Retiring in China?

[Guest lilac6451]

There is also concept of the protection of intellectual property. It's too easy to buy illegal copies of everything in China, and I dont wish to live in a country that supports this type of product redistribution.

 

Health insurance in China

 

There is no place which is perfect in this world, no exception of China. But I still think illegal copies are much more minor comparing to illegal drugs, which has killed how many people already.

 

Comparing health insurance of China and America, they are very compitable. Yes, America has personal doctors which help keep a good follow up, but it is very expensive, especially after retirement. While in China, everything is very affordable. Co_pay is only 2.5 yuan, and I dont think there is much different in medical techology,except we have more people which will wear everything out much faster.

[Guest Mike and Lily]

There is also concept of the protection of intellectual property. It's too easy to buy illegal copies of everything in China, and I dont wish to live in a country that supports this type of product redistribution.

 

Health insurance in China

 

There is no place which is perfect in this world, no exception of China. But I still think illegal copies are much more minor comparing to illegal drugs, which has killed how many people already.

 

Comparing health insurance of China and America, they are very compitable. Yes, America has personal doctors which help keep a good follow up, but it is very expensive, especially after retirement. While in China, everything is very affordable. Co_pay is only 2.5 yuan, and I dont think there is much different in medical techology,except we have more people which will wear everything out much faster.

 

Maybe there's not much difference if you have pneumonia or need an appendectomy, but there's a world of difference if you need a liver transplant or other complex surgical procedures. The big problems in the USA are the cost and accessibility for routine care. I just made an appointment with an opthamologist. The earliest appointment I could get was November! If I had a complex medical or surgical problem, there is no place I'd rather be than the USA.

[jim_julian]

Retire in China ... no way. I've lived many places in the world and, in my opinion, you just can't beat SoCal.

[GZBILL]

Yes, America has personal doctors which help keep a good follow up, but it is very expensive, especially after retirement. While in China, everything is very affordable. Co_pay is only 2.5 yuan, and I dont think there is much different in medical techology,except we have more people which will wear everything out much faster.

 

The co-pay you refer to is for people who are government employees and have government-employee health insurance. Nobody else is covered by that type of insurance -- especially someone who isn't Chinese.

 

That said, health care in China is much more affordable for routine matters and the quality of care is pretty good in most cases if you choose your health care providor cautiously.

 

For major health issues, I'd go to Hong Kong or Singapore.

[Guest lilac6451]

There is also concept of the protection of intellectual property. It's too easy to buy illegal copies of everything in China, and I dont wish to live in a country that supports this type of product redistribution.

 

Health insurance in China

 

There is no place which is perfect in this world, no exception of China. But I still think illegal copies are much more minor comparing to illegal drugs, which has killed how many people already.

 

Comparing health insurance of China and America, they are very compitable. Yes, America has personal doctors which help keep a good follow up, but it is very expensive, especially after retirement. While in China, everything is very affordable. Co_pay is only 2.5 yuan, and I dont think there is much different in medical techology,except we have more people which will wear everything out much faster.

 

Maybe there's not much difference if you have pneumonia or need an appendectomy, but there's a world of difference if you need a liver transplant or other complex surgical procedures. The big problems in the USA are the cost and accessibility for routine care. I just made an appointment with an opthamologist. The earliest appointment I could get was November! If I had a complex medical or surgical problem, there is no place I'd rather be than the USA.

 

The doctors can do liver,heart, kidney... transplant perfectly in my city. And I think if it happens that where you live the doctors cant do it, they can always transfer you to a better hospital that can.

Edited July 3, 2008 by lilac6451 (see edit history)

[Guest lilac6451]

Yes, America has personal doctors which help keep a good follow up, but it is very expensive, especially after retirement. While in China, everything is very affordable. Co_pay is only 2.5 yuan, and I dont think there is much different in medical techology,except we have more people which will wear everything out much faster.

 

The co-pay you refer to is for people who are government employees and have government-employee health insurance. Nobody else is covered by that type of insurance -- especially someone who isn't Chinese.

 

That said, health care in China is much more affordable for routine matters and the quality of care is pretty good in most cases if you choose your health care providor cautiously.

 

For major health issues, I'd go to Hong Kong or Singapore.

 

Co_pay is the same to anyone, no matter who and what you are, a government worker, a citizen, a farmer, or a foreigner... the only difference is 2.5 for general visit, 20 for specialist.

Edited July 3, 2008 by lilac6451 (see edit history)

[rogerluli]

Retire in China ... no way. I've lived many places in the world and, in my opinion, you just can't beat SoCal.

 

The BIG difference Jim, for us poor folk here, is that in Southland it will run you $300K for a studio condo... Prices on Hainan Island (at the same latitude as Hawaii BTW) are about 1/10th of that...

[tsap seui]

Retire in China ... no way. I've lived many places in the world and, in my opinion, you just can't beat SoCal.

 

The BIG difference Jim, for us poor folk here, is that in Southland it will run you $300K for a studio condo... Prices on Hainan Island (at the same latitude as Hawaii BTW) are about 1/10th of that...

 

Most people wouldn't look forward to working until their in their 70's for some lil' shack in SoCal. Exorbitant prices for housing, gas, food, taxes, commodities...all so you can look at some palm trees and brown hills; sit in traffic all day and tell yerself..."I've got it made baby, I'm in SoCal". And I must keep tellin' myself that...maybe it'll come true.

 

Heck, for less than what would be a down payment on a SoCal 2,000sq.ft. lil' shack a feller could buy a 4,000sq.ft. decent sized home, live in the clear air of the picture postcard beauty of the rolling mountains in south central Pennsyltucky...where a traffic jam is more than 2 cars at a stop sign, taxes on yer decent sized home are less for the whole year than one month in SoCal, and MEN IS MEN and the wimmin understand that. Plus, if'n you need the gridlock of a big shitty, you've got Baltimore, Washington, and Philly all within a couple of hours of ya...shiver ..shiver.

 

Yeah BABY, SoCal...spent a few weeks there, couldn't wait to escape to civilization.

 

roGgIe, you've got a dang good plan..and YOU...ain't tied down.

 

tsap seui

[rogerluli]

Retire in China ... no way. I've lived many places in the world and, in my opinion, you just can't beat SoCal.

 

The BIG difference Jim, for us poor folk here, is that in Southland it will run you $300K for a studio condo... Prices on Hainan Island (at the same latitude as Hawaii BTW) are about 1/10th of that...

 

Most people wouldn't look forward to working until their in their 70's for some lil' shack in SoCal. Exorbitant prices for housing, gas, food, taxes, commodities...all so you can look at some palm trees and brown hills; sit in traffic all day and tell yerself..."I've got it made baby, I'm in SoCal". And I must keep tellin' myself that...maybe it'll come true.

 

Heck, for less than what would be a down payment on a SoCal 2,000sq.ft. lil' shack a feller could buy a 4,000sq.ft. decent sized home, live in the clear air of the picture postcard beauty of the rolling mountains in south central Pennsyltucky...where a traffic jam is more than 2 cars at a stop sign, taxes on yer decent sized home are less for the whole year than one month in SoCal, and MEN IS MEN and the wimmin understand that. Plus, if'n you need the gridlock of a big shitty, you've got Baltimore, Washington, and Philly all within a couple of hours of ya...shiver ..shiver.

 

Yeah BABY, SoCal...spent a few weeks there, couldn't wait to escape to civilization.

 

roGgIe, you've got a dang good plan..and YOU...ain't tied down.

 

tsap seui

 

 

For those unfamiliar with prices in China here are the ballpark figures for our Hainan place. We paid just south of $80,000 for it unfinished. Let's estimate it will run about $50,000 to finish and furnish it to a very high standard. So for $130,000 we have a 1850 sq ft condo. It has 3 Br, 3 Ba...2 master suites...2 smaller balconys...a 600 sq ft rooftop terrace (not part of the 1850)...gated community with security...elevator...11th & 12th floor...VERY low monthly fees...VERY low costs for cleaning services...VERY cheap and excellent LIVE seafood... etc, etc...Now what would this cost me in SoCal??? or more accurately, Hawaii... B)

Edited July 3, 2008 by rogerluli (see edit history)

[Li & John]

Retire in China ... no way. I've lived many places in the world and, in my opinion, you just can't beat SoCal.

 

The BIG difference Jim, for us poor folk here, is that in Southland it will run you $300K for a studio condo... Prices on Hainan Island (at the same latitude as Hawaii BTW) are about 1/10th of that...

 

Most people wouldn't look forward to working until their in their 70's for some lil' shack in SoCal. Exorbitant prices for housing, gas, food, taxes, commodities...all so you can look at some palm trees and brown hills; sit in traffic all day and tell yerself..."I've got it made baby, I'm in SoCal". And I must keep tellin' myself that...maybe it'll come true.

 

Heck, for less than what would be a down payment on a SoCal 2,000sq.ft. lil' shack a feller could buy a 4,000sq.ft. decent sized home, live in the clear air of the picture postcard beauty of the rolling mountains in south central Pennsyltucky...where a traffic jam is more than 2 cars at a stop sign, taxes on yer decent sized home are less for the whole year than one month in SoCal, and MEN IS MEN and the wimmin understand that. Plus, if'n you need the gridlock of a big shitty, you've got Baltimore, Washington, and Philly all within a couple of hours of ya...shiver ..shiver.

 

Yeah BABY, SoCal...spent a few weeks there, couldn't wait to escape to civilization.

 

roGgIe, you've got a dang good plan..and YOU...ain't tied down.

 

tsap seui

 

 

For those unfamiliar with prices in China here are the ballpark figures for our Hainan place. We paid just south of $80,000 for it unfinished. Let's estimate it will run about $50,000 to finish and furnish it to a very high standard. So for $130,000 we have a 1850 sq ft condo. It has 3 Br, 3 Ba...2 master suites...2 smaller balconys...a 600 sq ft rooftop terrace (not part of the 1850)...gated community with security...elevator...11th & 12th floor...VERY low monthly fees...VERY low costs for cleaning services...VERY cheap and excellent LIVE seafood... etc, etc...Now what would this cost me in SoCal??? or more accurately, Hawaii... B)

Roger, you are right about that!

[tsap seui]

I can easily answer the Hawaii question as I have a good friend who is a realitor on Kauai. Three or four times a month he sends me lists of homes for sale there...and let me tell you, I've seen the homes usually they are 850 sq.ft and in a neighborhood and the going price for them is $500,000 if they are in okay shape.

 

I was shocked when I went there to visit and get up to speed on the real estate market so, if he called me with a "deal" I would quickly know what area and exactly what he was talking about. These places are literally shacks, packed in on top of each other.

 

But it's Hawaii baby, we've got braggin' rights...er...ah..."FACE" !!!

 

I'm in no way pushing China, but I do understand reality when I look at it, and I do understand "Face" and people who need it. B)

 

Not a bad deal there roGgiE. All them winters pedaling that Cowsickle to work are gonna pay off right nicely for you!! I look forward to coming down south to peel a few prawns and share some laughs at life with you and the missus.

 

tsap seui

 

I'll be happy to forward my friends e-mails to anyone interested in real estate in Kauai It's the farthest west island and if you have never been to New Zealand before, it would be beautiful.

 

Here is an e-mail I recieved yesterday from my friend:

 

Sorry I couldn't post the photo of this LARGE 1,252sq.ft. home. And, I'm telling ya, this home is a great deal...not being sarcastic here...

 

No ocean view, in a neighborhood with cars parked all over the place...some that even run!! "ADU" is important because you are approved to put another mansion on your 8,422sq.ft. (1/5th of an acre) lot. Most of the homes are not double walled like you and I are used to, this one has an interior wall.

 

I'll bet you could could pick this gem up for $475,000 cash...maybe $460,000 if you hurry.

 

By the way...that would be native Hawaiians who are living two familys in the one home. We have ruined their economy and they can no longer afford to own their own homes (for the most part) in their own country. But THAT is what we are so good at.

 

Rule number one: Don't ever let the white man take over your country.

 

tsap seui

 

 

 

 

 

Short Sale offered at a 2005 Price.

Currently with 2008 Rental incomes, see agents listing notes below.

 

This home has ADU clearance!

(ADU = Additional Dwelling Unit)

 

 

 

 

 

$499,000 Residential

 

4-4-6-34-28 Fee simple

MLS #213090 Active DOM:6

 

Beds: 5 OcnFrnt:

 

Baths: 2.00 View:

 

Living: 1,252 Yr built: 1973

 

 

Address: 4875 ALIALI RD Subdiv: Apopo Rd

Land Area: 8,422 sqft Zoning: R-6

Design: 1Story, Double Wall, Wood Frame

Addl Rms: Dining Area, Den, Family Room, Laundry Room

Car Storage: 2Car, Carport Roads: County, Paved

Includes: Appliance/Unit, Ceiling Fan, Floor Tile, Landscaped, Range, Storage Area, TV Cable

Utilities: County Water, Overhead Electric, Telephone Service, TV Cable

Waste Disp: Cesspool

Schools: Kapa'a, Elem.Middle & Hi

Terms Acc: Cash, Conventional

 

Remarks: ~~~~~SHORT SALE~~~~

MULTI-FAMILY HOUSE, COMPLETELY REMODELED TOP TO BOTTOM.

3 BEDROOM 1 BATH RENT $1600

2 BEDROOM 1 BATH RENT $1200

CROWN MOLDING, GRANITE COUNTERS, NEW KITCHEN, NEW BATHROOMS. and much much more. PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED WITH ADDITIONAL PARKING ADDED.

ADU CLEARANCE ALREADY OBTAINED.

THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR..

SHORT SALE>>> ALL OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON BANK APPROVAL.

Edited July 3, 2008 by tsap seui (see edit history)

[Guest Mike and Lily]

Having been to Hawaii and Hainan, I will say that I definitely like Hawaii better. But do I like it enough to make up for the cost difference? No

[jim_julian]

So Rog ... I'd say the equivalent in the current depressed SoCal real estate market might run about 2 to 2.5 million factoring in an ocean view, of course.

 

I certainly hope you're happy in Hainan and we intend to visit you bringing a housewarming gift of California cheese.

 

As for me, I'll still take SoCal. Of course it's not the picture that my perennial adversary paints it ... but that's just my opinion.

 

I will keep working into my early 70's to get my last two girls through university. I live an active and healthy life style but the VA evaluates me as 40% disabled and I am concerned about long term health care, particularly since Lao Po insists I must live until 100.

 

I've lived in the US East, West, Midwest, and South. I've lived in Italy and Greece. I've spent significant time in the Middle East, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, Korea, and China.

 

All factors considered ... I'll take SoCal ... but to each his own and I respect everyone's choice.

 

Although I never will understand your preference for Wisconsin cheese!

[tsap seui]

I agree with Jim. We DO all have our own opinions and views on what is the best place for us to live.

 

I've lived for the most part in the Washington, DC area, traveled all over the US, lived a considerable time in Australia and New Zealand, and visited China a small 3 1/2 months getting to know my lady.

 

For me, I can no longer take the hustle bustle, the gridlock, outrageously high home prices and the resulting high taxes on them, and the high prices of living in some county that is supposed to be a sought after place to live.

 

I lived a long time in Montgomery County, Maryland (which butts up to north western DC) and is where lots of the, so called, movers and shakers of our nation live. I built up a very profitable service businees in that area, servicing "Mrs. Piffleton's" home and building relationships with some of the "elite" as the dollars rolled in. Life was good, my business was my baby and it grew beyond any dreams I ever had for it...but my spirit was always in the rural mountains somewhere.

 

On my second trip to Oz (Australia) and to Godzone (as the New Zealanders call it) I came home after 3 months, my business was humming along, but I woke up one day and I knew that that was the beginning of the end for me in the gridlock, the outrageous prices, too many rats living in a confined cage, and within a year I sold my business to my employees and moved two hours away to Bedford County, Pennsyltucky and, at 53, started a whole new business. Bedford County was once described in the Washington Post as "100 miles, and 100 years away from Washington".

 

As I type this I can look out my window and see a dramatic mountain view, actually the ridge isn't a quarter of a mile away and it stretches forever. Right now, there are wisps of pink clouds spilling over the top of the ridge (as the sun tries to burn it's way through), the birds are happily singing, and the only other sounds are of mother nature, as the creek in back gurgles it's way down to the Potomac River. The creek is right at the bottom of yet another long mountain ridge.

 

If I go to the grocery store, it's a magically scenic wonderland of mountains, farms, and NO traffic jams.

 

I just did some repairs earlier this week on a 2,500 sq. ft. home that just sold for $198,000. This home sits on 23 acres that are in a valley surrounded on all four sides by tall mountains. In the distance you can see a tiny community with a church steeple proudly pointing upward.

 

One years, school and county, property taxes for this home are just under $1,000. My dad's home on a half an acre in Montgomery County, Maryland has a tax bill that is over $1,200 a month and with a 25% down payment $198,000 (Added in with another $75,000) would squeek you by with a bank loan to get you into his 3,900 sq.ft. house, saying your income allowed you to pay a bit over $5,000 a month for a roof over your head. How's that compare to SoCal?

 

Oz and Godzone have changed me forever. The extreme laidback way of living in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland of Queensland where you can go into the local grocery store with no shoes and no shirt and NO worries, mate. Or to stand in the sand at the edge of the Tasman Sea, on the west coast of the South island in the land of the long white cloud, and look east to the snow fields and glaciers of the Southern Alps...with not a house in sight.

 

Only my opinion of course. And I will be off next year to live in a crowded dirty city for a few years, until our son graduates, to live with my family in Chinatucky. Oh well, sometimes one's path in life isn't exactly what they dreamed about..but it is what it is. Sometimes it just takes time to get yerself back on track when the government intervenes with yer plans.

 

No worries MATE, we'll be right!!

 

tsap seui

[Maxal]

I also agree with Jim, we all have our own opinions on the best place to live.

 

I mean SoCal would be great, but as discussed unless you already had the home years ago or are doing really well at your work, most are going to look someplace else.

 

In my heart I would like to retire New Orleans, but that was before the storm. Use to go there every year for a 4 ~ 7 day vacation. Now that I am close it will start again. Really have to see if the town is a place to love now.

 

I agree with tsap seui on the cost of living. I moved from Detroit to Huntsville. The taxes here on a house similar to mine in Detroit is ~$1,000 a year. I was paying close $700 a month for taxes!

 

There there are the hidden cost that most people do not think about. My boat is in dry storage and they move it in and out free of charge, $78 / month. ($400 / month in Detroit +$20 PER move). Car insurance is $600 per year not $1800. the list goes on. I came her for business and I think I will end up staying for sometime as the life style is comfortable and more cash is flowing in to the retirement , I guess I should now say the K-1 account.

 

What is the old saying "Home is where the heart is." I think tsap seui is a prime example of that. Good Luck in Chinatucky.

 

PS I really enjoy the back hills of WV. The area between Morgantown and Charleston. I try and get away from cellphones, internet, tv at least once a year there. It is wonderful. But I still like real mountains like we have out in Washington and Idaho.