Best Places In The World To Retire

WELCOME. WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT THE MAIN PARTS OF OUR SITE

Recently Answered Questions

How are the schools in Mexico?

Kristin Wilson - Orbis Relocation

Elementary school, Mexico – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The quality of the schools in Mexico depends on the type of school and the region.

Throughout Latin America and Mexico included, private schools are considered to be superior to public schools, probably because it’s still a developing country and public schooling is inconsistent. So private schools, international schools, American schools tend to be in the highest demand and also to be the most expensive.

I’m not...

How safe and protected are my assets in Portugal?

Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL

Couros river, near Guimarães Portugal – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The Portuguese Constitution assures the principle of private ownership of assets regardless of the nationality of the owner. Thus there is no risk of confiscation by the Government authorities. Please note that the Constitution prevails over any law that exists in the country and can only be changed with a qualified majority in the Parliament which is hard to obtain and will (based on the last 40 years of democracy) always require the two main parties (which are both moderate parties) to approve it.

Besides the protection afforded by the Portuguese Constitution, there is also the European Union rules and the European Union Courts that would also stop this from occurring, as it violates all rules and principles that are in place.

This is not a risk in Portugal as it would mean a complete revolution in the political scenario and in the population’s mentality as there is a tradition of private ownership in Portugal since the day of its foundation back in the year of 1143.

The only legal and possible reason for the Government to assume the ownership of private assets in Portugal is in cases of expropriation for public interest (for example, private land that is required to be transferred to the government for the construction of a highway) in which case the expropriation law would be applied which will allow the owner to receive a fair compensation for its assets calculated on market value prices and supervised by a court judge.

Regarding banks, there were banks that failed during this crisis as in most of other European countries. Nevertheless, the process of bailout made by the Portuguese Government and the European Union did not affect the deposits that existed in those banks.

(The Couros River near Guimarães, a town that precedes the settlement of Portugal, pictured.)

How safe and protected are my assets in Panama?

John Gilbert - PanamaKeys

Home in the hills of Volcancito, Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

For the most part, your land investment in Panama if you purchased titled land is completely safe and secure. In general, I feel completely safe living and investing here in Panama.

If your asset is real estate in Panama, and you have titled land, you’re completely protected. The land title experience here in Panama is very similar to what you would experience in the United States. If you buy a piece of titled land and it becomes yours, then that...

For the most part, your land investment in Panama if you purchased titled land is completely safe and secure. In general, I feel completely safe living and investing here in Panama.

There are situations that if you’re a vacant owner, that people can come in and “squat” your property over a period of successive years. If you’re gone for 10 years and you show up, and there’s been a family who has squatted your land and built some little makeshift hut on it for the last three years, and they said that they manage your land, then that can become a situation, but there are ways around that as well.

There are strategies that you can take that alleviate a lot of those concerns. One of the strategies include not putting your house or your business in the same name that you keep your money – something a lot of people here in Panama do.

For example, if John Gilbert has a personal checking account, he is not going to own his business in the name of John Gilbert. Instead, he will open a corporation, and then put his business under the name of the corporation. If you do this, then corporate life is not intermixed with his personal life, and the government can’t come in and take all your personal checking and savings money if someone sues the corporation.

In criminal situations here in Panama, you’re guilty until proven innocent. I’ve never been in a personal situation where I had to face any kind of legal issues here in Panama. I’m not concerned about it.

I haven’t met people who have been personally injured by the legal process here in Panama. On the contrary, I have met people who have been protected by the legal process here in Panama.

The laws are not built on the US constitution, however, so the laws are certainly different here, and there are nuisances of the law that are different here than in the United States and anywhere else for that matter.

(Home in the hills of Volcancito, Panama,pictured.)

Do I need a second passport if I retire, work, or live abroad?

Karyn Saunders

No you do not need a second passport to retire, work, or live abroad. You can reside in Panama as a tourist but it is recommended to apply for one of the many visas offered. There are plenty to choose from for the retired and non-retired. Panama has opened its doors to many nations due to the need for skilled labour. The new Friendly Nations visa has made it a lot easier for individuals who are not ready to retire but who want to live and work in Panama.

How’s the dental care in Belize?

Howard Oldham - Tropic Real Estate

Howard Oldham's wife at dock on Hopkins, Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The dentistry in Belize is incredible. We have some really great dentists that are up-to-date. The dental care in Belize is excellent because most of our dentists have gone to good dental schools and bought the latest dental equipment.

I haven't had any dental work done in the US for almost 20 years now because I'm happy with the dental services here in Belize.

(The smiling wife of Howard Oldham on the dock in Hopkins, a coastal town...

Are there any English-speaking churches in Nicaragua?

Maria Acosta

Granada Nicaragua church – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

I don’t know about the other cities but I do know that a couple of blocks away from my house in Managua, there is an English-speaking Christian church with an American pastor.

Personally, I go to a Catholic church, which has an English service as well.

I believe there is another church in Managua that is non-denominational, and which also has services in English.

Recently Posted Expat Stories

My Personal Experience Comparing Healthcare in the US vs. Mexico

Chuck Bolotin being examined in Ajijic, Mexico – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

One of the most important and personal items people consider when thinking about moving abroad is “How is the healthcare?” While the Best Places in the World to Retire website has a huge quantity of answers provided by hundreds of expats to the question “how is the healthcare” for more than a dozen locations on our site, there is nothing like experiencing it yourself, which I had never done personally.

Until recently.

Let me...

ExPat Americans and Canadians Can Get Private Health Insurance

If you have recently relocated to Panama or another foreign country, you may have questions about how to purchase an international, private major medical policy.

Of course no one plans on getting sick or having a car accident, but that is what insurance is all about. It handles the "just the in case" which we hope never actually happens. We hope we never have to use our health insurance the same way we hope we never actually have to use our...

The physical distance means nothing when it comes to love.

Child in knight outfit – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living Blonde girl in dance outfit – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living Whether you live across town or across the country, this is the same as being in a distant land. Our world is huge but still small and new technology makes it smaller still, easier than ever to stay up front and personal with family and friends.

This morning I laughed and talked with my grandson, age seven and granddaughter, age four. Their mother and father continued with the morning regime, making breakfast. I love SKYPE, as it keeps them alive and us in love with their...