Best tropical place to live?
- Thread starter JustAnotherNomad
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EU: Ursula. The worst disease of all. Not even this is sufficient:
Anyway, with a random residence permit and a good sailboat you can solve all your problems.
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Anyway, with a random residence permit and a good sailboat you can solve all your problems.
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@JohnnyDoe ”“ Your #1 Source for Guidance in Different Offshore Fields
You can find cooler places everywhere:
Laos: Phonsali
Cambodia: Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri
Malaysia: Cameron Highlands
Vietnam: Sapa
One could even add Dali, Lijiang, Shangrila (Yunnan, China)
But wasn't the topic about 'tropical places'? Aren't they hot by nature?
Laos: Phonsali
Cambodia: Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri
Malaysia: Cameron Highlands
Vietnam: Sapa
One could even add Dali, Lijiang, Shangrila (Yunnan, China)
But wasn't the topic about 'tropical places'? Aren't they hot by nature?
Depending on your skin color, it might not be the best place to be right now.
But we all know that only white people can be racist...
https://twitter.com/x/status/1888267755771531607
But we all know that only white people can be racist...
https://twitter.com/x/status/1888267755771531607
It is EFF and they won 39/400 seats.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_South_African_general_election
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_South_African_general_election
Panama is not a small country... any particular areas you would recommend or have personal experience with?
is the (fluent?) Spanish your biggest concern?
is the (fluent?) Spanish your biggest concern?
I live in the city (Im relatively young and thats where everything happens). Older folks who 'do nothing' all day live in Boquete. Nature/surfer ones live in the Pedasí area.
I guess its personal taste, but I like to be able to chitchat with my uber driver... waiter... gym coach.... Daily social life requires Spanish.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
I guess its personal taste, but I like to be able to chitchat with my uber driver... waiter... gym coach.... Daily social life requires Spanish.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.
Brazil. Ideal weather and ocean temperature year-round , not too hot like 99% of other tropical places. Take South Bahia, for example. Gated communities offer total safety, along with good service and restaurants. Healthcare also seems decent, based on what people say in forums. Real estate is still relatively cheap. Check out Trancoso and the surrounding condominiums. People don’t even lock their doors there.
Rio is also fairly safe if you know when and where to go , look into Ipanema and Leblon. Just keep in mind that most people don’t speak English, although there are plenty of expats around.
Rio is also fairly safe if you know when and where to go , look into Ipanema and Leblon. Just keep in mind that most people don’t speak English, although there are plenty of expats around.
it's better to know where you are going... a friend went there 10 years ago to settle and his body is still missing....
(unofficially, he was killed)
One thing is to be a tourist and another is trying to settle long term.
I think his only fault was being a hard worker and starting a local business that picked up too much, it seems his success pissed off some envious locals 🙁
(unofficially, he was killed)
One thing is to be a tourist and another is trying to settle long term.
I think his only fault was being a hard worker and starting a local business that picked up too much, it seems his success pissed off some envious locals 🙁
OP didn't ask for a good tropical place to start a business, so I assumed it was to live and enjoy.
In Trancoso or Ipanema (Rio), the probability of a white person being murdered is still higher than in Europe, but it's drastically lower than Brazil’s average , especially if you're upper-middle class or rich, and not involved in risky behavior.
In Trancoso or Ipanema (Rio), the probability of a white person being murdered is still higher than in Europe, but it's drastically lower than Brazil’s average , especially if you're upper-middle class or rich, and not involved in risky behavior.
Estimates:
| Location | Estimated homicide rate (white, upper/middle class) |
|---|---|
| Trancoso | ~2–4 per︀ 100,000 |
| Ipanema / Leblon | ~4–6 per 100,000 |
| EU average | ~1 per 100,000 or less |
Interpretation:
- In Trancoso, for a white person living in a gated home, avoiding favelas︁ and drugs, the murder risk is low, approaching Eastern European levels (e.g., Bulgaria or︂ Romania).
- In Ipanema/Leblon, it's a bit higher due to Rio's complex urban crime landscape︃ , but still far safer than poorer zones like the North Zone or suburbs.
Compared to Europe:
- 2–6 times more dangerous than the EU average, depending on exact area︄ and lifestyle.
- But much safer than Brazil’s national average (~20–25 per 100,000), and especially safe︅ for well-off whites not involved in crime.
I lived in San Juan del Sur for about a year, and while I’m not based there anymore, it was genuinely one of the best places I’ve spent time. The beach town vibe, low cost of living, and strong expat and remote worker scene made it an amazing experience.
There’s a great mix of locals and internationals, good surf, and plenty of places to work from during the day and relax at night.
It’s definitely a spot I’d recommend if you’re looking for a vibrant yet laid back place to︀ stay for a while.
There’s a great mix of locals and internationals, good surf, and plenty of places to work from during the day and relax at night.
It’s definitely a spot I’d recommend if you’re looking for a vibrant yet laid back place to︀ stay for a while.
I'm looking for the same sort of things as the OP and i will go to Dubai. Main reasons are the low taxes and it is relatively easy to get your visa. Also i like the weather in the winter, the healthcare is great, the service is next level, its very safe and it is centrally located in the world. I'm also going to travel in Europe during the summer and in the winter months I will use Dubai as my main base. Best thing is ( if u set it up properly ) u can stay in The Emirates ( Dubai ) for 3︀ months a year and be an (tax)resident. Be aware of the 1 time visit per︁ 6 months for your visa requirements. Depending on your work or in what way u︂ make your money, u can also travel during the winter months to Asia ( when︃ based in Dubai ) and stay on all kinds of different tropical destinations like the︄ OP wishes for.
For me its the best set-up to get a bit of everything︅ and live a high quality life. Ofcourse this is very personal and in the end︆ everybody got their own needs and wishes.
Good luck finding your place OP!
For me its the best set-up to get a bit of everything︅ and live a high quality life. Ofcourse this is very personal and in the end︆ everybody got their own needs and wishes.
Good luck finding your place OP!
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