Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
#61
Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
Panam? Isn’t that fictional?
Hunger games?
Hunger games?
#62
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
if you going somewhere and don’t need to work, why look at high cost developed countries, I see Americans going to Costa Rica, Panam, Mexico (look at Cozumel and the Yucatán and maybe islands of Belize as well.. All these places seem to be easy to live/own in as a foreigner, and are much lower cost.. they wound not if you want dry heat though and of course pay attention to height above current sea level if you are buying.
#63
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
I have looked at Costa Rica. They seem reasonable and I haven't heard anything bad about the country. As for the others I will have to do a lot of research on them. Which doesn't faze me at all. They are all considerations I will take on board, so thank you. Somewhere up a mountain appeals to me for various reasons, not least of which is the ever reported melting of the ice caps! But that's for another forum I'm sure!
#64
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
expensive though. From the brief look I've had of whats on offer. But then you get what you pay for. Come retirement that will.be an option but I was hoping to get the buying done now so when retirement does eventually arrive, everything is good to go. More research required. On everything! What to buy, where to buy, how much to spend, the legal stuff with buying in a country you don't have a residents visa for. Getting a visa. Exchange rates so working out how much its advertised for works out in sterling. And that's just the ones I can think of off the top of my head!
#65
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
Noorah101, you hit the nail on the head. That's exactly what we're looking at. I only mentioned the ranch as an income in order to get a visa as an idea. It wasn't what I had planned on doing or even considered. The idea is to retire and enjoy life, not continue working!
We are looking to go somewhere up in the mountains where the weather is a bit more temperate and they, supposedly, have good soil for fruit trees, veggies and all that kind of stuff. Drilling depths for water seem to be economical in the areas I'm looking and any power would likely be solar.
Retirement age for me, as it stands, is 52. So I consider that quite young to be retiring at. I'll get a good lump sum and a decent monthly amount so showing I won't need to work shouldn't be too difficult, fingers crossed!
But all that is a long way off yet. First things first is getting to Arizona and having a look round to see what's on offer. Then probably finding a local solicitor who can help with what I need to get myself started. From what I can see, I'm not likely to ever get a permanent resident visa but the B2 visa could be the one for us.
We are looking to go somewhere up in the mountains where the weather is a bit more temperate and they, supposedly, have good soil for fruit trees, veggies and all that kind of stuff. Drilling depths for water seem to be economical in the areas I'm looking and any power would likely be solar.
Retirement age for me, as it stands, is 52. So I consider that quite young to be retiring at. I'll get a good lump sum and a decent monthly amount so showing I won't need to work shouldn't be too difficult, fingers crossed!
But all that is a long way off yet. First things first is getting to Arizona and having a look round to see what's on offer. Then probably finding a local solicitor who can help with what I need to get myself started. From what I can see, I'm not likely to ever get a permanent resident visa but the B2 visa could be the one for us.
#66
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
Depending size of property you seek there are several companies that sell land under land contracts so no mortgage required, you simply make the payments and at the end the land is yours. This is more common in western states like Texas, New Mexico,, Arizona,Montana and Nevada. You just to make sure the contract if filed at the local county courthouse.
I can't help but feel excited at the possibilities but have to keep a cool head otherwise I'd be buying everything I can get my hands on! Have to bear in mind all the difficulties raised on here. This is all going to go in slow time, not going to rush but your advice has definitely given me another option to consider as I always knew a mortgage would be very difficult to get, if not impossible, as a non resident. Maybe your advice will open up another way in so I can buy a little sooner than I'd thought. Then there's just the very minor headache of getting some kind of visa to allow me to use it more than 90 days a year!
#67
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
Thanks for that. I have been looking at land where they say financing is guaranteed etc. I'm extremely wary of anything that says that. But maybe that's because they are doing what you've just said.
I can't help but feel excited at the possibilities but have to keep a cool head otherwise I'd be buying everything I can get my hands on! Have to bear in mind all the difficulties raised on here. This is all going to go in slow time, not going to rush but your advice has definitely given me another option to consider as I always knew a mortgage would be very difficult to get, if not impossible, as a non resident. Maybe your advice will open up another way in so I can buy a little sooner than I'd thought. Then there's just the very minor headache of getting some kind of visa to allow me to use it more than 90 days a year!
I can't help but feel excited at the possibilities but have to keep a cool head otherwise I'd be buying everything I can get my hands on! Have to bear in mind all the difficulties raised on here. This is all going to go in slow time, not going to rush but your advice has definitely given me another option to consider as I always knew a mortgage would be very difficult to get, if not impossible, as a non resident. Maybe your advice will open up another way in so I can buy a little sooner than I'd thought. Then there's just the very minor headache of getting some kind of visa to allow me to use it more than 90 days a year!
I would definitely look at more (less) 1st world places where your money will go further... one of the biggest motivators for me to move form being a PR to a citizen here is the ability to move abroad and claim the foreign earned income exclusion while protecting my right to return at will, i am assuming my 2 sons will stay... but who knows 20 years from now.... they have option of the UK and Germany(what’s left of Europe)...
For retirement the focus (on paper) is so different to while you are earning and your job dictates location. On paper I will be looking at:
- tax efficiency
- direct flight home to NY metro airport with multiple airlines
- healthcare
- security
- expat community
- appeal for friends and family to visit
and similar, in reality unless the “Chairwoman” approves we won’t be going anywhere... we already turned down some dream jobs in SIN and Europe because she is in her “forever home” and had built a network of friends she likes via the kids education....
the best laid plans of
Good luck in your quest...
#68
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
It makes sense... the owner gets all that money, if you default they keep the land and likely all your payments and they can build the interest part in to the purchase price.
I would definitely look at more (less) 1st world places where your money will go further... one of the biggest motivators for me to move form being a PR to a citizen here is the ability to move abroad and claim the foreign earned income exclusion while protecting my right to return at will, i am assuming my 2 sons will stay... but who knows 20 years from now.... they have option of the UK and Germany(what’s left of Europe)...
For retirement the focus (on paper) is so different to while you are earning and your job dictates location. On paper I will be looking at:
- tax efficiency
- direct flight home to NY metro airport with multiple airlines
- healthcare
- security
- expat community
- appeal for friends and family to visit
and similar, in reality unless the “Chairwoman” approves we won’t be going anywhere... we already turned down some dream jobs in SIN and Europe because she is in her “forever home” and had built a network of friends she likes via the kids education....
the best laid plans of
Good luck in your quest...
My views are similar when it comes to family and friends visiting but as long as you get yourself out there, wherever there is, and get yourself involved, you'll met people with the same interests and form new friendships. Kids aren't an issue, but they do help you meet people with parents etc.
I'm lucky with my missus, she's just as keen to move as I am. My job could be transferable I suppose but is probably not really an option due to the retraining I'd have to go through in my line of work.
I have all the same concerns as yourself when it comes to looking for somewhere. So a lot more research is needed. I'm saying research a lot on here but I think that's what it all comes down to, research, research, research. And Money!
#69
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
Your wife needs to meet the owners of Clearview farms in Shelbyville Tennessee. A British couple with an interest in horses bought a 130 acre horse farm and developed it into a thriving bed and breakfast with riding trails. You can google and learn more. I have never met them or visited their bed and breakfast but my wife and I live nearby near Lynchburg. I learned of their farm when I was advising a British couple living in Knoxville who wanted to visit a place to ride. Shelbyville is a horse farm area famous for Tennessee Walking horses. A similar operation could possibly be a route to a visa but as an American I know next to nothing about immigration issues.
#70
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
Your wife needs to meet the owners of Clearview farms in Shelbyville Tennessee. A British couple with an interest in horses bought a 130 acre horse farm and developed it into a thriving bed and breakfast with riding trails. You can google and learn more. I have never met them or visited their bed and breakfast but my wife and I live nearby near Lynchburg. I learned of their farm when I was advising a British couple living in Knoxville who wanted to visit a place to ride. Shelbyville is a horse farm area famous for Tennessee Walking horses. A similar operation could possibly be a route to a visa but as an American I know next to nothing about immigration issues.
#71
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
Thank you for that. That is definitely something to consider. I hadn't considered it as something we could make work due to visa issues. But they have so that gives me a little glimmer of hope that we could possibly replicate it, probably on a smaller scale but it is certainly food for thought! I shall be googling away shortly and hopefully I can make contact with them and get pointed in the right direction. Hopefully! Thank you for the tip. Very much appreciated! If it ever comes to fruition you've got a free weekend getaway!
#72
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
I've already emailed the ranch so hopefully they get in touch and a visit can be arranged. If the missus had her way we'd be on the plane now!
#73
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
There is a video on utube about Clearview from a local news interview. Shelbyville has the yearly national walking horse event and has several horse farms nearby but Clearview is unique in its business with the riding stables and B&B.
#74
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Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
I have heard Tennessee is a beautiful place so I'm looking forward to paying it a visit. And if plans for Tennessee don't work out then maybe we can do something similar in Arizona, or another suitable state.
Must thank you again for giving me a different view on it all. Was purely looking at spending as much time there as possible whilst retired. Never considered running that type of business. But that could be a good way to get a foothold in the door. If we can manage to raise the capital to do it!
#75
Re: Trying to buy land in America, hopefully Arizona.
And if you have the knowledge of horses? I've had horses for years but still wouldn't run a similar business. It's a great option if you are very familiar with them and the care that would be needed though.