re: Ever thought of just giving it all up..

Have a close relative that has a lot of land and cattle out west.

I think about going out there to work cows every single day.

If I didn't have a kid, I would have already done it.
My girlfriend and I have discussed this on numerous occasions and making plans. Once my kid graduates high school, we plan to go to the islands. My job will allow me to work anywhere there's a hospital. If I can base myself in Puerto Rico, I can then cover that region and the Virgin Islands while making really good money.
In the mean time, we are doing our homework and traveling to prospective locations as often as we can.

A lady I used to work with just one day said forget this, I'm out, and moved to Belize. She took about a year off and lived on savings (cheap there). Now she just does a little real estate and works at a bar there, loving life.


I used to work with a guy - mid 40's, beaten down. He told me that, on his honeymoon (first marriage) he was offered a job at the Jamaican resort they were at running their recreation program (apparently he got along so well with the other guests), he declined saying "I have a job, responsibilities, a career to work toward." He told me that was nearly 30 years ago, he doesn't own a dime more than he did back then, lamented he hadn't spent the last 20+ years drinking beer and sitting on the beach.

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And moving to a tropical island getting a job waiting tables or working for a resort? Move with a couple of friends get a house and just live..

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Nah I actually like my life.

I think the key to happiness is being content with what you have and not always thinking what if.

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Everyone has thought that.

But where ever you go, there you are. Changing locations won't change you. So work on yourself where you are.

Then figure out what you can change where you are. Disgusted with yourself? Start exercising. Hate your job? Line out what you need to do to make a change. Feeling empty? See a counselor or go do something spiritual (church, retreat, meditation, yoga, whatever works for you).

If you change those things and you still have the itch, bon voyage.

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Well, said, Judge. Well said. You are a mentor, my friend.

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While the answer is yes, we can't because we love TV and fast internet too much. :-)

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seriously?

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what are some good islands or locations. Caribbean? costa Rica? Hawaii?
I want to move to Croatia but the language barrier might be a problem

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How well are you set financially? There are countries in Central America where Americans retire comfortably on Social Security checks. There are islands where you need a serious income or a lot of money in the bank to make the move.

Right now I'm looking at Turks & Caicos, Roatan and BVI primarily but that could change. St. Croix seems to be one of the more affordable islands and it's US but the access is a bit difficult.

Mt criteria is somewhere that is either a direct or easy flight preferably through Miami or a short ferry or plane ride after the initial flight.

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And moving to a tropical island getting a job waiting tables or working for a resort? Move with a couple of friends get a house and just live.. I couldn't be doing any worse there than I am here right?

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20 minutes ago I was just thinking this.

I think everyone has at one point

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on many islands outsider business owners arent very welcome and will be boycotted and pushed out of business.

Hell i knew a guy who wrote a successful tourist magazine for a few islands and the government deported him and he could not return. then they took over the magazine and "gave" it to one of the politically tied families on the islands

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This is true. I've been traveling and researching islands for several years now and an "American business owner friendly" island is a top priority.

ETA: The only way I'd live there full time is if I have a business. If not, the plan is to spend 3 months or so in the winter and then several subsequent visits of 10 days or so sprinkled throughout the year.

We are at the point now where we spend over a month every year in the islands so the next step is fairly logical for us. It doesn't work for everyone but it works for us.