ivilaire
5/29/2016 12:18 EST
I live in Arizona and am looking to retire in 4 years time. I am wondering which city would be best for someone of my age then (62) where I do not have to drive, can have easy access to basic necessities and can live on modest social security benefits.
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
johnkorst
5/29/2016 14:25 EST
So many questions...
Have you been there before?
Do you have any contacts there?
Do you want to remain very active or do you want to kick back?
What was your former career?
Do you do voluntary activity?
Is it important to have easy contact with other Americans?
Do you have any pension or savings beyond social security?
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
richardpitesti
5/30/2016 04:32 EST
In my experience here, you can be in just about any small city, not need a car and have shopping close. Small cities like Alba Iulia and Curtea de Arges. But the big issue is getting a visa for long term stay. You'll have to show proof of income, health insurance and have a residence, maybe more. I married a Romanian woman so my case is different. Talk to the local Romanian consulate, the one closest to you. Better yet visit them in person. I see John Korst replied to you and he raised some very good questions. Also I would stay away from small villages; mega culture shock for Americans. Many westerners in Bucharest...if you want to live in a place similar to New York. Transylvania is more cosmopolitan than rest of Romania. And there is no elecgtronic deposit agreement between USA and Romania so your Soc Sec check cannot at this time be auto deposited to your Romanian bank: you have to use a debit card to get cash from US bank at an ATM or you go to US Embassy and get your check (but Romanian bank could tank 6-8 weeks before they cash it for you). Search 'cost of living' online. It can be inexpensive to live here if you are careful but expect to pay more for some services once they know you are American (they think we are all rich). Hope this helps.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
outofba
5/30/2016 15:13 EST
I would like to live in Bucharest. It seems that an American whose parents or grandparents were born in a EU country would have little trouble in living in any EU country. All others? Sorry, folks.
Americans can stay in an EU (Schengen) country for 90 days of a 180 day period. I'm not sure if this is possible. I woud live in Romania for 89 days, leave to a non EU country and then return for another 89 days .That would be an almost 6 month stay.Not good enough I read that a real estate purchase of 250,000 Euros would enable one to get residency. I'm not sure if this was or is correct?
I spoke with the Consul General at my neighborhood Romania Embassy in Buenos Aires. She was very pleasant, but not helpful.
Any ideas?
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
richardpitesti
5/30/2016 23:27 EST
An American can stay w/o visa in a Schengen country for 90 days in 180 day period. Then you can go to ANOTHER Schengen country for the same period. Fact. So you can be in Bucharest, for example for 89 days and then go across the river the Bulgaria for 89 days. I've done it. My experience with consulate has been some are helpful and others are not;no surprise. I don't know about real estate purchase but I do know that if you have EU family and can proove it then you you are treated more different. If I remember correct it is much easier to get a long stay (5 year) visa if you have those relatives. Check that. Good luck.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
johnkorst
5/30/2016 23:39 EST
* Unless you have a LOT of money or strong political/business connections I think the embassy is a big waste of time/effort.
* I strongly recommend you take a maximum vacation - a month or more - and not waste it sightseeing, but to visit neighborhoods, markets, etc. Try to make advance arrangements with someone living there to give you "Dutch Uncle" guidance.
* What will you actually DO there? Leisure time can expensive to fill no matter where you are. I have contacts to volunteer as an English tutor in a local school. (In my case rhese contact may be helpful in getting visa renewals and a "green card.") There are animal rescue groups, orphanages, conservation groups...
* I intend to avoid Bucuresti as a home base at all cost. Big, dirty, noisy, agitated, expensive, and you're just another faceless ex-pat. As mentioned, Transylvania is more comfortably "European," but my contacts are firmer in southern Moldova.
* I have tried to ask circumspectly and I am told by locals that a minimal beans and rice lifestyle would cost about $800 a month for one person, complete. They say comfort could be had at about $1200.
I wouldn't be spending down any savings or investments you might have making major purchases or trying to impress the local ladies.
* I would never take my pension by transfer to European banks. I plan to retain my American banks and simply use my debit card with an American credit card as backup. This will require good relations with my credit union and periodic direct contact with a representative (phone calls are cheap).
* You'll still have to file American taxes, but since you will be living on debit/credit cards there are probably no Romanian income taxes to worry about.
* DO NOT depend on any one person for information and take Retire to Romania web sites with a grain of salt. Many are trying to sell something. Search out people living there will to exchange e-mails and first hand experiences.
* Good luck.
Post a Reply
10abuse
|
|
|
|
