Anyone considering moving?

[uncjhodges]

Kids tend to be remarkably malleable.

Definitely, she’s just a social being and i would feel bad about it just dj quick to a large move

Portland is already quite expensive; on mean, Seattle is >20% more so. If you have the upper middle class nest egg or sure fire $200k+ annual income, I agree that Seattle offers more. If you have stable middle income, an interest in access to urban neighborhoods, and interest in urban and nearby outdoors, the compact nature and cost of living in Portland is likely more broadly achievable.

ETA: IMO, the PNW "value" play is Olympia. It doesn't have the same immediately accessible outdoors as most of Seattle and Portland, though still quite good; its day trip potential is excellent; COL is notably lower; and you're still relatively easy access to SeaTac and Seattle medical facilities. That said, you need a fairly reliable job or ability to work from home, as it's a limited economy (small pop).

I don’t know much about Olympia, but if you’re looking for a smaller town that has the ethos of the PNW and cheaper than seattle, I’d be looking at Bellingham.
Near the Canadian border, less than an hour from Vancouver, 1.5 hours from Seattle, has a small airport if i recall correctly, 30 min from Mt Baker, and on the water. It’s a college town too. Great outdoor opportunities. Tons of good breweries (including structures which i think is a top 3-5 brewery in the state) and coffee spots too.

 

[Healing]

Definitely, she’s just a social being and i would feel bad about it just dj quick to a large move

I don’t know much about Olympia, but if you’re looking for a smaller town that has the ethos of the PNW and cheaper than seattle, I’d be looking at Bellingham.
Near the Canadian border, less than an hour from Vancouver, 1.5 hours from Seattle, has a small airport if i recall correctly, 30 min from Mt Baker, and on the water. It’s a college town too. Great outdoor opportunities. Tons of good breweries (including structures which i think is a top 3-5 brewery in the state) and coffee spots too.

I agree Bellingham is a step up from Olympia from a quaintness and immediate beauty standpoint, though it's much more difficult to access SeaTac (Bellingham airport is functional, though limited), COL is quite a bit higher, and city amenities are effectively a day trip (1.5-2hrs to Seattle or border crossings, which I think will get harder) vs Olympia (30min-1hr). I've researched moving to both, and the primary reason I landed on Olympia is because it retains the PNW-ness while possessing a broader financial entry point and access.

I think it's easy to simply pick the most visually attractive and amenity rich spot and say "it's so much better than X", without acknowledging "so much better" is virtually always more expensive, and often much. I'd love to live in a tucked in spot on the edges of Ballard or Edmonds but that just ain't happenin' with my financial goals.

My read is the mean zzl poster's financial status might be described as comfortable to very comfortable. This board undoubtedly has considerable overrepresentation of wealthy folks, as well. I'm trying to impart what I know mostly to an audience that falls beneath the my perception of said statuses.

 

[Croatoan]

Another option:

You Can 'Skip Forward' Past Donald Trump's Presidency With a 4-Year, $250K Cruise

People who vowed to leave the US should Donald Trump win the presidential election can now do that aboard a four year-long cruise.

www.vice.com

“Villa Vie Residences is offering Americans a four-year escape from reality. Following Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, the residential cruise line announced a new sailing that will run the length of the convicted felon’s forthcoming term.

Dubbed the “Skip Forward” package, Villa Vie will welcome new residents onboard its Odyssey ship for up to four years. For Americans who promised to leave the country should Trump come out victorious, the cruise line offers that opportunity. Passengers who set sail will visit more than 140 countries across all seven continents.

It won’t be cheap to dodge the real world, though. Single occupancy options start at $255,999, while double occupancy rates begin at $319,998.”

 

[336Heel]

My wife was reading an add for Portugal just a moment ago.

I actually did some cursory reading about what Americans needed to do to move to Portugal. If I were gonna move abroad I think that's where I'd go.

 

[uncjhodges]

I agree Bellingham is a step up from Olympia from a quaintness and immediate beauty standpoint, though it's much more difficult to access SeaTac (Bellingham airport is functional, though limited), COL is quite a bit higher, and city amenities are effectively a day trip (1.5-2hrs to Seattle or border crossings, which I think will get harder) vs Olympia (30min-1hr). I've researched moving to both, and the primary reason I landed on Olympia is because it retains the PNW-ness while possessing a broader financial entry point and access.

I think it's easy to simply pick the most visually attractive and amenity rich spot and say "it's so much better than X", without acknowledging "so much better" is virtually always more expensive, and often much. I'd love to live in a tucked in spot on the edges of Ballard or Edmonds but that just ain't happenin' with my financial goals.

My read is the mean zzl poster's financial status might be described as comfortable to very comfortable. This board undoubtedly has considerable overrepresentation of wealthy folks, as well. I'm trying to impart what I know mostly to an audience that falls beneath the my perception of said statuses.

I agree Bellingham is a step up from Olympia from a quaintness and immediate beauty standpoint, though it's much more difficult to access SeaTac (Bellingham airport is functional, though limited), COL is quite a bit higher, and city amenities are effectively a day trip (1.5-2hrs to Seattle or border crossings, which I think will get harder) vs Olympia (30min-1hr). I've researched moving to both, and the primary reason I landed on Olympia is because it retains the PNW-ness while possessing a broader financial entry point and access.

I think it's easy to simply pick the most visually attractive and amenity rich spot and say "it's so much better than X", without acknowledging "so much better" is virtually always more expensive, and often much. I'd love to live in a tucked in spot on the edges of Ballard or Edmonds but that just ain't happenin' with my financial goals.

My read is the mean zzl poster's financial status might be described as comfortable to very comfortable. This board undoubtedly has considerable overrepresentation of wealthy folks, as well. I'm trying to impart what I know mostly to an audience that falls beneath the my perception of said statuses.

Well obviously, But I assumed if someone was seriously considering to move to the pnw at this pt and on this message board, they would be aware of the cost of living and their current situation. Not trying to confuse or belittle anyone.
We actually lived near the Ballard locks, on the magnolia side and were able to walk to downtown ballard anytime- it was great

 

[Bigs23]

Well obviously, But I assumed if someone was seriously considering to move to the pnw at this pt and on this message board, they would be aware of the cost of living and their current situation. Not trying to confuse or belittle anyone.
We actually lived near the Ballard locks, on the magnolia side and were able to walk to downtown ballard anytime- it was great

It’s much cheaper to live in many other countries. The US is expensive.

 

[farce©]

It’s much cheaper to live in many other countries. The US is expensive.

Are you taking into consideration the tax burden in those countries? Expats have to pay income tax in the country they move to, and still have to pay US tax on US income.

 

[mpaer]

I can't even consider giving up Medicare and then buying insurance elsewhere................

 

[Bigs23]

Are you taking into consideration the tax burden in those countries? Expats have to pay income tax in the country they move to, and still have to pay US tax on US income.

Yeah, I’m talking about retiring overseas not working overseas.

 

[OGtruthhurts]

I would move to any Nordic country but damn they are cold.

 

[mpaer]

Yeah, I’m talking about retiring overseas not working overseas.

Apoligize if you have answered this--But how would you buy Health Care covearge ? I am "assumning" Medicare bows out if I move to say Portugal??

 

[Bigs23]

Apoligize if you have answered this--But how would you buy Health Care covearge ? I am "assumning" Medicare bows out if I move to say Portugal??

You can get it there and much cheaper.

 

[UNCatTech]

My wife found 10 acers in Minnesota for a really good price. It's close to Duluth.

Anyone live in that area? From reading the reviews, Duluth seems like a pretty nice place.

 

[Zoo_View]

I went to Mt. Rainier area for the first time this year. It’s a beautiful state with a good government; wish it wasn’t so far from my family or I’d like to move there too. Would be a bit scared of the volcanoes depending on the area lol.

It’s not the volcanoes……it’s the Juan de Fuca plate going under North America that’ll get you…..9.3 to 9.8 earthquake with tsunamis……basically, everything habitable close to or west of I-5 is gone.

The Pacific Northwest doesn’t have a “recorded” history of seismic activity…….so, its building codes in terms of earthquakes is weak.

 

[Zoo_View]

My wife found 10 acers in Minnesota for a really good price. It's close to Duluth.

Anyone live in that area? From reading the reviews, Duluth seems like a pretty nice place.

I’ve heard the winters are nice.

 

[hereiam39]

I retired in 2018 and moved to Portugal. I visit the States (NC) at least twice a year to visit my wife´s daughter. And each time, I am extremely happy to be returning to Portugal. The thing I probably miss the most is UNC Football. It can be a challenge to watch it here (the Wake game STARTS at 1:00am for me).
My cost of living is about 1/2 of what it was in Greensboro - Cost of Living Comparison Between Braga, Portugal And Greensboro, NC, United States
There are NO guns, so basically there is no violent crime. In the 8 years I have lived here, I have heard of one murder in the entire country. I hear of at least 2-3 murders in Greensboro each visit I return to Greensboro, let alone the entire state.
Someone asked about insurance. First of all, like nearly every modern country except the US, Portugal has socialized medicine and it is free or extremely low-cost to use. Today my wife and I got our Covid and flu shots at the local pharmacy. Had an appointment, that the government sets up for you, walked in, got shots, walked out 15 minutes later. No cost. Colonoscopy exams, free every 5 years. But like all socialized medicine, there are usually long waits, so there are private hospitals, which we mainly use. And you can buy insurance for these type of hospitals at the local banks, private insurance companies, or even through the specific hospital chain itself. We buy two types, one through a private company that can be used in any hospital throughout the world, including 50k coverage in the US for about $120 each a month. We also have a private hospital chain insurance that reduces the basic cost of a Doctor´s visit from 35 Euro (!) to 10€ for the first 10 visits a year, discounts on most procedures and more. It costs us about $20 a month each. So, our insurance costs to get comparable insurance to what we had in the US is $140 a month per person fo a healthy 61 year old male and a 65 year old woman with pre-existing conditions. To answer someone else, yes, you can keep Medicare while outside the US. It does nothing for you, but you can have it.
Taxes - I only pay US taxes, as when I moved to Portugal, they had a plan that allowed immigrants who relied solely on retirement income to live 10 years with no Portuguese taxes. That plan no longer exists. So, yes, you can pay double for taxes. Talk to an accountant.

Sometimes it can be lonely living as a stranger in a strange land, but other than that, I wouldn´t trade it for anything. I will probably die here in Portugal, especially now with this election results and what probably will happen in the US, but I am happy that I moved here.

 

[OGtruthhurts]

And miss all the fun?

 

[JCTarheel82]

My wife found 10 acers in Minnesota for a really good price. It's close to Duluth.

Anyone live in that area? From reading the reviews, Duluth seems like a pretty nice place.

My dad's side of the family is from the Minneapolis area so I've been to the Twin Cities many times. It's a nice area with lots of stuff to do. I don't believe I've ever been farther north to Duluth, or if I have I was too young to remember. Stating the obvious here but the weather would be a dramatic change for someone living in Atlanta. I'm of the mind that if you're interested in moving to a cold weather environment and it makes sense for your career and family situation, you might as well go big and move to the Toronto area to escape American Idiocracy altogether.

 

[CarlSpackler]

My dad's side of the family is from the Minneapolis area so I've been to the Twin Cities many times. It's a nice area with lots of stuff to do. I don't believe I've ever been farther north to Duluth, or if I have I was too young to remember. Stating the obvious here but the weather would be a dramatic change for someone living in Atlanta. I'm of the mind that if you're interested in moving to a cold weather environment and it makes sense for your career and family situation, you might as well go big and move to the Toronto area to escape American Idiocracy altogether.

It's a nice area for sure and I really like the twin cities, but the weather is a show stopper for me.

 

[Bigs23]

I retired in 2018 and moved to Portugal. I visit the States (NC) at least twice a year to visit my wife´s daughter. And each time, I am extremely happy to be returning to Portugal. The thing I probably miss the most is UNC Football. It can be a challenge to watch it here (the Wake game STARTS at 1:00am for me).
My cost of living is about 1/2 of what it was in Greensboro - Cost of Living Comparison Between Braga, Portugal And Greensboro, NC, United States
There are NO guns, so basically there is no violent crime. In the 8 years I have lived here, I have heard of one murder in the entire country. I hear of at least 2-3 murders in Greensboro each visit I return to Greensboro, let alone the entire state.
Someone asked about insurance. First of all, like nearly every modern country except the US, Portugal has socialized medicine and it is free or extremely low-cost to use. Today my wife and I got our Covid and flu shots at the local pharmacy. Had an appointment, that the government sets up for you, walked in, got shots, walked out 15 minutes later. No cost. Colonoscopy exams, free every 5 years. But like all socialized medicine, there are usually long waits, so there are private hospitals, which we mainly use. And you can buy insurance for these type of hospitals at the local banks, private insurance companies, or even through the specific hospital chain itself. We buy two types, one through a private company that can be used in any hospital throughout the world, including 50k coverage in the US for about $120 each a month. We also have a private hospital chain insurance that reduces the basic cost of a Doctor´s visit from 35 Euro (!) to 10€ for the first 10 visits a year, discounts on most procedures and more. It costs us about $20 a month each. So, our insurance costs to get comparable insurance to what we had in the US is $140 a month per person fo a healthy 61 year old male and a 65 year old woman with pre-existing conditions. To answer someone else, yes, you can keep Medicare while outside the US. It does nothing for you, but you can have it.
Taxes - I only pay US taxes, as when I moved to Portugal, they had a plan that allowed immigrants who relied solely on retirement income to live 10 years with no Portuguese taxes. That plan no longer exists. So, yes, you can pay double for taxes. Talk to an accountant.

Sometimes it can be lonely living as a stranger in a strange land, but other than that, I wouldn´t trade it for anything. I will probably die here in Portugal, especially now with this election results and what probably will happen in the US, but I am happy that I moved here.

See you in 2 years!