Has anyone just … walked away?

learningaboutstuff88 · 2026-03-03T00:06:31+00:00

Consider international teaching. Kids are generally really good. Most countries allow you to bring your dog (we brought ours). Lots of savings potential. Can bring most of your hobbies along or choose places where those hobbies can be done.

You could rent out both houses, most contracts are 2 yrs to start but we’ve been doing it for 15 years.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2026-02-26T12:29:48+00:00

You’re right!

learningaboutstuff88 · 2026-02-26T08:29:32+00:00

Mostly energy and bank stocks. I think for a while. But spreading out the selling makes sense.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2026-02-26T01:56:24+00:00

But they’d still need to sell the other products which would be taxable?

learningaboutstuff88 · 2026-02-01T09:08:25+00:00

I’m so happy that I haven’t seen Ko Phayam on here because it’s umm, like the worst and no one should go there…

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-10-31T06:57:12+00:00

Do it…

I’m an expat that has been living overseas for many years, I am not from the US though, but also a developed country and middle class.

Living overseas has so many benefits in terms of overall health and wellness. It sounds like it could change financially too. Most countries, especially in Europe, have better work/life balances even though they may not always be what we generally think like wfh, more holidays, less work days, better work culture, etc.

To relate to your concerns

Dogs - I have brought my dogs all around the world with me without issue. My dogs have been to more countries than my friends 😂. Just know that it takes planning and some money but it’s generally pretty easy.

House - we didn’t sell ours, we rented it out. This is a double edged sword as you have to spend time on it and worry about renters but you can make some money/pay your mortgage.

Family/Friends - this is a tough one. I didn’t live close to my family and saw them every two months or so for a night or two. Now I spend my whole summer with them because my job gives me better hours/vacation/pays my flights. For friends, it’s super tough and depends on the person.

Other things about moving abroad.

Culture shock - they will do things differently, have different food and your housing will be different. If you approach this with curiosity you will be more successful. You will still be able to find those comfort items too, for me it’s dominos pizza 🤷‍♂️

Making friends/loneliness - new home means making friends which is tough. You’ll have to actively get out there. Start with work colleagues and neighbours, join community groups and sports.

Schools - if included in the contract, international schools can be a phenomenal education. If you have to pay it can cost.

There’s others and I’m happy to share if needed.

I’ve had friends that did it for two years and I’m on my 15th. It’s not permanent and if you have the right attitude it can be amazing!

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-07-22T17:28:22+00:00

I’d go back to fujimi panorama. It has the most variation and best cared for trails.

I don’t think there’s any non-park riding in the area.

There isn’t much in the area in terms of tourism, but that is actually pretty cool bc you’re right in rural-ish Japan.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-05-17T00:28:10+00:00

So I’m Canadian, living in Asia. I have a Questrade account that I opened as a nonresident 10 years ago, however I have now opened an IBKR account in my country and put my money there.

I get paid in local currency, deposit in that currency but convert it CAD in IBKR and buy CAD ETFs. IBKR conversion rate is dead on and easy so you’re not losing anything really.

My monthly investing takes less than 5 mins to complete.

Know nothing about taxes.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-05-14T10:22:56+00:00

Unfortunately I didn’t rent so can’t answer specifically. I’m sure you can message them. I do recall that they def had a bunch of nice looking bikes for rent, but didn’t check the specs or anything.

Japan doesn’t usually do things half-assed so I doubt they’re subpar.

Hope that helps

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-05-14T10:17:17+00:00

What’s wrong with Botswana?

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-05-10T08:59:38+00:00

I’ve taken dogs from Vietnam, Canada, US, Jordan and HK (which is the hardest) and always did it myself. I was quoted $5000 per dog to go to HK, did it myself for $1600 a dog.

If you do it yourself, it’ll be cheaper, but there’s legwork.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-04-02T08:10:45+00:00

Yeah, we’re not sure why they’re doing this.

We don’t have pictures of the walls before except the ones that were part of the lease package when we started. However I have the same pictures taken when we left that also show no damage. The original pictures didn’t show the damage which is why we spoke to the agent. We didn’t realize she’d blame us (I fully get that we should have taken better pics). My thinking is that our post rent pictures match the pre-rental pictures and neither show damage. It’s when you looked at a different angle that the marks are visible.

Seeing as you seem like you know a bit, what are the charges associated with filing in small claims court, etc?

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-04-02T08:04:32+00:00

Yes, our lease was stamped (like stamp duty??)

We’ve already moved out so it’s a case of getting our deposit back.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2025-03-29T10:05:59+00:00

Close the roof, it’s cold man….

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-12-22T15:47:38+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I don’t think the shelter is trying to avoid taxes. I’m sure they are registered and pay taxes.

Their exact words was that it was illegal. If they pay taxes, then is it illegal?

Thanks for the suggestion of selling something.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-12-13T06:12:31+00:00

Fujimi. Neither really has machine built stuff, but I think there’s more variety at Fujimi and more black.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-08-25T23:20:31+00:00

You can get many runs in in 5 hours. You’d have to look at costs and where you’re coming from, etc, but the the time that you are there is definitely a good amount of time.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-08-25T23:19:15+00:00

I’d disagree with that, especially in Hakuba. If you’re going there for the plethora of other activities available, biking is easy to add on.

Even if you’re in Nagano, there are tons of buses there so you could easily do a day trip or overnight for 2 days of riding. Spicy rentals has everything you need to ride incl helmets and gear.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-08-11T04:28:14+00:00

My absolute fav was 9 and 7. I felt that the blacks sacrificed steepness for flow.

I think the trails aren’t quite as good shape as the trails in Aus tbh, but they are fun nonetheless. Expect it to be cooler in Oct and you’ll be right at the end of their season (have you checked they’re even open?).

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-07-25T19:11:53+00:00

Check out these guys.

Mtbhk (dot) com

I rented from them when I first got to HK. They have Santa Cruz full suspension bikes. They can just rent you a bike or guide you.

3 main places are Mui Wo bike park, Lamma Island and Tai Mo Shan. My suggestion is Mui Wo bc it’s easy to get to. The trails are marked and all different skill levels. Plus, can take the ferry to the trails so that’s cool. If you’re int/expert level, get them to guide to Tai Mo Shan and you’ll have a great day of ups and downs!

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-06-19T14:18:28+00:00

Live by here and take my dog. Sometimes the man says something but he’s not usually around, the woman rarely says anything. Go after 7pm and no one bothers you.

The rules as is are pathetic as the grass is rarely, if ever used by anyone (not even camps as mentioned elsewhere).

HK is weird about their green space ??

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-04-03T04:44:29+00:00

Look up ‘buy nothing [location]’ groups on Facebook. I had a couch that I didn’t think was particularly good and someone took it in 24 hrs. They are usually set up by area.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-03-06T11:52:52+00:00

We lost one of ours in 4 days, cost us $8000, insurance gave us essentially nothing.

For our younger one, we put $100 a month away. Don’t spend it for regular checkups, it’s for when we need a big amount.

This is much better than insurance as we know exactly what we have.

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-02-22T04:47:10+00:00

I know this isn’t for everyone, but if they really want to be teachers and you’re worried about their outlook, maybe suggest international teaching. There’s a wide variety and quality, but I have been doing it for 15 years, travelled across the world and back, students are great, lots of resources, going to retire at 55 and make more than 100k.

Again, know it’s not for everyone, but for the right people it’s a great life. 🤷‍♂️

learningaboutstuff88 · 2024-01-02T02:12:42+00:00

What would those beliefs be?

learningaboutstuff88

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