[researcher11]

I dropped out and retired at 31 to a third world country. I'm going to study whatever I'm interested in while the economy sorts itself out. I may never re-enter the job maket. I'm ok with that. I'm not rich but it's really cheap here. I don't want to be forced into a rental market or stock market. The jobs don't pay enough and the margins are too thin. The risk is too high and all of my statistical modeling is telling me that the debt fueled market ends in tears. Good luck with that. Count me out. Don't blame me if you can't find someone to help you build software.

[bronz]

whats the best country to retire in the way you have?

[researcher11]

I'm in rual Panama. It's probably the best for tax and lifestyle reasons.

[Tepix]

If you want to buy something from the US (perhaps a new computer), is it difficult and expensive to get stuff sent there?

[acover]

How do you deal with citizenship/visas?

[researcher11]

With lawyers. It cost me $8K and took 6 months. $3K of that was for a company and bank account.

[proudofyou]

How much did you save before you retired?

[researcher11]

I have a $20K passive income of and living expenses of $10K. My hobbies are really cheap and centered around building skills. Programming / construction / sports. I do miss my friends in SF though. That's the biggest downside. I've been trying to encourage more to come down.

[mozumder]

That still seems expensive. You can get by with that much in rural areas of the US or Detroit.

[corin_]

He's choosing to retire, so why not live beyond "getting by" if he can afford it and is happy to live where he can afford it?

[Tepix]

He didn't say if it's per month or per year.

[researcher11]

It's per year. Panama is more expensive than many areas of the US but the lifestyle is subjectively better. Plus you don't go broke trying to pay for medical coverage or treatment. And there is no tax on foreign sources of income.