Live in Ecuador Comfortably on Social Security

For anyone looking for a beautiful, tranquil and cheap place to retire, Ecuador should be at the top of your list.  According to InternationalLiving.com, Ecuador has been at the top of their Global Retirement Index for the past three years in a row.  Here are some of the reasons why:

Affordable Retirement in Ecuador

Americans moving to another country want to be certain that they can afford to live there comfortably, especially if their primary source of income is their Social Security.  In the colonial city of Cuenca, a furnished two-bedroom apartment rents for about $300 a month, and you can buy a condo for approximately $75,000.  A three-bedroom waterfront condo can be rented for $900 a month, if you take out a multi-year lease which will also keep your expenses steady.  Long term leases are a good alternative to buying.  According to International Living, you can live very well in Ecuador for less than $2500 a month, sometimes much less.

The official currency in Ecuador is the U.S. dollar, which makes it very easy to know exactly what you are spending for everything.  A number of banks will accept direct deposits of your Social Security check and there are ATMs almost everywhere.

Another community that is appealing to relocating Americans is Bahia de Carquez on the coast of Ecuador.  Like Cuenca, it has medical facilities, restaurants and groups of other expatriots who get together regularly.

Some things, such as furniture and American style clothing, can be more expensive in Ecuador.  However, if you buy your clothing during visits back to the United States, and you rent a furnished apartment, these expenses should not be too serious a problem.

You will also find that the grocery stores are well-stocked and carry nearly everything you are accustomed to buying in the United States, although not all brand names will be available.

Medical Care in Ecuador

One concern many Americans have when they move to another country is the medical care.  This past January, a couple I know was traveling in Ecuador, when the wife suddenly collapsed in her hotel room as the result of a brain aneurysm.  This could have been fatal, even if it had happened in her home in the United States.  However, she was taken to a hospital in Ecuador where she had a world-class brain surgeon repair the aneurysm, using the latest techniques.  She is back home in the United States, and her neurologist here has expressed his amazement at the quality of the repair.  If you met her today, you would have no idea that this happened to her only six months ago.

In addition to the modern medical facilities in Ecuador, healthcare is quite affordable.  You can buy inexpensive health insurance there, even if you are over age 65.  A retired couple can get health insurance for less than $100 a month from Nova Ecuador, the national insurer.  In addition, a trip to a doctor only costs about $25 - $35 without insurance.

Beauty and Climate

Of course, no matter how cheap a place is, or how wonderful the medical care is, you would not want to move there if it wasn't a lovely, pleasant place to live.  Ecuador has a diverse terrain, ranging from charming beach towns to spectacular mountain villages.  The weather is very temperate.  In Cuenca, the average daily high temperature is in the 70's, with cool evenings.  Some people consider the Ecuadorian climate to be the best in the world.

New Friendships

According to the U.S. State Department, approximately 1.5 million American retirees are living in other countries.  In addition to the opportunity for fun and adventure in another country, many people enjoy the tight-knit groups of friends they find in many foreign countries.   There are currently approximately 5,000 to 10,000 American expatriots living in Ecuador, with the numbers growing every year.

Use Caution When Moving to a New Country

Just because you are living in another country, you should not drop your natural sense of caution.  Even in Ecuador there are thieves, as well as white collar criminals.  Don't be too trusting until you have had time to get to know what you are doing there.  Learning Spanish will help you speak with the local people, although many do speak English.  Contact a local attorney before you move to Ecuador, in order to begin the process of establishing residency once you are there.

If you are interested in learning more about where to retire in the United States or abroad, financial planning, medical issues and changing family values, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

Some of the other articles that may interest you are:

Retiring in Luxury to Hua Hin, Thailand
Americans Retiring in Panama
Best Places to Retire Outside the US
Cheap Places to Retire (in the US)
The Best Sunny Places to Retire (in the US)
Finding Niche Retirement Communities (in the US)

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo of Ecuadorian Market courtesy of morguefile.com

Sources:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-11/travel/sc-trav-1011-retire-abroad-20111011_1_ecuador-health-care-cuenca

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/08/us-personalfinance-retire-expats-idUSBRE8270UO20120308

Retiring in Luxury to Hua Hin, Thailand

As part of our ongoing series of great places to retire on Social Security, many Americans have discovered the famous beach resort community of Hua Hin, Thailand.  Out of a population of approximately 85,000, about 10 percent of the residents are ex-patriots from other countries.

This lovely beachside city is the site of the Wang Klai Kan Won Palace, now used as the full-time residence of the King of Thailand.  It has a tropical climate, with pleasant temperatures that average from 76 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit.  The occasional rainfall amounts to about 39 inches a year.

What to Do in Hua Hin

This small city has good transportation, with its own domestic airport and modern rail service that can easily link residents to the major international airports in Bangkok and Suvarmabhumi.  The beach extends for five kilometers and is considered beautiful and clean.  Among the popular activities in the area are the beaches for snorkeling and swimming, golf courses, fishing, eco-cruising, spas, waterfalls, elephant camping, kite-boarding, national parks and a wide variety of restaurants and shops.  There is a nightly street market where visitors can enjoy shopping and dining on local seafood that is prepared on the spot. 



There are also fun karaoke bars, discotheques, and beer bars scattered throughout the city, especially near the seaside hotels.  Festivals are an important part of life in Hua Hin.  Among the annual events retirees can enjoy are the International Kite Festival, the Hua Hin Jazz Festival, and the Jua Hin Vintage Car Rally.  Residents and tourists can also enjoy modern shops, as well as restaurants and clubs at the local hotels.  A photo of the Market Village is shown shown here.


Health Facilities in Hua Hin

Hua Hin has several modern medical facilities, including the San Paulo Hospital, Hua Hin Red Cross, Bangkok International Hospital, and Hua Hin International Polyclinic.  The Dr. Pairat Eye Clinic is also located there.  Medical procedures in Thailand cost from 20 to 80 percent less than the same procedures in the U.S., and many people believe that the care you will receive is even better.

Living in Hua Hin, Thailand

American residents to this area will discover that English is widely used, and they can enjoy a high standard of living on a modest budget.  According to a  U.S. News article entitled "The Ideal Retirement Haven You've Never Heard of," a couple could live comfortably here for $1,100 a month.  Since most American retirees actually earn significantly more than this from their Social Security alone, this can be a very appealing location to consider.  Sample prices:

2 bedroom furnished ocean view apartment: $1000 - $1200 month
2 bedroom furnished home away from beach: $600 - $900 month
Full time housekeeper:  $300 month
Two-hour massage:  $20 - $35

For retirees wanting to take college classes, Webster University, which is the only international American accredited University in Thailand, has its main campus in the area.

Looking for more retirement ideas?  Use the tabs or the pull down menu at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of other helpful articles on where to retire in the United States or abroad, financial planning, medical issues, and changing family relationships.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com.

You may also be interested in some of these other blog posts:

Americans Retiring in Panama
Best Places to Retire Outside the US
Cheap Places to Retire (in the US)
The Best Sunny Places to Retire (in the US)
Finding Niche Retirement Communities (in the US)

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hua_Hin_District
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ideal-retirement-haven-youve-never-162657501.html

Crimes Against the Elderly

Many Baby Boomers are moving into retirement communities while they still have living parents who also live in a retirement community or an assisted living facility.  Unfortunately, with so many people over the age of 55 living in these neighborhoods, they have begun to attract the attention of criminals who are looking for easy victims.  As a result, Baby Boomers not only have to worry about keeping themselves safe from these predators, but many of us also have to worry about our parents, who can often be more trusting and less suspicious than their Baby Boomer children.

Crime Statistics Involving Elderly

According to the Project America website, for every 1000 people age 65 and over, here are the annual crime statistics:

Simple assault: 1.5
Personal theft:    .8
Robbery:           .6
Aggravated assault:  .3
Rape or sexual assault: .1

Overall, about 2.5 out of every 1000 people age 65 and over will be the victim of a crime every year.  Obviously, the longer you live, the greater your chances of being victimized.

Financial Crimes Against the Elderly

According to the same Project America article, the Department of Justice is especially concerned about financial crimes against the elderly.  In 1998, about one-third of the elder abuse cases that were discovered included financial exploitation, and the statistics have remained similar since that time.  This can include relatives that steal money from senior citizens, financial advisers who are dishonest, and strangers who trick retirees into paying bills they do not owe or donate to charities that do not exist.

Telemarketing Fraud Against the Elderly 

In addition, the elderly have reported about $40 billion in losses as a result of telemarketing fraud, and this problem is growing yearly.

On my Lies and Liers blog, I wrote a post about a phone call I received.  The post is titled "Lies and Liars: Computer Virus Scams," and the incident so infuriated my husband that he reported it to the Federal Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://complaint.ic3.gov/.  This government agency shares this information with other law enforcement agencies, both local and national.  I highly recommend that anyone who experiences a similar phone call report it to the Federal Internet Crime Complaint Center.  While you are unlikely to get reimbursed for any losses, this site is the first step in trying to end these types of crimes.

These phone calls take many forms.  In the case I wrote about, a stranger called and tried to trick me into letting him take control of my computer so he could show me that I had a "computer virus" on it.  When people have fallen for this scam in the past, the caller has loaded a virus onto their computer and then sold the victims anti-virus software.

Other Hoaxes Directed at Senior Citizens

One of the disadvantages of living in a retirement community is that we receive so many fraudulent calls.  The issue has become serious enough that we have begun screening most of the phone calls we receive at our home.  If we do not recognize a name or phone number for an incoming call, we let our answering machine pick up the call.  Then we decide if we want to return it.

Many seniors continue to be tricked into giving strangers their Social Security number and other identifying information because they are being told it is necessary in order to receive government assistance to pay a portion of their utility bills or other obligations.  This is another complete fraud, often targeting the elderly.

Crimes that Pull At Your Heart Strings

Some of the worst crimes are those that rely on your charitable nature or desire to help others.  One of the most horrifying one is "The Crying Teenager Hoax."  In this hoax, a crying teen calls, pretending to be your grandchild or other relative.  They ask you to wire them money in another state because they have been in a car accident or arrested.  Thousands of seniors have sent wire transfers to strangers, believing they were helping a young relative.  Sometimes it is days before they realize they have been cheated.

Other Types of Crimes Against the Elderly

It is a shame that we need to remain constantly vigilant.  However, as a resident of an over-55 community, I realize that I have received more fraudulent phone calls since I moved here than at any other place I have ever lived.  In addition, a member of our Homeowner's Association Board of Directors told me this morning that many of the elderly in our community have been robbed by their home healthcare workers and other people who are supposed to be "helping" them.  This is especially shocking, because we live in a community that is considered one of the safest in California!

No matter how old we live to be, or how safe we deem our community, we are never too old to be the victim of a crime.  We can never let our guard down ... for ourselves, our parents, our friends or our neighbors.

If you are interested in learning more about retirement planning, financial issues, where to retire, medical concerns and changing family relationships, use the tabs or pull-down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com/

The Bankrate List of WORST States for Retirement

In 2012, I ran across an interesting news story from Bankrate, Inc., entitled "10 Worst States to Live in During Retirement."  Their list included a large part of the southern United States.  Of course, this is in direct conflict with many of my other posts in this blog in which I published lists of wonderful places to retire that had been created by CNN Money, Kiplinger Magazine, and AARP.  All of their lists had promoted many of the southern states as affordable, sunny places to retire.

Is the South Really a Bad Region for Retirement?

The Bankrate article peaked my interest because, like most of you, I wanted to know their criteria.  Why were these states suddenly considered undesirable?  Bankrate based their information on statewide statistics for short life expectancies, high crime rates, and high poverty levels. As I thought about these statewide statistics, I realized that their criteria might not have much affect on many of the people who choose to retire in the South.  Here are my thoughts:

First, your personal life expectancy is determined by your health, your heredity and your lifestyle.  The statewide average life expectancy will not have much affect on you, especially after you have already reached the age of 60 or older. 

Second, no one wants to live in a state with a high crime rate.  However, not every town in these states has an abnormally high crime rate.  In addition, if you live in an over-55 community or an assisted living facility, your home or apartment is likely to have a very low crime rate.

Third, one reason many of these states are attractive to retirees is because they often have a low cost of living.  While a large number of retirees who live in these states may have incomes below the poverty line, the amount of Social Security you receive is not based on the state where you live.  You are likely to live on Social Security much more comfortably in an affordable state like Louisiana or Georgia than an expensive state like New York or California.  In fact, the low cost of living in these states may be the very reason why so many low income retirees have chosen to live in them, and the reason why there are so many retirees in these states with incomes below the poverty line!

Keeping these thoughts in mind, here is the Bankrate list:

Bankrate List of States With High Crime, High Poverty and Low Life Expectancy

(Life expectancies are listed after each state)

Louisiana - 75.4
Georgia - 77.1
New Mexico - 78.2
Texas - 78.3
Arkansas - 76.1
Tennessee - 76.2
South Carolina - 76.6
Mississippi - 74.8
Alabama - 75.2
Kentucky - 76.2

The crime rates in these states ranged from 2,794 (Kentucky) to 4,498 (South Carolina) per 100,000 residents.

The percent of retirees living in poverty in these states ranged from 9.7% (Tennessee) to 12% (New Mexico).

How Can Texas Be Considered a Bad State for Retirement?

In looking over the statistics for the various states, I particularly objected to Bankrate's inclusion of Texas on their list.  After all, the life expectancy in Texas was 78.3 (the highest on their list),  The state crime rate of 4,233 per 100,000 residents was high, but it is not that high everywhere in the state.  Many small Texas towns and suburbs have a low crime rate.  The poverty rate of  retirees at 10.7% might only reflect that many low income retirees find it a desirable place to live.  Texas has shown up over and over again on the lists of other organizations as a great place to retire.

These statistics show that we have to evaluate everything we read carefully.  Making decisions about retirement is confusing enough, without having to wade through conflicting opinions!

If you are interested in more ideas about where to retire in the U.S. and abroad, financial issues, medical concerns and changing family relationships, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of helpful articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com