The USA is perhaps barreling down the path of, "if one has ANYTHING, it must be given up to the government for the collective good".. (Personally, I believe THAT is Obama's schtick for "fundamentally transforming America"..) ASSHOLE!! If that's the case, might be better to move to a HIGHER tax venue but one where you're not fearful of the government CONFISCATING EVERYTHING YOU HAVE... Best countries for a combo of personal freedoms and lack of (low level of) government intervention in the life of citizens.... Canada, New Zealand, Autralia, Switzerland... USA is NOT in the "best" category...
Hey ... you've priced it out and you do not believe it has value. OK. I can buy that. I have lived in other parts of the world for brief periods of time -- six months in London (twice), Germany five months and numerous long trips (two months and better) to both the North and South of Italy. I could certainly spend a few years in Italy and be happy as a clam and maybe a year in London or Paris. But I wouldn't trade the lot of 'em for NYC for the long haul.
Most US citizens... at least those who pay attention at all.. believe, "all is OK... Obama says we're recovering, and I believe in Him"... Fact is, we're going down the shitter, and few of us recognize it al all. By the time it's obvious even to the Troglodytes, it will be too late to save...
Its quite funny that the former communist countries are turning capitalist countries and the former capitalist-countries are slowly inofficially turning communist.
How come nobody mentioned Iran as a Tax efficient place...all you hear about this country is "Ahmadinejad"... " nuclear program" I am a native of Iran myself and know that Banks in Iran pay relatively higher interest rates on long term deposits (i.e. 5 year investments) compared to Canada for sure. For example, I see Royal Bank pays 2% interest on 5-year GIC's (Guaranteed Investment Certificates) whereas Banks in Iran pay around 17-18% for similar investments. http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/gic/gic-interest-rates.html Bank Saman for instance, pays fixed 18.44% interest on long-term 5-year deposits/investments. As for the income tax purposes, Iran does NOT have a strict policy as far as I know, but any taxes on capital gains from investments would certainly be deducted by the banks, but again that's not a high percentage. Living in the picturesque and scenic northern Iran by the shorelines of the Caspian sea, for a foreigner would definitely be a good option. Any foreign citizen residing in Iran could open an account for themselves and collect the interests while enjoying life there.
I haven't researched this issue a lot, but didn't Iran pretty much nab a few tourists that had wandered across the border (or at least got too close to the border) and then are trying to use them as nuclear program negotiation pawns. That does not sound like a border I'm ready to cross.
Yup It's funny how the nutty people call europe "socialist" and then say thank god USA isn't. They don't realize the USA is more socialist than Europe! But in a different way. It's Socialism for the rich and government only! Fact 1: Debt in USA is huge compared to Europe, even though Social Security is almost non-existent. Where does the money disappear to? Area 51?? I thought debt was socialist. Fact 2: There is almost no protection for the employees and consumers of USA. Yet taxes on rich are decreased, who doesn't need more protection. Warren Buffett agrees, he paid less tax, in a FAIR TAX calculation, than his receptionist. Fact 3: the USA taxes Americans outside the country, the only western country to do that. the USA wants you to pay taxes, local, state and federal. THREE levels. The bureaucracy is immense. Might I say, USA have more tax bureaucracy than most other western lands. And you thought tax bureaucracy was socialist... Fact 4: No healthcare for the working people. There is medicaid for the illegals, private healthcare for the rich but nothing for the middle class. Middle class get shafted! Middle Class without a job are SOL! The benefit of paying a 10% lower tax is negated by the fact they can't afford any healthcare, because they don't have a job! So what if you get cancer while having a job? Well, the employer fires you, because you can't work anymore, and then you don't have your employers healthcare anymore! Oops! CONCLUSION: The nutty people are in charge of USA and have been for a long time. America is more socialist than Europe. America is also more communist than Europe, based on fact 3. Bush right Obama left? NOOO!!! Bush communist Obama communist!
Don't cross or get too close to any borders illegally, go to any Iranian embassy or mail your documents in for a tourist visa.