Can I see beautiful flowers, plants and trees in or around San Miguel de Allende?
Maria Mazarro - Kika's Botique
You can see beautiful plants and trees in San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel is a semi desert so it has the right temperature for the plants and flowers to grow and bloom. You would find palm trees, bougainvillea, jacarandas, cactus, and many other trees, plants, and flowers.
The weather here in San Miguel de Allende is almost the same all year round except for a couple of months in winter when it gets a little chillier. June and May are part of the hottest...
You can see beautiful plants and trees in San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel is a semi desert so it has the right temperature for the plants and flowers to grow and bloom. You would find palm trees, bougainvillea, jacarandas, cactus, and many other trees, plants, and flowers.
The weather here in San Miguel de Allende is almost the same all year round except for a couple of months in winter when it gets a little chillier. June and May are part of the hottest season where the temperature could reach 80 Fahrenheit and up. Then comes the rainy season and that is when the plants bloom.
It is always hot during the day but it always cools off at night, so you would always use a blanket even in the hottest month of the year. In winter, even if it gets chilly, it is always sunny, which is really good for your mood. I think people here in San Miguel de Allende are happier because of the weather.
(Palms in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)
Are taxis readily available in Coronado, Panama and what do taxis cost in Coronado, Panama?
Melissa Darnay - Choose Panama
Taxis in Coronado, Panama are so easy to get. There are a lot of people who do not buy a car when they come to Coronado. They’ve figured out that it’s cheaper to take taxis everywhere.
If you live inside Coronado, it’s typically going to cost US $2 to $3 for the taxi to take you to the grocery store. Then when you’re done shopping, you take another taxi for $2 to $3 back to your apartment. Let’s say you go out four times...
Taxis in Coronado, Panama are so easy to get. There are a lot of people who do not buy a car when they come to Coronado. They’ve figured out that it’s cheaper to take taxis everywhere.
If you live inside Coronado, it’s typically going to cost US $2 to $3 for the taxi to take you to the grocery store. Then when you’re done shopping, you take another taxi for $2 to $3 back to your apartment. Let’s say you go out four times a week and you’re paying $6 each time. That’s $24 that you’ve spent on taxis. You do that over the course of a month, that’s still under $100 on taxis, which is very inexpensive.
(Coronado Golf Condo Tower in Coronado, Panama, overlooks the Pacific and its golf course within the gated community, pictured.)
The construction standards in Portugal are not on par as the standards in Scandinavian countries. The main concern here in Portugal is to build houses that will withstand an earthquake, so from that point of view, the basic structure is world class. The finishing and the insulation is where they fall short of the world class standard. They could not be compared to the Dutch standards, for example. Basically, Portuguese houses are cold in winter and hot in summer!
...
The construction standards in Portugal are not on par as the standards in Scandinavian countries. The main concern here in Portugal is to build houses that will withstand an earthquake, so from that point of view, the basic structure is world class. The finishing and the insulation is where they fall short of the world class standard. They could not be compared to the Dutch standards, for example. Basically, Portuguese houses are cold in winter and hot in summer!
Some builders or contractors who have permits but do not have work, “rent” those permits up to other builders or contractors who don’t have permits. In a situation like that you have “cowboys” free to operate in the market. Fortunately, because of the severe recession in the building industry since 2007, most of these guys have run out of business.
In the US, you can rest assured that the home that you are buying met certain minimum standards because the contractors have to pull permits and the building gets inspected. That is not the case in Portugal. You don’t have to pull permits for electrical or any sort of requirement here in Portugal in order to build something. If you sell or rent a property, you have to get an Energy Certification, which is done by an engineer but it doesn’t really tell you much about the quality of the electrical installation of the building or the house.
It’s the local government that issues construction licenses and building permits, as opposed to the central government. Most of these guys are as corrupt as they come. You could find a builder who pays someone at the local municipality not to come around. If you are having an argument with your neighbor, you could probably go to the municipality and say, “Hey, look, these guys are putting this swimming pool in. Is this on the building permit?” It’s sort of like the “wild west.”
(Traditional houses in Algarve, Portugal, pictured.)
What do I need to know about living overseas and retiring abroad?
Keila Mulero - Savvy Link
Hi I moved to Panama a year ago and I love it. I have lived in Puerto Rico, Peru, Miami, Atlanta, Indiana and Panama is by far the best choice for retirement. You must remember, and a lot of people often forget, that Panama is still a third world country. BUT with lots of advantages like currency, cost of living, life style, and much more. It's a lot safer than Puerto Rico and Miami. You can have a maid for $350 a month. Fruit and vegetables are always fresh. I even became...
Hi I moved to Panama a year ago and I love it. I have lived in Puerto Rico, Peru, Miami, Atlanta, Indiana and Panama is by far the best choice for retirement. You must remember, and a lot of people often forget, that Panama is still a third world country. BUT with lots of advantages like currency, cost of living, life style, and much more. It's a lot safer than Puerto Rico and Miami. You can have a maid for $350 a month. Fruit and vegetables are always fresh. I even became vegetarian in Panama. If you like sports, every weekend there is at least two sports events in the City or at any of its provinces. Panama has a lot of beauty. I do agree that the service industry needs a lot of improvement. When it comes to people and manners the average Panamanian is behind. However, my close Panamanian friends are well educated with manners, very good people. Traffic is an issue, like any cities such as Miami, New York, Atlanta. I have learned 'short cuts' and always managed my way out of it. One more thing, I have visited 75% of the country, I have been to places like Torrijos Carter, San Miguelito for business as well as Boca Chica, Las Lajas, Boquete, San Blas and great resorts. In summary, I know Panama very well and my experience has been fantastic.
I am permanent resident of Panama and US citizen. During my 15 years career in Corporate America I was expatriated to the US, Peru and the Dominican Republic. With the world economic situation, I found Panama as “the land of opportunities” and decided to move abroad. My family and I have experienced the whole process of relocating ourselves. We have learned the Panamanian “system” and requirements. I must admit it was frustrating and disappointing. Finally, after loosing lots of time and money, we met the right people and were able to process our residency. There are lots of scam out there, lots of attorneys that just take your money and disappear.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW - THIS IS HOW WE DID IT!
Executive Decree No. 806 October 9, 2012 - If you are citizen of any of these countries you can opt for residency like we did. The process takes 6 - 8 months depeding on how soon you present the paperwork. COUNTRIES: Canadá; Confederación de Australia; Confederación Suiza; Corea del Sur; Estados Unidos de América; Estado de Japón; Estado de Israel; Gran Ducado de Luxemburgo; Hungría; Latvia; Nueva Zelanda; Principado de Andorra; Principado de Liechtenstein; Principado de Mónaco; Reino de Bélgica; Reino de Dinamarca; Reino de España; Reino de Noruega; Reino de Suecia; Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte; Reino de los Países Bajos; Región Administrativa Especial de Hong Kong; Republica de Argentina; Republica de Austria; Republica de Checa; Republica de Chile; Republica de Chipre; Republica de Croacia; Republica Eslovaca; Republica de Estonia; Republica Helénica (Grecia); Republica Federal de Alemania; Republica Federativa de Brasil; Republica de Finlandia; Republica Francesa; Republica de Irlanda; Republica de Lituania; Republica de Malta; Republica de Montenegro; Republica Oriental de Uruguay; Republica de Polonia; Republica Portuguesa; Republica de Servia; Republica de Suiza; Republica de Sudáfrica; Republica de Taiwán; Serenísima República de Marino.
When I move to Nicaragua, should I use a regular phone line, a cell phone, Skype, Magicjack, or something else?
Kent Payne
When considering a move to the country of Nicaragua, one needs to analyze what type of calls will be made. For example, 90 percent of my personal calls are in country via cell phone. The competing telecom companies (there is not an FCC to mandate cooperation) promote themselves as the 'cheapest' or the 'best'. The truth is they are just about equal now, so the key is from whom you get the best coverage.
I use Claro, which is a bit more...
When considering a move to the country of Nicaragua, one needs to analyze what type of calls will be made. For example, 90 percent of my personal calls are in country via cell phone. The competing telecom companies (there is not an FCC to mandate cooperation) promote themselves as the 'cheapest' or the 'best'. The truth is they are just about equal now, so the key is from whom you get the best coverage.
I use Claro, which is a bit more expensive than Moviestar, but we have a Claro tower about a mile from my house. I just became a Skype user (and now a BIG fan), so I'm open to conversations with camera online.
We do NOT have a landline, and do not find it necessary, but we do have a service that allows for VoIP calls to and from family, and to anyone in North America. Service is about $35/month, and well worth it.
The best reason to retire in Belize is to be able to get rid of the high cost in living in North America, but without sacrificing your comforts. You know you have to get used to the eccentricity, but that comes with every relocation.
Another good reason to retire to Belize is Belize’s proximity to North America. You are far from home, but it is easy access back. You are on the same time zone. It is an English-speaking country with British...
The best reason to retire in Belize is to be able to get rid of the high cost in living in North America, but without sacrificing your comforts. You know you have to get used to the eccentricity, but that comes with every relocation.
Another good reason to retire to Belize is Belize’s proximity to North America. You are far from home, but it is easy access back. You are on the same time zone. It is an English-speaking country with British parliamentary laws and a government in place that you are familiar with. You know what to expect because it is very predictable based on your own experience.
As a Canadian, I really love the climate in Belize. I am really not sure why. When my grandparents came across from Europe, they settled in Canada. They were looking at all kinds of options and they were fleeing from World War II. I know my grandmother told me that they looked into Australia, but it was just too long a boat ride. During those really harsh winters in North America, it had got to be tough for them. But it isn't nearly as tough down here in Belize because the climate is fine.
In the summer of 2015 a lady friend who had fallen in love with Ajijic in the Lake Chapala area years ago and wanted to get back there contacted me. Her vision was to run a bed and breakfast in the village, but she needed some assistance purchasing the property, so she contacted me to see if I’d be interested in an investment. After she had expounded upon the virtues of Ajijic through numerous phone calls I was intrigued to the point of flying down and meeting her...
Yesterday was the monthly spay and neuter clinic in Boquete. Over 130 animals were sterilized, thanks to the work of Amigos de Animales, started several years ago.
Some of the workers were talking yesterday of the long term effects of this fantastic program. It's easy to see that this area of Panama has less homeless, starving animals. Stray animals are captured, neutered, nursed back to health and put up for adoption. More Panamanians are...
In Panama healthcare is much more affordable, over- all, than in the USA. Of this, I am fairly certain. On the other hand, there is a serious need for health care reform in the insurance industry serving Panama. Not all expats are wealthy, not all can afford the high deductibles, and up to $2,000 plus monthly premiums many insurance companies require here. Medicare would be great if it were allowed, but alas, not available, even with the more affordable costs...
You can see beautiful plants and trees in San Miguel de Allende. San Miguel is a semi desert so it has the right temperature for the plants and flowers to grow and bloom. You would find palm trees, bougainvillea, jacarandas, cactus, and many other trees, plants, and flowers. 
Taxis in Coronado, Panama are so easy to get. There are a lot of people who do not buy a car when they come to Coronado. They’ve figured out that it’s cheaper to take taxis everywhere. 
The construction standards in Portugal are not on par as the standards in Scandinavian countries. The main concern here in Portugal is to build houses that will withstand an earthquake, so from that point of view, the basic structure is world class. The finishing and the insulation is where they fall short of the world class standard. They could not be compared to the Dutch standards, for example. Basically, Portuguese houses are cold in winter and hot in summer! 
he best reason to retire in Belize is to be able to get rid of the high cost in living in North America, but without sacrificing your comforts. You know you have to get used to the eccentricity, but that comes with every relocation. 
In the summer of 2015 a lady friend who had fallen in love with Ajijic in the Lake Chapala area years ago and wanted to get back there contacted me. Her vision was to run a bed and breakfast in the village, but she needed some assistance purchasing the property, so she contacted me to see if I’d be interested in an investment. After she had expounded upon the virtues of Ajijic through numerous phone calls I was intrigued to the point of flying down and meeting her...