Texas or Florida better living abroad?

[Tonali99]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

Texas has an open-carry law. Personally, I would never live in or even visit a state that allows high school dropouts to strap AR-15s on their back while shopping or walking down the street. I live in Florida, which unfortunately issues concealed weapons permits, but at least does not allow thugs to intimidate people with unnecessary display of assault weapons. Also, the sailing is better on the west coast of Florida and in the Keys.

You are of course entitled to your preferences. Just remember one thing.
The police are there AFTER the crime has been commited. They do not prevent it.

[Augi]

Originally Posted by pianopraze

My question has been about living overseas.

Only a handful understood. My wording was poor.

So I hope people get something out of the thread no matter their interests.

Everything else is up to the Moderators.

See link below to compare living expenses of cities around the world: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living

See below to compare living expenses of between cities in the USA.
https://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/

Again generalities are being discussed here. Since a boat is involved more research is required and specifics known.

In two words the answer to your question(s)is: "It depends".

It usually does not make sense to move abroad to only to save money. To save money living abroad you need to live like a local. Anything that you try to re-create abroad to be like in the USA usually costs more than having the same thing in the USA. If you really like living in the Philippines and you like living like a local then it make sense to live there and a by product is you will lower your cost of living.

A very high percentage of Americans that move the USA within 5 years.

[tekdiver]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

Texas has an open-carry law. Personally, I would never live in or even visit a state that allows high school dropouts to strap AR-15s on their back while shopping or walking down the street. I live in Florida, which unfortunately issues concealed weapons permits, but at least does not allow thugs to intimidate people with unnecessary display of assault weapons. Also, the sailing is better on the west coast of Florida and in the Keys.

Wow
So much hate and racism wrapped up in a poor reply.

[Whiz-Bang]

Augi had a good post.

We live abroad and aboard, and our legal residence is in Texas. It's fine. We use the Escapees mail service based in Livingston, TX. I *think* you can use it as a residence (we use my mom's address).

I am trying to think of advantages of one over the other. Florida boat taxes are better, but if you don't take the boat to Texas that doesn't matter. If you have to come back to the US for medical, Houston has great facilities. Flying in/out is probably equal, embassies in each state are probably equal. Expat voting in Texas is a pain. Houston has a Filipino community.

I have always used Texas library systems, and love checking out library books & magazines to my kindle. I have no idea how Florida libraries compare, but if you are a reader I recommend getting a card before you leave the US.

If you think of something specific, I can try to answer.

[Ndavies]

Consider God's own State - Alabama. Better beaches than anywhere!

[SalingSue]

Originally Posted by sailr69

being a vet, knowing all about firefights, the gun nuts in this country are the same as those you see on television in Iraq, excited and shooting their guns in the air and shouting some form of anti somethings. brings one to ask this simple question. in the case of one black man walking down the sidewalk toward a white guy both open carrying weapons and eyeing each other, who draws first? both sighting self defense. the gun nuts claim it is not safe anymore and they need guns for self defense as the other guys have guns too. Do you like living in this environment? thirty years ago, this was not even considered. only in America can we screw up this bad. Even in the wild west back in the 1700 hundreds, laws were past to check in your guns at the sheriffs office before going to town. it takes two to have a fight. guns settle that permanently . I hated having to kill an combatant before he killed me.

Did you just state that you fraudulently took the oath of enlistment?

“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same ; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. (So help me God)."

Not sure why you’d risk your life for a country that’s values you don’t believe in, calling someone a nut for exercising their second amendment rights seems at odds with claiming to defend those rights, sadly some younger poor and low skill people do end up enlisting because it’s the best job they can get. Studies have shown it does help a good amount of that low skill demographic rise out of poverty, so that’s good, however I would like to see benefits revoked if it came to surface someone took that oath with reservations, that applies to other government roles too.

Back to the topic, Flordia man is also a thing, I have lived all over the US, especially with the bum population in FL, the crazy factor appears to be higher.

I’d still go with FL, just the level of fun activities like diving, more boating, Bahamas, etc makes it a slam dunk over TX, unless you’re really into dirt bikes or horses, or enough people flee from NY and vote in the same garbage in FL, it’s hard to argue that TX offers a better quality of life over FL.

[PBzeer]

From a practical point of view, if all else is equal, or nearly so to your satisfaction, and your going to have a couple of years in FL before you set off, then it would seem using where you're already established and in the system (and familiar with it) would be the best choice.


You could also start you Carib portion going clockwise and go to TX (Clear Lake) and spend some time there to get familiar with it in person, then decided to change or not.

[castman]

Texas gets my vote, if for no other reason than lower humidity, unless you are on the gulf coast. We have lived in the Ft.Worth/dallas area for over fifty years, raised our kids, enjoyed diversified in-state travel, retired comfortably and a enjoy a low cost of living. Guns are not in the equation in my book. I have never seen anyone "open carry" of an assault rifle anywhere except on TV news.

[pianopraze]

Lots of good info.

Overall Texas is sounding best right now. I'm country boy... don't like anything bigger than small town. Maybe buy a few acres in the country. That would establish residency. Or can one buy a dock as a residence? Like one buys a Condo? Just the dock space?

To answer some:

Wife works, I'm disabled vet. Spend my days homeschooling.

We do plan to spend more than 30 days per year in USA.

Didn't think about library, that is good thought.

Here in US family has Champ VA health insurance and I'm covered by VA so again not a problem. All our other insurance/banking is USAA — so Texas might make banking and such even more convenient with Texas as our home in the USA. Didn't think about that.

I love Florida but really fear being made to buy a flight within 15 days from Philippines to FL for whims/needs of FL school system. Might go in and chat with them about that and see if understanding can be reached. Maybe video chat and digital upload of pictures of work while abroad? Also yearly assessment tests might get annoying. But it might also be useful. Will give it the two years we plan to stay in FL to get better handle. It might all come down to homeschooling as nothing else I've hear listed effects us as much.

[kmgiunta]

Originally Posted by Shanachie

Texas has an open-carry law. Personally, I would never live in or even visit a state that allows high school dropouts to strap AR-15s on their back while shopping or walking down the street. I live in Florida, which unfortunately issues concealed weapons permits, but at least does not allow thugs to intimidate people with unnecessary display of assault weapons. Also, the sailing is better on the west coast of Florida and in the Keys.

You're a smidge confused on the terminology. Most States allow you to carry long guns in the open (but not concealed). That includes AR-15s, shotguns, bolt-action rifles, etc. Unless you have never left Florida, you probably have already visited a State that allows long guns to be openly carried. Texas's open carry law pertains to "carrying" a handgun in the open and not concealed and does not pertain to long guns. That most people don't carry long guns around is a matter of convention and culture rather than a matter of law. I put carrying in quotes because what the law allows is the gun to be visible in its holster and not concealed. One could be accused of "brandishing" a weapon if one actually carried it in the hand. In Texas, open carry (handgun) can be done only by people who have a concealed handgun license. Texas's open carry law is one of the more restrictive ones; many States that do allow open carry do not require one to have a concealed carry license. Texas's concealed carry law requires one to be fingerprinted for a Federal background check, take a safety course and demonstrate safe, proficient use of the firearm. Again, Texas's law is a littler more stringent than some many others'.

[SalingSue]

Originally Posted by kmgiunta

You're a smidge confused on the terminology. Most States allow you to carry long guns in the open (but not concealed). That includes AR-15s, shotguns, bolt-action rifles, etc. Unless you have never left Florida, you probably have already visited a State that allows long guns to be openly carried. Texas's open carry law pertains to "carrying" a handgun in the open and not concealed and does not pertain to long guns. That most people don't carry long guns around is a matter of convention and culture rather than a matter of law. I put carrying in quotes because what the law allows is the gun to be visible in its holster and not concealed. One could be accused of "brandishing" a weapon if one actually carried it in the hand. In Texas, open carry (handgun) can be done only by people who have a concealed handgun license. Texas's open carry law is one of the more restrictive ones; many States that do allow open carry do not require one to have a concealed carry license. Texas's concealed carry law requires one to be fingerprinted for a Federal background check, take a safety course and demonstrate safe, proficient use of the firearm. Again, Texas's law is a littler more stringent than some many others'.

It is amazing that for how pro America and independence TX, you still have to petition the Government to be allowed to exercise ones rights. Could be worse (NY), could be better (AZ).

[kurtis king]

Correction, Texas has a concealed carry permit which allows the holder to also carry open. The CHL ( concealed handgun license ) requires training and a thorough background check.

[flightlead404]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

...but I suppose if people there start shopping with assault rifles stepped on it would go up. Gee, I guess the guys with guns can't be ALL good guys...


I think the point was " If you don't like guns..." you shouldn't have to be exposed to idiots who "wear" them around in public. There have been many thoughtful skippers on this forum who do like guns, but use them responsibly and don't flaunt it by lugging them around in public.

There are valid points on both side of that off-topic argument. Personally I'm a fiercely liberal CCW holding, 20+ year competitive shooter who supports much stronger gun control laws. The issue isn't whether "guns 'r' bad, m'kay" or whether open carry vs concealed carry is appropriate. The issue is a total lack of any meaningful control at the state or federal level of WHO can have them. There are about 8 simple controls that could be put in place that would have a very positive effect without interfering with responsible gun owners, but no one wants to talk about it, just window dressing by banning "ugly black guns".

And now, back to our regular programming...

[SalingSue]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

There are valid points on both side of that off-topic argument. Personally I'm a fiercely liberal CCW holding, 20+ year competitive shooter who supports much stronger gun control laws. The issue isn't whether "guns 'r' bad, m'kay" or whether open carry vs concealed carry is appropriate. The issue is a total lack of any meaningful control at the state or federal level of WHO can have them. There are about 8 simple controls that could be put in place that would have a very positive effect without interfering with responsible gun owners, but no one wants to talk about it, just window dressing by banning "ugly black guns".

And now, back to our regular programming...

Do you want the government to have the same level of choice as to what other rights apply to a citizen as well? Maybe a permit for different types of speech, kitten memes are fine, but you need a background check and to petition the government to give you a level 2 speech permit before you are allowed to talk about the local government, level 3 permit to discuss the federal government, and really no one has a need to question the executive branch, only nut jobs would do that, 5yrs jail for that offense, etc?

Bill of rights, you’re ether for it or against it.

This plays a huge role in picking a state to live in, we all have our rights, they can not be taken away outside of death, hence rights V privileges, just a matter of how much a threat the local government is to those freedoms.

One BIG plus for FL are the 1st generation Cubans, they, unlike the elite liberals, actually understand words like tyrant, socialism, and what happens when you give too much power to the government. It is VERY refreshing to talk politics with a older 1st generation Cuban.

They also make some AWESOME food.

[pianopraze]

Originally Posted by Augi

See link below to compare living expenses of cities around the world:

It usually does not make sense to move abroad to only to save money. To save money living abroad you need to live like a local. Anything that you try to re-create abroad to be like in the USA usually costs more than having the same thing in the USA. If you really like living in the Philippines and you like living like a local then it make sense to live there and a by product is you will lower your cost of living.

A very high percentage of Americans that move the USA within 5 years.

I happily lived like a local in the Philippines for 3 years.

Met and married my wife from there we're goin on 6 year anniversary, 3 dating and just passed our 3rd year wedding anniversary. Very happy.

My health improved for living there also

My questions are which is better for maintaining USA address. Don't want to keep KY address as it's even harder to get back here from Philippines and the cold. Seems like people are finally understanding and getting good information and things I didn't think about. Very appreciative.

We came back to USA so she could get her US citizenship. Gives her and our children options if I were to pass away.

We just got buyer for our house, our 3rd child (first together) due November 1st and, Lord willing, should be in Florida to work on our boat before the snow flies!

Took her to Florida this Spring and she said, "I'm staying, you go back and sell the house!" My son agreed with her... I explained we had to sell the house first. So we came back and got house ready, took several trips back and forth to Florida to buy a boat, found and purchased our Prout Snowgoose, and now have a buyer for our house as of last night.

She refuses to spend another winter in the cold! Glad it's all working out. Wish FL had TX homeschool laws, I would happily be a FL resident. I spent half my childhood in FL.