tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26717801.post6557947612471172091..comments2023-12-15T01:18:40.855+11:00Comments on Expat@Large: Shy And Retiringexpat@largehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250623536121293636noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26717801.post-2903019650638437182013-03-20T20:41:08.147+11:002013-03-20T20:41:08.147+11:00Nice picture
Nice picture <br /><br />Teasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04258813988277776849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26717801.post-44182270140992160662013-03-10T20:43:52.369+11:002013-03-10T20:43:52.369+11:00It was time to leave the employee phase of my work...It was time to leave the employee phase of my working life. I might return sometime but at this stage I hope I never have to.<br /><br />It's very touristy but while you are in Benelux get out to Bruges, a great place to wonder around for a day sampling beers and chocolate. Watch out for the waiters who try to tax you on the agreed prices though, we had to pull rank on them and luckily my traveling companion was with Interpol and the AFP which quickly sorted out our bill ;)<br /><br />I am a little nervous about buying a property on the other side of the planet as well, but perhaps it becomes less emotional I I will have clarity on the fact that it is purely a financial decision. Investing in property here only adds up by the fact the government lets you claim a tax deduction on a loss making deal. As the baby boomers are retiring now there is every chance the rules will change. In other parts of the world a property investment can pay it's own way and you don't want to be one of the people shitting themselves.<br /><br />But we still need to have a home in Melbourne and the current plan is designing and building a small development. Lost in Melbournehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03197275050826963568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26717801.post-61993575871409634912013-03-10T15:13:13.990+11:002013-03-10T15:13:13.990+11:00Cheers for taking the time to read this ramble and...Cheers for taking the time to read this ramble and, obviously, get where I am coming from. Or going to. Or both.<br /><br />Wow, you've quit! But you are entrepreneur in your heart, go get 'em.<br /><br />And you know, "sad" is something other people have to worry about, if you are happy and they think it's sad, there's a reality disconnect and an <i>attitude</i>disconnect - but as you say there is no god, so why really give a fuck? And as JK Galbraith said, No-one will be around in 100 years to give that fuck. Or words to that effect.<br /><br />And yes, I meant to say Belgium, not just Brussels. Izzy lives in Den Haag. So it will be the flat countries, essentially, for 10 days.<br /><br />Friends have bought a flat in Oxford - shitting themselves. Germany might be an option though, or Brussels. Just kidding. Greece? Going cheap. But I keep looking further on. 15 years here, but that sense of mortality makes me wonder how much I need to worry. <br /><br />E@L<br />expat@largehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01250623536121293636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26717801.post-53533156737520158752013-03-10T13:57:20.119+11:002013-03-10T13:57:20.119+11:00I have also been pondering some of these topics an...I have also been pondering some of these topics and decided to make a decisive step so have left my job to start my own company at long last. I wanted to find a sense of purpose beyond just taking a wage and although I am not afraid of becoming wealthy I need to do that for myself and not mostly for others, and mostly help my own nation as is my own desire. So to you I say, sure give up work if you want, but make sure you have a sense of purpose because you are not looking to give up living, quite the opposite!<br /><br />In terms of where to live I think that will be Melbourne BUT I am investigating property in other countries from an investment view which might be used for part time living years into the future (Germany and the USA are currently far more attractive places to buy and own property than Melbourne for example). But change being the only constant don't think that Melbourne will be uber expensive forever and just as the cultural make up here keeps changing in a drift closer to Asia, the currency will collapse at some stage and the real estate market is equally no set in concrete despite what the real estate funded media do their best to assure us (to the benefit of the majority baby boomers who are holding the title)<br /><br />There is nothing sadder than the expat in a bar somewhere in Asia always on the hunt for western company, the shared viewpoint. So if you go down that path, truly go troppo, the values and perspective of the company you keep shall be your's. It is always attractive to have the younger and attractive model, but I stay out of that conversation, my own partner being oriental although truthfully older than me, retains most of the physical youthfulness of a woman of 21 despite a dose of the Chinese hypochondria, and a belief in nonsense (non science) medicine.<br /><br />Phil I think that the music is still in you, find your own purpose, whether that be continued work in Medicine/healthcare, steering heavily into writing or anything else, you have the luxury of choice (as long as you are listening to the universe of following your true path (no I am not talking in a religious sense I am still atheist)) <br /><br />Finally after my ramble, great to have a new post to ponder, and for mine Brussels is hardly worth a visit but I really enjoyed Antwerp, with the most astounding train station I've seen in all my extensive travels. Lost in Melbournehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03197275050826963568noreply@blogger.com