I don’t want to go into specifics, but the day after Ken showed me that first video, it became very clear that we didn’t want to be… here anymore. Meaning we didn’t want to be in the US. Things have been changing, and we don’t feel like it’s in a good direction, but there’s also very little we can do about it.
First, there’s taxes. We are slowly (or not so slowly) being priced out of our home. Our taxes are wrapped into our mortgage, and in the eight years we’ve lived in this house, our taxes have increased so much that our monthly payment is close to $1000 more. Then there’s the general cost of living – we spend well over $1000 a month just to feed our family of 5. We can make things work for a while, but the rest of the world feeling like it’s coming apart at the seams makes it hard to want to. Why should we stay somewhere where the general mindset is to get everything you can for yourself and screw everyone else? I want to be surrounded by people who genuinely care for each other.
Then, there was the research. It started out as just a little fun curiosity. “How much would it cost to maintain a family of 6 in Da Nang?” The answer happens to be less than just our current mortgage – and includes everything we would need – rent, food, utilities, healthcare, transportation, even a private school for Skipper. Wow. But there’s gotta be a downside right? And thus started the hyperfocus sessions that continued past 3am.
What about healthcare? Is it decent? Or would we have to come back to the US or travel elsewhere every time we need something? Actually… healthcare is decent in Vietnam, and Bangkok and Singapore are just a short flight away and have world-class hospitals. Emergency services are limited, but routine stuff is totally doable. And out of pockets costs are approximately the same as our co-pays here.
But the Visa situation has GOT to be crazy, right? Not really. We’d have to do Visa runs every 90 days, which could suck but also… built in quarterly vacations? Doesn’t sound too bad.
How about food? Am I going to get sick from eating local? Answer… not if you pay attention and don’t eat at places that have questionable practices. The food is fresher, better quality, and cheaper. Excellent – Harry will love that!
Obama and Anthony Bourdain visited a restaurant in Hanoi that has a table memorialized for them. And the Lunch Lady (featured on No Reservations) is in Ho Chi Minh City.
But what about our pets? Is there a quarantine? How long is it? What does that look like? No quarantine required. You need: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, notify the quarantine station on arrival, show your documents, they inspect, you walk out. That’s it. Easy peasy.
What activities are there for my senior retired mom? OOOOH Tai chi and morning exercise culture is huge! She can go to any park around 6am and there will just be groups of older women doing all types of activities! Mom: “I don’t care if you’re moving to Mars, I’m coming with you.”
Ok, what about dad? Beer brewed fresh daily, available on any street corner for about $0.90? We could hire a maid for $150/month? So…. no more dishes and cheap beer? He’s sold lol.
ADHD meds and treatment? Meds are hard to get but not impossible. Diagnosis/treatment are trickier for adults since they consider ADHD largely a childhood developmental disorder. So, behind the times… but possibly an area where I can help to educate people?
++downloads duolingo++
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