Claire
I read with interest your article. It is a shame that no one considers an overseas venue in which to live.
I have lived and worked in many different countries. Certain Latin American countries (eg Chile, etc) and Asian countries (eg Thailand,Philippines, etc) are great places to live. Despite the government power plays that take place these regimes generally leave the general population alone. The power plays, laws and regulations are battles among the ruling elites and attempts to meet international standards which qualify for international private or government loans or grants. For the most part the middle and lower classes are left alone to function in an informal economy (also called a black market) in which the government seldom intrudes.
Trading in this informal economy is usually by barter or cash. Just about anything can be purchased or sold except for large capital projects requiring formal loans (since living in a cash society leaves little if any footprints of credit history for lenders to review). Thus homes are built as the cash becomes available. Other than that just about anything goes – your reputation in the community, honoring of your promise and hand shake are the most important requirements for surviving in this society.
Jacob Steelman
Australia
