So, as I have said recently, my wife, daughter and I are moving to Chile.
Why? Because Im over working and need a break and a new chapter in life.
When? 2016. Ill head over just after Xmas, Liz and Kona a few weeks after that.
Where? Most likely live in East or South Santiago to start with.
How? Living off dividend, rental and business income.
We had many key criteria that needed to be met that fit our personal situation. The main ones were:
*Cost of living cheaper than Australia (1/3).
*Kona able to go to an English speaking school still.
*Safe, healthy.
^^ These really sorted the chaff from the hay. Basically cuts all of S. E. Asia off, all of Europe, North America too expensive, Africa too dangerous, and I couldn't find much schooling in Antartica. So, I set out looking into South America.
I came across Chile reading a few blogs etc and set out to research a little more. The site geoffw pointed out (www.numbeo.com) has been a valuable resource, as has wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile), and I found a forum very much like SS, all about Chile (www.allchile.net). So on further research I have found that Chile satisfies a lot of our personal preference for somewhere to live:
*Similar climates to Australia.
*2/3 Catholic.
*Politically stable.
*Reasonably economically stable. 7th Economically free country in the world, just Behind Australia and in front of many other percieved 'stable' countries. (http://www.heritage.org/index/ )
*Decent health care.
*Visa relatively straight forward.
*Hasn't been involved in any war in 100+ years.
*Plenty of places to explore/visit/enjoy.
*Loves foreign immigration and encourages Business (OK, so I do have a couple sideline ideas I might do while Im there )
*Nice places to ride a bike (and train for another WR )
So after 12mths of research and planning, we are off in May for 3 weeks to explore Santiago and surrounds, visit potential schools, and look at areas we most likely will want to live in. I might go back if there are any more pieces of the puzzle for our Visa if required. etc.
We will be utilizing a Visa loosly translated as a 'Periodic Income Visa'. On this Visa you need to show recurring income for the length of time you will be in Chile. It also allows you to work there if you wish. Not the hardest or easiest Visa to apply for, but the most flexible and sensible one to go there on.
So for the numbers people, our Solicitor in Chile has given loose guidelines on what constitues reasonable periodic income to live in Chile. There is no set in stone number, however what has been found to be a good lifestyle in Chile is about USD$1,000 per month, per family member. So for us that would be approx AUD$46,000pa. We are looking to at least live on double that over there to have a decent standard of living, and be able to travel back to Australia annually. $90k you say is a nice number in Australia to live, but we really just want to get away and live away for a while, with one bank account and just a simple life again. We are aiming at living there indefintely, depending on how we go for the first few years. Ideally we would want to become Citizens after 5years. Perm Residency can be applied for after living there continuously for 15mths.
Anyway, thanks for listening.
pinkboy
Why? Because Im over working and need a break and a new chapter in life.
When? 2016. Ill head over just after Xmas, Liz and Kona a few weeks after that.
Where? Most likely live in East or South Santiago to start with.
How? Living off dividend, rental and business income.
We had many key criteria that needed to be met that fit our personal situation. The main ones were:
*Cost of living cheaper than Australia (1/3).
*Kona able to go to an English speaking school still.
*Safe, healthy.
^^ These really sorted the chaff from the hay. Basically cuts all of S. E. Asia off, all of Europe, North America too expensive, Africa too dangerous, and I couldn't find much schooling in Antartica. So, I set out looking into South America.
I came across Chile reading a few blogs etc and set out to research a little more. The site geoffw pointed out (www.numbeo.com) has been a valuable resource, as has wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile), and I found a forum very much like SS, all about Chile (www.allchile.net). So on further research I have found that Chile satisfies a lot of our personal preference for somewhere to live:
*Similar climates to Australia.
*2/3 Catholic.
*Politically stable.
*Reasonably economically stable. 7th Economically free country in the world, just Behind Australia and in front of many other percieved 'stable' countries. (http://www.heritage.org/index/ )
*Decent health care.
*Visa relatively straight forward.
*Hasn't been involved in any war in 100+ years.
*Plenty of places to explore/visit/enjoy.
*Loves foreign immigration and encourages Business (OK, so I do have a couple sideline ideas I might do while Im there )
*Nice places to ride a bike (and train for another WR )
So after 12mths of research and planning, we are off in May for 3 weeks to explore Santiago and surrounds, visit potential schools, and look at areas we most likely will want to live in. I might go back if there are any more pieces of the puzzle for our Visa if required. etc.
We will be utilizing a Visa loosly translated as a 'Periodic Income Visa'. On this Visa you need to show recurring income for the length of time you will be in Chile. It also allows you to work there if you wish. Not the hardest or easiest Visa to apply for, but the most flexible and sensible one to go there on.
So for the numbers people, our Solicitor in Chile has given loose guidelines on what constitues reasonable periodic income to live in Chile. There is no set in stone number, however what has been found to be a good lifestyle in Chile is about USD$1,000 per month, per family member. So for us that would be approx AUD$46,000pa. We are looking to at least live on double that over there to have a decent standard of living, and be able to travel back to Australia annually. $90k you say is a nice number in Australia to live, but we really just want to get away and live away for a while, with one bank account and just a simple life again. We are aiming at living there indefintely, depending on how we go for the first few years. Ideally we would want to become Citizens after 5years. Perm Residency can be applied for after living there continuously for 15mths.
Anyway, thanks for listening.
pinkboy