Retiring to the US - A quick question...

[Mr Mystery]

Afternoon.

After a quick read of a BBC article, I was genuinely startled at just how cheap housing can be in the USA.

Anyone know if I'd have much in the way of trouble retiring to the US? I'd be claiming a UK pension, and essentially just taking advantage of a cheaper cost of living. And this isn't likely to happen for oh....33 years or so!

[Kyban]

The areas with cheaper living costs are cheaper for a reason, it may appear to be a good idea at first but I'd look closer, you tend to get what you pay for. It might be a bit of a headache to get citizenship as well.

[DarkLink]

Not necessarily. I live in California, which has several of the most murderous cities in America, and housing tends to be very expensive even there. Go to Texas, much less murdering and much less rent.

America's a very big place, and state governments have a lot of say in their local economies. A poorly run state like California will have a crappy economy and high rents, but a well run state like Texas will have a much stronger economy and cheaper rents. California and Texas are just two examples, but there are plenty of options.

[Mr Mystery]

Stuff renting! I'd be buying!

I'll be able to buy something here in the UK, but I'm thinking I can buy a better house, and of course, quite possibly better weather! All about later quality of life!

[Kirsten]

but a well run state like Texas will have a much stronger economy and cheaper rents.

and only a small chance of exploding.
I have friends in florida who insist I should move there, prices are much less than Britain.

[Mr Mystery]

As for Texas.... I fear I'm much too liberal for Texas, which I understand to be a rather conservative state. Rather not risk upsetting people where possible!

[DeadPanda]

Afternoon.

After a quick read of a BBC article, I was genuinely startled at just how cheap housing can be in the USA.

Anyone know if I'd have much in the way of trouble retiring to the US? I'd be claiming a UK pension, and essentially just taking advantage of a cheaper cost of living. And this isn't likely to happen for oh....33 years or so!

If I were you I would be heading to Canada instead. That's the plan for me and the mrs when the times right in 20 or so years. Victoria on Vancouver island is the plan. We already have family there and love the place.

[Mr Mystery]

If I were you I would be heading to Canada instead. That's the plan for me and the mrs when the times right in 20 or so years. Victoria on Vancouver island is the plan. We already have family there and love the place.

Possible. But there's something about the US. Like the weather!

[Chronowraith]

The general trend for cost of living in the United States is that the further you move inland from the East or West costs the cheaper the Cost of Living. If you are looking for cheap rent, avoid the Atlantic Northeast and the entire Pacific Coast except Alaska.

As for the original question of retiring to the United States I am uncertain. I know that the US (unlike many other countries) does not have a retirement VISA.

I'd suggest going to the US Customs and Immigration service website and poke around. Admittedly, this will likely change long before you ever retire :-)

[url]http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis[/url]

[Wolfshade]

Living costs are lower, but then wages are also. Comparitively, though there are huge differences between state and urban/rural, even more so than over here.