Too Bad it's In Spain

Posted by scojohnson 9 years, 12 months ago to Going Galt
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Something tells me we wouldn't have much for property rights...

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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Really think you are wise in looking but looking too far. I range over a goodly area but 150 or so miles south of the border in the State of Sonora it's all a freezone

    When I do venture north for the dollar store and walmart prices (US walmart is much different than Mexico Walmart, we get a $300 break with no border duty $500 at Christmas time. Do it right and learn the ways you'll find the 16% border import tax often doesn't exist. From what I see around the Latin American area the rules are 50 plus miles south of the border or more, check with the locals for tips on where to go and to not go and stay fairly close ot the US Border so it's not an overnight drive or bus trip.

    As for the law in Mexico the days of mordida for everything are gone, using yur common sense the crime rate is low as compared to north of the border, and things in general have changed a lot. it's not $500 a month any more but considering the massive slam the US government gave it's citizens and looking at housing, property tax, income tax or all the rest it's a huge step uip in economic status. Since most are transporting millions of dollars or even hundreds of thousands the movement of funds across the border and keeping below the $10K limit imposed by the US is not all that difficult nor expensive. And you can get back to visit the family. My favorite area and most of the others have a good expat community some stay all year (with AC) and some go north in the summer.but you do get a choice. As for the police and federales it isn't the sixties any more.All of that went north with the advent of the Patriot Act. USA and USM have traded places.
    But the gulch is still a state of mind. You are either in or out.
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  • Posted by TheRealBill 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And a moat. We need a moat. Yes, on an island we still NEED THE MOAT.

    Hehe, yeah, it has been a long day, why do you ask?
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  • Posted by wiggys 9 years, 12 months ago
    sounds like the mayor wants a patsy. someone to put up the money so he and friends can do with it as they chose.
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  • Posted by scojohnson 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I only suggested it as being a little more under the radar than petrochemical or other avenues suggested.

    It's a complex problem, we would need revenue to be able to exist and trade for the resources we cannot produce locally. Become too successful, and others want a cut.

    The upside of cash-based businesses is the obvious ability to kind of declare as much as you want to.

    One potential... declare as a religion and exist much like the Amish do now.
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  • Posted by Herb7734 9 years, 12 months ago
    It's tempting, but anything in the E.U. will be a spider welcoming the fly.
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  • Posted by RonC 9 years, 12 months ago
    There is no doubt an AS community would probably be successful, in many locations. I think that is the germination of a problem. If we were self sufficient in out living, earned cash from tourists. and created a profitable agri business, how long before the host country would demand their fair share. If you have something good, the mooches always want some of it.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, the best climates for relaxation are not the best for production in many cases either. As previously mentioned Greece might be good for the climate but lacking in water and topsoil resources. However it might be easier to break out of the EU in that situation. My freedom is worth more than a perfect climate to me, but I will not be likely to move to a Yukon gulch.
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  • Posted by scojohnson 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Being realistic about it... I'm sure the perfect mediterranean climates are pretty much occupied by the forces of liberalism... Mexico, California, Greece, etc.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Oh, yes, with lots of global warming coming that would be fine in about 100 years ;^)
    Actually although I have a personal aversion to cold climates, the yukon might have food production issues due to climate. Self sufficiency in food may be extremely important, and the more complex it is, the easier it is for an enemy to disrupt it.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    No taxes. Fees for users. Sidewalks are optional; I will walk in the grass/dirt/mud, thanks, unless I see a financial incentive, which could be the case for my business. Don't overburden it with cosmetic infrastructure unless you are anxious to attract people who believe that looks are more important than production. If you want to do so yourself because it benefits your company or for some other reason, have at it.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This isn't an Obama territory. Only hard workers allowed, and we have to earn the right to vote, too. Bet there will be plenty of defense ideas, too, but fact is that no US territory is a good option today.
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  • Posted by scojohnson 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I was actually thinking maybe Baja California might be a possibility.

    there is a precedent for special tax privileges & such and is the only area in Mexico that allows foreign investment and ownership. I think the taxes in Mexico are so small so as to not really be an issue anyway.

    My chief requirement personally is free gun ownership, that wouldn't be in the cards there. Any time you have a corrupt regime, the last thing they want is a self-defended populace.

    Norway is pretty liberal in that regard actually, even more so than the US.

    What about just establishing a settlement in the Yukon or something?
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  • Posted by scojohnson 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

    finding something like this in the right surrounding governmental structure would be interesting though.

    I also doubt we would ever find it in a debt-ridden country. Any banana republic will just outlaw the agreement they made before with the stroke of a pen when they suddenly want more tax revenue.
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  • Posted by scojohnson 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Anything in the EU is a non-starter. US is bad enough, our more leftist liberals would even blush at their taxation though.

    That brings up another issue... while completely anti-philosophy, we would need some minor/basic taxes for establishment and maintenance of community infrastructure. Roads, a water system if desired/needed, equipment for a volunteer fire department, probably a community clinic of some type, and the like. I'm a strong believer in pay your own way, if you see the doctor, you pay the bill, but some up-front expenses are always needed to establish some basic services.

    Maybe a buy-in similar to what they do for private golf course communities, just with a lower buy-in that fits the requirements and needs of the establishment rather than the "prestige" of being dumb enough to spend $100,000 on being a "golf member". I don't play golf, maybe others see value in it. I've always found myself being treated poorly and looked down-upon at those places and I probably make double or triple the going average of the rest of them.

    For the most part, well water and septic systems for most of the residences reduce the costs for everyone and keep it simple, but we'll need some fire hydrants, sidewalks, park maintenance - in center center of town, that type of thing. Probably low-buck stuff.
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree. The right property could be a great opportunity. I think there may be too many strings attached on this one though.
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  • Posted by scojohnson 9 years, 12 months ago in reply to this comment.
    21% sales tax in Spain... on top of the 24+% income taxes.. and the 35% capital gains tax if you sell a property...

    So buying one of their shit-piles, would be 24% sales tax on materials to fix it up, and 35% tax + sales charges selling the thing... pretty easy to evaporate a $250,000 rehab budget into $40,000 left after a hell of a lot of work..
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