Presentación de PowerPoint · Rent Furnished 2-bedroom house US$400 HOA Fees N/A 0 Property Taxes N/A 0 Transportation Bus, tuk-tuks, taxis 50 Gas For cooking 5 Electricity, water,

Laos

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© 2011 Live and Invest Overseas, Inc.





There is a saying in Southeast Asia that the

Vietnamese plant the rice, the Thais sell the rice,

and the Lao listen to the rice grow...

Laos



At A Glance

• Population – 6.5 million (July 2011 est.)

• Median Age / life expectancy – 21 / 62.39

• Official Language – Lao

• Currency – Kip (LAK)

• GDP per Capita (PPP) – $2,449 (2010 est.)

• Climate – tropical monsoon - rainy season

(May – Nov.), dry season (Dec. - April)

• Natural Hazards – floods, droughts

• Government – Communist state





What about...

• Population – 740,000 (est.)

• Developing and modernizing quickly

• The main urban area in Laos – the hub of

transportation and best infrastructure in the

country

• Beautiful Buddhist temples and serene locals

• Best shopping, entertainment, and grocery

selection in Laos

• Many volunteering opportunities



Vientiane





Vientiane The laid-back capitol of Laos


© 2011 Live and Invest Overseas, Inc. www.liveandinvestoverseas.com




Vientiane The laid-back capitol of Laos



Rent Furnished 2-bedroom house US$400

HOA Fees N/A 0

Property Taxes N/A 0

Transportation Bus, tuk-tuks, taxis 50

Gas For cooking 5

Electricity, water, trash Moderate a/c use 31

Telephone Prepaid cell phone with Tigo, 100 minutes 11

Internet Unlimited access 32

Cable TV Basic plan w/ English language channels 2

Household Help Allow $100 if full-time maid is required. 0

Food Groceries for two people 200

Entertainment Frequent meals out, miscellaneous expenses 150

Visa fees Monthly for two people 70

TOTAL (At 8 LAK to 1 USD) US$951

Cost of Living Vientiane, Laos





Property Costs

Rent for US$400 to US$1,000 per month…

It is easy to rent and you get a lot for your

money

Rentals are usually large, detached single-family

homes in low-density areas

Best rents available when you pay for the entire

lease at the signing (no deposit required if paying

in full in advance)

Short-term leases are available in Vientiane

Foreigners can't own property in Laos

Vientiane, Laos





Laos Pros



Deep-rooted Buddhist culture

Calm, peaceful, relaxed, unhurried

Friendly, social, accepting people

Vast tracts of unspoiled jungle, forest, and

mountains

Respect for elders

Many opportunities for meaningful volunteer

work

Fascinating ethnic minorities and culture

Low population density

Significant expat population in Vientiane and

Luang Prabang



Laos Pros





Laos Cons

• Laos is one of the least developed countries in

Southeast Asia

• Infrastructure outside of Vientiane and Luang

Prabang is minimal

• Must go to neighboring Thailand for other than

basic medical issues

• Import dependent economy

• Little concept of time or timeliness

• Low-level corruption is pervasive





Laos Cons





Residency



There is no official “retirement visa” for Laos

Visas, issued for 30 days, are available upon

arrival

You can stay in the country indefinitely with

monthly “visa runs” to other countries

Vientiane is directly across the river from

Thailand – a day trip into Thailand satisfies the

requirement of leaving the country for visa

purposes

Business Visas of a one-year duration are very

easy to get on the “gray” market. They run about

US$500 a year



Medical Care

• Fair to poor in Vientiane and Luang Prabang,

poor to non-existent elsewhere

• Most foreigners living in Laos go to

neighboring Thailand for their medical and

dental care

• No prescription requirement for most

medications, but there is a risk of receiving

fake or expired medications

• Expats usually go to Thailand for their

pharmaceutical needs





Taxes

• No double taxation treaty with the US

• Taxes in Laos are rarely collected for individuals

and can often be “negotiated”!!!





Accessibility

• Daily flights from Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh

City (Saigon), and Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane

• No direct access from Europe or North America

• Easy overland access to Vientiane from

Thailand by bus or train

• Road access from China and northern Thailand

is improving

• Many small, regional airports serve the country

• Boat travel along the Mekong is possible from

Thailand





Accessibility





Retiree Benefits

• Laos does not have a formal retirement

program for foreigners at this time...





Recreation

• Beautiful scenery with vast tracts of unspoiled

wilderness…

• Caves, waterfalls, rafting, trekking, wildlife

watching...

• Nightlife in Vientiane and Luang Prabang…

• Make friends among the international

community…

• Take up meditation in a Buddhist wat…

• Volunteer with one of the many NGO's active in

the country…

• Learn to watch the rice grow...





Recreation





Is Laos for You?

• If you're not in a hurry

• If you're adventurous and love the outdoors

• In good physical health

• Can adapt to living in a developing country

• A fascinating culture and relaxed lifestyle

• Enjoy a variety of excellent restaurants and

cheap beer, socializing, and watching movies

• Also consider Luang Prabang for an area rich in

natural beauty, Buddhist life, fine restaurants





Is Laos for You?





Documents

Presentación de PowerPoint · Rent Furnished 2-bedroom house US$400 HOA Fees N/A 0 Property Taxes N/A 0 Transportation Bus, tuk-tuks, taxis 50 Gas For cooking 5 Electricity, water,