How much of your personal household items you move to Mexico is a very personal and at times, almost a philosophical decision.
At one extreme, there are people will tell you to sell pretty much everything, arrive with just two suitcases and live a life without the need for material items or that you can get everything you "need" in Mexico. These people can at times, be quite strident.
I would advise you not to allow...
How much of your personal household items you move to Mexico is a very personal and at times, almost a philosophical decision.
At one extreme, there are people will tell you to sell pretty much everything, arrive with just two suitcases and live a life without the need for material items or that you can get everything you "need" in Mexico. These people can at times, be quite strident.
I would advise you not to allow yourself to be bullied.
Without regard to whether it is better to live with "things" or without them, factually, you cannot get everything you want or need at a reasonable price in Mexico. Just off the top of my head, I can report that people have told me that they can't find at a reasonable price items such as comfortable beds, ovens with thermostats (who even knew to ask?), middle of the road clothing, or comfortable furniture.
There is also the comfort of having around you things you may have had for decades and worked long and hard to obtain and just make you feel good, in addition to sentimental items. Do you really want to just get rid of these things?
And this is not just a "Gringo Thing". I know several Mexican families that went to live in the US and upon return to Mexico, gave up many household items, and 10 years later, still deeply regret not having these items any longer.
Of course, you just have to find your own comfort level. One thing I can strongly advise, however, is not to let other's people's views intimidate you, especially those who tell you to sell everything. I have talked to lots of people who regretted just that, only when, sadly, it was too late.
What are the things I'll be most happily surprised by when moving or retiring abroad?
ROSALIND MCCOY - PANAMA SIGNATURE REALTY
You will definitely sense some sort of freedom, away from some people you don´t want to be around, more time to manage in your own way, or even time to pick up a new hobby, say golfing.
Every day may be a learning day for you on many different things. New home, new environment, new friend, new system, new language may certainly add some sort of excitement to your daily living.
You will definitely sense some sort of freedom, away from some people you don´t want to be around, more time to manage in your own way, or even time to pick up a new hobby, say golfing.
Every day may be a learning day for you on many different things. New home, new environment, new friend, new system, new language may certainly add some sort of excitement to your daily living.
Where's the best sightseeing in and around Ambergris Caye?
Rachel Jensen - Grand Baymen
Personally, I think the best sightseeing in Ambergris Caye is in the main town of San Pedro. I just love the tropical colored buildings and seeing all the people. Up north, it’s like a tropical rainforest, which is also really pretty, but I really love the heart of San Pedro because of the buildings.
Ambergris Caye is such a relaxing, wonderful place. You don’t have to be stressed out. You just take your time and not worry about anything....
Personally, I think the best sightseeing in Ambergris Caye is in the main town of San Pedro. I just love the tropical colored buildings and seeing all the people. Up north, it’s like a tropical rainforest, which is also really pretty, but I really love the heart of San Pedro because of the buildings.
Ambergris Caye is such a relaxing, wonderful place. You don’t have to be stressed out. You just take your time and not worry about anything. It’s a very friendly place. Everyone is looking out to help you and just welcome you to the community.
Can I buy furniture in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?
Eugenio Cortez - Hacienda & Ecolodge Morgan´s Rock
There are local stores in San Juan Del Sur that sell local house and office furniture. There are hardware stores in San Juan Del Sur, so you can also build your own furniture. I am pretty sure there is a local store that makes furniture here, but overall, San Juan Del Sur is not known for furniture-making or shopping.
If you want to buy good quality furniture, you can either go to Managua or you can speak with one of local craftsmen, who can build...
There are local stores in San Juan Del Sur that sell local house and office furniture. There are hardware stores in San Juan Del Sur, so you can also build your own furniture. I am pretty sure there is a local store that makes furniture here, but overall, San Juan Del Sur is not known for furniture-making or shopping.
If you want to buy good quality furniture, you can either go to Managua or you can speak with one of local craftsmen, who can build furniture for you. In Managua, they sell furniture, which are about the same quality and type as you would commonly find in the US. The price may be a little higher than what you would expect in the US because the furniture is all imported into Nicaragua.
If you get your furniture built by the local craftsmen, you can expect to pay less, but you will find that the quality is better because they use real hard wood that is local here Nicaragua. Wood is much cheaper here than in the US and the labor cost to make the furniture is way less, too.
As an example, a king-sized mahogany bedframe would be about US $150 to $200 here in San Juan Del Sur, whereas in the US, that could cost around $700 to $800. You can take a magazine photo of the bed that you want and take it to the local craftsmen. He will have a look at it and quote you the cost, and will tell you to come back in about 2 weeks. The furniture you will end up with will be high quality furniture that will 20 years.
This small country is famous for their excellent "cousine". It´s like a moving cruise...in which you can find anything and everything, from a simple soup, to the most exotic meal.
It all depends on you, your appetite, your budget and your disposition to party. There is one place for each taste, from elder people to the very young ones, not to mention the real treat for retirees (a...
Restaurants in Panamá.
This small country is famous for their excellent "cousine". It´s like a moving cruise...in which you can find anything and everything, from a simple soup, to the most exotic meal.
It all depends on you, your appetite, your budget and your disposition to party. There is one place for each taste, from elder people to the very young ones, not to mention the real treat for retirees (a foreign retiree with a proper "pensionado visa" has the same benefit as locals) of a 25% discount on every meal, except for fast food in malls or a food court, which have a 15% discount.
The city of Panamá used to have the best offer on excellence, but with the arrival of thousands of foreigners, all services have been extended to the "interior" and all kinds of restaurants, furniture stores, malls, airports and many other modern facilities are now offered in the main towns, or secondary cities, like David, Chitré, Santiago, Isla Colón, Coronado, Penonomé or El Valle, among others. This is all not to mention Colón (on the Caribbean side), as well as the variety of great resorts along the "Carretera Panamericana" (Panamerican highway) that crosses the Republic of Panamá from east to west on the Pacific side. There is also an excellent restaurant at the Panamá Canal (both visitor centers in Panamá and Gatún, Colón).
Even though restaurants are all over town, in the city of Panamá, some are preferred by visitors because they offer folkloric shows at night. Among them are The Tinajas, Marriot Hotel, Las Pencas, and others.
As in any other place, the quality and service of a restaurant depends on how much you can afford, from the prime restaurants of any international food, to the little "fonda" for everyday blue collar workers. The hotels usually offer buffets for breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea (around afternoon). They also offer dinners around the pool, mainly with meals cooked over live coal, and this is important if you want to have something real different and special. And because the weather in Panamá is always outstanding (no snow, or hurricanes or tornados) you can enjoy a magnificent night under the moon with your food. This is true all year round, unless you come in the rainy season..from May to November, in which case it might rain, but still, you are under a nice covered terrace.
As to the prices, you make your choice, from US $200 dinners (I'm probably exaggerating) to 50 cent "empanadas" and $1 coffee. (Or, you could have mocha coffee, or cappuccino, in which case, it will be a little more expensive than $1.)
Is the electricity reliable in Algarve? Are there blackouts or brownouts in Algarve?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
The Algarve has hardly any blackouts or brownouts. We have a very, very reliable power source. In a typical year, we will have zero blackouts or brownouts.
(Night lights at the pool and restaurant at Algarve Senior Living, Portugal, pictured.)
The Algarve has hardly any blackouts or brownouts. We have a very, very reliable power source. In a typical year, we will have zero blackouts or brownouts.
(Night lights at the pool and restaurant at Algarve Senior Living, Portugal, pictured.)
In the period of less than half a day, our senses and emotions had experienced quite a workout. In the morning, we were on a ferry in the Sea of Cortez, headed towards Mazatlan. In Mazatlan, we were treated to an entirely new concept: jungle in an urban setting. From there, we had found the toll road, breezed through green and wooded highland farmland, and then gradually descended into a profusion of jungle, not only on the sides of the road, but overhead, as we glided...
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...
Welcome to Boquete. This charming town has changed a little and a lot in the last four years. We have watched as the economy has improved for the community. A great deal is based on tourism and the influx of expats. There has also been a worldwide increase in the higher-end coffees that grow in the mountains that tower over the towns of both Boquete and Volcan. Many small businesses have come and gone in the last four years. Growth is evident as the high school is currently...
How much of your personal household items you move to Mexico is a very personal and at times, almost a philosophical decision. .png)
Personally, I think the best sightseeing in Ambergris Caye is in the main town of San Pedro. I just love the tropical colored buildings and seeing all the people. Up north, it’s like a tropical rainforest, which is also really pretty, but I really love the heart of San Pedro because of the buildings. 
The Algarve has hardly any blackouts or brownouts. We have a very, very reliable power source. In a typical year, we will have zero blackouts or brownouts. 
In the period of less than half a day, our senses and emotions had experienced quite a workout. In the morning, we were on a ferry in the Sea of Cortez, headed towards Mazatlan. In Mazatlan, we were treated to an entirely new concept: jungle in an urban setting. From there, we had found the toll road, breezed through green and wooded highland farmland, and then gradually descended into a profusion of jungle, not only on the sides of the road, but overhead, as we glided...
has changed a little and a lot in the last four years. We have watched as the economy has improved for the community. A great deal is based on tourism and the influx of expats. There has also been a worldwide increase in the higher-end coffees that grow in the mountains that tower over the towns of both Boquete and Volcan. Many small businesses have come and gone in the last four years. Growth is evident as the high school is currently...