What are the construction standards in Puerto Vallarta?
David Schwendeman - Mexlend
The construction standards in Puerto Vallarta are excellent. I wouldn’t say they’ve been always excellent but there was an earthquake in 1995 that shook things up a bit. Fortunately, there was no major damage or loss of life.
Consequently, post 1995, construction laws, norms, and practices really got beefed up. As a result, where in the past you might have seen a lower grade of rebar prior, now you’re seeing thicker and more...
The construction standards in Puerto Vallarta are excellent. I wouldn’t say they’ve been always excellent but there was an earthquake in 1995 that shook things up a bit. Fortunately, there was no major damage or loss of life.
Consequently, post 1995, construction laws, norms, and practices really got beefed up. As a result, where in the past you might have seen a lower grade of rebar prior, now you’re seeing thicker and more substantial rebar and reinforced concrete. It’s just something to be aware of if you are looking to buy a home or condo. Your property inspector would be a great asset in determining the quality of construction.
The building permit process is fairly structured and there are site inspections just like in the US and Canada. With that said, we’ve built several homes in the US and in Mexico. Generally, the US is more rigid with a lot of paperwork and stricter zoning laws. It is a little easier in Puerto Vallarta and Mexico as a whole. But there are still laws and practices to abide by.
(Pool overlooking the "romantic zone" in an apartment/hotel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)
How much does it cost for a housekeeper or maid in Nicaragua?
Mike Cobb - ECI Development
A full time, live in maid in Nicaragua costs between $100 and $150 per month.
Some expat homeowners choose to allow their maids to live at their home. Live in help usually have a small apartment next to the kitchen / laundry area with a dresser, bed, and a small TV.
The rate for daily service is about $1/hour, depending on location, which affects market demand.
For full time...
A full time, live in maid in Nicaragua costs between $100 and $150 per month.
Some expat homeowners choose to allow their maids to live at their home. Live in help usually have a small apartment next to the kitchen / laundry area with a dresser, bed, and a small TV.
The rate for daily service is about $1/hour, depending on location, which affects market demand.
For full time service, the government requires INSS, the local social security. A withholding of 6.25% from the employee, plus 16.25% from the employer provides the employee a pension plus medical benefits. For an employee working 7 hours / day the total cost with all benefits is about $10 / day.
How much does it cost to have a cell phone in Portugal?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
Getting a cell phone in Portugal could be free if you are on a contract or a postpaid plan. Otherwise, it could cost anything from zero to € 1,000 (US $ 1,100 or £ 740). An iPhone 6S costs around €800 (US $ 880 or £ 590) at the moment. The latest Samsung would cost you about the same amount, more or less. Cellphone service is cheap. You can get unlimited calls for just €7.50 (US $8.25 or £ 5.50) a month.
Generally,...
Getting a cell phone in Portugal could be free if you are on a contract or a postpaid plan. Otherwise, it could cost anything from zero to € 1,000 (US $ 1,100 or £ 740). An iPhone 6S costs around €800 (US $ 880 or £ 590) at the moment. The latest Samsung would cost you about the same amount, more or less. Cellphone service is cheap. You can get unlimited calls for just €7.50 (US $8.25 or £ 5.50) a month.
Generally, telecommunications is neither cheap nor expensive. You can get a full package, which includes your fixed line phone that also includes your cable TV with a couple hundred channels, a couple of mobiles for that package, and unlimited calls to European landline numbers in the evenings and weekends for around €30 (US $ 33 or £ 22) to €40 (US $ 45 or £ 30) a month. You can also add special services like unlimited calls to Europe during the day, which is great if you have business calls, for an additional €5 (US $5.50 or £ 4) a month. You can personalize the package according to your needs.
Should I keep my US bank, brokerage, investment, IRA, or retirement account if I move to Belize?
Frik De Meyere
I would recommend that if you already rely on the US system, you should leave what you already have open and just open a secondary account here in Belize to receive funds from the US.
I wouldn’t want all my financial eggs in one basket. Belize is still a Third World Country. Banking in Switzerland is okay. I would try to have to have a balance as to where my assets and accounts were located.
I would recommend that if you already rely on the US system, you should leave what you already have open and just open a secondary account here in Belize to receive funds from the US.
I wouldn’t want all my financial eggs in one basket. Belize is still a Third World Country. Banking in Switzerland is okay. I would try to have to have a balance as to where my assets and accounts were located.
Can I receive my Social Security checks or benefits abroad, as an expat, outside the US and if so, how?
John Ohe - Hola Expat Tax Services
You can receive your Social Security check outside of the US directly to a foreign bank account. However, there is some paperwork that is required to do this. It's easier to have your Social Security check deposited into a US bank account and just access that money through a debit card.
There is absolutely no US law that states that if you're living outside of the United States, you're not entitled to Social Security anymore. If you're...
You can receive your Social Security check outside of the US directly to a foreign bank account. However, there is some paperwork that is required to do this. It's easier to have your Social Security check deposited into a US bank account and just access that money through a debit card.
There is absolutely no US law that states that if you're living outside of the United States, you're not entitled to Social Security anymore. If you're entitled to Social Security, where you're living is completely irrelevant because you paid into the system.
A lot of expats who continue to work for US companies but live abroad still pay into the Social Security system even while living abroad. They may be able to avoid income taxes, but they'd be paying into Social Security. For self-employed expats, they're basically the employer as well as the employee, so they pay both sides of Social Security taxes—as an employer, and as an employee.
(Castillo de San Felipe, Rio Dulce, Guatemala, pictured.)
What's the best way to choose a real estate agent in Panama?
GISELLE SOCARRAZ - Real Estate Chiriqui
The best way to choose a real estate agent here is to interview your prospective property prospector (alliteration, I love it) by setting up an appointment at your convenience. Live is always preferred (as it gives the ability to check out their office, detect non-verbal "tells", etc.) but many will also agree to Skype Video Conferences and Phone Chats.
If they have similar work ethics as you and a confident personality, then you are in the right place.
If they rub you...
The best way to choose a real estate agent here is to interview your prospective property prospector (alliteration, I love it) by setting up an appointment at your convenience. Live is always preferred (as it gives the ability to check out their office, detect non-verbal "tells", etc.) but many will also agree to Skype Video Conferences and Phone Chats.
If they have similar work ethics as you and a confident personality, then you are in the right place.
If they rub you the wrong way, trust your instincts and give it some real thought before you select such a person.
Like my Mother used to say, "If you smell a tiger, don`t wander into the cave to confirm it with your eyes. You may not get them back."
So far, on our road trip through Mexico, we have rented six vacation houses that did work out (pictured here) and two that haven't (not pictured here). From those experiences, there are lessons to be learned.
The first rental gone bad was in San Miguel de Allende. Here are the facts, with parenthetical commentary.
We found the rental on the very popular site VRBO. ...
To take a line from his own newsletter, Nica Nuggets, for and about the expats of Granada, Nicaragua, Darrell Bushnell is as busy as a one-legged rooster in a three-story hen house. Jet Metier talks to the man who mesmerizes her with his tales of his life in the land of fresh water sharks and steaming volcanoes.
Jet Metier: How are you Darrell? How are Amy and the dogs? I like to think of you starting the morning doing something wonderful and unique...
I lived in Casco for about a year and I found a great experience because of the art, history and culture environment that is surrounded. Also there is many streets improvements and new restaurants and properties that are being renovated.
The construction standards in Puerto Vallarta are excellent. I wouldn’t say they’ve been always excellent but there was an earthquake in 1995 that shook things up a bit. Fortunately, there was no major damage or loss of life. 
Getting a cell phone in Portugal could be free if you are on a contract or a postpaid plan. Otherwise, it could cost anything from zero to € 1,000 (US $ 1,100 or £ 740). An iPhone 6S costs around €800 (US $ 880 or £ 590) at the moment. The latest Samsung would cost you about the same amount, more or less. Cellphone service is cheap. You can get unlimited calls for just €7.50 (US $8.25 or £ 5.50) a month. 
You can receive your Social Security check outside of the US directly to a foreign bank account. However, there is some paperwork that is required to do this. It's easier to have your Social Security check deposited into a US bank account and just access that money through a debit card. 
Now that it’s over, I can tell you about it. 
great experience because of the art, history and culture environment that is surrounded. Also there is many streets improvements and new restaurants and properties that are being renovated. 
