Post #253529 by Rattiki on Mon, Sep 11, 2006 1:25 AM

Way to think outside of the box. I suppose I never thought of living and working in a foreign land.

It is funny for me to read this thread for many reasons. First the comparison to Hawaii and here in Key West; the costs, which are about the same, the real estate which is MUCH cheaper there (80 residential properties sold here in 2005 at an average of $1.1 MILLION each!, condos are NO less), the makin ends meet, 2 jobs? try 3!....well not me, but many do! Buy a house and raise a family here? HAHAHA :lol: That's a joke! And I half grew up here!

The second thing that intrigues me is the almost naive fear about making the big move. I guess I've been lucky, I grew up a Navy brat and a son of a hippy :wink: I went to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India when I was 17....ALONE! :o I've got around 40+ countries under my belt, most 2nd, 3rd and 4th world, and I've lived in 6 different nations. So when I read about getting used to how things are done in HI I just laugh :lol: When I was a younger man my school chums used to ask me how did I go to all these places (this is after I started doing it on my own) and my answer was/is "just get on the plane". Now Swanky says go to the Cook Is., and another says no way, and the latter maybe right, BUT if you really want to go live the 'vida loca' it is VERY possible! Hawaii? PLEASE! It's still the USA.....mostly. Granted there is the questions what will I do with the dog, kids will I ever see my folks again etc......BUT that is not the real question now is it?! The real question is WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE!?!?! :lol: :evil: :lol: This is the BIG serious absolute question in the end. Believe me if you want to go to HI I am sure it is quite do-able and it sounds like the big island even has some deals real estate wise still. The consideration is what will your compromises be, can you not live as a mainlander anymore and only see your folks every other year for a week (I was so out of touch with mine in the late 80's when I lived in OZ that my Mom sent a postcard to my last known address frightened of the worst....and for good reason but that is another story :wink: ) can you really not live in NJ, or CA and get your daily fix of the local culture you grew up with and know so well, is that REALLY needed in your life. Do you need to have a professional career "future" (whatever that is in this post Reaganonmics era) with plenty of square footage, income, pension, medical, how will you feed the kids dog, myself?.........Ahhh this is all fear factor, you'd be amazed what you can do if you want to, ESPECIALLY if you are single. There are 1000's of jobs and ways to make a living all over the world, Viet Nam has so much possibilty it is amazing! Or how about Brazil? South Africa? China is simply BOOMING! On and on it goes, bottom line is if you want to move to the 50th state or Puerto Rico to live in the palm tree's sway it is very possible, it's just a matter of can YOU personally handle the compromise and is that what you want out of your life? Remember life's not a dress rehersal, you get one go and it's over for good. :wink:

Me, I'm still looking and mulling over where we'll buy 500-1000 sq. meters of beachfront to build and open a South Seas style bar and grill. Still hoping to find something in Mindoro, Philippines......the fool that I am :blush: :D

Oh, and one more thing to remember, where ever you go, there YOU are!

[ Edited by: Rattiki 2006-09-11 01:46 ]