Living outside the US...recommendations?

austintx05 · Mar 28, 2007

Always wondered what life woudl be like outside the US. I have a couple friends in Toronto, but that is really it. I have worked with several people at my job from all over the world, but am curious if anyone on this forum lives outside the US...and what is their take on their current situation there.

Thanks

:toast:

gbogo · Mar 28, 2007

lived in

australia--- good- gambling/weather bad- too far to travel to other places
japan good-- food/nightlife bad need to know japanese to stay long
singapore good restaurants/bars/tax rate bad- have to be working there
canada too cold for me in winter
bermuda after 6 months too small
usa you already know

AdamSelene · Mar 28, 2007

gbogo said:
bermuda after 6 months too small

Pretty much true of any island, Hawaii included.

Check out Panamá City.

austintx05 · Mar 28, 2007

How about Vancouver being warmewr on the west coast?

Mr.Smith · Mar 28, 2007

neteller doesnt take canadians

austintx05 · Mar 29, 2007

I wouldn't have a problerm setting up a bank account offshore...such as Antigua...

austintx05 · Mar 29, 2007

I just know a lot of countries outside the US do not have a gambling tax

MrJ · Mar 29, 2007

Well, what kind of weather/lifestyle are you looking for?

austintx05 · Mar 29, 2007

very basic....I need to be able to get NFL/NCAAF/NBA/MLB packages...high speed internet connection...like to live in a decent area where all my daily errands in a close radius...ie..grocery store, bank...etc..

As shallow as it seems...would like to live in a country where the lifestyle is similar ot mine in the US, but I can use Pinnacle and take advantage of the low vig and not paying a gambling tax as well...

MrJ · Mar 29, 2007

Australia is fine except for the packages. I'm guessing they are coverage subscriptions for tv? I'm not sure you can get that here.

valium · Mar 29, 2007

austintx05 said:
very basic....I need to be able to get NFL/NCAAF/NBA/MLB packages...high speed internet connection...like to live in a decent area where all my daily errands in a close radius...ie..grocery store, bank...etc..

As shallow as it seems...would like to live in a country where the lifestyle is similar ot mine in the US, but I can use Pinnacle and take advantage of the low vig and not paying a gambling tax as well...

as a us citizen any earned income no matter where you live is taxable. when living most of the year outside the united states the first $80,000 earned is exempt as long as you paid tax where your living.

fhmesq44 · Mar 29, 2007

Of the major cities I have visited, Toronto and Barcelona were the best. Both cosmopolitan, great people, good nightlife, clubs and restaurants, ton to do in each city. Both were laid back as hell too. I have only visited, but I would consider living in either of them. I absolutely loved Barcelona and it certainly has the weather over Toronto. I imagine you won't be able to get the packages you want though. Solid chicks in both, too, I was really surprised how many hot chicks there were in Toronto.

Italianole · Mar 29, 2007

Spain, specifically Barcelona, is one of the greatest places I have ever been in my life. I did not get to stay there very long but the beaches were great and the city itself was a lot of fun. I am not sure about living there, but in general I believe their economy is unlike a lot of other European countries where they tax your ass off. I am certainly not an expert but I believe this to be true.

I also looooooooved the Netherlands. I stayed in Brunssum for a few weeks and spent a lot of time in Amsterdam.

austintx05 · Mar 29, 2007

valium said:
as a us citizen any earned income no matter where you live is taxable. when living most of the year outside the united states the first $80,000 earned is exempt as long as you paid tax where your living.

I was told by a friend of mine who lives in Toronto that you don't claim your gambling winnings in Canada...he says they do not tax that?

kingbill · Mar 29, 2007

Vancouver has everything you want except it rains like a MF here, plus housing is expensive if you want to live in the city, the suburbs are much cheaper but not as beautiful. I used to always Joke "At least I don't have to Shovel Rain" but this year was a little ridiculous. If you like skiing or Snowboarding, hiking or anything outdoor oriented Vancouver's great.
I grew up in and around Toronto and for me It's a great place to be from, If it had better weather I could live there but the winters are too cold, the summers are hot but one thing I remember from the last time I was there was the pollution is getting bad.
Adam S. mentioned Panama City, I was only there a week but I enjoyed it very much, you could find most of the comforts of the US that you won't find as easily in other Central American cities, great tax haven also.

kingbill · Mar 29, 2007

austintx05 said:
I was told by a friend of mine who lives in Toronto that you don't claim your gambling winnings in Canada...he says they do not tax that?

Thats true as long as gambling isn't your primary source of income, it's considered a winfall which is non-taxable, like winning the lottery.

austintx05 · Mar 29, 2007

kingbill said:
Thats true as long as gambling isn't your primary source of income, it's considered a winfall which is non-taxable, like winning the lottery.

So if it is your primary source of income, what % does the Canadian Govt take?

BTW - I am not so concerned about living in the city, as my reasoning in the future for making this move is for gambling purposes...Pinnacle is a must.

kingbill · Mar 29, 2007

austintx05 said:
So if it is your primary source of income, what % does the Canadian Govt take?

BTW - I am not so concerned about living in the city, as my reasoning in the future for making this move is for gambling purposes...Pinnacle is a must.

I know we get taxed higher than most, I wouldn't claim it but you would want to double check http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html

austintx05 · Mar 29, 2007

Ok. I will check it.

If you lived in the suburbs in Vancouver, how much coudl one expect to pay for a 2 bed/2bath apt? Cost of living?

Or if you could just direct me to a site that has this info...either way...Thanks.

kingbill · Mar 29, 2007

austintx05 said:
Ok. I will check it.

If you lived in the suburbs in Vancouver, how much coudl one expect to pay for a 2 bed/2bath apt? Cost of living?

Or if you could just direct me to a site that has this info...either way...Thanks.

I live in Burnaby which is the first Suburb east of Vancouver, Vancouver is on the coast so everything is east, it gets cheaper the farther you go.

http://www.realestateburnaby.com/ActiveListings.php

Google search, Burnaby $$$, Coquitlam $$$, Port Coquitlam $$, North Vancouver $$$$, West Vancouver $$$$$, Richmond $$$, Surrey $$ and Langley $$