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Mexico: cancer hospitals and breast cancer services:
Google: Gerson Therapy just across the border from San Diego in Tijuana.
Colombia: USE INVESTMENT BANKS TO SAVE MONEY ON WIRES:
Agree. I switched from Wells Fargo to Schwab Bank (part of Charles Schwab) in the USA. No ATM fees with Schwab (they are refunded).
Thailand: relocate 2:
Charlie,
What's your Plan B?
Foreigners cannot 100% own real estate in Thailand unless they are married to a Thai. You may own up to 49% of a condo.
http://www.samuiforsale.com/knowledge/overview-property-law-thailand.html#2
http://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/new-thailand-condominium-act-2008.html#2
Thailand: Ecuador or Uraguay or Thailand?:
Hi Dave,
I have visited all 3 countries within the last 24 months. I'm currently teaching English at a university in Thailand.
I spent three months exploring Ecuador, which is beautiful and the mountain areas have a wonderful climate. Cuenca is a great town, but of the three countries Ecuador has by far the highest crime problem and a lot of crime goes unreported. Quito and Cuenca have outstanding farmer's markets - among the best in all of Latin America in terms of variety and quality of fruits and vegetables. There are some nice little towns near Cuenca. A big concern to me with buying into Cuenca is the water shortage and electricity rationing that is common from June to December. The glaciers in the Andes are melting and this situation is bound to get worse. Cotacachi and Vilcabamba are pleasant little towns but are too remote from a real city for my taste. Banos is a great town if you are into outdoor activities or wish to start an outdoor-related business. Few beach areas of Ecuador are in the same league with Thailand, but the real estate is attractively priced and is more accessible to foreigners. Of the coastal towns, I liked Puerto Lopez the best. Unlike one of the other posters, I like the current president of Ecuador, who is not afraid to thumb his nose at American politicians who stick their nose into other countries' business.
I've been in Thailand for about a year and it is friendliest and cheapest of the 3 to live (unless you are in Bangkok or a beach resort) and crime is low. But it has lousy weather (hot and humid) 9 months a year. The beaches are beautiful but there is not a lot to do unless you invest in real estate and can live off the proceeds. As a foreigner, you are not permitted to OWN real estate in Thailand unless you are married to a Thai. I'm not gay, but Thailand is very accepting of gays, unlike most of Latin America. Visa requirements are somewhat messier than in most countries I've visited. Thai politics can get violent and you should be aware that although southern Thailand is beautiful and the food is great, it is also mostly Muslim and most of them would like to break away from the rest of Thailand. Could get messy. Thailand is great for dental work, but I'm NOT impressed by their doctors or hospitals (McCormick in Chiang Mai, Bangkok Hospital and St. Louis in Bangkok), which I visited for a foot problem. Chiang Mai is a good alternative to the towns you mentioned.
I was only in Uruguay for two weeks before I wrote it off. Uruguay requires the fewest adjustments of North Americans, Aussies, and Europeans. Montevideo seemed rather bland/boring to me considering it is by far the largest city in Uruguay. The only impressive thing about Montevideo was the new airport, which they keep spotlessly clean. Punta del Este is overrated and overpriced, and not much is going on there except in summer. Lots of good restaurants in PDE, but otherwise I could not figure out what the big attraction was, because the beaches and water were nothing to write home about. It is so close to Buenos Aires that it gets a lot of summer tourist business due to the lack of good beaches near BA.
By the way, BA is a great city if you have not checked it out. Cordoba and Salta are also worth a visit if you head down that way. I would add Mendoza, but they will be running into water problems as the glaciers melt away.
As for Internet access, I've traveled to small towns of all 3 countries and was able to find decent WiFi connections with my laptop, which I take with me everywhere.
Thailand: Teaching English / age discrimination:
I am 58 years old and was laid-off from my consulting job last year. I have been traveling throughout Latin America with my wife for several months. I recently completed a TEFL course in Costa Rica, but have no formal teaching experience. I also have an MBA degree and 28 years experience in the computer / telecom industry.
What is the likelihood of a person of my age being hired to teach English or business at a Thai university?
or
Teach Business English in Bangkok to businesspeople?
Does Thailand discriminate much against older people?
Is it likely that I will have better chances of teaching English in Bangkok, or should I try smaller cities?
Korea: DONT MOVE TO KOREA:
Sounds like you have a much bigger problem with the US military than with Korea. You should be sensitive to the fact that many Koreans would prefer that most of the US soldiers go home. A lot of US military personnel perpetuate the "ugly American" syndrome.
Guatemala: Safety for Running/Swimming at Lake Atitlan:
I was in Guatemala (mostly Antigua and Xela) for about two months in early 2010. Being late winter, the algae situation at Lake Atitlan was not too bad when I was there.
(I was told that it had been very bad in summer 2009).
Much of the raw sewage and phosphates from the villages around the lake makes its way into the lake eventually. This has spawned a serious growth of cyanobacteria, which can cause rash and a bad case of Montzuma's Revenge. (MR)
I stayed at an eco-lodge along the lake shore. Water was pumped from the lake to the showers at the lodge. Although I did not drink the water, just by showering and carelessly brushing my teeth with tapwater I came down with a bad case of MR.
Native Guatemalans later told me that although they have developed some tolerance for most of the local "bugs", even they often get sick when they visit Lake Atitlan.
I noticed several small pig farms while hiking around the lake, which also contributes to the pollution.
Even so, it is such a beautiful lake that I can now say that the visit was worth the few days of running to a toilet. However, I would not swim in the lake under current conditions.
http://www.lakeatitlanhealth.com
Guatemala: Help Finding an Apartment in Guatemala City:
First, get a map of Guate that shows the 21 zones (zonas) within the city. There are several dangerous zones and there are a few (such as Zone 9, 10, 14 and 15) that look like they could be nice neighborhoods of Houston or San Antonio. Of course the better areas tend to be more expensive.
Check out www.prensalibre.com
online newspaper in Guate.
http://clasificadospl.com/inmobiliaria/
Guatemala: Having a baby in Xela (Quetzaltenango):
There are decent private hospitals in Xela, Antigua and Guate and you should be in good hands there.
One thing to check into is what percentage of births are done via Caesarean section. In Brazil it is roughly 80%.... not sure about Guatemala.
As you may know, this proceedure is generally optional and adds unnecessary expenses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesarean_section
Peru: border runs in Peru:
I spent a couple of months in Ecuador earlier this year before going on to Peru.
There are at least 3 major border crossings from Ecuador-Peru. Everyone I spoke with recommended the border crossing at Macara (I took a bus between Loja and Piura). This was hassle-free and a pleasant trip.
I can't speak to the possibility of re-crossing the border each time your visa is about to expire. Most countries frown on this - I know Ecuador does.
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