Retire - Brasil or Colombia?

[JMitch1959]

Originally Posted by Encinoman

Correct me if I am wrong but, the Philippines were a United States colony from 1901 - 1935. The Philippines went to war with the United States to get their independence. Well, they got it. Most people of Philippine descent, living here, will not usually acknowlege their country fought the U.S. for independence. I guess looking back it could have been a mistake. Remaining a U.S. colony might have been a better deal.

Encinoman,
I believe you're wrong about the Phillipines going to war with the U.S. The people of Phillipine descent apparently know more about their history than you do.

The Japanese occupied the Phillipines during WWII and we're driven out by a collaboration of U.S. and Phillipine military forces led by General Douglas MacArthur.

Here's some reference material, https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/rp.html

[Jim]

Remaining a US colony would have been a HORRIBLE deal. No country wants to be perpetually dominated by another country. The US controlled the entire economic system even dictating what crops the farmers could grow based on the needs of the US. I know of no country which was dominated by US imperialism that wished it to have continued.

This is the opening paragraph from the book, “The Phillipines—The Continuing Past”.
“On the eve of the Japanese invasion [before WW II], the Philippines was a country entirely incorporated into the American colonial framework. Despite intensifying class conflicts in central Luzon and militant unionism in Manila and one or two other urban areas, this status remained essentially unchallenged”.

The reason most Filipinos that you know don’t acknowledge this is that it didn’t happen. In 1898, they revolted against Spanish imperial rule and were successful with the help of the US. Then the US replaced Spain as the colonial rulers. It is generally acknowledged that the US was a better master because they built roads and schools as well as exploited the Philippines economy for US benefit.

In general Filipinos appreciate the US for saving them from the Japanese during WW II and don’t focus on US colonialism. One of the remnants is a great deal of the old wealth here that was created by families which ran agriculture, manufacturing and commerce for the benefit of the US during the colonial period.

[Jim]

The "self-governing commonwealth" was largely symbolic and not much changed. The CIA is not actually the most objective source for anaylizing the history of US colonialism.

[JMitch1959]

I believe FDR's policy in 1935 was to grant the Phillipines Commonwealth Status in 1935 with a 10 year time table to the Phillipines becomining the Phillipine Republic, which is in line with the U.S. heritage of not being an empire, but a Republic.

The war did occur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine-American_War

This site probably has more info than needed. However one filipino I worked with did acknowedge the war against U.S. as historic fact, his opinion was the majority of the filipinos (at the time) were not enthusiastic about the war but, it was really the idea of filipinos that were in power.

[Jim]

Fro reading your first statement, it seemed like this Philippines-American was was at the end of US colonial rule whereas it was a continuation of their war for independence against Spain.

Here's a more complete (and very consise) synopsis of what happened.

http://www.historyguy.com/PhilipineAmericanwar.html

[JMitch1959]

Encinoman,
I see what you were talking about now. I understood it like Jim did as far as the time frame.

I think our good relations with the Phillipines chiefly resulted from FDR granting it Commonwealth Status in 1935, and automatic Republic status 10 years from that date, as well as the collaboration between the U.S. military under General MacArthur, and the Phillipine military in defeating the Japaneese occupation of the Phillipines during WWII.

Thanks for the link Jim. It was interesting.

I believe the Phillipines was the first Republic to be established in Asia.

[Sailover]

And Jim, there are tons of Colombian restaurants in the US. And you won't find a single stray cat around the Philippine one(s).

[Miraflores Apt]

Originally Posted by HarryL69

I am considering moving back to Bogota but leaning more toward Lima.
Regards

If you need any info on Lima, I can help you.

[JMitch1959]

Originally Posted by HarryL69

I am retired and I had planned to live in Brazil until I researched the tax issue. Anyone who lives in Brazil for more than 180 days becomes a resident for tax purposes. The U.S. does not require its citizens to pay double tax thus taxes paid in Brazil can be credited against U.S. taxes. The problem is that Brazil’s tax rate is much higher than the U.S. tax rate. Many people say they live in Brazil when in fact they only live there for five months and three week each year.
I worked in Bogota, Colombia from 2001 until mid- 2004 so I know a little about Colombia. Medellin is the new hot spot but there are many places to live in Colombia. The tax situation in Colombia is not a problem. A foreigner can live in Colombia for five year before he is subject to taxes on income not earned in the country. Then, Colombia will tax worldwide income but up to $10k per month is exempt.
I am considering moving back to Bogota but leaning more toward Lima. I also worked in Spain and Germany so I traveled to Amsterdam a lot. I love the city. I used to go to the North Sea Jazz Festival every year (between 1986 and 1991). I would love to live in or near Amsterdam but the dollar/euro exchange rate would make it too expensive. Is that why you are not going to live there when you retire?
Regards

Harry,
Thanks for the tax information on Colombia. That's interesting. Something I hadn't thought about.