I'm ready to exit my current life, which isn't that bad.

V

VisualBrian

Member
Although I'm already retired, I'm not where I want to be, and I don't so much mean my location as I do my situation. I want to be somewhere I don't need a car or a phone or even an ID to survive. I can't think of anywhere in the U.S. where that's possible. I've been thinking about Panama, perhaps Boquete, but keeping my options open. Is there such a place?

VisualBrian
 

VisualBrian said:
Although I'm already retired, I'm not where I want to be, and I don't so much mean my location as I do my situation. I want to be somewhere I don't need a car or a phone or even an ID to survive. I can't think of anywhere in the U.S. where that's possible. I've been thinking about Panama, perhaps Boquete, but keeping my options open. Is there such a place?

VisualBrian
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:) If there is, VisualBrian, it won't last long.
 
Welcome to the forum, Brian. Gotta say your title had me concerned there for a sec. :oops: I'm not sure the place you're describing exists... the whole planet is in pretty bad shape right now... it's not just here. Grass is greener syndrome, etc.

Now that said, I'm sure there are places where you wouldn't need a car (heck, NYC covers that one, or any major city.) A phone.... I hate phones and mine is in my purse for emergency use only, so that's not literally a necessity. I do everything via laptop that others would use a phone for. But that "living without an ID" thing... can't figure out why anyone would want to. 🤷‍♀️
 
VisualBrian said:
...I want to be somewhere I don't need a car or a phone or even an ID to survive. I can't think of anywhere in the U.S. where that's possible. I've been thinking about Panama, perhaps Boquete, but keeping my options open. Is there such a place?
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Glad you've come to join us Brian. You can live anywhere in the US as long as you're within walking distance (or golf cart distance, or biking distance) to a grocery store and clothing shops (oh there's always ordering on amazon). Electric bikes are about $2,000 but you don't have to pay insurance, costly repairs, or property tax on it.

Pick a self sufficient island to live on. There are many in the US just over a bridge. Many islands have everything you need including Urgent Care. If you buy a house with an attached apartment you can rent out the rest during the summer and always have income. Then use the whole house during the winter. Check out all the islands on the east coast...so many.
 
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When you move overseas you will always be a looked upon as a "tourist" unless you learn the language...and even then it's hard to be accepted as a local. Over time you will miss that and may want to go home.
 
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Lara said:
When you move overseas you will always be a looked upon as a "tourist" unless you learn the language...and even then it's hard to be accepted as a local. Over time you will miss that and want to go home. But if you don't like America then by all means...Go.
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Our vice chancellor Robert Habeck (Green Party) once wrote in a book in 2010: "I always found patriotism, love of country, disgusting. I didn't know what to do with Germany and still don't to this day."
 
George1959 said:
Our vice chancellor Robert Habeck (Green Party) once wrote in a book in 2010: "I always found patriotism, love of country, disgusting. I didn't know what to do with Germany and still don't to this day."
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Ridiculous weak man! Hitlet's power was allowed to become so great that he held sway even over his own people. That kind of ruthless power can never be allowed again. Fifty million dead! Can't we learn by experience that that kind of power must be removed? It's growing dangerously today.
 
gruntlabor said:
Ridiculous weak man! Hitlet's power was allowed to become so great that he held sway even over his own people. That kind of ruthless power can never be allowed again. Fifty million dead! Can't we learn by experience that that kind of power must be removed? It's growing dangerously today.
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?? Growing today?
 
Your desire for a simplified lifestyle in a location where you don't need to rely on modern conveniences is a common goal for many people seeking a more sustainable way of living. There are indeed places where such a life is possible, including some parts of Panama.

Boquete is a popular choice among ex-pats and retirees for its mild climate, beautiful scenery, and low cost of living. The town is compact, walkable, and has a strong expat community, which can make it easier to settle in and meet new people. You can certainly survive in Boquete without a car or a phone (though having both might make things easier). As for an ID, you'll likely need one for things like buying property or setting up utilities, but once you're settled, it may not be as necessary for daily living.

However, there are other locations in the world where it's possible to live without a car, phone, or ID. Some examples include:

Costa Rica: Many rural areas in Costa Rica have small, walkable towns with easy access to public transportation, and a strong community spirit.

OIG (1).jpg
 
Lara said:
When you move overseas you will always be a looked upon as a "tourist" unless you learn the language...and even then it's hard to be accepted as a local. Over time you will miss that and want to go home.
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And lets not forget that US citizens STILL pay US Federal taxes no matter where they live, outside of the US. Only 2 nations in the world do that...The USA and some third world place in Africa. Some Americans go to the extreme and renounce their US citizenship..BUT before you can do that that you MUST be a citizen of a second nation. You cannot be "stateless ".

About 3500 US citizens renounce their US citizenship each year, by standing in front of a US Embassy staff member, in a foreign country, and swearing to renounce their citizenship and paying a $3500 USD fee. Once it's renounced, you cannot ever regain that US citizenship status.

About a million US citizens now live and work in Canada, as Permanent Residents or as Canadian citizens. It is perfectly legal to be a US/Canada dual citizen. US citizens who live and work in Canada do not pay IRS taxes, under an International tax agreement, between Canada and the USA. BUT they still must File an annual IRS return form regardless. Jimb.
 
As others have said, I don't know if there's any livable place where you wouldn't need all 3: a car or phone or ID. About the closest you can come is a place where you wouldn't need a car to get around and that almost always means a large, dense enough city. Other countries still have some walkable communities but the U.S. not so much.
 
jimintoronto said:
It is perfectly legal to be a US/Canada dual citizen. US citizens who live and work in Canada do not pay IRS taxes, under an International tax agreement, between Canada and the USA. BUT they still must File an annual IRS return form regardless. Jimb.
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So US/Canada citizens who live and work in Canada pay no taxes in either country?
 
VisualBrian said:
Although I'm already retired, I'm not where I want to be, and I don't so much mean my location as I do my situation. I want to be somewhere I don't need a car or a phone or even an ID to survive. I can't think of anywhere in the U.S. where that's possible. I've been thinking about Panama, perhaps Boquete, but keeping my options open. Is there such a place?

VisualBrian
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You either have a lot more energy than I have or else are a lot more bored. I hope never to move again. Moving is so much work and bother. In the end it will still be you living wherever you go and I don’t think any of those things will make you happy if you’re not already.
 
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