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Recently Answered Questions

How much will I pay in real estate or property tax in Mexico?

Oscar Hererra - SimplePay

Arial view of Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Property taxes in Mexico are nothing compared to the amount you pay in the States. The low amount of property taxes in Mexico is one of the biggest advantages of purchasing in Mexico.

If I am not incorrect, I think the cost for property tax in California is about 1.5% of the value of the property, so for the average home in California, which could be maybe $600,000 to $700,000 (an average home that is nothing too small and nothing too big), you would pay...

Can I receive my Social Security checks or benefits abroad, as an expat, outside the US and if so, how?

Karyn Saunders

Yes you can get your Social Security Cheques deposited in Panama. There is a fee as they are being deposited into a foreign bank account. On another note you can Self Direct your IRA to an investment in Panama while you wait to retire. Banking in Panama was once a huge challenge but has become a lot easier in recent years. I have had two clients as of late that opened up a bank account in less than 24 hours. All you need are two bank reference letters and...

How are the stores and shops in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua? How's the shopping in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?

Joe Lopes - las escadas condominiums

There are no malls in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. San Juan del Sur, is a tourist destination, so the shops that you will find here are souvenir shops where you can buy souvenir tee shirts, caps, crafts, and beach clothing. You will find long pants here in San Juan Del Sur, but there is not enough selection, so it is better to go to Managua for that. If you need to shop for more formal clothes or if you want a large selection from which to choose, you have to go to Granada or Managua...

What's the dress code in Boquete, Panama? What clothes do they wear in Boquete, Panama?

Lola Braxton - Services Toby

Boquete is around 10 degrees cooler than David. Boquete is up in the mountains, while David (the closest large city to Boquete, less than 40 minutes away by car) is essentially at sea level.

So if you go to Boquete, it is recommended to wear a sweater or jacket at times, especially at night, although, during the day it will get warm, but not hot like David.

On the other hand, David is usually in the mid to high 80´s and 90´s every day. David only cools down...

What’s the best way to choose a real estate agent in Portugal?

Ana Ferraz

Beach community of Cascais, Portugal – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The best way to get a real estate agent in Portugal is by searching for them online. We have Remax here in Portugal, which is an American real estate company franchise that is huge.

Once you find a real estate agent online, get their contact information so you could find their agencies. Cascais Real Estate Agencies is one of the best.

The real estate system in Portugal is the same as in England in that the real estate agents do not have exclusive listings. It is...

What does it cost for a vacation rental in Ambergris Caye?

Bob Hamilton - Century 21 Coral Beach Realty

Beach house in Cayo Esperanto, Ambergris Caye, Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The cost to rent a vacation rental in Ambergris Caye depends on what you are looking for. If you are going to rent a hotel room, you are probably looking at around US $150 to $250 per night. There are also some beautiful beachfront houses that go for $3,000 to $4,000 a week and resorts that run from $450 to $650 per night. The accommodations here are starting to get fairly expensive.

If you are looking at the low end, there is Ruby’s Hotel,...

Recently Posted Expat Stories

The Cumbersome Legal System in a Nutshell

Get ready for the delays, the costs, fees and cumbersome legal system of Panama. Here you find it wise to use an attorney for all kinds of transactions. However it isn't just the attorney you deal with, it is bureaucracy mumbo-jumbo and administrators! Many are like the angry, underpaid, middle managers of other places. They have a little power, so they love to abuse it!

I interviewed a young attorney that is just starting out. The government sets the...

7 Ways to Rent in Bocas del Toro, Panama

The decision to move abroad and join the thousands of expats who are living in Bocas del Toro is an exciting adventure. It can also be a bit overwhelming.There are a million questions and many decisions to make before you actually find yourself living in your own tropical paradise. One of the biggest questions is housing. Where will we live?

Renting can be a good first option for those wanting to take their time finding a permanent place. It is also great if you...

About Sloths In Panama

A couple months ago someone told us they saw a Sloth across the street in the woods. OK... Cool; I've never seen one. Well, a week ago while walking our dogs we saw one hugging a tree about ten feet off the ground.

Yesterday (again walking the dogs) a man was standing still looking up into the trees and voila......if we looked hard and long we saw a Sloth all curled up on a fairly small branch at least 40 feet up. The guy said he saw it at the same place...