I thought Canada has lower capital gain tax. Just don't claim you profit as income, claim it as capital gain. I think it is like 50% deduction. http://www.fin.gc.ca/toce/2002/cgtc_e.html
so where do u live axe? Sure Europe has less crime than the US...but 100million people died in WWI and WWII so they paid up front!
Personal safety is the no 1 concern. Next is healthcare, it must be good, immedate and reasonable in cost. Climate should also be a consideration. Taxes probably should be before climate cause if you're taxed to death you can't then have a quality life. Although I don't live there , the South of France appeals more than anywhere although it is relatively expensive. You are safe, one can travel to neat cities , food and luxury abound......... The safety factor of USA is very low. Too many nutbars but lots of really nice people. Europe is improving by the day.
Somethings I have an issue with in regards to the US is the health care system, and legal issues. (Warning: Most information gathered from maybe not so reliable media sources ala CNN, tv etc), also word of mouth. 1) Some family friends moved out to Florida about 20 years ago, led a great life, he was captain of a cruise ship doing trips around the caribbean. Anyways, retired now, both of them are like in their 60s/70s. Cant afford/cant get insurance and being out of work now no employers insurance. Wife took sick and they get landed with a 20 000 USD doctors bill?!? From this and other bits of information that I glean, from the outside looking in, unless your healthy or can afford some potentially hefty bills then forget about it (insurance companies mentioned on CNN would even not insure you if you made an ENQUIRY about a claim), your more apt to be left to die rather than someone else picking up the tab. 2) Again maybe just something you hear in the media alot, but god damn people suing everyone else?! I tripped on your carpet you owe me 100 000USD. You wore the same clothes as me to a party and caused me "mental anguish" give me 500 000. If I lived there it seems like I would have to get people to sign waivers for entering your home for a cup of coffee and drive around with a lawyer on hand for fear of some prick trying to make a fast buck off of your ass. Anyhoows, get the idea...from outside looking in, thats my two big concerns with the US, rightly or wrongly.
You become a victim, if people know you are rich. Make a lot of money, lie low. Buy a apartment elsewhere, so you don't get sue. Lobster, should let the little puppy lick/bite him, so he can sue the dog owner
I live around the San Diego area. Move frequently. http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/cntydepts/safety/da/crime_rate/sdcrime.html Everyone says the crime in the US is so bad, but i've lived all over the US and have only had 2 incidents happen to me that I can recall. 1) Some dude.... possible criminal, ran through the bottom floor of my townhome when I lived in the slums of baltimore. 2) Some punk stole my radio out of my sports car. That's pretty much it. The US certainly has "pockets" of extremely high crime areas in the country, but if you avoid those, I bet your relative crime rate can be held extremely low. Ever since I started making a decent living, and was able to live in nice neighborhoods ( basically after my first year out of college ) I have never had the impression of high crime rates. Only hear about it on the news. peace axeman
THIS is one of my biggest issues with the US. It all comes back to our SUE happy culture. Can't get healthcare coverage when your old? Blame your neighbor who sued his doc for $10,000,000 because he made a mistake. We have way too many attorneys, and way too many people willing to use them. Aging americans should all retire to socialistic europeans countries were they can ride their healthcare systems until death peace axeman
The problem is The US should say to hell with the rest of the world and spend all that money at home. Free healthcare, clean up the crime. Encourage people to walk more. Stop wasting resources and Americans would be a lot happier. The money getting thown around to Europe and third world countries should be thrown to Americans.
I have lived in Whistler off and on for the last couple of years, and it's a great place to live. The place I bought has doubled in value over the last 2 years, what with the growth of the mountain's popularity...I don't know about buying at the top of the trend, I wait for pullbacks. It's still not too crowded for me as a resident, though the weekends can be a bit much. And high-speed internet access and excellent espresso can both be had. And the locals are a diverse set from across Canada, the UK, Austrailia/New Zealand, and elsewhere. Nice town. I have some pics I've taken off and on, some are ok: http://www.cicleworks.com/whistler.html I also agree that Vancouver and Seattle are wonderful places too. Of course, I have a bias...flyfishing and skiing are my two favorite outdoor activities.
Right now, my list is: Whistler, BC or Vancouver, BC - it's beautiful, great people, great weather, great lifestyle. Montreal - the people I have met there were awesome, and it would be interesting for a bit. Have personal reasons too. British Virgin Islands - have not done the caribbean thing yet. NYC - I wouldn't mind living there for a bit, because there is so much to do! Pollution is a bit much though, not to mention rent! Southern Spain - I found the people to be incredibly friendly, the weather is great, and there is alot to do and see. Swiss or Austrian town - maybe Innsbruck, Zurich, Geneva, maybe something smaller? Prague - sounds wonderful, but I have not been yet so I would have to see first. Now that they are EU it will be easier for my situation. Reykjavik, Iceland - I almost moved there several years ago, but it would have been for a programming job. Amazingly beautiful place, and the people were great. Maybe a place in Norway would be interesting too? Many places in the world are interesting, I suppose. My list grows and changes daily.