Best Places In The World To Retire

Yes, you can get a good caregiver in Portugal. But the way to do it in Portugal is not to just put an advert and wait for people to knock on your door and expect someone who is brilliant. You have to to have references like any other country in the world. Even in America, if you want a babysitter, you want references. You want someone who knows that person and that’s exactly the same here in Portugal.
 
In Portugal there’s no difficulty in finding in people because...

Yes, you can get a good caregiver in Portugal. But the way to do it in Portugal is not to just put an advert and wait for people to knock on your door and expect someone who is brilliant. You have to to have references like any other country in the world. Even in America, if you want a babysitter, you want references. You want someone who knows that person and that’s exactly the same here in Portugal.
 
In Portugal there’s no difficulty in finding in people because the unemployment rate in Portugal at the moment is 18%. So a lot of people, the unemployed, when they cannot find jobs, they apply for either taking care of children or elder people, so it’s actually quite easy to find that sort of help. You get people who would really take care, bathe the elder people, cook them a proper meal, all of this. But if the elder gets sick or has a stroke or something, they would not be prepared to help them medically. They would have to call 112, which is our version of 911. 
 
You can hire more sophisticated help such as nurses, but then the price increases a lot. You can have an average healthcare worker with no medical experience full-time working for you for €700 to €800 (US $780 to $890) a month. A live- in person would cost around $1,000 a month.  If it’s a person with medical expertise and a degree, it will cost you triple.
 

 

(Portuguese women at work, pictured.)

Many small countries but with developing economies like Panama can offer you a combination of things, such as: good and affordable health care, safety, good economy with a lot of investment opportunities, friendly people, good weather and beautiful places to go.

Many small countries but with developing economies like Panama can offer you a combination of things, such as: good and affordable health care, safety, good economy with a lot of investment opportunities, friendly people, good weather and beautiful places to go.

One of the best things to do in Panama is to visit an Emberá Indian village.  The Emberá people are one of 7 indigenous tribes in Panama and many of them still live in traditional villages deep in the rainforest. 

 

The Emberá people are warm, open and welcoming and are equally curious about the visitors who come to meet them.  They are eager and happy to share about their culture and traditions with others.  Spending a day or an...

One of the best things to do in Panama is to visit an Emberá Indian village.  The Emberá people are one of 7 indigenous tribes in Panama and many of them still live in traditional villages deep in the rainforest. 

 

The Emberá people are warm, open and welcoming and are equally curious about the visitors who come to meet them.  They are eager and happy to share about their culture and traditions with others.  Spending a day or an overnight with the Emberá people is like stepping into a National Geographic film.

 

                                     

 

The Emberá people have the quality of life the rest of the world is searching for.  The people are very happy and content without most of the trappings of the modern world.  In most Emberá villages there is no electricity, internet and no cell phone signal.  It is so refreshing to see the peaceful and happy faces of the Emberá children without video games, cell phones and iPads. 

      Many villages can be easily accessed in a 1 day tour or an overnight tour for complete immersion into the Emberá culture.  You leave Panama city around 8:00 am and return by 5:00 pm for the day tour, and early afternoon the next day for the overnight tour.

     You will drive for about an hour out to the boat ramp on Lake Alajuela and embark in a handmade (very stable) dugout canoe to travel about 45 minutes across the lake and up the river to the Emberá village.  Upon arrival in the village you will be given a traditional greeting of music and then given a fascinating presentation about the Emberá culture, traditions, how they live and survive today. 

You will be served a traditional lunch of delicious fried fish and patacones (plantains) with fresh fruit. 

   After lunch you have the option of taking a short hike with a village elder to learn about medicinal plants, and/or take a refreshing swim in the river, take pictures, talk with the Emberá people, get a temporary tattoo or purchase some of their exquisite world class baskets made from palm fibers or sophisticated cocobolo wood or tagua seed carvings. All items are handmade by the Emberá people and often charge $1.00 per day that it took the artist to make the basket or carving! 

Tourism is their only source of income, as they live inside the Chagres National Park that was created around them in 1984.  This park protects the water source for the canal.  However the park department prohibits the Emberá from traditional hunting, commercial agriculture and any materials they would like to harvest from the forest to use to build their houses, or boats, they are required to pay a fee to the park.  So your visit and purchases in the village help the Emberá people sustain their chosen lifestyle, culture and traditions.

Finally, your day tour visit will end with a presentation of women's shamanic dances and some celebrational music and dancing, that you may be invited to participate in.  Be careful, the Emberá say that if you don't dance, you have to live with them in the village for 8 months! 

As you get ready to board the dugout canoe to head back down the river, your head and heart will be filled with new friends and great memories of your day or overnight with the friendly and warm Emberá people.  It is truly an unforgettable experience. 

 

 

In the US, you would struggle to live on $3,000 or less per month.  However, as an expat in Nicaragua, you could live great on $3,000 per month or even less, so you could live a relaxed, laid back life, including domestic help and very nice living arrangements.