Country to retire [2025]

Life Hacking
82

I know a guy who did retire in Hungary, unfortunately he died a few years ago but was very happy there. I was in Hungary on an extended motorbike trip once, rented a cheap house in a vineyard and the owner did bring us a very good wine every day. Was OK, even the lake was a bit flat and I did not understand the language. Beautiful and very nice people, cheap booze, good fiesta.

I need to understand the language and in my age it is getting more difficult to learn a new language. So I would have to stick to countries speaking Spanish, English, German, Schwitzertütsch, Valenciano (not Catalan!) or, in the worst of worse cases, French.

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83

I hope that this isn’t too political but the gastronomical culture in Hungary is amazing. (Disclaimer: My preferences are French, Portuguese and Cantonese cuisine.) In Hungary, what the wine selection lacks in depth, it makes up in quality. I’m not sure if the Hungarians have a competitor in the region but I haven’t been everywhere in CEE. I know a Swiss family who retired (think loto winners or something like that) there and they are very happy. I might not live there all year but I could certainly entertain the idea. And English in Budapest is enough while you study that wild language. :slight_smile:

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84

Have you had your apartment for long ?

I’m also Hispanic, and I’ve thought about an apartment in Spain. I find that they’re still affordable, and I wouldn’t mind spending 3 months per year in say, Alacant.

85

33 years.

I am Swiss, my wife is from Spain. I like Spain and I do speak the language(s), Castellano y Valenciá.

If it were not for the tax I would probably live there…

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86

I’m Hungarian, and can somewhat attest to this. I mean, food is tasty, but most of the time, it’s extremely fatty and meat-heavy. This is also reflected in the fatness index of the country, Its in the top 10 among European countries.

Unfortunately, the country is on a downward trajectory. In 1989, it changed course, cut Russian ties, and adopted more of a Western mindset; however, that wasn’t to last. Since the early 2010s it started to turn into a mini-dictatorship. Private enterprise is struggling and government is moving toward a totalitarian view.

I don’t think this trajectory can not be changed, though as of now, it doesn’t look good, and the future is very uncertain. If i’d be at retirement age now, for sure wouldn’t retire there. (also the language is pretty much unlike anything. It’s beautiful in its own right, but you pretty much have to start from ground zero)

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87

Aha. That’s why I developed no friends and relationships here. So I’m safe!

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88

How are taxes in Spain?

89

Oh boy, here we go :rocket:

90

Ask Shakira. Or some family of mine living on 400 Euros a month while paying some nonsense tax debt…

91

Didn’t she committed pretty obvious tax fraud by pretending to be living in the Bahamas and actually being most of time in Barcelona ?

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92

Probably, I’m not sure. There are many public persons involved in tax histories. Montserrat Caballe accepted a prison sentence, but she is probably too old to serve it. Isabel Pantoja served a prison sentence because her husband, corrupt mayor of Marbella, used her account.

I am very keen of not spending more than 180 days a year in Spain…

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