05-09-2013, 11:10 AM
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Choice is an Illusion
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Land of Obama
Posts: 42,635
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6 Cheap Places to Retire Abroad
Odd that Vancouver is listed, as many have said it was expensive in the past.
Quote:
While it doesn't have a reputation as a retiree destination, Vancouver remains a viable option for Americans who want to stay close to home while living the cosmopolitan life across the border. The biggest hurdle for Vancouver-bound Americans is real estate. With the most expensive housing prices in Canada and some of the most expensive property in the world, Vancouver is not an investment option for many retirees.
The average house price is $857,400, according to CanadianBusiness.com. Renting is a possibility: One-bedroom apartments in downtown Vancouver start at around 1,400 Canadian dollars (nearly $1,364). Food and entertainment cost about the same as in Seattle, which is less than three hours away by car.
While Americans may not save much on rent or living costs by moving to Canada, one expense is considerably lower up North: health care. "I save over $400 per month on medicine, and I never have to wait to see my doctor," says Betty Segel, an American who has lived in suburban Vancouver for five years. Retirees in Canada have access to the country's public health care system, which provides free care to residents, including expats with a permanent residence in the country.
For Americans concerned about health care costs, the added premium of Vancouver property just might be worth it.
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