cdfergus

LOL, kettle on!

Perth

Did you get throught it? Looks like you will be OK

cdfergus

My only question is this. If I understand it correctly that amount is OK if I work. But if it is all I have and do not work then I have to do the 62,000 pounds?

Talk about head scratching !!!!!

dunroving

No, pension is income. I think an added advantage of being retired is that non-UK spouse income - pension - can count, whereas for non-retirees only the UK spouse's income can count.

Perth

Yes, that is a huge advantage! If your combined income from SS meets the required yearly amount you are good to go

cdfergus

Wow, that seems too easy?
Now, can we live in UK on $36000 a year pension? And if so, anyone have any suggestions as to where? I am from Essex (no laughing please) and I know I cannot afford that

Perth

I'm not going back to London, so understand that! Do you have any family you have to be near, or can you be free and easy? From what most people have been saying the further north the cheaper, with a few exceptions such as Edinburgh.

We have been looking at Exeter, but have Cardiff as a back-up, not only because it is less expensive than southern England but there are free prescriptions and free bus passes at 60 (with the new pension regs in England I don't qualify for the bus pass until age 66), and all the museums are free like in London, as well as Cardiff Castle.

You could go over to the Location, Location, Location thread for some ideas http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=713589

Or you could start your own thread with some specifications of what you are looking for. Probably won't get much response on this thread since it's off-topic.

cdfergus

Thank you! I love Wales!! half my family is from S. Wales (though none I would care to see!) I still have cousins in Southend and aunt/uncle in Bedfordhire but that is all. Free prescriptions and bus pass????? I wonder if it is that way in Scotland also, I seem to remember my uncle moaning about it, lol.

dunroving

That would be about £20,000 (conservative estimate; USD has typically been in the $1.60-$1.70 range per pound). You will get taxed hardly at all on that, so would take home about £1,700 per month.

cdfergus

Mmm...never thought about tax. Wonder if I have to pay tax in US as well?

Perth

Yes, Scotland and NI also. Here is an awesome video on Cardiff that you might enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au1n9MsfFsI

windsong

Wales is beautiful. It's where my mother and all my maternal ancestors were born, although a few generations back it goes back to Gloucestershire. I have a relatives there that I have never met. In spite of that, I don't feel much of a connection to it. Perhaps if I had more memories of it or had strong relations with relatives there, I would feel more inclined to move there. The north is gorgeous.

Perth

If you are more intune with the countryside have a gander at this one. Makes me misty and I'm not even Welsh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0eNEKax_Rc

windsong

Jut beautiful!!! I mentioned that my maternal ancestors were born there and forgot to mention that I was, too!

Shard

You do forget what amazing scenery we have right here on our doorstep. Nice pictures in the video.