New Guy:)

[tre]

I've been browsing and researching this site for it's valuable information and thought I'd go ahead and register. I appreciate all the info that many of you have shared and hope to be able to contribute a little now and much more in the future.

I've been in Arizona for about a year now, managing my parents rentals. This was after a disappointing venture in Singapore that swallowed up a considerable amount of time and $$. Before that, I worked as a bartender in some of the best nightclubs and casinos in Las Vegas. I was there for about 8 years, modeling (yeah, male model...lol) and bartending. I see that Winston is there right now. Its been a couple of years so I haven't kept up with all the new clubs, etc, but I definitely know a thing or two about how Vegas works. I've been to Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines on vacations .

My goal is to move out of the USA to Asia....period. I'm a Libertarian and I HATE the direction the country is going in. I also love Asian cultures, foods, etc. Since I sunk my future into that disappointing venture in Singapore, I have some work to do in order to get there. It is my understanding that a Bachelors Degree in SOMETHING is pretty much a requirement to be eligible for a decent paying job, so I may have to go back to school. I've got two years of classes under my belt (from 15 years ago...lol), so I have a ways to go. I'm thinking about going into Electrical Engineering as that career seems to be able to take you places outside of the USA. That's one of the toughest degrees to get so hopefully I can hang in there:)

I do have a beautiful Filipina GF. She is originally from Manila and then moved to Las Vegas. She is one of the financially "privileged" types so not at all what the average guy here would want to put up with...lol. She's a good woman, but not at all submissive. She's spoiled and I've had to pretty much push her into progressing herself or even doing those things most are used to doing (dishes, clean house, laundry, etc). I'm from a poor background (younger years) so I am surprised at how little responsibilities she'd had before we met. We've been together for over 4 years. She'd rather go back to Las Vegas, but I insist that we get degrees and moving abroad. I guess we will see how things turn out. I want her to get a degree (she just partied while in college and didn't get that degree). We don't plan on having kids so it's my intention that we BOTH progress ourselves and get careers that will give us options. There is no reason for a woman to sit at home UNLESS she is watching the kids IMO.

Anyway, that about sums it up. I'll try to get online now and then and contribute:)

[zboy1]

Hey Tre, welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're very similar to me in a variety of ways: such as being a Libertarian, liking Asian cultures and societies, wanting to move away from the U.S. to Asia, and hating the way the U.S. is turning into a police state!

The only difference is I'm Asian and you're not (I'm presuming...?).

And why of all places in Asia did you choose Singapore, LOL! Singapore is basically 'America in Asia,' with all the same social issues and female problems as the United States.

[xiongmao]

Welcome.

Don't know why a libertarian would choose Asia though. There's not much freedom here.

If you're poor you have to work 60+ hours a week, and if you're rich you have to be careful to stay out of trouble caused by the even more rich.

Did you try going into the bar business? It's a tough business in Asia due to high beer prices and budget conscious punters (i.e. myself).

Anyway, drop by if you're ever in Thailand.

[tre]

Loss of freedom bothers me here because this is MY country. I know other countries have even less freedom, but at least I can keep my mind off of what is going on in the USA a bit easier (I still do what I can to educate others, vote, etc.). I can also see with my own eyes what the lack of freedom and government corruption can do to a country. I saw much of this reality in the Philippines. The only way for a Filipino to get rich in the Philippines is to get into politics....something definitely wrong about that.

I intend to be DONE with the bar business. After so many years in Vegas being involved with drunks, druggies, and shady individuals, I want to be away from that.

Singapore is as English-speaking as you can get in Asia and it was the easiest place to do business. My mistake was trusting someone else with their idea. It was basically a money/time drain for me. If I could have made good money in Singapore (which was the plan) it would have allowed me to use Singapore as a springboard to all of Asia and have the $$ to afford traveling.

Zboy1, I am Caucasian (Spanish/Irish). My goal in moving to Asia isn't about women (I have a GF already), but more about moving somewhere that fascinates me:).

[zacb]

Hey Tre, welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're very similar to me in a variety of ways: such as being a Libertarian, liking Asian cultures and societies, wanting to move away from the U.S. to Asia, and hating the way the U.S. is turning into a police state!

The only difference is I'm Asian and you're not (I'm presuming...?).

And why of all places in Asia did you choose Singapore, LOL! Singapore is basically 'America in Asia,' with all the same social issues and female problems as the United States.

I never knew you were libertarian . I am not sure about the race part, but why not try South America? The only think that bugs me about it is the registration of long guns. My choice for lifestyle ports would be NZ/Philippines/HK or HK/ certain South American countries. From purely freedom, I would choose the latter, although NZ is better on guns, but I wish it was better on taxes. I am leaning towards the latter. In any case. Off topic. Welcome .

[zacb]

I personally would try and visit some South American countries first. It seems like for business, Asia is a good place, but for living, you can't beat South America. Legal prostitution, legal drugs, good healthcare (yes I know, but at least the private sector is not hamstrung by the FDA), low taxes, low property costs, low cost of living, nice looking women, and many opportunities to start a small business. If i were you, I would suggest the only places to consider for living in Asia / Oceania are New Zealand or the Philippines.

I can relate to you. Since I was 15 or 16, I wanted to get out of here. I have seen where this country is going, and I don't like it. Thus, I am trying to get my college under my belt, then try and get a job abroad, or stay here a little bit longer (as much as I would hate to). That desire led me here, and I discovered that my pursuit for economic and personal freedom would also lead me to finding a good woman. (BTW, I am irish too , although Irish-American ) . So in any case, keep in touch.

[zacb]

You know, I just thought of something. Would you like to hear about moving abroad from a libertarian perspective? I have a few books you may like. Just PM if you want it.

[zboy1]

Welcome.

Don't know why a libertarian would choose Asia though. There's not much freedom here.

If you're poor you have to work 60+ hours a week, and if you're rich you have to be careful to stay out of trouble caused by the even more rich.

Did you try going into the bar business? It's a tough business in Asia due to high beer prices and budget conscious punters (i.e. myself).

Anyway, drop by if you're ever in Thailand.

Not much freedom here (in Asia)! That's a bunch of crap, Xiongmao. It seems that you are so negative on living and working overseas, you even named your new website: "Happier at Home." If this is the case, why are you even on this website? Your negativity towards everything is really starting to piss me--and a lot of other people off as well--including Kai, E_Irizzary, etc...

Anyway, back on topic: I feel a lot more free here in this part of the world than I did back home. First of all, the police aren't all over your ass about stupid crap, the surveillance State is much less intrusive than it is in the U.S., and the taxes are much lower in this part of the world. It's also much easier to do business in certain Asian countries like Hong Kong and Singapore than it is in the United States, for example.


John Stossel: The Power to Prosper (talks about ease of doing business in Hong Kong)




Singapore--ease of doing business data:

http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/explo ... singapore/


Even in totalitarian, communist China, I feel a lot more free than the States; I know it sounds crazy, but it's true!

[kai1275]

Yes I strongly agree! Business is easier in Asia than in the West these days. Still depends upon the particular industry, but in general it's much easier. China has so many entrepreneurs it is mind boggling!

[deasil875]

Welcome Tre! Enjoyed reading your intro.