$900,000.00 Question

[colman]

... in response to Colman, I Finally Agree With You, posted by burbuja2 on Oct 27, 2002

If you read my post, nowhere in it did I verify Ricky saying the reference about Uruguay and the "European" look. If you read my post, I answered a question he asked, then I RECOMMENDED Uruguay as a place to live and retire. I was simply making a point, a point many peole ponder about. That point is if somebody in the U.S. wishes to find a very "European" woman why not go directly to the source in Europe? I mean some peolple like different physical characteristics of which Latin America is a great locale for this. I only bring up this point because I have read "European" look and style in the Latin forum logic would verify if people are looking for something specific they should go to the root of it. If you read my past posts I have always contended that Brazilian women are the MOST attractive women in MY opinion--I have not ruled learning Portugese or visiting Brazil for a potential wife. Racial preferences? Nice try, I dont think so, I am content that I need not to prove whether I am biased or not. Actually, its quite ironic and surprising that here in the states where an American can trace thier roots anywhere on the globe be so hesitant on learning different cultures. It seems its the status quo that an average American cannot even point Nepal or Nicaragua on a globe. Thats fine thier is no law against cultural emptiness. LOL--I love it, people have recorded in thier brains my referencs about the East German weight lifters--YES....God Bless you---Colman

[wendell]

... in response to $900,000.00 Question, posted by Ricky on Oct 26, 2002

I would take the money and head for Wanaburger, Brazil.  You can open up a McDonalds franchise there.  It is a small village in the jungle but they have the highest per capita consumption of burgers in South America.  There is no fast food outlet there, so the only competition that you will have is the local headhunters and their bland burgers.  You will clean up.

The 900 grand.  You wont need that.  Wanaburger is in strata -13 but they are addicted to burgers.  Hell, send me the money and I will keep in trust for you until you return.  Just keep your head screwed on straight and you wont have any problems. Just keep your head period.

I must warn you though, the last gringo to try to open up a franchise there was Hilton and after he went there, he was never heard from again.  I guess they didnt like his piano playing.

Good luck and but dont accept the local checks.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: $900,000.00 Question, posted by wendell on Oct 26, 2002

That Hilton could really pull your heartstrings at the piano bar! Didn't he head up a $900,000.00 programing business before he disappeared into the selva?

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: $900,000.00 Question, posted by Cali vet on Oct 26, 2002

Hilton was way more interesting than MCK.He had really thought about what he was talking about even if he never did some (or all)of it.He had some good opinions,maybe he
did some of the things he talked about,perhaps he just embellished too much.
I was waiting for him to come back and defend himself but his silence indicates some of you guys were right about  what he said.
So,if we have to bring back an ex rable rouser for a little excitement,I vote for Hilton.

Pete

[Cali vet]

... in response to Hilton was interesting, posted by Pete E on Oct 29, 2002

For quality rable rousing I vote for Malandro.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Hilton was interesting, posted by Cali vet on Oct 29, 2002

Malandro takes it for humor and creativity.I missed what got him bounced,Seems he should have lasted longer than Houndog.Maybe its because Houndog was trying to be serious and Melandro was always playing with us.
But I guess this board is supposed to be about substance.Substance has been a little boring recently.I guess if we want intertainment we should look elsewhere.
I guess I like a little humor with my imformation.
What could we do to liven it up besides bringing back the
troublesome posters?
Hmm,let me think.

Pete

[Cali vet]

... in response to Your right,Malandro was most intertainin..., posted by Pete E on Oct 29, 2002

Whatever it is I hope it's not bringing back MCK or Hilton. I found them both pretty boring except for MCK's Deadchickenism routine. That was fun.

[Patrick]

... in response to Re: Re: $900,000.00 Question, posted by Cali vet on Oct 26, 2002

He just re-registered and will most likely be making a re-appearance soon.

[Pete E]

... in response to $900,000.00 Question, posted by Ricky on Oct 26, 2002

Ricky,
Even if you only got a 5% return on your money $900,000 would yield you $4340 a month on a 40 year amortization,figured like a mortgage in reverse.10% and you get $7642.Get too risky you get 0.So you are in great shape.What about capital gains taxes on the sale of the business?Is the $900,000 after or before that?
As far as where to go my direct experience is Colombia,which is risky right now,both personally and investment wise.I would consider other countries.
Costa Rica is already very expensive by Latin American standards.I would do alot of research.I came across some imformation on the web about islands on the caribean side of Panama.Looked very interesting.Find the right place and it could be great for real estate investing but I would not buy anything for a year or 2 untill you really understand the local market.I think alot of gringos really paid up in Costa Rica just because it is cheap by US standards.They saw them coming a mile away.If you pay too much you then can't bail without a big loss.

Pete

[Ricky]

... in response to Re: $900,000.00 Question, posted by Pete E on Oct 26, 2002

I agree with you on the Costa Rica thing. Been there...done that. To be honest with you I think it is saturated with gringos. As far as Colombia being risky right now... it's always risky. Never considered Panama before.

Thanks

[outwest77]

... in response to $900,000.00 Question, posted by Ricky on Oct 26, 2002

I dont know much about South America, but i know a little about the philppines as related to starting a business, orretiring in the phils.
The laws for starting a business favor the locals and citizens and you have to be partnered with a citizen, many countrys have this rule, As For Moneywise i think you are taking a big risk in any country other than the US putting it into their banks, For example in the phils the govt only insures deposits up to 2000 dollars, the rest is lost in case of bankruptcy of the bank, huge robbery etc, Neeedless to say people with money are not too keen on placing a large amount in savings in the phils.

I would invest a small amount in a business to keep occupied but keep the lions share of your money in a u.s.a bank in a savings account, drawing interest, I would transfer every several months enough to live on , by telephone, into a separate account which can draw from ATMs etc in whatever country you are living in, That way, you only have several thousand in the account which your ATM has access to, in case of strange things that might happen,
I may seem paranoid, but to me its just prudent.

[Ricky]

... in response to Re: $900,000.00 Question, posted by outwest77 on Oct 26, 2002

.

[outwest77]

... in response to Not into the asian "thing" but..., posted by Ricky on Oct 26, 2002

Didnt say or assume you are into the asian thing, im just saying most third world countries operate similarly, loosely structured banking system, etc

[corv]

... in response to $900,000.00 Question, posted by Ricky on Oct 26, 2002

I would say Brazil. You couldn't imagine how cheap things are. Only problem you and your girl would have to learn a new language. Another great place is Uruguay, safe stable place people are very nice, beautiful beaches, food more like what your problably used to. Argentina is out. There economy (as I'm sure you know) is crap and the people act towards Americans in much the same way the French do.

[Ricky]

... in response to Re: $900,000.00 Question, posted by corv on Oct 26, 2002

I've thought about San Paol but do not want to take the time to learn Portugese at this point...neither does my lady.

Any particular cities you would recommend in Uraguay? Is the climate similar to Costa Rica and Colombia? I assume the beaches would be somewhat comparable to San Andreas in climate?  More info . . .?