www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Saw this on a theatre marquee I drove by yesterday, just before the Oscars commenced.

I was on my way to pick up my daughter, and I was sentimentally recalling the lovely Nica I'd "dined with" the final evening of my last trip.

Couldn't have nailed a better title for my theme these last couple years in trying to "live in" two countries, and move my affairs southward.

Just to deliver it quickly, the demographics of the USA are turning bad for us Boomers --- median age of white USAmericans is 41, of Latino Americans and Costa Rica (also Panama, Argentina, Chile, etc) is 26.

I've been on the lookout for attitude shifts, too; the turning against "those greedy Boomers", the growing intent to pull the rug out from under Social Security (Medicare, statistically, is already toast, by the time I hit 65).

Everyone expects to retire, drawing upon already-inadequate financial accounts to pay their bills. Demand up, supply of younger workers down. Guess who's going to be charging who up the wazoo for every little good or service?

My grandfather worked up until he was 83 (somewhat by choice, social reasons that kept him healthy and active: his customers wouldn't let the company retire him), but we are likely to be forced to that necessity by less-friendly circumstances.

The trendline, to me, reads "You better be ready to house and feed yourself, out of your own pocket, wherever you live, and much better to live in a country full of younger people who actually do actual, real work, and who retain a better attitude toward old people."

Not to mention chicas who show you how to drop 25 years in 2 nights (thx, Ana!) and hotel owners (thx, Bill!) who set the good example to encourage health by taking you to their gym, and then putting a fine little workout room downstairs in the finest gentleman's hangout I could have asked for.

I've made some mistakes, or delayed, in wrapping things up here, but there's a lot to juggle (family stuff, anyone?), and I've never been at this place before in my life. More and more, the prod to getting things done is looking to the situation ahead, and trying not to get trapped inside the U.S.

No country for old men, this one here. Better get a move on...

Good thoughtful post, amigo. As I enter into my 50s, these sorts of issues are weighing heavily on me as well. I tried to verbalize it previously in my "How Fast Is Your Monger Clock Ticking" thread from a little while back.

Obviously, Latin America has much more to offer as a retirement destination for older single guys here. Cost of living remains much lower in most places, health services adequate, and it's amazingly easy to hook up with hot women many years our juniors, whether via PFP or otherwise. Good luck with that here...

My goal is to live in the U.S. only as long as I absolutely have to. Unfortunately, that may be much longer than I want, just because I haven't really done as much as I should at this point to sock away retirement savings. I'm trying to change that now, but then again, I don't want to sacrifice too much of my little remaining "mongering prime time" skipping trips so I can save money. A tough balancing act for sure...

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

So Diego how is the packing going???
Regards, 911 Driver

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The happy hour is a device either for getting rid of social obligations hurriedly en masse or for making overtures toward more serious social relationships, as in the etiquette of whoring.- Brooks Atkinson

Hey, GR! miss you, man! yes, gotta earn here, while I can. Brazil's economy is on a tear, 9% annual, and reis is up muito. Getting expensive there?

(I still haven't finished reading all of JM's trips there, but the terma thread was pretty inspriring -- I'm gonna watch "last minute" sites for a possible GIG opening first week of April, but I better do visa quick, just in case?)

Still seems like a "live in Central America, and vacation in S. Am", situation for now, but then, haven't seen Argentina yet. Wish I'd gotten started on this quest back a few years earlier, but then, the money -- and freedom -- hadn't come on line yet. Hope hope hope....

911 -- packing, ah yes! It's beautiful here in Spring, last year's baby deer are outside now, but me, I'm just making to-do lists, and then chopping hell out of 'em, to get me going. Strong possibilities for this Fall.

The real estate thing has shown its hand, and the question is, will there be anything to get out with? or just go? Pretty clear now I oughta wait on buying any CR places, because gringo money is gonna dry up, badly.

Wonder how that'll affect the chicas, in all our favorite haunts?

Nonetheless, the tide is moving Latin America's way, and I want to enjoy being there with them, as it happens.

No Young Chicas For Old Men should be the title here in the USA

Tell that to the PBC love machine Burt Reynolds

I have been thinking about this for some time now. My daughter will go to college next year, leaving me w/ an emty nest.
Like a lot of us, divorces have cost me the lions share of my life savings (believe me, The phuckin I got, wasn't worth the phuckin I got). I figure at least a million dollars out the window. BUT IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY.
I figured that my engineering expertise was of little to no use in third or even second world economies. I figure if I can learn out how to actively trade the Stock Market, I could do so from almost anywhere with just a good internet connection. Well I have been studying reading seminars and actively trading off and on for a little over a year now. I guess there is a reason so many people are afraid of the market. It is a strong beast.
Still struggling with it today. Anyone have experience or insight to this monster? I don't even think about the Social Security Joke. Wonder why the Senate & Congress don't take it or even pay into it. Ha Ha. 100% retirement for them and or spouses.
Stratone

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ALL FLASH, NO CASH !!!!!!

[quote="GetRhythm"] and it's amazingly easy to hook up with hot women many years our juniors, whether via PFP or otherwise. [quote]

You mean it's still possible for a 55 year old guy that's in decent shape and makes a decent income to find a REAL girlfriend half his age????

Stratone...
First off, I disagree that your engineering background is of little use in another country... Keep your day job for now, but you can always fact find to look for other opportunities abroad...

As for your investing 'hobby', I would be happy to give you some insight into the proper way to manage your assets for the short and long term... After spending 25 years as a financial advisor for a major brokerage firm, I've seen and heard all the mistakes one makes with confusing the concept of investing and speculating... I retired a few years ago, so I have no vested interest in sharing my advise...

The key to your financial success is as personal as your fingerprint... Your plan should be tailor made depending on your age, your assets, your realistic goals, your current and future needs, your estate plan, and a myriad of other factors...

The portion of your assets that you can use for speculation is also determined by many factors such as your level of sophistication in the markets, amount of time you want to devote to trading, and your ability to productively work with a professional... Your trading vehicles are not limited to just equities, but can also include bonds, stock options, commodities, financial futures, hedge funds, etc...

The best advice I can give you for now is when speculating, don't be prejudiced on the buy side... You can also benefit when a stock, option, or commodity when it decreases in value...

If you know an investment professional, ask for his advise or ask a friend who is happy with his advisor...

Buena suerte and let me know how you progress...

Well, it was possible for a 47-year-old guy to do so a few years ago (actually, she was 20 at the time - LESS than half my age)...

As for 55 - I'm not there yet, but I hope it still holds true by then...

_________________
Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

YO Gentlemen:

Do not fool yourselves. 50, 55 plus .....you may think you have a real GFE but you will indeed have to indulge yourself with a lot of fantasy thought and over looking reality. No matter how much you believe in yourself, looks, body, attitude, it will not happen without the monetary assistance you give that special chica.

Nothing wrong with "buying" that relationship if it makes you happy.

The real difference lies in the fact that gringas will not be enticed unless you have major bucks whereas south of the border requirements are much less demanding. BUT, dinero and security are the main relationship staples of latino women being with a man much older.

I've traveled the Americas for 4 scores of years and have yet to meet a gringo with nothing harboring a good looking loving chica for any duration.

Ain't going to happen.

Make dinero, invest and then you may have the best of both possible worlds.....unless that chica is of Ch*ld bearing age with no Babi*s....then adios mi amigo.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.