Going back to Korea after 20 years?

I left Korea in 2014 to start a family with my Korean wife. Even though we tried, fertility issues kept us from having kids. Fast forward nearly a decade, earning a Master's degree and a career in education, I'm contemplating retiring, or semi-retiring in Korea with my wife in my early 50s. I'm 37 now and in another decade or so with a house paid off and other investments, we should be able to live comfortably with part-time/gig employment.

The United States is going to shit at a rapid pace (healthcare, economy, safety, culture).

While in my late 20s, it made sense to start a life in the US, retiring here isn't the best option.

Why leave the US?

Healthcare in the US is a complete shit show. I can't imagine being old and actually needing it in this country.
Safety - ever since the defunding of the police movement, most cities are going to shit. Crime and gun violence are up and there is no end in sight with local governments effectively decriminalizing property crime and having neutered police departments.
Culture - The woke mob and the Trumpers are tearing the country apart - the division is palpable and only getting worse. Both are shit options. Gen Z is the worst generation by far, I can't fathom living in a country where these dummies are in power.

Why Korea?
Healthcare.
Culture- it's a mixed bag but generally speaking, no one fucks with you. Yes, there are some cultural challenges/differences, but I never felt unsafe or disrespected, especially as a male.
Life is safe. No risk of getting shot and killed by ___________. (Road rage, mass shootings, wacky neighbors/co-workers, etc.)
We would use Korea as a base and have extended stays elsewhere in Asia.

Korea definitely has some cons as well, but overall, I'm thinking it may be a better option than the US.

I'm happy for you, but is there a question here? What exactly are you asking for input on?

I'm happy for you, but is there a question here? What exactly are you asking for input on?

Should one consider moving to Korea to retire/semi-retire (given the circumstances)?

Semi-retiring in your early 50s? in Korea? After a (presumably lucrative) career in education?

You must've lucked out in the asset-inflation lotto to be so flush.

If you're good for money, can't you afford somewhere safe in the US? Why not somewhere in western Europe? They have a pleasant quality of life there. Most countries are happy to let in ballers such as yourself on golden visas.

If you want to want to be in your 60s and 70s and wake up
in -20C weather with nothing to do and no place to go, then
Korea would be ideal. I see old people all the time in Korea
they look f___ing miserable.

Korea is also the 2nd worst place for old age poverty in the
OECD except for Mexico.

Yes, healthcare is better than the US, but so is most of the planet's.

Personally, I would choose Thailand as a place to retire. Cheaper
than Korea, nicer weather, slower pace, better food.


(And legal weed)

New Hampshire's murder rate is basically the same as Korea's. Plus you can carry a concealed handgun there without any permit or permission.

I'm happy for you, but is there a question here? What exactly are you asking for input on?

I thought the same thing.  Seems like a "Thinking out loud" post.  I'm not sure what input anyone can offer. 

If Korea seems like a good place for you to retire, then go for it.  It's completely subjective.  I like living here but have no plans on retiring here.   My Korean gf wants to get a condo and retire in Bangkok, which has been my plan for a long time.  She has a son and is Korean so coming up to Korea a couple of times a year in choice weather would be great, but I would shudder at the thought of this being my main base in retirement. 

Why not somewhere in western Europe? They have a pleasant quality of life there. Most countries are happy to let in ballers such as yourself on golden visas.

seconding this. if i actually made enough $ by the time i hit retirement age (unlikely) EU would definitely be my first choice

Semi-retiring in your early 50s? in Korea? After a (presumably lucrative) career in education?

You must've lucked out in the asset-inflation lotto to be so flush yet so unimaginative.

If you're good for money, can't you afford somewhere safe in the US? Why not somewhere in western Europe? They have a pleasant quality of life there. Most countries are happy to let in ballers such as yourself on golden visas.

Not lucked out, but worked for most of my life in the US contributing to social security, 401k, and a teacher pension. And bought a home at the right time.

Korea would be comfortable and familiar, but probably monotonous and limited. That's the quandary.

 

seconding this. if i actually made enough $ by the time i hit retirement age (unlikely) EU would definitely be my first choice

I have considered Portugal, but haven't done enough research into the country. I have glanced at their visa requirements and they seem very attainable.

I have considered Portugal, but haven't done enough research into the country. I have glanced at their visa requirements and they seem very attainable.

Look into the Philippines retirement visa. One of the most friendly if not the most friendly of all.

Look into the Philippines retirement visa. One of the most friendly if not the most friendly of all.

I wouldn't go to the Philippines. Too many poor people. I can't stand
poor people. They give me the creeps. Also, the beer tastes like ass and
you get a bullet in the head for smoking ganja.

I wouldn't go to the Philippines. Too many poor people. I can't stand
poor people. They give me the creeps. Also, the beer tastes like ass and
you get a bullet in the head for smoking ganja.

im assuming this is a joke that is mostly going over my head, but if it isnt then a certain user gets a free pass to go @ you for this one, lol

im assuming this is a joke that is mostly going over my head, but if it isnt then a certain user gets a free pass to go @ you for this one, lol

Haha, the beer does taste like ass though.

i'll take your word for it, i didn't drink much when i was vacationing over there.

I love the people of the Philippines, having dated several over the years. Happiest people i've ever met. But you would have to be absolutely off your rocker to want to  live there. Nothing works, no one does their job properly. The tiniest little errand becomes a day long ordeal. It's also pretty wild. One ex's family owned a crate of fragmentation grenades. Her brother in law died in a shootout with the army.

Look into the Philippines retirement visa. One of the most friendly if not the most friendly of all.

Very friendly.  A friend of mine went over and was befriended by an aunt and her niece.  Showed him around the town. They invited him for a picnic the next day.  His only recollection after the meal is a hazy one of him withdrawing around 2 million won at the behest of his new friends and loaning it to them.  The friendly part comes in when the next day they helped a looped out Canadian they had robbed get on the correct bus to his destination.  In other countries he'd be left for dead in a ditch. 

Portugal has gained a big reputation as a good place for retirement.  My dad went to some seminar on how to retire in Portugal just a week ago.  He'll never do it but has come to hate the direction of politics in the U.S. and keeps saying he wants to leave.  Cost of living is low, it's beautiful and visa requirements aren't a hassle. 

I love the people of the Philippines, having dated several over the years. Happiest people i've ever met. But you would have to be absolutely off your rocker to want to  live there. Nothing works, no one does their job properly. The tiniest little errand becomes a day long ordeal. It's also pretty wild. One ex's family owned a crate of fragmentation grenades. Her brother in law died in a shootout with the army.

Now this was years ago, but I met a couple of ex-pats living in the Philippines and they said that every month they had to go to the phone company to get their bill straightened out. Said they were always overcharged. Also that most people didn't look at their bills so the company got away with it.

Did anyone mention the terrible traffic in Manila?

I have a friend living in Portugal who loves it. Spain is almost as good as a place to retire. Problem is these places are going to get more expensive the more ex-pats move there. I remember when Costa Rica was THE place to retire.

I remember when Costa Rica was THE place to retire.

That would be awesome. All those islands where the dinosaurs live