I do not find anybody here in Mexico to be disrespectful. I think we have a very respectful community. There are two shifts here. I am on the first shift and the second shift starts at 11 at night, especially on the weekends when all the younger people come out and the people that are from Mexico City, Monterrey, and Queretaro.
San Miguel de Allende has an abundance of single women. Many more than men so that’s good to report to the men so that they...
I do not find anybody here in Mexico to be disrespectful. I think we have a very respectful community. There are two shifts here. I am on the first shift and the second shift starts at 11 at night, especially on the weekends when all the younger people come out and the people that are from Mexico City, Monterrey, and Queretaro.
San Miguel de Allende has an abundance of single women. Many more than men so that’s good to report to the men so that they can come. Part of that is, I believe, because the women feel comfortable here. They feel that San Miguel de Allende is very secure, and easy to navigate. It is easy to get acclimated in the community. I would guess it is probably a 5 to 1 ratio of single women to single men. This is, of course, only my estimate. Some of the single women here are retirees or artists.
The people who are coming to San Miguel de Allende as couples are getting younger and the demographic is also getting younger because we are seeing a lot of people that are able to work remotely who come here.
(Pictured: Ivy del Pozzo as guest MC for Apoyo a Gente Emprendadora, which educates and gives micro loans to women in the countryside, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.)
Yes, Ambergris Caye is safe. I am a single parent of a 13-year-old daughter. I have lived here for four and a half years, and the only rule I have for my daughter is that she call me half an hour before dark, so that I can make arrangements to come pick here up.
I go out and I feel quite comfortable walking the streets, going to clubs, dining out and meeting up with friends. I have no worries at all. I wouldn’t leave my bag in any bar in any circumstance. I...
Yes, Ambergris Caye is safe. I am a single parent of a 13-year-old daughter. I have lived here for four and a half years, and the only rule I have for my daughter is that she call me half an hour before dark, so that I can make arrangements to come pick here up.
I go out and I feel quite comfortable walking the streets, going to clubs, dining out and meeting up with friends. I have no worries at all. I wouldn’t leave my bag in any bar in any circumstance. I wouldn’t leave my bag in a restaurant and think that it will be OK. I wouldn’t walk up a dark alley at 2 AM. I don’t do those things here in Ambergris Caye, just like I wouldn’t anywhere else, so I am safe.
Just returned from Boquete and found it to be an amazing place. We participated in a Coffee Farm Tour sponsored by International Coffee Farms.
We spent three days visiting coffee farms in various areas of Boquete. The concept is unique in being able to purchase a one-acre plot of producing coffee tress that ICF (International Coffee Farms) manages from planting, fertilization, picking, processing, and ultimate marketing and sale of coffee...
Just returned from Boquete and found it to be an amazing place. We participated in a Coffee Farm Tour sponsored by International Coffee Farms.
We spent three days visiting coffee farms in various areas of Boquete. The concept is unique in being able to purchase a one-acre plot of producing coffee tress that ICF (International Coffee Farms) manages from planting, fertilization, picking, processing, and ultimate marketing and sale of coffee beans from that particular farm. Their proforma shows a 12% return on your investment on a titled deeded property as a legacy investment.
While in Boquete we were able to enjoy some great dinners at various restaurants as well as viewing the beautiful flowers and orchids on display at the Flower Center. We saw many other outdoor adventures available, including hiking, white water rafting, Zip lines, etc. in a beautiful mountain atmosphere. Great place! Great coffee!!!!
Is Portugal a good place for preppers to have their bugout location? Is Portugal a good place for survivalists?
Juan Matias - BLUE Boutique Hostel & SUITES
Portugal is a good place for preppers and survivalists because of our history. For many years in the past, such as in the First World War and the Second World War, we went through a bit of poverty, so the only thing we had was fish and land for agriculture. We could not import any goods, and we could not produce goods, so we had to live off of the land and the sea. So that’s why we are known for our fishermen and our fishing villages; there are many around the coast...
Portugal is a good place for preppers and survivalists because of our history. For many years in the past, such as in the First World War and the Second World War, we went through a bit of poverty, so the only thing we had was fish and land for agriculture. We could not import any goods, and we could not produce goods, so we had to live off of the land and the sea. So that’s why we are known for our fishermen and our fishing villages; there are many around the coast and our agricultural lands. As a result, Portugal is idea for survivalists because you can off of the land and the sea and not depend on anyone.
In addition, we have a lot of mountains and generally mountain regions, which are perfect for a hideout. I’ve seen some survivalists use caves and things like that or bunkers under land and I believe Portugal would be a perfect place for this. There are a lot of wild animals in Portugal as well—warthog, rabbits, birds—so basically, if you had to live out off of nature you would be in the right place.
We have a lot of rivers and we have a lot of lakes. Obviously, you would have to heat up the water to kill the bacteria we get a lot of fresh water in Portugal. The temperature in Portugal is not extreme, so you don’t have to worry about freezing to death. We get a very mild winter, with temperatures ranging between 5 and 15 degrees (41 to 59 F) and in summer you get between 20 and 30 (68 to 86 F). Obviously, there are exceptional days in the summer that you can get 33 or 34 (91 to 93 F) but the average is 30 degrees (86F) and in the winter you can actually get days with 0 or 1 degree (32 to 33 F) but it’s also very rare.
Are there tax advantages or disadvantages if I retire, work or live abroad?
Elizabeth Vance - The Gringo Guide To Panama: What To Know Before You Go
Tabitha is correct in what she said. As a US citizen, you must file your US taxes every year, no matter what.
The foreign income tax exclusion of up to $95,000 does come in handy as well as a credit too. This was a nice surprise for us, when we moved here.
I don't consider it a disadvantage, but it does get a bit tiresome to file my taxes in Panama (which requires an accountant, especially if you don't speak Spanish). Those are due...
Tabitha is correct in what she said. As a US citizen, you must file your US taxes every year, no matter what.
The foreign income tax exclusion of up to $95,000 does come in handy as well as a credit too. This was a nice surprise for us, when we moved here.
I don't consider it a disadvantage, but it does get a bit tiresome to file my taxes in Panama (which requires an accountant, especially if you don't speak Spanish). Those are due prior to March 15th each year for individuals. Then, that tax return must be used as part of your US tax return.
How are the rules of etiquette or customs different in Nicaragua?
Carlos Roman Gutierrez Solis - Casa Granada Properties
The customs can be different from one place to another in Nicaragua. To do business in Managua can be different from how you do business in Granada. Here in Granada, we still believe that things should be done easily and not overreact to things. We don’t need things right away. That is one big difference between Americans and Nicaraguans. We live for the day. We don’t always make plans for the future. This is what makes things complicated for expats when they try to work...
The customs can be different from one place to another in Nicaragua. To do business in Managua can be different from how you do business in Granada. Here in Granada, we still believe that things should be done easily and not overreact to things. We don’t need things right away. That is one big difference between Americans and Nicaraguans. We live for the day. We don’t always make plans for the future. This is what makes things complicated for expats when they try to work with locals. You have to teach the locals that we need to think one step ahead and not have a delay for no reason. Authorities in the government are not very proactive and that makes it more frustrating. Nicaraguans live in an easy way. They don’t rush tomorrow.
When you go to Managua and you see how the people there are, you can already tell the difference. They understand that if you don’t take care of the business, it will not grow. They understand that we have customers demanding more quality, so they work harder than Granadinos (people from Granada).
Writer's forward: Why people in places such as Mexico, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua are willing to work for expats for less than if they were located in the US or Canada is the subject of another article. Suffice it to say that those of us fortunate enough to be from Western industrialized nations have hit the “Where You’re From Jackpot” through no particular virtue of our own. We were just lucky to be born in the US, Canada, etc., and to be able to use US or...
Zaqueo hired a third friend of his from his home area named Chicalo. He was to be an “ayudante,” or assistant as they are called when they don’t have a specific trade. Chicalo had only one working eye. The other had been irreparably damaged by a bungee cord accident. I used to work with eye surgeons, and one of them told me, “Don’t EVER use bungee cords, and tell everyone you know they are very dangerous and to throw them out!” She had...
Since my arrival in Panama I have made many business connections, some of whom are in Costa Rica. It was finally time to make a trip across the border to meet some folks and tackle the dreaded border crossing that many expats experience frequently for different reasons. Having researched the immigration requirements and talked to many who have made the crossing, I expected things to be somewhat different, and not in a good way. To my surprise, the trip was uneventful and...
I do not find anybody here in Mexico to be disrespectful. I think we have a very respectful community. There are two shifts here. I am on the first shift and the second shift starts at 11 at night, especially on the weekends when all the younger people come out and the people that are from Mexico City, Monterrey, and Queretaro. 
Portugal is a good place for preppers and survivalists because of our history. For many years in the past, such as in the First World War and the Second World War, we went through a bit of poverty, so the only thing we had was fish and land for agriculture. We could not import any goods, and we could not produce goods, so we had to live off of the land and the sea. So that’s why we are known for our fishermen and our fishing villages; there are many around the coast...
Writer's forward: Why people in places such as Mexico, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua are willing to work for expats for less than if they were located in the US or Canada is the subject of another article. Suffice it to say that those of us fortunate enough to be from Western industrialized nations have hit the “Where You’re From Jackpot” through no particular virtue of our own. We were just lucky to be born in the US, Canada, etc., and to be able to use US or....jpg)
Since my arrival in Panama I have made many business connections, some of whom are in Costa Rica. It was finally time to make a trip across the border to meet some folks and tackle the dreaded border crossing that many expats experience frequently for different reasons. Having researched the immigration requirements and talked to many who have made the crossing, I expected things to be somewhat different, and not in a good way. To my surprise, the trip was uneventful and...