Greetings and Salutations!
Yep.
As asked, the recon is a loooong way aways however… I did find a place that IS within some distance and ‘out of the way’ but is still OUR territory.
Saipan
When asked by dude “How far you going?”
Dude… pretty fuckin’ far is my answer
I joke, I joke…
For real however…
It’s got a LOT going for it.
American (i.e. English) is the day-to-day lingua franca. Chamorro is the secondary locally. It’s a US Protectorate. Gun laws are close to the stateside ‘stuff’ i.e. no concealed carry but open carry allowed, and the Assault Rifle ban was struck down as unconstitutional. You need a Firearms ID card which I got no issue with, and hey… Palmetto State ships there!
Maybe become the Master Gunsmith of the Northern Marianas?
The rent on apartments are pretty decent too. $770 US for a NICE new fully furnished 2 Bedroom 1 Full Bath. Newly built mind you. One of my Expat Boards I roam on has the monthly utilities (electric/gas, water is included in the rent) is between 300-400. $400 if you need to keep your place cold-cold-cold with AC.
I get about $2k a month from Uncle with my retardedment.
That’d leave me (if I don’t keep working remotely) with about $600-700 a month for food and the like.
And the Apartments (at least the ones I’ve been looking at) are built like bunkers, with backup gennies and Typhoon Shutters as a Typhoon is on the menu so to speak… that’s a minor thing after all the shytte I’ve gone through in my life.
I’m waiting on a quote for a 20ft Connex now… that’ll tell me what I have to worry about $$$ wise there… I figure I’d sell the house, The Boat, get a good Motorcycle, throw it into the connex as well, with the guns, dishes and whatnot, (all my smithing tools and yadda yadda and clothing and bullshit) and hey… if the price is right?
There are far worse places (like Fucking New Yawk Shitty) to be living in… In fact Saip[an has a certain ring to it in my head… think “Puerto Rico” without the Puerto Ricans… It’s got a world class hospital in Garapan, however, there isn’t an Ambulance Service
Maybe a niche that needs to be filled?
DiveMedic, any thoughts?
Like I said, having lived in some true 3rd World Shitholes, I’m comfortable with what I speak of here. Saipan sounds pretty fucking nice, hence why I want to recon it. I know Costa Rica is nice, however No Guns. Ever. Not allowed… almost a dealbreaker right there IMO.
So your thoughts?
To me, so far it’s a fascinating mind-exercise.
Let me know in the comments
More Later
Big Country
Working at US Airforce Academy 2021 and met Airforce Sea bees. They were headed to Tinian to rebuild airfields leftover from WW2. Reclaim and lengthen runways to handle modern much larger, heavier, bombers. If you do not mind the thought of living on a Chinese missile target it sounds lovely. Lots of history and if you scuba lots of sights to see.
China’s crashing internally. Think return to the Warlords era, with every current military province becoming independent and fighting every other military province. Economy’s crashing, population’s crashing, their agriculture’s crashing, everything’s crashing.
If China doesn’t jump in 2026, they won’t be able to. The true falling-point is if Xi finally strokes out or actually dies. His existence is the only thing really holding the country together, because the various military satrapies are scared shitless of him.
That won’t stop them
A good war is a good distraction
BCE,
I hear DanDan is where they invented the namesake noodle dish.
I’m kidding.
Perhaps a more graduated approach? Rent the casa in Florida (get a management company, they go for about 10% last I checked, tax write off) and try Saipan for a 1-year lease? Go light, then if it works, bring the 20’CONEX.
The place may be paradise, IDK. Can a small island contain all of your enthusiasms? Again, IDK. Does that work financially? IDK.
I can think of far worse ways to spend the rest of time than clapping the cheeks of a bunch of Pacific Island strange. I hope you do get to go there, it gives the rest of us something to think about! Think of the look of horror on all the faces of western feminazi wahmen, the shock as you regale your audience about piping down the local ladies. I can hear it now, “She was only 23!”
Renting is a no-no these days unless you’re there to watch what’s going on. Sell it and bail. Or stay.
Damn. That’s an interesting choice. I don’t know anything much about Saipan, but based on the basics you’ve outlined, I can’t say it sounds like a bad deal. You are in easy striking distance of Chinese military exploits of course, and my usual reservation over being an American expat when things really go to shit would still give me pause on wanting to relocate anywhere internationally.
That said, if there’s nothing incentivizing you to stay here in the FUSA (other than relatively easy contact with the grans, and how tight will those bonds remain over time?) I suppose its worth considering.
Hmm. BC.
I looked at a similar thing and just for reference.
Hawaii- main island- all the medicine will run out should there ever be a no fly zone. They only have 30 days worth of meds at a given time.
That is a biggie as one gets older.
I hear apartments in and U-haul rentals to NYC are super cheap just now. (Yes, that was a joke).
I wouldn’t envy anyone trying to move all their stuff from a house into a two bedroom apartment.
I’d be really nervous about a CONEX with all my stuff not getting broken into in transit, shipboard or no.
Glad to hear they are gun friendly. I wonder what there is in the way of ranges to go shoot.
There’s a BIG rod and gun club there so yeah, I already checked for it
Damn! Almost makes me wish that I were single & could go there meself.
But I’m thinking closer to home, possibly a plot of desert scrub down ta south Arid-zona.
Be a little bit of setting up, (electrical, sewage, shade, a double wide), but in my retirement years, solitary looks more and more like a reward, not a punishment.
And it’s still within the continental US, not too far from the extended family, not far from Ft Huachuca (if they still have a hospital etc)
And when I die out there, I won’t rot, I’ll desiccate & mummify.
Dude. You have little holding you here.
Tropical island will be interesting. It is an island so if you don’t bring it, it probably is not there.
You want to go there it could be good. But I think you could do gun stuff a lot closer.
Good luck
Have you considered Belize? English is the official language and their currency is tied to the USD, which works just fine there. It’s a hop, skip and a jump to get there from here. There is a ex-pat enclave there and you can bring the arms room. Double check that last bit, it’s been about 5 years since we visited there and VERY SERIOUSLY considered making the jump.
Used to scuba dive there 35 yrs ago, thought about moving there, it’s now turned into another American retirement nighmare scene, too many people and higher prices.
You do not want to be anywhere in Latin America. They consider themselves first and you’re an intruder to be preyed upon. Anywhere. Even Costa Rica, supposedly US friendly, isn’t and it’s getting less US citizen friendly yearly.
A US territory that’s not Puerto Rico (Latin American shithole, less than 5% speeka da English after over 130 years of being part of the US. Friggin Guam is over 50% English speakers) is an excellent way to go. Uncle Sam will come and get you. Yes, you’re on the outside of the supply chain, but even here in Florida we are subject to supply chain disruptions.
Maaan! The postage to send you shit is going to be a killer.
All I can say is do your homework and dig deep, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually has some nasty surprises hidden under the shiny exterior shell. Also, what today is a U.S. protectorate, can tomorrow be part of China, also something to examine from all angles. How much land have they already purchased there?
Take care, have a good look, but you might find things better in good ol’ alligator and hurricane alley.
As I typed my previous comment up above, I was kind of thinking to myself “US protectorate? For how much longer?” If the US does a crash and burn, will it actually manage to hang on to all of these far flung places that it keeps tucked under its wing right now? I find that kind of doubtful. Just who does end up with control of the territory at that point would be legitimate cause for concern, as it may create a sudden need to scoot yer ass on outta there.
Weird, I just spent last night looking at all of the US territories for the same reason.
Get out with out being an expatriot…
Well, I personally have put your choice as #3 or a sometimes #2 on my “Dream Retirement or Retreat” islands, with only New Zealand being a hard #1 destination.
Race For The Yankee Zephyr in the 1980’s really sold the Beautiful & Bleak island life in the Pacific to young Donnie.
I’ve been to New Zealand. Absolutely beautiful. Amazing diving. Liberal shithole. Kiss your guns, rights and freedoms away. Big escape zone for the elites to whom the petty laws for the peasants don’t apply.
I’d look elsewhere.
I also agree that central and south America is a no go. When it all goes to shit you are the Gringo/nao nativo.
They love your money. Not you. Kinda like strippers.
I’m staying. Too old to run. Just gonna have to make it as expensive as fuck for them when they come for me. Have a few tricks I learned from the VC. Might come in handy.
Used to work with a guy who flew tourists around out there, sound like all there is to do is drink at the bar and shoot guns at the water.
………annnnd this is a problem WHY!?!
I wasn’t complaining!
I did a job out there about seven years back. It was a nice place to visit and work. Loads of Japanese and Chinese tourists all the time. Great food and restaurants. Very small island. I was blowing shit up from WWII weekly and was ready to go in three months. Typhoon Dolphin turned Cat 2 over us and shut us down for a week. They are mostly prepared for that kind of stuff. Karen’s from America bitched about sweat shop clothing factory’s and got them shut down. Caused a lot of poverty. Way too small and far from home for me. And close to China. Guam is just an hour’s flight south and quite a bit larger. All the people I met in the Marianas were pretty cool. Big Navy is all over the islands, though, and I’m kind of not a fan.
Living on an island that size, successfully, means certain things. Within the first year you”ll become familiar with absolutely everything there is to see and do. You will also come to know everyone you wish to hang around with in that first year and everyone will know you. You have to slow waaaaaaay down psychologically and really appreciate the simpler things in life. Not a type A personality place. It’s far too easy to get bored and start drinking too much. For remote working, see if there is Starlink coverage and make sure you can dismount the “dish” in case of afore mentioned typhoons. Definitely do a thorough recon and maybe a trial period to see if you fit into that lifestyle. Had a friend that was a really laid back type. He took a job maintaining the physical plant for an estate on Highbourne Cay in the Bahamas. Lasted only 3 months. Said he found that he missed the conveniences of life in the States.
At one point I looked at Kwajalein, the world’s biggest catcher’s mitt. After realizing exactly what you said about seeing everything and knowing everyone, I passed but was pretty excited about it back then.
Spent a few months there 20 years ago on an air freight operation (flying Manado, Indonesia to Saipan to Haneda, Japan with big eye and yellow fin tuna). Drove on every paved road on the island the first week. Struck me as an easy place to get cabin fever.
Long-dead grandfather was there and on Tinian as a U.S. Army sawbones during WWII, didn’t have much to say about it, but I imagine it’s improved immensely since then. YOLO.
Guam, where America’s day begins and literally busloads of Japanese tourists fly in to shop at an “American “ Target to load up on shit made in China. Saipan, not so much, kind of favors tourists from Japan and China but still nice. Worth seeing. I personally would prefer to be in Iraq having Haji’s lobbing rockets at me or in a German bar. Is that strange?
I dunno. Everyone needs a hobby bro.
Right there with you… have actually debated (provided teh stoopid) were to slow down, setting up Shop in or around Baghdad would be a prime location as well as I genuinely loved my Baghdad Frens and the city (when the RIFs weren’t trying to kidnap or behead me)
Marlon: Where the hell’s Saipan? Near Florida?
Truman: [pointing to golf ball] See here?
Marlon: Yeah.
Truman: This is us…
[guides finger halfway around ball]
Truman: and all the way around here… Saipan. You can’t get any further away before you start coming back.
-The BCE Show
Dang, man. You never take half-measures, do ya?
When selecting the bike, find out what the locals ride. I don’t see you as a BMW motored guy, but if something shits the bed on an exotic bike (which might mean Honda there) parts will be coming in on the slow boat.
Also, as soon as you mentioned it, I saw you as Douglas Shaftoe from cryptonomicon. If you haven’t read it, I think you would enjoy it.
Why not be cool and give The Boat back to J3? One good turn deserves another.
Not a bad idea, or maybe someone who was/is in a similar straight (if/when I decide) as I was (fucked up) when he was so cool about it…
I’ve been living been living in Guam past 20 years. We’re about same age. Saipan about 45 minute puddle jump from Guam. Saipan was a wild place back in the 90’s. Didn’t experience, just heard stories. No visas, semi slave labor in the textile sweatshops, thousands of thirsty girls in the bars after work, looking to make a few bucks or get wifed.
Sweatshops closed @2000, Feds took over immigration about 10 years ago. Need visas now. A quiet place, some asian tourism, service industries staffed by filipinos. Economy is hurting badly so rent is cheap.
Guam is about 3 times the population 170,000 vs Saipan 45,000. Prices in Guam are are more expensive, ie rent due to all the military ossifers and the free fedbux, but large Navy hospital, Navy and Airforce base and you being a Vet, I’d imagine lots of benefits. I’m civilian so completely ignorant of what’s available to vets.
Cool part is Micronesia is about 3 hours flight north to Japan, and 3 hour flight west to Manila. Southeast asia is quite a playground. I’ve been to all of them over the years, lately been hanging out in Cambodia and Burma. Been married to a Filipina for @ 10 years so don’t get out so much anymore.
Guamguy
Check out the history of one of DHL founders, Larry Hillblom, and his exploits in Saipan for some truth is better than fiction! Guamguy
Almost?
You’d go island happy inside of 6 months.
After you walked the periphery several times.
Saipan is the latest urbanized spot in the Northern Marianas.
But go check out the history of the Maug Islands before you commit to much more than an exotic vacation.
So what’s bad about the history?
Only that the same thing could happen under [take your pick of Pacific regional powers] occupation to Saipan that happened to the Maug Islands.
Maybe the CNMI could throw some money at them if the situation gets a bit too crowded in Saipan?
Even they know their history well enough to avoid lightning striking twice.
If you want some island bolthole to hang out in, why not look at a residence visa for one of the Dutch islands of the Caribbean?
Closer to the US mainland and with US citizens having a leg up on semi-permanent to permanent residence, it’s also easier to get out of.
You’d want to stay away from Saba (if you know, you know) but the ABC islands might be the thing.
My preference is Bonaire but you might like Curacao, and as for Aruba, it has many of the same problems as other resort spots.
Such as being the kind of place where pretty blondes go to die, so there’s that.
The downside to places like Saipan is that when he festivities with the CCP kick off they will be contested real estate.
Consider an extended visit, like a month or so. Your reports will be widely read on this platform. After a month, if you still love it, go for it. I’d be looking at Hawaii, too, especially the Big Island…its way bigger than you think, lots of room.
A local friend (Iran, A’stan army vet) went to the Philippines last spring for a month, came back disillusioned. No matter where you go, it’s not like home.
I was in Subic Bay 52 yrs ago (USMC BLT 1/9 aboard ship for 4 months), kind of an adult Disneyland then, clap central, and the people were great, but after a few weeks/months you realize you can’t stay here forever, it’s not our culture. And islands grow smaller as time passes.
I love the escapist, free spirit idea of it! There used to be several YouTube channels chronicling people doing exactly what you’re considering in the U.S. Territories and Protectorates of the South Pacific. Loads of information. I remember specifically that Saipan landlords favor Chinese renters and that you are forbidden from owning property unless you marry an Indigenous.
All these YouTube channels had the same conclusional vibe: the adventure wears off after a few years. I remember thinking that I would definitely want to ship a library of 10 or 15 thousand books there. On the Marshall Islands, the women are fat, black, and ugly. Their redeeming quality would be that they would likely make a loving and faithful wife.
If you do this, and it doesn’t work out, you can always move back. I guess it would just add to your life adventure tales to share.
that island (12 miles x 5 miles) has 43,000 peepul on it and is smaller than my island(15 x 7) with only 600. and i can get to mainland CONUS with a 4 minute ferry ride…. and Canaduh with a 10 minute drive…
HARD PASS BRUH.
My plan is for at least part of the year in Peru. Got plenty of contacts, but cant move there permanently for health insurance reasons.
One of the others above mentioned it – but to they have a VA? You are, after all, becoming an older gentleman, with issues already. That could be a thing. Small island, no meds, bad craziness.
You could very well get stuck there for any number of reasons. We have a 37T+ debt that is going to swallow our economy. When it blows, and it will, how secure is your pension? Probably better than most, but that isn’t saying much.
I think there are plenty of places in the US that are reasonably cheap.
Imagine if the government put a Berlin wall the same size as this island around the place where you’re living now. The ocean is much harder to cross, so the situation is worse. Everyone on this island is already in prison at the mercy of whoever.
I would feel cooped up af on that small of an island with that high of a population density but I’m more of a rural mountain west kinda dude. Flipside would be the relatively ease of dominating such a small area as a future warlord.
Well, the solution to that is a boat. It would probably be needful on Saipan anyway.
I would feel cooped up af on that small of an island with that high of a population density but I’m more of a rural mountain west kinda dude. Flipside would be the relative ease of dominating such a small area as a future warlord.
Just to clarify, Costa Rica does allow for firearm ownership, but only for citizens and permanent residents. Not for temporary residents or tourists. https://crie.cr/costa-rica-gun-ownership-laws/
There are limits, and it’s made intentionally difficult bureaucratically, but it is possible. I seriously doubt the Museum of Mayhem would pass muster, though.
(No mention of Flammenwerferen in that website. Possible loophole?)
Interesting looking place. I’d like to visit but, never would live there. It seems too small for my liking. I went to Kauai last Summer and that place was too small after a few days. I guess I like to be able to hop in the truck and drive for hours on end and never see the same thing twice.
Looked into this myself 10 years ago.
Only problem is that you are moving “downhill” economically.
It is very easy to get there and get set up with a comfortable life.
—BUT—
If it doesn’t work out, will you have the cash left to move back to the states and resume your present lifestyle?
I wound up moving to a small town in Appalachia – very happy here.
Remote. Cities are about two hours away – an daytime run into Costco is not difficult.
Neighbor has a range on their property.
Looks interesting, although I wonder about a long term collapse how supplies will get there. According to Wikipedia it is only 2% White, so better make nice with the little brown people.
An angle to this sort of thing that I never see discussed is that while we (of the type and mindset who read and comment at blogs like this one) loudly and rightfully bemoan and resent the presence of foreigners who don’t belong here in “our” country (if it can still be considered that), when one of us starts to contemplate ex-patting elsewhere to escape the domestic shittiness, no consideration seems given to the fact that upon arrival, WE are the outsider, the culturally different (and likely incompatible) import who will seek to remake the local scene to our own taste (provided enough of us were to take up in the same place to exert some actual influence).
Can a White guy adapt to living elsewhere? Sure he can. Will he be resented by the locals, even if he is not the sort to agitate, and just conforms to local customs? Almost certainly. Tourists are tolerated because they bring some economic benefits. But they are cycled in and out quickly enough not to become truly bothersome to the natives. A full time resident? Some places, it’s likely you’d be the object of much resentment, even if it is never outwardly shown.
Point being that the very same legitimate bitch we have about our country being overrun by those who shouldn’t be here is a reciprocal proposition – if we are acting in good faith – and aren’t being hypocrites. Just something to think about when contemplating a relocation.
Hell, today we are ripping the asses out of New Yorkers for what we anticipate will be their exodus to parts of the county we hard right dissidents live in, to try and escape a shit show of their own making. And we do so precisely because we know they will bring their existing behavioral tendencies with them, and (further) bespoil our areas with shitlib stupidity. Like or not, making a move like this is imposing on someone else’s culture, and will be perceived as exactly that.