What are the total one time only costs of moving to Mexico, including legal, visa and immigration issues?
Alfonso Galindo - I Go Yucatan
To purchase a property in Mexico, your closing cost can be between 6% and 10%. Immigration costs, depending on whether you will be a temporary or permanent resident, would be about US $1,500; that’s the attorney’s fees and other fees that you will pay to move in to Mexico. That is pretty much all the one-time costs involved when moving into Mexico.
If you want to be a temporary resident, there are various ways of getting an immigration visa. One...
To purchase a property in Mexico, your closing cost can be between 6% and 10%. Immigration costs, depending on whether you will be a temporary or permanent resident, would be about US $1,500; that’s the attorney’s fees and other fees that you will pay to move in to Mexico. That is pretty much all the one-time costs involved when moving into Mexico.
If you want to be a temporary resident, there are various ways of getting an immigration visa. One is based on income, the other one is based on assets, and there is point system based on your profession. It can be combination of all three. If you are immigrating to Mexico based on income, you would need to show about US $1,500 in income to get a temporary or permanent residency. If you are immigrating to Mexico based on assets, you only have to show that you have over $125,000 in assets, which could be stocks, bonds, IRAs, or real estate that you hold in your home country.
If you can show that amount in assets then they will not need to qualify you based on income. If you are coming to work here in Mexico or if you are coming to practice your profession, they will consider you based on if you are a doctor, an artist, or an athlete, etc. then they will use the point system based on your profession.
(Alfonso Galindo peddling at Las Americas Country Club, Tampico, Mexico, pictured.)
Is Volcan and Cerro Punta, Chiriqui Province, Panama safe?
Joshua Haarbrink - Caribbean Panama Network
Asking whether any place is "safe" is an open-ended and sometimes frustrating question. Rather than inquiring as to crime statistics or actual community trends, it tends to question more how one might feel in an area as opposed to a realistic relative threat that someone might be subject to.
A few months ago, two young Dutch travelers disappeared in nearby Boquete, releasing a torrent of rumors and speculations about all manner of terrible criminal...
Asking whether any place is "safe" is an open-ended and sometimes frustrating question. Rather than inquiring as to crime statistics or actual community trends, it tends to question more how one might feel in an area as opposed to a realistic relative threat that someone might be subject to.
A few months ago, two young Dutch travelers disappeared in nearby Boquete, releasing a torrent of rumors and speculations about all manner of terrible criminal enterprise that might have led to their demise. Tragically, their remains have recently been discovered and it appears that it was simply a manner of two hikers that became lost in the mountains and perished. Yet now, without the intrigue of international human trafficking rings and organ harvesting no longer an option, the rumor mill continues to turn and has resorted to outlandish reports of lost, savage tribes in the mountains that must have cannibalized these poor helpless foreigners. Especially when it comes to the question of safety, beware of sensationalism and always take into account the level of fear that an individual is experiencing in their own life when they provide their opinion of what is safe and what is not. Fear is a powerful emotion and is very often disproportionate to the reality of risk.
With all that said, Volcan and Cerro Punta have historically experienced very low rates of crime of any sort. As in much of Panama, theft is the most common crime and is typically a result of opportunity and chance. Physical assaults, robberies committed by force or threat are beyond rare and sexual assaults are almost unheard of anywhere in the area. The region is serene and populated primarily by hard-working locals who support the healthy agricultural industry as well as expats who tend to form strong bonds or have sought out a life of peace and solitude.
After having spent a good bit of time in a variety of areas in Panama, including in close proximity to some of the more violent and crime-ridden ones, I would have to say that the Volcan-Cerro Punta-Boquete region is likely the most peaceful and "safe" area in all of Panama.
Unfortunately, the answer to the question of what are the best places to live in the world is an example of the kinds of questions that so many websites try to answer. The answer is totally determined by the individual’s taste and what they are looking for. Honestly, it’s one of those impossible questions for me to answer for a specific person, because people are just so different.
Some older or retired people may want to remain within,...
Unfortunately, the answer to the question of what are the best places to live in the world is an example of the kinds of questions that so many websites try to answer. The answer is totally determined by the individual’s taste and what they are looking for. Honestly, it’s one of those impossible questions for me to answer for a specific person, because people are just so different.
Some older or retired people may want to remain within, let’s say, two to four hours of travel distance from their home area where they have their children or grandchildren, so they can get back there or maybe they plan to visit. If you live a seven or eight hour flight away, it may cost you US $1,500 to $2,000 for a plane ticket, which makes it difficult. That is why so many Americans or Canadians end up in Central America; Panama, Mexico and the Caribbean, because it’s easy and a quick distance. Those who go to places like Uruguay or Chile end up having to pay a lot more money and it takes a lot more time so they don’t get home as frequently. If there’s a reason to get home quickly, it’s much more difficult and expensive for them than people, for example, who live in Panama.
Overall, what I think you should your choice from the viewpoint of where you want go, where you want live, and the experience you want to have. Then, look for the countries that seem to offer that and then pick one. The country that’s closest to you might not be the appropriate one.
Carlos Roman Gutierrez Solis - Casa Granada Properties
Granada, Nicaragua is safe.
I feel comfortable walking there. I have two children: six and 15 years old. I have no problems taking my children to Granada, unless of course, it is a bad part of town, in a dark place, or after midnight.
That said, it would not be smart to have a bunch of gold jewelry and walk in the bad areas of town after midnight. But if you live toward the center of Granada, you’re...
Granada, Nicaragua is safe.
I feel comfortable walking there. I have two children: six and 15 years old. I have no problems taking my children to Granada, unless of course, it is a bad part of town, in a dark place, or after midnight.
That said, it would not be smart to have a bunch of gold jewelry and walk in the bad areas of town after midnight. But if you live toward the center of Granada, you’re OK. We do, however, have thieves, who, if they see an opportunity such as you leaving the door open or leaving your wallet on the table, someone may try to steal from you. It’s not, however, like you’re walking on the street and people attack you; no, it doesn’t feel that way.
Granada, Nicaragua is safe and it’s comfortable. Just don’t do things like going in the middle of the night to a neighborhood that looks creepy or that’s isolated. Pay attention, like in any city. Personally, I have never been robbed.
One of the areas around Granada that is less safe is around the lake [Lake Nicaragua]. Any time after 6 PM or 7 PM, it’s too dark and too empty.
The safety of everyone in Granada, Nicaragua is a high priority for the government. The police in Granada know how important it is to keep Granada attractive for tourists and expats.
Food costs in the Algarve are cheap compared to most other countries in Europe. Here there is an abundance of locally grown fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and good quality meat. Many of the products are produced or farmed locally and sold in the towns’ markets, which are friendly and delightful to shop in. This means that the fresh food is not only cheaper, it lasts longer and is more environmentally friendly. It is noticeable that all my guests who come from outside Portugal...
Food costs in the Algarve are cheap compared to most other countries in Europe. Here there is an abundance of locally grown fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and good quality meat. Many of the products are produced or farmed locally and sold in the towns’ markets, which are friendly and delightful to shop in. This means that the fresh food is not only cheaper, it lasts longer and is more environmentally friendly. It is noticeable that all my guests who come from outside Portugal comment on the amazing taste and flavor of the food, something that as a foodie I enjoy immensely but have come to take for granted.
A loaf of Portuguese white bread costs around €0.80c (about 90 US cents or .6 British pounds), a liter of milk (a quart) cost €0.90c (about one US dollar or .7 British pounds), sliced cheese is around €3.00 per pound (about US $3.40 or 2.3 British pounds), smoked ham is €4.00 per pound (about US $4.50 or 3 British pounds) and free range chicken is around €1.50 a pound (about US $1.70 or 1.2 British pounds). Beer and wine are also produced locally so it is possible to buy a good quality bottle of wine (red or white) in the supermarket for under €5.00 (about US $6.80 or under 4 British pounds).
What are the expats like in Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan?
John M. Burgos - Belize Tourism Industry Association
The expats I have the opportunity to meet with and share a conversation here in Cayo are certainly very happy about the change of coming to retire in Belize and they have been able to adapt and mingle with the local population as well. They haven’t seen that great a difficulty in transitioning to the Belizean lifestyle.
They become extended family here. That’s how Belizeans welcome expats. They are seen as extended family and expats are welcome...
The expats I have the opportunity to meet with and share a conversation here in Cayo are certainly very happy about the change of coming to retire in Belize and they have been able to adapt and mingle with the local population as well. They haven’t seen that great a difficulty in transitioning to the Belizean lifestyle.
They become extended family here. That’s how Belizeans welcome expats. They are seen as extended family and expats are welcome into the homes of Belizeans and they become lifetime friends.
The main reason why the expats in Cayo are able to blend with the local population, community, and lifestyle in Belize and welcomed with open arms, is how often the expats share their expertise in a particular area and want to contribute to any festival, event, or any program that has been implemented in the community for development and capacity building at some level. When this happens (which is a lot), the expats are always welcome and they’re always given the opportunity. A lot of expats in Cayo take advantage of that. As an example, we have several of members of the Belize Tourism Association as great contributors to our efforts in the tourism Industry.
(Peter Tonti, a former Peace Corps volunteer was the CEO of Cahal Pech Village Resort and former 2nd Vice President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, pictured.)
The first neighbor we met was Moises. He looked to me like a gangster at first glance, and I believe he wants the people around here to think so as well. He usually wears pointed-toe cowboy boots and a black leather jacket with some sparkly studs in a few places. There has been a fashion going for some time where people show their prosperity by having gold caps put on their front teeth. I mistakenly thought they had had dental repairs and had elected the gold caps; I couldn’t figure out...
The care I received for my cardiac event at Medellin’s Pablo Tobón Uribe hospital was excellent, with world-class attention, state of the art equipment, and highly professional staff. Tobón Uribe is a Joint Commission accredited institution, ranked as one of the best hospitals in Latin America. Indeed, my only complaint concerning the four days I was embedded there was about the mediocre meals. Hospitals must have been in competition with the airlines for worst food, and the airlines...
I survived my heart attack. Some of you may have read my harrowing story on this site about my ambulance ride to Panama City (Why are you shaving my testicles?), which is why I founded The Panama Helpline.
I didn't die - so... What"s Next? Bucket list time: "I have never won a TONY - so let's go get one" I declared to my wife.
I was undeterred that I had never written a musical, I can't play an instrument, I don't...