Best Places In The World To Retire

The Mexicans are a formal people and I find them very respectful to women. As a woman, I have never experienced being disrespected in Chapala and Ajijic. Female employees, even the males, have limited product knowledge. Our understanding in the Mexican household is that women are suppressed, but we don't have personal knowledge of that.

 

I’ve learned the difference in how women are treated in Mexico compared to Canada is in my experience with the...

The Mexicans are a formal people and I find them very respectful to women. As a woman, I have never experienced being disrespected in Chapala and Ajijic. Female employees, even the males, have limited product knowledge. Our understanding in the Mexican household is that women are suppressed, but we don't have personal knowledge of that.

 

I’ve learned the difference in how women are treated in Mexico compared to Canada is in my experience with the lawyers and notaries who we deal with in Chapala and Ajijic. In Canada, if a woman is assertive, that's okay, whereas here in Mexico, a woman’s interactions have to be done with kid gloves. A woman cannot come across as assertive or aggressive to Mexican men because Mexican men are not inclined to take instructions from a woman. You always have to be very gracious and calm.  

 

 

(Realtors and staff celebrate two homes closing, Lake Chapala Real Estate, Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)

Hi I moved to Panama a year ago and I love it. I have lived in Puerto Rico, Peru, Miami, Atlanta and 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 and 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. If you like more information about Panama, moving or relocating, feel free to contact me. I am US Citizen and permanent resident in Panama. 

Americans and other expats in the Algarve are treated like kings.

 

From the economic perspective from the time of the discovery of the New World, Portugal has always been outward facing nation. This is reflected in the way that it receives foreign people. Most people who come to or go to Portugal immediately say that they are made to feel so very welcome.

 

As far as how Americans in particular in the Algarve are treated,...

Americans and other expats in the Algarve are treated like kings.

 

From the economic perspective from the time of the discovery of the New World, Portugal has always been outward facing nation. This is reflected in the way that it receives foreign people. Most people who come to or go to Portugal immediately say that they are made to feel so very welcome.

 

As far as how Americans in particular in the Algarve are treated, it’s tough to tell because there are not that many residing here full-time. Generally, Americans are very interesting folk in that sense that Americans are very inquisitive. They love to understand the historical background of the region and they’re very interested in the details. So they pay attention and show interest in a lot of the traditional aspects of the country; the tiles, the road, the balconies, what happened to the river course and what it was used for in the past, whether a castle was inhabited or not—all these kinds of small details typically interest Americans. This attitude helps aid the integration because local people in particular like to talk about their little place in the world. So when they see someone with mutual interest, of course, they like to talk. The first way to break down the barrier is to engage with someone even if there is a slight language barrier.

 

So what you find is that Americans in particular integrate very well in the Algarve because typically Americans come with a very inquisitive mind. The Americans who travel here love Portugal and love the Algarve. They really do love it. I wouldn’t be overstating it by using the word “love.” It’s kind of a love affair that starts with a statement such as, “This is a place that I should’ve been in or I want to be in.” We often get that reaction from Americans.

 

(The George Pub  memorializes fallen British solideris with poppies in Lisboa, Portugal)

Belize is not a First World Country so the roads here are not good. In Corozal town they are half decent but when you travel East toward Copper Bank or Orchid Bay – the roads are rough and pothole ridden. 

 

When you are purchasing a vehicle, I recommend getting something that is high off the ground. It is better to have a 4-wheel drive and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

In November, during the rainy season,...

Belize is not a First World Country so the roads here are not good. In Corozal town they are half decent but when you travel East toward Copper Bank or Orchid Bay – the roads are rough and pothole ridden. 

 

When you are purchasing a vehicle, I recommend getting something that is high off the ground. It is better to have a 4-wheel drive and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

In November, during the rainy season, the roads here can get large puddles and you need to have a vehicle that can handle it. Most people don’t buy brand new vehicles.  

 

(Four wheel drive vehicles parked at Cerros Sand Beach Resort, Corozal, Belize, pictured.)