Amount needed to live comfortably in Saigon

maxman71

I did take some econometric courses in Grad School, have been following the issue for quite a few years and agree with you. Any thing serious enough to impact our SSI and Army retirement, means that the problems are so serious that the impact on our income is the least of our worries.

I know an Australian retired CSM and his pensions are comparable to America. But, he only gets a small part of additional pensions while we get all of ours. That could possibly change for us in the future. We try to live on roughly 50% of our total pension income. but the other half is paying mostly reimbursable medical bills.

there are some bad news we didnt know, the locals will cover up for it. Simply saying that crimes happened anywhere here, but didnt know its not in the news either.

You would have a good lifestyle retiring in Vietnam.

xdigdugx wrote:

You would have a good lifestyle retiring in Vietnam.

Too True!   Anyone who doubts this just hasn't done their homework!     

Bazza139 wrote:

xdigdugx wrote:

You would have a good lifestyle retiring in Vietnam.

Too True!   Anyone who doubts this just hasn't done their homework!/quote]

Actually, this depends on the specific individual. Most people are uncomfortable in a foreign country especially if they don't speak the language and if forced to live in a foreign country tend to cluster in "Little America's," "Little Japans," "Little Frances," etc. In fact a large number of Americans are not even comfortable moving to a different region within America. Someone from New York City may have quite a bit of trouble adjusting to West Texas. I suspect that this also holds true in the UK, France, Germany, etc.

Anyone would have a tough time adjusting to West Texas. El Paso was so ugly. Thats far far West Texas.

gobot wrote:

Anyone would have a tough time adjusting to West Texas. El Paso was so ugly. Thats far far West Texas.

Not a big fan of El Paso, but, I do like West Texas. The family moved to Texas in 1851 and I'm 3rd generation Native Texan. I guess that it comes from being a Soldier, that fascination with the lay of the land and the battles fought on that land. The Comanche Nation and the Palo Duro Canyon had a lot of history.

Wow! It's really good if you'll be retired here in Vietnam. The cost of living is a way cheaper than being in America. For a 2 years span, 20,000USD would be enough, I guess!

rehamtan wrote:

Wow! It's really good if you'll be retired here in Vietnam. The cost of living is a way cheaper than being in America. For a 2 years span, 20,000USD would be enough, I guess!

It really depends on the individual. I could, and adjusted for inflation I have lived, for the amount of money indicated in America. Admittedly, for that same amount of money, I'd live somewhat better in Viet Nam.

The same daughter who helped me hunt dinner back then, is now a high price Lawyer and when visiting Viet Nam can't stand to stay in a Hotel room that coasts less than $300.00/night. If you get away from the coasts and big cities, the price of living in America isn't much more than living in District 1 of TP HCM.

70 years old wrote:

...  If you get away from the coasts and big cities, the price of living in America isn't much more than living in District 1 of TP HCM.

I think about those living cost calculations, but there are add-ons in the US. For fun I randomly checked Dodge City KS (funny cowboy town). 1 bedroom apartments average $500 - a little cheaper than Q1? I suppose you can eat in (but not out) for the same price, and basic utilities are the same. But the add-ons are instead of a $1000 motorbike you will need a used car $10k minimum, and monthly auto insurance say $150, car maintenance + depreciation $100, more petrol for a car so $50+, internet and cable TV $150. Clothing for cold winters. These things are offset if you do some part time work though, easier to get there.
I don't believe most US expats in Asia are here just to save money, but because it is not the US, and it is so different and interesting.

Kansas City gets rather cold in the winter for riding a motor bike and for a little bit more than $13,000.00 you can actually buy a new (very small)car that in Viet Nam would cost around $30,000.00.

Nissan Versa S Sedan: $12,780. ...
Chevrolet Spark LS is $12,995. ...
Smart ForTwo Pure: $13,240. ...
Ford Fiesta S: $13,995. ...
Kia Rio LX: $14,350. ...
Ford Fiesta S Hatchback: $14,995.

For one of these cars in decent used condition figure half this

The gas(petrol) to feed that car would cost about half what gas(petrol) cost in Viet Nam