Relocating to third world

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Is it a good idea to go to a country that is not totally hooked on to computers, at least not old ones, such as third world countries or Latin American countries. If one has assets, should they be brught as gold or cash ordug down at home? Are there banks in such countries that can be expected to have less problems than Wstern banks? If this is a good idea, whhat country would be good? India? Vietnam? Argentina?

-- Ola Thomasson (propella@swipnet.se), February 12, 1998

Answers

If one considered the level of debt of the US government and individ- ually held debt - we are already a third-world country. Hang around for another 23 months or so and we won't be hooked on computers either.

-- j.w.parker (j.w.parker@usa.net), February 13, 1998.

I am going back to some small ex-british islands in the careabean next month to see if that is where i really want to be in the Y2K. I like the idea of being somewhere where there are no guns. Everyone knows everyone. The sun shines constantly (3 growing seasons) Life is simpler.It is also a short flight from Florida.And has new commuinications. From David Elliott

-- david elliott (CWAVES@worldnet.att.net), March 21, 1998.

I think it's important to take an overall "systems" view about this area. A Third World Country (TWC) might not have many computers, and might not seem to be very dependent upon them -- but whatever computers they DO have are likely to be older and more Y2K-vulnerable. More important, the level of awareness about Y2K is likely to be almost zero.

Thus, the banks and central government agencies in such countries might turn out to be even more disrupted than in North America; the airports are even more likely to shut down (because of disruptions to air-traffic control, etc.); and the telecommunication systems are more likely to be disrupted.

Consider also the "indirect" consequences of Y2K, particularly such things as trade and tourism. One of the other responses to this thread suggested that the ex-British islands in the Carribean might be a nice place to spend the year 2000. Well, perhaps so -- obviously, the weather would be fine, and the pace of life is slower, etc. On the other hand, it seems to me that tourism is going to drop to zero during the winter of 2000 if there are economic disruptions, air-traffic disruptions, etc. To the extent that these islands grow their own food, I suppose they're somewhat self-sufficient -- but I'll bet they depend heavily on imports for a lot of other things (e.g., gasoline, oil, etc)

-- Ed Yourdon (yourdon@worldnet.att.net), March 21, 1998.


I am moving from the east coast in a few months for reasons other than y2k. I am comforted that Mexico is "just down the street" When I read some of the "survivalist" views, I realize that at best, they will be living where it is cold, using kerosine lamps, wood stoves etc. In many parts of rural Mexico, they live that way and its a lot warmer. I may or may not buy precious metals to take with me. US currency is well known and highly derirable world wide. I think that the only time gold and collectables like stamps and art are valuable is when there is a lot of hope that things will get better someday. If people think things will get better, they will like US currency. I don't fear inflation. Most US cash is in Europe. Most foriegh gold is in vaults on Wall st. If there is no power or computers, how much Greenback can our Govt. print? If things don't get better, no one is going to want gold or art or money only because one cannot eat or drink it.

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), April 11, 1998.

The guy from Manitoba has it right. Its a great but isolated place. He should have mentiones that south western Manitoba is the best though. Unbelievable prices and twelve miles from the nearest town.

-- sydatti (truth@hope.com), July 04, 1998.


I also like the idea of migrating to a "third world" country. If it is tropical then you remove the cold weather/expense issue. Fuel may not be available but then in a worst case scenairo will it be available here in the states either ? I am working with the basic assumption that it is easier to do without in a culture used to doing without than it would be in one that is not. And if your resources are limited you can "hang out like the natives" a lot longer where the exchange rate is 20-1, 40-1, etc

-- Alan Cline (atcline@earthlink.net), August 13, 1998.

One problem with moving to a 3rd world country: the agitators who will be screaming "keeeel the American peeegs!" I doubt they'll pause to see your Canadian passport, either. :-)

-- Larry Kollar (lekollar@nyx.net), August 14, 1998.

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