Villa Retreat Abroad

[Trenchcoat]

Something I've had in mind for a while now is getting a Villa like retreat abroad. For me somewhere to go in winter when the weather is cold and unpleasant (about 3 months of the year) but also somewhere to go anytime maybe to take a FSW back to my lair

Anyone here thought of doing/done such?

Anyway been scanning around a while thinking of where, ideally at least somewhere between here and the FSU for convenience, time and expense. So Spain was pretty much out as interesting as I'm sure it can be. Italy was in the mix for a while but northern Italy at times in Winter isn't a lot warmer than southern parts of the UK. Southern Italy I thought about but it's getting flights there and I'm not sure it sat with me well enough, also in some parts higher prices nearer to airports so only cheaper prices more remote.

The central Med islands tended to be pricey so they were out.

For me that leaves Greece as the likely choice, near to the FSU, a little similar in language & religion but also different enough in culture to be distinctly different. Added to that white washed houses and deep blue seas kind of grabs me. Two places in particular I considered, as availability of flights some possibly from local airports to myself. Cyprus was a though, flights to Paphos & Larnaca. However, it can get intolerably hot there in the Summer, kind of a little arid and a bit further down from the FSU & UK. I kind of liked parts of Cyprus but I possibly might get bored out there. Also thoughts of when I was with Kherson girl might be best avoided.

Then there is Corfu, now this island is really striking me, I've been there before too, it's more lush and nearer also. It's got some great historical atmosphere around Corfu Town and pleasant surroundings. I much enjoyed going there a number of years ago so fond memories. It could act as a handy satellite for me just a bit outside the FSU. Warm enough most times of the year without getting too hot apart from freak occurrences. Ideally I would aim for somewhere a bit spacious (a detached house) hopefully not far from the airport/Corfu Town. On the cheap of course, a ruin would suit, something I could flash up cheap with a lick off paint, some quick remedial repairs and a cost effective makeover of the interior.

I figure I could rent it out on Airbnb for the months I'm not there, can only spend up to 90 days a year there under UK/EU free visa agreement but wouldn't likely need more myself. So just the coldest winter time in the UK to avoid with perhaps some days left spare for a visit at other time of the year. I would still be interested in a place in the FSU with a girl but if course renting at least in the short - medium term as that tends to suit out there more.

I'm thinking with the way things are out there a pleasant warm bolt hole in the sun, sea & sand with a more dreamy atmosphere could be a good idea to have close at hand.

[krimster2]

korfu and cypress are nice for brits cuz ya got a big community there
so ya got British tea and crumpet stores to have a 'cuppa and Beefeater Gin, etc,
like a little Sainsbury shop, just look for the Union Jack signs

I got me a farm in costa rica, 3+ hr flying time from Houson
trying to grow coffee
but very laid back place
people there look at my family with awe
we are ALL HUGE in size compared to them
all my women are all around 6 feet tall, and sons-in-laws and me even taller
and they are all REALLY short

los blancos diablos

in Putin's Russia, You don't chase money!
Money Chase YOU!!!

[LAman]

Something I've had in mind for a while now is getting a Villa like retreat abroad. For me somewhere to go in winter when the weather is cold and unpleasant (about 3 months of the year) but also somewhere to go anytime maybe to take a FSW back to my lair

Anyone here thought of doing/done such?

Anyway been scanning around a while thinking of where, ideally at least somewhere between here and the FSU for convenience, time and expense. So Spain was pretty much out as interesting as I'm sure it can be. Italy was in the mix for a while but northern Italy at times in Winter isn't a lot warmer than southern parts of the UK. Southern Italy I thought about but it's getting flights there and I'm not sure it sat with me well enough, also in some parts higher prices nearer to airports so only cheaper prices more remote.

The central Med islands tended to be pricey so they were out.

For me that leaves Greece as the likely choice, near to the FSU, a little similar in language & religion but also different enough in culture to be distinctly different. Added to that white washed houses and deep blue seas kind of grabs me. Two places in particular I considered, as availability of flights some possibly from local airports to myself. Cyprus was a though, flights to Paphos & Larnaca. However, it can get intolerably hot there in the Summer, kind of a little arid and a bit further down from the FSU & UK. I kind of liked parts of Cyprus but I possibly might get bored out there. Also thoughts of when I was with Kherson girl might be best avoided.

Then there is Corfu, now this island is really striking me, I've been there before too, it's more lush and nearer also. It's got some great historical atmosphere around Corfu Town and pleasant surroundings. I much enjoyed going there a number of years ago so fond memories. It could act as a handy satellite for me just a bit outside the FSU. Warm enough most times of the year without getting too hot apart from freak occurrences. Ideally I would aim for somewhere a bit spacious (a detached house) hopefully not far from the airport/Corfu Town. On the cheap of course, a ruin would suit, something I could flash up cheap with a lick off paint, some quick remedial repairs and a cost effective makeover of the interior.

I figure I could rent it out on Airbnb for the months I'm not there, can only spend up to 90 days a year there under UK/EU free visa agreement but wouldn't likely need more myself. So just the coldest winter time in the UK to avoid with perhaps some days left spare for a visit at other time of the year. I would still be interested in a place in the FSU with a girl but if course renting at least in the short - medium term as that tends to suit out there more.

I'm thinking with the way things are out there a pleasant warm bolt hole in the sun, sea & sand with a more dreamy atmosphere could be a good idea to have close at hand.

What the hell are you talking about? You can barely survive where you are at now!!!
My guess is you are living in your mom's basement and are keyboard junkie because you have no other life.... no friends...nothing positive in your life!!! Always talk...talk...talk...talk!!! Am I right?
Talk less and DO more!!!

[ML]

My guess is you are living in your mom's basement . . .

What's wrong with that ?

Think of the home cooked meals !

I once relayed to my Mother that nearby a 38 year old guy (never married) lived with his parents.

My Mother replied:  Maybe his mother likes having him  there.

My Mother had, in fact, taken in two of my very adult brothers.

One after he had serious motorcycle accident, and another who was somewhat developmentally deficient.  This latter one also lived with various other family members for different periods of time including myself.

[Trenchcoat]

What the hell are you talking about? You can barely survive where you are at now!!!
My guess is you are living in your mom's basement and are keyboard junkie because you have no other life.... no friends...nothing positive in your life!!! Always talk...talk...talk...talk!!! Am I right?
Talk less and DO more!!!

No you are wrong, my Mother's house does not have a basement. Some houses have basements in the UK but they are not all that common.

When I get and income from renting out rooms in my house I will gain income, that means in theory I can almost then pretty much go wherever, whenever.

[LAman]

What's wrong with that ?

Think of the home cooked meals !

I once relayed to my Mother that nearby a 38 year old guy (never married) lived with his parents.

My Mother replied:  Maybe his mother likes having him  there.

My Mother had, in fact, taken in two of my very adult brothers.

One after he had serious motorcycle accident, and another who was somewhat developmentally deficient.  This latter one also lived with various other family members for different periods of time including myself.

Are you saying that Trenchcoat is .... 'developmentally deficient'?????

[LAman]

No you are wrong, my Mother's house does not have a basement. Some houses have basements in the UK but they are not all that common.

When I get and income from renting out rooms in my house I will gain income, that means in theory I can almost then pretty much go wherever, whenever.

Well good that your mom has no basement, if she had one, you would possibly be there!!!! )))


Again, look at your last sentence.... only speaking about a possible scenarios, never about current scenarios. Then you throw in a 'in theory'...... which doesn't ever work out for you

[2tallbill]

Something I've had in mind for a while now is getting a Villa like retreat abroad. For me somewhere to go in winter when the weather is cold and unpleasant (about 3 months of the year) but also somewhere to go anytime maybe to take a FSW back to my lair

Anyone here thought of doing/done such?

Anyway been scanning around a while thinking of where, ideally at least somewhere between here and the FSU for convenience, time and expense. So Spain was pretty much out as interesting as I'm sure it can be. Italy was in the mix for a while but northern Italy at times in Winter isn't a lot warmer than southern parts of the UK. Southern Italy I thought about but it's getting flights there and I'm not sure it sat with me well enough, also in some parts higher prices nearer to airports so only cheaper prices more remote.

The central Med islands tended to be pricey so they were out.

You are far too poor! Maybe your next thread will be about yacht racing?
Or private jets maybe?
Any place that you could afford a shack won't be offering you all the free stuff from
the government that you would want. You could probably be a beach boy in Somalia
or someplace similar, otherwise you are dreaming.

Dump your FSU dream and move on to the Philippines. You can't get divorced there so
your greatest fear is gone. They are mostly short but they have girls that are 5-3 to 5-5
and you are definitely not too tall so shut up about that.

I am 6-7 (201 cm) and mostly I pursued women who were 5-7 (170 cm) and taller.

Your pasty white skin is sought after there. They are largely Christian so you don't
have to worry about that. You will have to buy tickets that are probably out of your
price range, but you don't have to worry about war, the cost of living is very low.

[Trenchcoat]

You are far too poor! Maybe your next thread will be about yacht racing?
Or private jets maybe?
Any place that you could afford a shack won't be offering you all the free stuff from
the government that you would want. You could probably be a beach boy in Somalia
or someplace similar, otherwise you are dreaming.

Dump your FSU dream and move on to the Philippines. You can't get divorced there so
your greatest fear is gone. They are mostly short but they have girls that are 5-3 to 5-5
and you are definitely not too tall so shut up about that.

I am 6-7 (201 cm) and mostly I pursued women who were 5-7 (170 cm) and taller.

Your pasty white skin is sought after there. They are largely Christian so you don't
have to worry about that. You will have to buy tickets that are probably out of your
price range, but you don't have to worry about war, the cost of living is very low.

Not at all Beel. My house nearly done now will be worth about £140k I reckon. I can get a ruin in Corfu for £35-40k, about 2 bedrooms plus living room, kitchen & bathroom. I say ruin but a lot of them don't seem too badly ruined. Just a case of replacing a few floor boards plenty of painting inside and out and general tarting up of the place. That stuff is easy and generally pretty quick, taking a few days to at most a few weeks. Just doing that stuff alone will raise the value of the place by a few grand but the main thing is to have a nearby refuge in which to take a Ukrainian chick from the ravages of war to my bed chamber if not for a relationship then at least for a quickie

Seriously though I'm pretty sure a guy with a place in a sunset tropical paradise not far from the FSU would be very attractive. Though to be honest I would mostly be buying it for my benefit to be somewhere warm in the winter other than a hoping on & off point near but away from the FSU as needed. Just think in the space off an hour I could go from Chișinău (or Ukraine were it available) to a warm tropical paradise with a FSW hottie I'm pretty sure that beats your lengthy what is it? 15 plus hour day living in the sky journey to some dust bowl in the USA hey Bill but I remember the lesson get a girl who follow you anywhere!

[2tallbill]

My house nearly done

That stuff is easy and generally pretty quick, taking a few days to at most a few weeks.

I do not know why I respond to you. It's a total waste of my time. Maybe some lurker newbie
will learn something, but I have real stuff going on in my life that isn't imaginary.

It took you over a year to do add in an interior wall or two, basically a weekend job and you
still aren't finished. You have zero credibility referring to your remodeling skills. Your house
will sell for far less with unfinished remuddling projects scattered about.

nerealistichnyye ozhidaniya is Russian for unrealistic expectations.

Your entry level shop job will pay you while you are away?
You have mad Greek language skills?
You are going to start a business as a barefooted rickshaw cart boy?

[krimster2]

this is how I began learning  to read Mandarin (but no freakin idea how to pronounce it)
in mandarin, there are two symbols for a rickshaw

the first glyph is a person, and the second glyph a cart
a rickshaw is a  person pushing a cart

I am training to be a chinese capo
cuz they're gonna need white people to run the labor camps here
and the chinese all think I'm just another white boy
boy are they gonna get surprised one day

[Trenchcoat]

I do not know why I respond to you. It's a total waste of my time. Maybe some lurker newbie
will learn something, but I have real stuff going on in my life that isn't imaginary.

It took you over a year to do add in an interior wall or two, basically a weekend job and you
still aren't finished. You have zero credibility referring to your remodeling skills. Your house
will sell for far less with unfinished remuddling projects scattered about.

nerealistichnyye ozhidaniya is Russian for unrealistic expectations.

Your entry level shop job will pay you while you are away?
You have mad Greek language skills?
You are going to start a business as a barefooted rickshaw cart boy?

Bill this isn't the US with some big basement down below where you can just nail together a load of vertical studs with a nail gun without any insulation, plasterboard over without having to think much about services, etc. In the UK we're literally fighting for space, it can take a lot of knocking down existing walls, building news walls, sometimes needing to be in blockwork sometimes studwork with noggin support and insulation. Insulation is very important here as it's freezing f**king cold in the winter 🥶. The better insulated the less heat is needed to hear the home and to a smaller degree slightly less cold to outside. That said some ventilation is also needed. In the US building requirements will vary depending on where you live but for most of the US they will be less than the UK. In the UK you really need a lot of material input to create a home that functions decently without being freezing cold, expensive to hear, damp, sound travelling, weak construction, repair issues, etc, etc. On top of that a small house can be more work to remodel than a larger one.

With large houses it doesn't often matter if you lose a bit of space here or there as there is loads of it anyway. You can skip a hard and lengthy job(s) of moving something around, knocking through and rebuilding, etc. Answer is simple, 'hey there is a load of unused room in the basement we'll just use that', a day's worth of quickly knocking up the most very basic studwork possible. We are rarely in that position here in the UK, there are rarely big basements down below or big unused rooms lying around. Space is at a premium here and any space like that can be converted and good rent money brought in, potentially.

In Corfu, and likely northern & southern Italy, possibly Cyprus and a few other places houses can be bought cheap. Insulation just isn't needed. The houses may be stone but will generally be slightly larger or are just being bought to stay over in, etc. So again it's more like the scenario in the US, not exactly the same but more a case of quick repair jobs and all done.

[Boethius]

My cousin finished his unfinished basement-framing, insulation, drywall, subfloor, plumbing (he installed a bathroom), weeping tile, sanding and painting the drywall, wired and did all the electrical, and carpeted, in about five weeks. That was after working all day. It can go to -50C here, though that’s rare. -35C is not rare, we get that for at least two weeks every winter. We have snow for five months.

If he could manage that mostly on his own (BIL helped with the framing, drywall, flooring, and painting), you should be able to get your work done in six months or so.

[Trenchcoat]

My cousin finished his unfinished basement-framing, insulation, drywall, subfloor, plumbing (he installed a bathroom), weeping tile, sanding and painting the drywall, wired and did all the electrical, and carpeted, in about five weeks. That was after working all day. It can go to -50C here, though that’s rare. -35C is not rare, we get that for at least two weeks every winter. We have snow for five months.

If he could manage that mostly on his own (BIL helped with the framing, drywall, flooring, and painting), you should be able to get your work done in six months or so.

I only work part time at this about 3 days per week, the rest of the time I work again part time to er the money in to fund it all.

[krimster2]

Trench, after you make your first million, the rest gets easier, so focus on that!
keep your chin up mate, mustn't grumble
now there's a good lad and off you go, what

hope you get to moldova before the Transnistrian light cavalry comes your way

someone asked the devil, "why do people wanna fight in Ukraine and Moldova"?
the devil replied, "in, and not for" and then he smiled and laughed

[BC]

In Corfu, and likely northern & southern Italy, possibly Cyprus and a few other places houses can be bought cheap. Insulation just isn't needed. The houses may be stone but will generally be slightly larger or are just being bought to stay over in, etc. So again it's more like the scenario in the US, not exactly the same but more a case of quick repair jobs and all done.

Ask UK folks that have done what you are dreaming about. Quite a few of 'em live around my neck of the woods. I highly doubt they will agree with the cheap, easy, quick part.

[Daveman]

This looks like a great summer project. This shall be mine sayeth the Daveman!

http://www.romaniajournal.ro/amp/travel/poenari-castle-restored-to-its-former-glory-through-digital-images/

[2tallbill]

Bill this isn't blah, blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah, blah, yada,
yada, yada, blah, blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah, blah, yada,
yada, yada, blah, blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada,

You have exceeded your free allotment for my advice and/or comments about whatever
you drone on about. If you need or desire any additional advice or comments send me an
address where I can send you an invoice. I have a 4 hour minimum at $250.00 an hour
paid in advance. I accept cash in dollars or a cashiers check in dollars.

[Trenchcoat]

Ask UK folks that have done what you are dreaming about. Quite a few of 'em live around my neck of the woods. I highly doubt they will agree with the cheap, easy, quick part.

Depends on what they want/do. The biggest thing I find that eats up time is any remodelling/conversion/extension. If it's nice this here, rebuild there, add on, etc it will take a long time. Stuff like that seems quick when you think of it in your head but in reality takes a long time. Talking proper work here not done guy down in his basement putting up a quick stud wall with little/no issues to deal with.

Aside from that, clean up, painting & easy repairs don't take too much time at all. If a house isn't too badly ruined then that stuff can be done quite quickly. It basically down to whether the person is fussed or just happy to go with what's there and make what's there look good enough.

[2tallbill]

Bill this isn't the US with some big basement down below where you can just nail together
a load of vertical studs with a nail gun without any insulation, plasterboard over without
having to think much about services, etc.

I have been involved in just less than a hundred construction projects₁ every year dating
back to the 1980's. Last year it was 90, I am slightly behind this year with only 20 so far.
I had brain surgery and spent 10 days hospitalized, 10 days in Russia and had two life
threatening brain seizures. This slowed me down a bit but I have a f#cking family to
support, so I don't make excuses, I do things, I finish things. I have forgotten more
about construction than you will ever know.

You don't need to educate me on how inept you are at construction/remodeling,
I know. You get discouraged, overwhelmed, you procrastinate and lie to yourself.

1. Disclaimer I am a salesman who overseas projects. I very, very rarely hammer
any nails these days. The last project where I did 90% of the work was last year
when my wife told a Russian girl friend about the work that I did and I got roped
into it. 99.99% of the time I bid the windows, doors, construction work, mark it
up and sell it. I know how, but I don't do the work. I am a clip board operator now.

Having said that, there are plenty of things I don't do or am not skilled enough to
take on. That's why they have subcontractors.

Trench I am sick and tired of your excuses. They are lies. Suck it up buttercup.   

[Trenchcoat]

I have been involved in just less than a hundred construction projects₁ every year dating
back to the 1980's. Last year it was 90, I am slightly behind this year with only 20 so far.
I had brain surgery and spent 10 days hospitalized, 10 days in Russia and had two life
threatening brain seizures. This slowed me down a bit but I have a f#cking family to
support, so I don't make excuses, I do things, I finish things. I have forgotten more
about construction than you will ever know.

You don't need to educate me on how inept you are at construction/remodeling,
I know. You get discouraged, overwhelmed, you procrastinate and lie to yourself.

1. Disclaimer I am a salesman who overseas projects. I very, very rarely hammer
any nails these days. The last project where I did 90% of the work was last year
when my wife told a Russian girl friend about the work that I did and I got roped
into it. 99.99% of the time I bid the windows, doors, construction work, mark it
up and sell it. I know how, but I don't do the work. I am a clip board operator now.

Having said that, there are plenty of things I don't do or am not skilled enough to
take on. That's why they have subcontractors.

Trench I am sick and tired of your excuses. They are lies. Suck it up buttercup.

I doubt that Bill I would go head to head with you any day but if you need a bit of extra help upstairs I'm willing to undergo a lobotomy for you, just think what a piece of my noggin would do for you in there

[Trenchcoat]

Trench, after you make your first million, the rest gets easier, so focus on that!
keep your chin up mate, mustn't grumble
now there's a good lad and off you go, what

hope you get to moldova before the Transnistrian light cavalry comes your way

someone asked the devil, "why do people wanna fight in Ukraine and Moldova"?
the devil replied, "in, and not for" and then he smiled and laughed

Krim how about you, you're a wealthy guy, do you have a base near but not in the FSU. It always kinds of surprises me that you live in the US so far from all the action. Just think if you had a pad around Greece or somewhere close to the FSU like that, you would literally be a stone's throw from your field of expertise, all those women!!!

[krimster2]

a man with no appetite
doesn't have to worry about how to feed himself

there's nothing I hunger for, that I don't already have an abundence of...
my life is now more focused on my children, and in a few more years grandchildren....
I don't really have any unfullfilled "needs" to be bothered by
I can live a child's care free existence
and live in the bubble I create
 

if I stayed in Russia, they would have forced me against my will to "contribute" to the war effort
both financially and with my active participation in "technika robota"

then I'd have to worry about Americanski authorities
look what happened to Matt Taibbi(sp?)
I know what side of the bread to butter
and it ain't the russian one ANYMORE

after Russia sinks beneath the waves a couple of years from now
we'll see what's left when the tide rolls back...
vidish moy brat, s'matree

[Trenchcoat]

a man with no appetite
doesn't have to worry about how to feed himself

there's nothing I hunger for, that I don't already have an abundence of...
my life is now more focused on my children, and in a few more years grandchildren....
I don't really have any unfullfilled "needs" to be bothered by
I can live a child's care free existence
and live in the bubble I create
 

if I stayed in Russia, they would have forced me against my will to "contribute" to the war effort
both financially and with my active participation in "technika robota"

then I'd have to worry about Americanski authorities
look what happened to Matt Taibbi(sp?)
I know what side of the bread to butter
and it ain't the russian one ANYMORE

after Russia sinks beneath waves
we'll see what's left when the tide rolls back

I don't mean Russia itself of course, just a paradise in the sun not far from Russia, Ukraine, etc.

Sorry forgot about the COVID long term issue. Have you tried Viagra or seen a Doc about it?

[krimster2]

"Have you tried Viagra or seen a Doc about it?"

why on earth would I want to do that?
my willy is kicked back laying in a lawn chair at the beach drinking a cerveza
he ain't gonna get up offa that chair for ANYBODY
not even the hottest EVER ukrainian super model
uhhh-uhhhhh

a person with no desires
faces no frustration
no frustration no suffering

to be happy, is to wish for nothing more than what one already has
only by achieving this level of balance
can you move forward past the illusion you chased in your youth
and live the essential life

that is, I'll try for as long as I can
until the world becomes unzipped
and everything spills out

the gloomy feelings I used to get by being in "places with bad energy" like Podil, Kyiv or south Jerusalem
is coming from patterns I see....

by the tingling off my thumbs
something wicked, this way comes

I ain't worried, cuz I got me some of my own Russian boys now!!!
what a gang I got!!!
we are all "thick as thieves"
I could dress up like some mob geezer, with my boys on either side of me, just for the entertainment value
we'd speak Russian to each other publicly, rednecks here would go crazy
same way I punked Russians doing this years ago
so much fun to watch the reactions, especially of older people