Q&A: Relocation for Over 70 and Still in Excellent Health



Kealakekua Bay, on the Big Island of Hawaii (via Wikipedia)



by Jamie Douglas

Thanks to all of you who have responded to our call for questions about Expat living.

This week’s question originates in one of the USA’s colonies, the Northern Mariana Islands:

I am in my late 70's and have an internet business (writing and web design) with a Nepali partner (I am the writer and he is the web master). He also has an A+ and we can do trouble shooting and repair.

My question is: given the above circumstances, what countries would accept us, given my age? I have health insurance that is good outside the US under my widow's benefits and will have a second policy under my NMI retirement. I am in excellent health and really do appear younger as I work out and am very active.

Your situation will probably allow you to settle in many places, but I assume from what you wrote that high speed internet access is a must for you and your partner. My personal recommendation to you is to stay in the Pacific Basin, with the Big Island of Hawaii being the most prominent location on the radar. It features a lovely climate, great infrastructure, and the population is steeped in tradition. It is the largest and southernmost of the Hawaiian Islands and is growing a bit larger every day as a result of the continuing eruption and lava flow from Kilauea Volcano.

Medical care is very good in both Hilo and Kona, and should larger medical emergencies arise, Honolulu is a mere 50 minutes away by air.

The air is clean, there are a couple of very tall mountains, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, which rise well above the clouds and create a variety of weather conditions, and right now, with the real estate bubble having imploded all over the state of Hawaii, there are some bargains to be had.

If on the other hand you have made up your mind to leave the Empire altogether, there are not too many options available to you, no matter how good a shape you are in. The Cook Islands are one of those options, but residency there for seniors is not an assured thing. The other problem would be that internet service in the Cooks is still in its infancy, and you may experience difficulties obtaining broadband service.

Unfortunately, another of my former favorites, Fiji, left civilized society starting in 1986, and things don’t look very promising there, what with military coups and storming of Parliament, and a real live military dictatorship running the country.

Both Australia and New Zealand discourage anyone over 40-50 years old to migrate there, as it is thought that that age group will place an undue burden on public services and resources. Not knowing what your financial resources are of course leaves me guessing as to what is affordable to you. South Asia, and in particular, Malaysia, will take you in with open arms and would be a reasonable lower-cost option.

As always, I urge all my readers to make an informed decision based on a personal visit to potential future locations to inhabit. Look at everything that may affect you, such as the cost of living, transportation, medical care and most of all, the quality of life.

Keep the excellent questions about making the Big Jump coming.

Click here and ask your question.

Jamie Douglas

San Rafael, Mendoza

Where the Malbec Wine is Always Fine!

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Having been to your islands, I for one understand why you would want to leave there. Corruption is comparable to Guam, and after a while one gets tired of the lack of decent opportunities for younger generations, which is what leads the occasional violent crimes.