent for $1,000 to $1,200 per month.


A luxurious lifestyle for a couple is possible on $1,800 a month depending on your location, but you can do it cheaper.


Malaysia comes in third position in the Cost of Living category…and also comes in third position overall in the Index. A former British colony, Malaysia conjures up all the mysteries of Asia.


Rent can be as little as $500 a month and entertainment as low as $100. You can have a comfortable lifestyle here including a maid service four times a week for $1,137 a month.


From the AARP site: Ecuador is the overall winner, with the lowest cost of living and real estate, reports the 2012 Global Retirement Index. The South American country places second (after Panama) in “special benefits” programs for retirees. Panama offers the pensionado, which provides foreigners with 30 percent discounts on public transportation within the country; tickets for cultural and sporting events, including movies; and 25 percent off restaurant bills. And in Ecuador, folks older than 65 pay lower income tax and get free domestic landline phone service.


Bottom line, says the magazine that has been tracking retirement abroad for 30 years: A budget-watching couple could live well on $800 a month in Ecuador and be pressed to spend more than $1,500 monthly.


http://internationalliving.com/2013/10/the-top-three-best-places-to-retire-overseas-for-a-low-cost-of-living/


http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/alternatives-to-europe-affordable-retirement-abroad-10883


http://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-04-2012/affordable-retirement-abroad-ask-sid.html


Here is a list of what rent costs in various countries: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/on-retirement/2013/12/31/the-worlds-8-best-places-to-retire-in-2014


Then I saw another ad promising to show you how to live on $55 a day. I’d be broke in slightly over a week. You can actually retire in style in Nepal for about $17 a day.


So, it seems the door to living abroad on a shoestring has past many of us Baby-Boomers by. At least that’s what we are being told. Don’t believe it. I believe Nepal is a great place to retire, and will be continuing to write about the reasons I believe this to be true.

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Dental Values in Nepal? Seriously?

Prior to leaving the US I needed some dental work. Everyone insisted that I should have it done before I left, which I did. For a mere $1,800 I had a root canal on a tooth. It bothered me all this time because I didn’t really trust dentists here in Nepal. It’s that old American dialog that no one does it better than the US when it comes to health care-except the dentist in the US didn’t do a good job. Seriously, dental re-dos are quite scary.

I broke a tooth shortly after arriving in Nepal and actually got it repaired well, after a few attempts at local dentistry. I just didn’t know where to go. Having dental work repaired properly in a third world country is a daunting task. But I think I’ve done it. I found a modern clinic that does full mouth x-rays with the new technology where the machine scans your entire mouth in just 25 seconds, MRI. It was great. They handed me the picture on a DVD and emailed it to my dentist right after the procedure was completed. It cost me 1,050 NRs. ($11) to have the picture made. I cannot imagine having it done in the US for under $200. That’s a savings of at least $190 on an MRI. The clinic also has the full body unit. Depending on your genetic predisposition, you could use such services to check for aneurysms and a number of other possible issues. If you are from the US you could use the services here prior to obtaining insurance if you think you could have a pre-existing condition issue. One surprising thing you may find is that pregnant women are not allowed to know if the fetus is male or female until after it is too late for an abortion. Speaking of abortions, they do have some abortion clinics here that seem to be decent.  

I highly recommend the Panas Dental Clinic in Banashwor. It’s a very clean office and gloves are worn by both dentist and assistant. They have a back-up generator for electric cuts, but since there has been a petrol shortage this month they were careful to schedule me during a time when electric would be running. What had happened was the filament from the root canal had gone through the tooth and was causing an infection in my bone. Sounds intense? It was. This dentist worked 1 1/2 hours on it along with the tooth next to it that also needed to have the procedure redone.  Then I had to go back for a second time for another full hour for the removal of the debris in the bone. I got two new porcelain crowns and the oral surgery for 23,000 NRs. or less than $250. I could tell this dental specialist was good from the start, but even though there is some discomfort on this first morning afterwards, I feel very good about it and highly recommend him. The crowns fit nicely already. 

My recommendation for those coming to Nepal for long enough is to get your trip off to a great start by getting your dental work done first. Then go off to explore the beautiful countryside. Also, as I mention in my book, Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual, you can get measured for a 4-5 piece suit that will make you look like a million bucks for less than $200 in Kathmandu. That would be my first two stops if I were coming here for a month or more. The savings will more than pay for the trip. But always get a referral for such things and never pay in advance. Nepal is one place where you pay after services are rendered, never before-just a deposit. 

I've recommended Dr. Reyajt at the Panas Dental Hospital, New Banaswor, Kathmandu, in the past, but I've found a dental hospital that has been almost the same care as I've come to expect in the US, but for those who cannot pay those prices here's the best place, the Kathmandu Teaching Hospital in Dhulikhel. It's modern and clean and extremely well priced. You can get your teeth cleaned for only $4, but they use the cold water line for the sprayer. If you go in the winter time it can be extremely cold on your teeth as they clean. Otherwise, I found it painless and excellent service. 

Tip for getting medical treatment in Nepal: Find out what time the clinic or hospital begins seeing people and be sure not to go until about an hour before they quit seeing patients. Everyone comes early and sits there patiently waiting. I see it as a waste of time to wait more than an hour.

The Great Escape-From Motherhood

This blog post will inspire retired women to come to Nepal. This is my first long term guest to come to my 'Senior Gap Year' Project:

. . . "The day my dear husband died was the day I picked my life back up and began to live, but I clung to the love of these three souls hoping as they matured they would each appreciate and love me like I had loved them. Obviously that didn’t happen and it’s really fine that this is the way it was for me. Had it not been for the independent nature that I had instilled in them I know I would still be living my life for them, and waiting for grandchildren, and taking menial work so I could manage the hours in case someone needed me. I’ve seen it happen to plenty of my girlfriends. . . " Keep reading:
http://usexpatinnepal.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-great-escape-from-motherhood.html

Did you know I wrote an eBook filled with tips on getting the most out of your visit to Nepal?

Satisfaction Guaranteed: NO FINE PRINT. If you don't truly love Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual, please send for 100% money back. If you are not completely satisfied just send your purchase information along with a note to: FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com

Nepal: A Tourist’s Manual-For more information check out our website. If you enjoy this blog and the website you will enjoy the 299 page eBook. It is a well illustrated, easy read with over 1,000 tips to help you get the most out of Nepal.

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