Can I see beautiful flowers, plants and trees in or around Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Magy Carmona - Magy Carmona at Lake Chapala Realty
You can also see lots of beautiful flowers, plants and trees in and around Chapala and Ajijic. There are clubs you can join for trekking and teams that you can gather, and walk through the hills with them.
Also, if the weather permits, you can go out and see very lovely gardens everywhere for that are available for everybody. There are different kinds of trees like tabachines or jacarandas that blossom in red, yellow, and in purple. The tabachines and...
You can also see lots of beautiful flowers, plants and trees in and around Chapala and Ajijic. There are clubs you can join for trekking and teams that you can gather, and walk through the hills with them.
Also, if the weather permits, you can go out and see very lovely gardens everywhere for that are available for everybody. There are different kinds of trees like tabachines or jacarandas that blossom in red, yellow, and in purple. The tabachines and jacarandas are indigenous to Mexico.
(Caesalpinia pulcherrima or as known in Mexico, tabachines, pictured.)
What are the best and worst things about living and retiring in Fort Clayton / Clayton, Panama Canal Zone?
Carlos Garcia de Paredes, MD - Hospital Santa Fe
Living and retiring in Clayton, as well as several other places near Panama City but not in the downtown area proper, will keep you away from heavy traffic and close to places where you can relax.
There are also good schools and shopping areas in Clayton, where you can find things from all over the world. The best shopping area close by is Albrook Mall, ten minutes away by car, which is full of stores and also some good restaurants.
Living and retiring in Clayton, as well as several other places near Panama City but not in the downtown area proper, will keep you away from heavy traffic and close to places where you can relax.
There are also good schools and shopping areas in Clayton, where you can find things from all over the world. The best shopping area close by is Albrook Mall, ten minutes away by car, which is full of stores and also some good restaurants.
What is Portugal's gun ownership policy and gun laws?
Carol Bartlett Ribeiro - Carol Bartlett Ribeiro, Property Consultant
In order to have a gun in Portugal, you have to have a license. Foreigners can own guns in Portugal.
Most of the people who have guns in Portugal, and how gun ownership started is that the guns were for hunters for the hunting season, but there are very strict rules for that.
The actual details of what would be required to get a license to have a gun and what it would cost, I don’t know. The reason...
In order to have a gun in Portugal, you have to have a license. Foreigners can own guns in Portugal.
Most of the people who have guns in Portugal, and how gun ownership started is that the guns were for hunters for the hunting season, but there are very strict rules for that.
The actual details of what would be required to get a license to have a gun and what it would cost, I don’t know. The reason is we don’t really discuss guns very much apart from if you see on television that they’ve arrested people because of drugs or something similar. Apart from that, fortunately, at this point in time, I think when you see what’s going on in the world, we feel reasonably safe without guns.
(1934 photo of a hunter in Peralcovo, Portugal, pictured.)
What are the best opportunities to do volunteer and charity work in Nicaragua?
Blue van Doorninck - Rancho Chilamate Horseback Adventures & Guest Ranch
Nicaragua is a significant destination for groups that coordinate volunteer programs that are usually school or church related. They come down with their matching t-shirts, having chosen a project prior to arrival here.
If you’re not part of one of these groups, there are several organizations in San Juan Del Sur that can coordinate projects for you in their area. One of them for example is Comunidad Connect.
In addition,...
Nicaragua is a significant destination for groups that coordinate volunteer programs that are usually school or church related. They come down with their matching t-shirts, having chosen a project prior to arrival here.
If you’re not part of one of these groups, there are several organizations in San Juan Del Sur that can coordinate projects for you in their area. One of them for example is Comunidad Connect.
In addition, a lot of expats will take them upon themselves to find pet projects that they feel will benefit maybe the family that lives next door, someone that works for them, or a school that they want to make better. There are opportunities around every corner of Nicaragua to give back. A lot of expats do volunteer work here.
Will Medicare cover me if I live (even part time) in Belize?
Macarena Rose - Rainforerst Realty
Strictly speaking, Medicare will not reimburse any medical facility in Belize, so when people who are able to be covered by Medicare come to Belize, they utilize a variety of different strategies.
Because it is so inexpensive to go to a doctor in Belize, for routine care, many people just get the care here and pay out of pocket. Other people have gotten care here while using their insurance, such as Blue Cross or Blue Shield, and they got...
Strictly speaking, Medicare will not reimburse any medical facility in Belize, so when people who are able to be covered by Medicare come to Belize, they utilize a variety of different strategies.
Because it is so inexpensive to go to a doctor in Belize, for routine care, many people just get the care here and pay out of pocket. Other people have gotten care here while using their insurance, such as Blue Cross or Blue Shield, and they got covered here in Belize, which is a fabulous thing.
For example, if you have an upset belly and you have to go to the doctor, they will take a couple of tests and maybe take blood or take a sample. You will leave there with your medication for your upset belly and it might cost you US $10 to $15. The key part to that is that you do not have to wait and make an appointment, and you do not have to wait for a referral or to get anything. You can actually just go to the doctor and be seen.
Can I use my Medicare outside the US, and if not, what are my alternatives?
Tabitha Paddock - Greenback Expat Tax Services
Unfortunately, in most cases Medicare benefits do not apply to medical care provided outside the US. I would suggest you assess your healthcare needs, and the medical costs in the country you will be retiring in. Depending on which country you plan on retiring in, you may have a public health care system available to you. You should also look into the availability and cost of a private health insurance plan for medical expenses incurred in other countries.
Usually, once you...
Unfortunately, in most cases Medicare benefits do not apply to medical care provided outside the US. I would suggest you assess your healthcare needs, and the medical costs in the country you will be retiring in. Depending on which country you plan on retiring in, you may have a public health care system available to you. You should also look into the availability and cost of a private health insurance plan for medical expenses incurred in other countries.
Usually, once you have moved to a foreign country, you're no longer eligible for Medicare benefits (although Medicare does cover residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands).
However, if you come back to the US, you will still receive Medicare Part A benefits. (Anyone who qualifies for Social Security, and is 65 or older qualifies under Part A.)
The sun is barely peeking over the horizon as I grab a cup of coffee and step into my yard. There are a few clouds and as the sun catches them they light up and create a spectacular sunrise to start the day. As I sip my coffee, I enjoy a multitude of vibrant and colorful flowers and lush foliage.
The air is sweet and clean (not much pollution here). I love the fragrance from the flowers and some...
I just want to bring up some information that very few visiting Panamá are aware of.
If you are a visitor, for the first 30 days, you are 100% covered with medical services, totally free of charge. This is a courtesy service provided by the Tourism Department.
This free coverage includes home (hotel) visits, hospital, or whatever you need to get better, and doctors speak English.
My wife and I bought our first home in Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico in 2002. Our plans when we bought our house were to use it for our retirement, which at that time, was still years down the road. The more we visited our home, however, the more we fell in love with the Yucatan, so by the end of 2003 we moved to Mexico full-time. We worked and traveled throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, including Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel and Mahahual (in the state of Quintana Roo), and while they...