How much does it cost for a housekeeper or maid in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Magy Carmona - Magy Carmona at Lake Chapala Realty
To get a housekeeper in Chapala and Ajijic, it costs 250 pesos (US $12), which a reasonable payment for a housekeeper to clean your place for 4-6 hours. That’s standard. They usually charge Americans 50 pesos (US $2.41) an hour.
The rates for a gardener in Chapala and Ajijic depend on the time of the day, because they work in different houses, so sometimes they don’t have a very tight schedule. Gardeners get paid weekly depending on the...
To get a housekeeper in Chapala and Ajijic, it costs 250 pesos (US $12), which a reasonable payment for a housekeeper to clean your place for 4-6 hours. That’s standard. They usually charge Americans 50 pesos (US $2.41) an hour.
The rates for a gardener in Chapala and Ajijic depend on the time of the day, because they work in different houses, so sometimes they don’t have a very tight schedule. Gardeners get paid weekly depending on the size of the garden. Their rates go from 500 pesos to 1,000 pesos (US $24 – $48).
I have a gardener, and for the 4,000 meters that I have (about an acre total), I pay him 1,500 pesos (US $72) per week. For that he comes every day and takes care of a lot of things. In the street where I live, I own two houses, and each house has 2,000 square meters, and he takes care of both houses. He’s like a handyman in the houses, and he also comes to the bazaar to help.
How much will I pay in real estate or property tax in Belize
Boris Mannsfeld - Boris Mannsfeld & Associates
The amount you have to pay for property or real estate tax in Belize is extremely low, which makes the overall cost of owning real estate much lower in Belize than in other countries or jurisdictions. For example, the property tax on a US $200,000 plot of land would be around $12 - $300 / year. (Yes, you read that right.)
The amount you have to pay for property or real estate tax in Belize is extremely low, which makes the overall cost of owning real estate much lower in Belize than in other countries or jurisdictions. For example, the property tax on a US $200,000 plot of land would be around $12 - $300 / year. (Yes, you read that right.)
What are the best places in the world to retire? The answer to this question will obviously be different for each individual, so I'll just give you my own answer - make of it what you will.
For now, I have chosen to spend my time in beautiful Bocas del Toro on the sunny Caribbean coast of Panama. Take a look at the picture on the right, which shows Starfish Beach, a short bus or boat ride from Bocas Town. That might give you some suggestion as to why you...
What are the best places in the world to retire? The answer to this question will obviously be different for each individual, so I'll just give you my own answer - make of it what you will.
For now, I have chosen to spend my time in beautiful Bocas del Toro on the sunny Caribbean coast of Panama. Take a look at the picture on the right, which shows Starfish Beach, a short bus or boat ride from Bocas Town. That might give you some suggestion as to why you might consider Bocas as a possible retirement location.
I'm not sure that I can actually classify myself as retired, but I haven't done a stroke of paid work for anybody else for over five years now, and that's how I'd like it to stay. I'm a writer, and I wrote my second book right here in paradise. Now that certainly beats some writing in some chilly flat in wintry London, fingers gloved to keep them warm.
Bocas del Toro offers a cheap alternative to the rat-race, a place where the cost of living can be very low, but the quality of life disproportionately high.
The best things about living here?
1). The people - both the expat community and the local populace are wonderful people to spend time with. This place seems to draw interesting, and sometimes slightly eccentric people.
2). The weather - it can rain quite a bit, which is a good thing if you are off-grid and rely on rainwater collection. But when the sun comes out, which it does often, and there is no wind, the lagoon is so beautiful.
3). Wonderful restaurants - away from town, down in the lagoons there are some hidden gems which offer wonderful social scenes, awesome views and great food.
4). Dolphins - I live just outside Dolphin Bay, and when out and about in the boat it is rare not to see at least a couple of dolphins. They always brighten your day.
5). Swimming and snorkelling - I can do both right from my dock.
6). Clothing choice - one of my favourite things is that here the temperature is pretty constant. When you get up in a morning there is no clothing dilemmas:
"Will I take a jacket?"
"What shoes should I wear?"
You can be pretty sure that shorts, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops cover all occasions.
I could go on, but instead I'll just suggest that you really need to come and take a look at this special place for yourself.
I have lived in Nicaragua for 17 years and during this time I have had arthroscopic knee surgery due to running cross country for many years. The surgery was very well done and one tenth of the cost in the USA. I continue to run with no further problems.
I also had multi focal lens implants a few years ago at 30% of the USA costs and my eye sight improved so much that I no longer need to wear glasses.
In Nicaragua there are very...
I have lived in Nicaragua for 17 years and during this time I have had arthroscopic knee surgery due to running cross country for many years. The surgery was very well done and one tenth of the cost in the USA. I continue to run with no further problems.
I also had multi focal lens implants a few years ago at 30% of the USA costs and my eye sight improved so much that I no longer need to wear glasses.
In Nicaragua there are very highly trained doctors with modern equipment and the majority speak English as well. I have seen more and more North Americans coming to Nicaragua for medical care and be very satisfied with the care and results.
To drive in Portugal, do I need Portugal automobile insurance?
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
Under Portuguese law, each car needs to have a third party’s liability insurance to cover the damages that you may cause to other people in case of an accident. All risks insurance is also possible and common although not mandatory. Please note that these insurances relate to each car and not to the driver.
(Mazda 818 in Portugal, pictured.)
Under Portuguese law, each car needs to have a third party’s liability insurance to cover the damages that you may cause to other people in case of an accident. All risks insurance is also possible and common although not mandatory. Please note that these insurances relate to each car and not to the driver.
Georgina Chanapi - Lucero Homes Golf & Country Club
I don’t know a lot about the history of Boquete because I am not from here but I know that it was a poor agricultural area where not many people wanted to live. Then, people from other countries saw some potential in Boquete. They knew that Boquete could be more than what it was and that they could help the residents and the community.
Boquete is a very productive area so many expats decided to build their companies here. These expats loved the...
I don’t know a lot about the history of Boquete because I am not from here but I know that it was a poor agricultural area where not many people wanted to live. Then, people from other countries saw some potential in Boquete. They knew that Boquete could be more than what it was and that they could help the residents and the community.
Boquete is a very productive area so many expats decided to build their companies here. These expats loved the climate of Boquete, they found out about the coffee, and they found Boquete to be a good place for business. Boquete is still a coffee-growing area but now we have many other businesses that are thriving here.
The expats started coming around the 1990s. The first expats who moved here were not Americans or Canadians; they were mostly Europeans. Later on, Boquete became a well-known and popular expat destination for North Americans. Now, around 15% of the population of Boquete is composed of expats.
Many Panamanians have also decided to move to Boquete because of the jobs that the expats created. Panamanians who live in Boquete are used to conversing with expats every day. They know how to speak English. English is very important here in Boquete. If you don’t know how to speak English, you wouldn’t find a job. Or you might find a job but not a high-paying one. Most businesses need their staff to speak English because their clientele are mostly expats who live here in Boquete. We have a lot of restaurants here in Boquete and most expats like going to restaurants so the restaurant staff should be able to speak English.
(Roasting coffee at Finca Dos Jefes in Boquete, Panama, pictured.)
I have lived in four countries, Spain, Ireland, United States and Panama. My advice when moving abroad is to make sure you can adjust your self to the new culture and traditions of the country you are going to live in. Do some research, learn about the customs and traditions. Be open minded, be prepared to learn new things. Be positive, I strongly recommend you to mingle with the locals.
Flash back to 8 years ago, when I visited Panama (from Mexico where I was living) to attend an International Living Conference. Panama was on my radar big time, as an international investor. The prices, cost of living, ease of doing business, resident visa programs... every box was checked. While I didn’t plan on living in Panama, I was keen to add to my investment portfolio, purchase and furnish a property and set it up for short-term vacation rentals as I do with all my properties. I...
For 65 million years, the world has changed, and those in the human race interacted with one another. People change where they live for convenience, and most of all, for personal choices, and to seek happiness and quality of life.
From personal experience, after having been an expat in the US for 23 years myself, I can surely and candidly say that moving to a different country which brings you their best and opens their doors for you is a gift. Not everyone can...
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To get a housekeeper in Chapala and Ajijic, it costs 250 pesos (US $12), which a reasonable payment for a housekeeper to clean your place for 4-6 hours. That’s standard. They usually charge Americans 50 pesos (US $2.41) an hour. 
Under Portuguese law, each car needs to have a third party’s liability insurance to cover the damages that you may cause to other people in case of an accident. All risks insurance is also possible and common although not mandatory. Please note that these insurances relate to each car and not to the driver. 
I don’t know a lot about the history of Boquete because I am not from here but I know that it was a poor agricultural area where not many people wanted to live. Then, people from other countries saw some potential in Boquete. They knew that Boquete could be more than what it was and that they could help the residents and the community. 
.jpg)
Flash back to 8 years ago, when I visited Panama (from Mexico where I was living) to attend an International Living Conference. Panama was on my radar big time, as an international investor. The prices, cost of living, ease of doing business, resident visa programs... every box was checked. While I didn’t plan on living in Panama, I was keen to add to my investment portfolio, purchase and furnish a property and set it up for short-term vacation rentals as I do with all my properties. I...
