Hi @Debthecat,
Excuse me for butting in, but what was the problem with New Zealand’s health care system?
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The health insurance they could get was far too expensive in comparison to what they could receive in Australia and the offerings were limited. It would take 10 years of permanent residence to become eligible for the health services that are available.
To maintain their eligability for our Health system some ex-pats fly home to australia every 6 months.
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India here. Hi, folks. <Waves>
While it feels odd to say this, people, including Americans, might consider India as a place to live. Or at least certain parts of it. The big cities are fairly awful and very expensive, though they have the best facilities, including medical ones.
But smaller places in India are much cheaper, perhaps dramatically cheaper, depending on the place. And they can be quite pleasant and liveable places. Off the topic of my head, I would say look at Punjab, specifically Chandigarh, and also Kerala. Punjab is one of the more functional Indian states, and Kerala is a major anomaly in India, being run by a Communist (read socialist) government, and having FIrst World levels of literacy, and arguably, health. They made short work of the coronavirus - read about it. There’s a nice article in the MIT Technology review about it, and see also the Guardian. On the other hand I would avoid Maharashtra and New Delhi, for example. Also, much of the North is in very poor shape. Very underdeveloped.
Educated people generally speak basic English here, medical/health stuff is quite cheap, though for anything major you’ll probably have to fly to one of the big cities. People come from all over India, and even from outside India to Bombay for treatment. The downside is that the medical profession here is largely composed of bandits and is very unethical. So you have to be careful. And more generally there is tons of fraud here, much worse than in the West, though that may be more of a problem in big cities.
The internet situation has improved dramatically in recent years, and is likely to be quite good even in smaller cities like Chandigarh. And the costs (around USD 15 a month in Bombay, probably a bit cheaper elsewhere) is very affordable. I have two lines for my own personal use. I also have two for my guest room. The lines are a bit unstable by US standards, which is why I have two. But I’ve found Airtel broadband quite reliable, at least for now, so that gets a recommendation from me.
Another downside is that it’s likely to be kind of boring for a Westerner. India is not a very functional place socially. In some ways it’s similar to the poor countries in South America, e.g. Brazil, but I think Brazil society is much more functional than India is. Also, there is a bunch of weird cultural stuff (weird from a Western perspective, that is) which will take some getting used to. On the upside, Indians are quite racist (which is a net positive if you are white) and also try to be welcoming to foreigners. Though they will try to cheat you. So be prepared for that. The weather may be a problem, depending on where you are. Much of India is quite hot a large part of the time. Personally I don’t like the heat, but people vary.
Having read through this, it actually doesn’t sound that positive. I’m tempted to delete it, but I’ll let it stand for the moment. if anyone thinks it should be deleted, let me know. Thanks.
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Please don’t delete it! I’m fascinated at the thought of living in India. And I like the way that you’ve described the pros and the cons. After all, everywhere has both.
I am living in the ‘place of my dreams’ as I moved here twenty five years ago and this was largely for the weather. (I know, I’m so shallow. 
) But this place has changed a lot during that time and moving to another country - not now but later in life - has become a definite option. India was already in my mind, again for shallow reasons, because of the heat (which I love) and the food (which I double-love).
Believe me, moving from the UK to the USA was a huge culture shock! 
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I went to Kerala for a few weeks and it’s beautiful and friendly. The Ayurvedic health care available there is top-notch. However I did think India, though fascinating, was rather difficult for a westerner. I was traveling with 3 others who spoke the languages, plus a 10 year old. We were also in New Delhi and Jaipur. I have since decided that if I am diagnosed with the big C or something else equally awful, I would go back to Kerala for the 1st 3 months of treatment. I could enjoy Mexico much more, I think, for everyday living, coastal or San Miguel…
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Hmmm. One of the few places, in the whole world, that I probably would pass on for a return.
JF
You must have a good reason John F. Lucky for those of us that have world traveled , the memories are mostly great:)
I didn’t have a particularly bad experience there, and if I did they were more personal than due to the Pink City. In fact we went to a glamorous party at an ancient fortress on New Years Eve, as I recall. I’m into textiles so India pays that in spades:)
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Congratulations. Reckon you’ve nailed it for the most pompous post of the year.
JF
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Our local Indian restaurant is run by the nicest man from Kerala. His food is just brilliant. The downside is few other places are “good enough” now that we’ve had the real deal.
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Thank you for the incredible replies, you have only widened my search!
My regroup-
1- Covid19;
2- I’ve decided to stay here through the election to help right my country.
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Thank you. You’ve sacrificed more than most.