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Politics : Ask Michael Burke -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (91683)	8/12/2001 9:43:01 AM
From: Joan Osland Graffius	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 132070

Kastel, >> mid boomer looking for the ultimate retirement location...... Canada certainly has places that are remote, but I would bet the cost of living is not much different than here. We were in Canada a few years ago and we found the costs the same as here. My observations were that the food in Australia is 70% cheaper than we pay here in Minneapolis and housing is 50% less expensive. The auto gasoline is about the same price as here and the cost of batteries for our digital camera were the same. <g> Our hotel room in Melbourne was at least 60% cheaper than what we would pay here. Melbourne has a great public transportation system that is inexpensive, in fact it is free when you get down town. For example we paid $125 (US dollar) for a room on the 8th floor of the Carlton Crest Hotel over looking a lake and the ocean. This room came with a club room where a full breakfast was provided and all the liquor you wanted free all day long. The Aussy’s make a good champagne and I took advantage of that. <g> In Canada 4 years ago we paid $275 (US dollar) for a similar room and here in the States this winter we paid around $350. Neither the hotel in Canada or here in the States provided a "real" breakfast or liquor free. Also the rooms in Canada and the US were half the square footage. What is interesting with the camera batteries is there is a 500% mark up on these puppies and both here and in Australia there must not be any competition. The wholesale cost is $3 and we pay $15. I am sure Australia has some things that would be hard for an American to live with, but I did not find it. Joan

To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (91683)	8/18/2001 12:34:08 PM
From: Tapcon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 132070

Kastel, but for Americans Canada is easier ?????? If you are seriously thinking about Canada, (or any other country for that matter), and plan to take up residency in that country, you better do your homework on the tax consequences. I can tell you firsthand, that changing residencies can be very expensive. Canada and the US both have policies that nail you for a "deemed disposition of assets" before you emigrate. So any securities you hold outside of a retirement plan will be deemed to have been sold on the day of your departure. You have to pay capital gains on that to the country you are leaving. You should also be aware that Canada's income tax rates are MUCH higher than those in the US. However, they do have socialized medicine. Without getting into a big debate on that issue, I'll just say that socialized medicine , IMHO, does compare favorably to shelling out $400US + per month for a co-pay PPO or HMO. Unless you have an employer picking up the tab for that or are over 65 and qualify for Medicare, it is something to consider.