What are the main cities, towns, communities and developments of the Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico area and what is each one like?
Chuck Bolotin - Best Mexico Movers
The relevant, overall Lake Chapala area has about 120,000 total residents, 85% or more of whom are Mexican. Although Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico, the areas most expats are interested in, from Jocotepec to the town of Chapala, is only about 30 kilometers (18 miles) apart. Locals will call this area “Lakeside”. Lakeside is located on the far northwest side of the lake. Sprinkled among the areas I describe below are lots of smaller housing...
The relevant, overall Lake Chapala area has about 120,000 total residents, 85% or more of whom are Mexican. Although Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico, the areas most expats are interested in, from Jocotepec to the town of Chapala, is only about 30 kilometers (18 miles) apart. Locals will call this area “Lakeside”. Lakeside is located on the far northwest side of the lake. Sprinkled among the areas I describe below are lots of smaller housing developments, some on the lake, and some in the mountains. Some of these houses are weekend houses for wealthy Guadalajarans, some are used part of the year by expat snowbirds or sweatbirds, and some are full time residences. We'll travel west to east.
Jocotepec (story about Jocotepec here) is a town centered around providing services to the farms surrounding it. Other than the town of Chapala, it would probably be the most inhabited area at Lakeside. As a percentage, there are very few expats living in Jocotepec, but there are some. Jocotepec has a beautiful malecon (boardwalk along the beach), and a very nice, vibrant, good-sized plaza with a mercado (central market) with lots of fresh fruit and vegetable stores, butchers and general food stores. It also has lots of clothing stores and a good amount of restaurants specializing in the food Jocotepec is famous for (other than its fresh berries, just picked fresh from the surrounding fields): birria, which is a spicy stew usually made of goat, which is the real deal. The retail will cater to the local clientele, which are local residents and vacationing people from Guadalajara.
San Juan Cosala. There are very few expats in the actual town of San Juan Cosala, which is almost entirely comprised of working class local Mexicans. In the hills above San Juan Cosala, however, there are several fraccionamientos (housing developments) where lots of expats live, in houses that can range from simple two bedroom, to 6,000 square foot mansions and more. There are several hotels and spas featuring the natural hot springs, which brings in visitors from throughout Mexico. Just adjacent to San Juan Cosala are about a dozen restaurants on the lake, collectively called the “Touristic Zone”.
Ajijic. The center of Ajijic contains the plaza and the town. Here you will find narrow, cobblestone streets, lots of expats and lots of restaurants and other amenities to serve the expats. (Stories about Ajijic start here.) You can get by with zero Spanish and live quite easily. The center of Ajijic is only six very short blocks from the main road to the lake. In concentric circles radiating out from Ajijic, you will get successively less noise, culture, amenities, and prices. In my view, Ajijic has the best expat center I’ve ever even read about, the Lake Chapala Society (Lake Chapala Society story here), and classes, groups, organizations, etc., to suit any reasonable needs. Ajijic is very welcoming and has great community. Towards the eastern edge of Ajijic, you will find La Floresta, which has wider streets, more spacious homes, and a feel from 1960s US suburbia, Mexican style. At the very east edge of La Floresta is Wal-Mart, which faces the Libramiento (the main north-south road leading towards Guadalajara).
Communities around the Libramiento. Essentially bisecting the east-west road of Lakeside is the Libramiento, which would in 40 minutes or so, take you to the Guadalajara airport. The Libramiento rises up and over the mountains. On the lakeside portion, you will find several communities, some brand new with spectacular homes and some that have been around for many decades, many with great mountain views.
San Antonio. Just to the east of Wal-mart is the vibrant expat community of San Antonio, which is similar to Ajijic in many respects, but for slightly less money and with slightly less amenities. There are, however, lots of restaurants, a butcher, a store to buy fish, and a supermarket catering specifically to expats, all right on the main road.
Chula Vista / Riberas. Upper (mountainside) Chula Vista has a nice golf course, with lots of nice houses surrounding it, some with spectacular views. Lower Chula Vista (on the lake side, across the main road) is much less pricey and has fewer amenities than San Antonio.
Chapala. The main road from Jocotepec essentially stops in downtown Chapala, where it intersects into a large, tree-lined boulevard with two lanes going in each direction, north and south. There are several larger, historic buildings, a permanent, large outdoor retail area, lots of Mexican restaurants, a yacht club and a long malecon. There aren’t a lot of expats in Chapala, but there are a few. Like Jocotepec, it is mainly Mexican, with Mexican amenities. Especially on the weekends, there are lots of Guadalajarans visiting.
How much does it cost for a housekeeper or maid in Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan?
Leon Hooker
The average cost for a housekeeper in San Ignacio where I have made some enquiries is about 5$ BZ (US $2.50) per hour so 25$ BZ (US $12.50) for a 5 hour day. Some employers pay Social Security benefits or may pay for transportation, probably by bus and often lunch or breakfast may be supplied.
There are many possible arrangements including live in housekeepers or a small house on the property. There are also people who can be hired for...
The average cost for a housekeeper in San Ignacio where I have made some enquiries is about 5$ BZ (US $2.50) per hour so 25$ BZ (US $12.50) for a 5 hour day. Some employers pay Social Security benefits or may pay for transportation, probably by bus and often lunch or breakfast may be supplied.
There are many possible arrangements including live in housekeepers or a small house on the property. There are also people who can be hired for personal care of an injured person or older people with mobility limitations or dementia. All of these arrangements are subject to negotiation. Of course 8 hr days are possible for similar rates.
Many homeowners have someone in for one, two or three days a week. Often the problem is to find someone who is reliable and honest. Belize depends on word of mouth to make contact with suitable people so many people make recommendations so screening or trial periods are often necessary. Another consideration is that 5$ BZ is a very minimal wage and often employers feel the need to pay more just to feel fair to a person who becomes a friend or like a family member.
(Pictured: Home in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize.)
In general, how does the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) affect me if I move overseas?
John Ohe - Hola Expat Tax Services
The United States has a highly stringent policy when it comes to the taxation of its citizens and permanent residents (i.e., those with a green card). The US government taxes all of its citizens based on worldwide income, which means it does not matter where the money is earned.
US persons (including entities) with an interest or signature authority over foreign financial accounts that have an aggregate balance exceeding $10,000 are required to file...
The United States has a highly stringent policy when it comes to the taxation of its citizens and permanent residents (i.e., those with a green card). The US government taxes all of its citizens based on worldwide income, which means it does not matter where the money is earned.
US persons (including entities) with an interest or signature authority over foreign financial accounts that have an aggregate balance exceeding $10,000 are required to file the FBAR (FinCen 114). The FBAR is separate requirement from your tax return, and failure to file the FBAR carries hefty penalties. With the implementation of FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), foreign financial institutions are providing the IRS with the details of foreign financial accounts held by US persons. As a result, non-reporting is an increasingly risky proposition.
Foreign financial accounts include: bank accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, annuities, life insurance policies with cash value, and indirect interests in financial accounts through a foreign entity (if >50% ownership).
Does Portugal have any special retirement program or retirement benefits?
Duncan MacGregor - Duncan MacGregor Accounting
The Portuguese government introduced the Non-Habitual Resident Scheme in 2009, which has only really taken off since 2011. It is designed to attract retirees from other countries to come and retire in Portugal. Under this scheme, for 10 years retirees from other countries will not have to pay any Portuguese income tax on their pension. If one’s pension is tax-free in the country from where it is sourced if the retiree lives abroad, then a retiree can move to Portugal and...
The Portuguese government introduced the Non-Habitual Resident Scheme in 2009, which has only really taken off since 2011. It is designed to attract retirees from other countries to come and retire in Portugal. Under this scheme, for 10 years retirees from other countries will not have to pay any Portuguese income tax on their pension. If one’s pension is tax-free in the country from where it is sourced if the retiree lives abroad, then a retiree can move to Portugal and pay no tax on his pension, either here in Portugal or in their home country, for a period of 10 years.
That is the only retirement program here in Portugal. If you live here in Portugal, you work here, and then you retire, you get no pension relief at all. Pensions are taxed just like salaries here in Portugal. If you are not qualified under the Non-Habitual Resident Scheme then you don’t get any tax benefit at all.
To qualify for the Non-Habitual Resident Scheme, one has to move here to Portugal and be a tax resident by renting or buying a property. Then he can apply to benefit from this program. For example, you are from the UK and you move to Portugal, you qualify as a tax resident of Portugal for the Non-Habitual Resident Scheme. The UK will no longer tax your pension because you are already living in Portugal and under the Non-Habitual Resident Scheme, Portugal will not tax your pension either for a period of 10 years. However, this rule doesn’t apply if you are on a civil servant pension because that continues to be taxable in the UK. The Non-Habitual Resident Scheme applies to private pensions.
(In the town of São João Arga de, Portugal, pictured.)
What is the typical Nicaragua church like? What is the religion of Nicaragua?
Darrell Bushnell
There are changes in religion, even here in Nicaragua.
Most people would say that the vast majority of the people in Nicaragua are Catholic, but the statistics show that Evangelicals are gaining very quickly and some stats report that the Catholics are less than 50% now.
The Catholic Church is very, very prominently involved here in the day-to-day activities. They have a lot of schools, and I would say they’re even...
There are changes in religion, even here in Nicaragua.
Most people would say that the vast majority of the people in Nicaragua are Catholic, but the statistics show that Evangelicals are gaining very quickly and some stats report that the Catholics are less than 50% now.
The Catholic Church is very, very prominently involved here in the day-to-day activities. They have a lot of schools, and I would say they’re even involved in the government quite a bit.
But it’s just like the States. A lot of people would say they’re Christian or something else, but the reality is there aren’t many people who are going to regular church services as much as they used to. We’re seeing the same thing down here. Christmas and Easter are big but other times fewer and fewer people seem to attend church.
(Emblem for the Nicaragua Christian Academy, pictured.)
Panama has many wonderful retirement benefits. One particular type of retirement visa is called the "Pensionado Visa". With this visa a person will receive discounts for medical, dental, medicine, movies, restaurants and even airfare within Panama and when flying out of Panama. The Pensionado Visa will also allow 50% discounts at hotels during weekdays and 30% discounts on the weekends.
There are special lines at the banks, electric...
Panama has many wonderful retirement benefits. One particular type of retirement visa is called the "Pensionado Visa". With this visa a person will receive discounts for medical, dental, medicine, movies, restaurants and even airfare within Panama and when flying out of Panama. The Pensionado Visa will also allow 50% discounts at hotels during weekdays and 30% discounts on the weekends.
There are special lines at the banks, electric companies, supermarkets and other stores that allow Pensionados to get to the front of the line faster. 25% discount for electric bills for Pensionados (also called "Jubilados" - people over the age of 55 for women and 60 for men) Jubilados receive most of the same benefits I mentioned for Pensionados except age is the only requirement to receive the Jubilado discounts.
When you envision someone in December packing their van in the middle of a driving rain, what pops into your mind? Do you see a person in swimming trunks and sandals? Probably not, unless you had the same experience as us, as we got ready to leave Akumal. I just couldn’t think of a smarter way to do it. It was raining hard, it was warm, we needed to get going right away, and I needed something that would dry quickly and that I could easily change out of. ...
The care I received for my cardiac event at Medellin’s Pablo Tobón Uribe hospital was excellent, with world-class attention, state of the art equipment, and highly professional staff. Tobón Uribe is a Joint Commission accredited institution, ranked as one of the best hospitals in Latin America. Indeed, my only complaint concerning the four days I was embedded there was about the mediocre meals. Hospitals must have been in competition with the airlines for worst food, and the airlines...
In choosing a destination to retire in the near future, I wanted to check out Playa Coronado, Panama. All the information I could find said this would be a great place for Expats.
We chose to stay at a 23 story condo building with three pools, bar up on the top deck, parking included, security, etc. Sounded perfect. It does have a great view of the ocean and mountains. We arrived on the tail end of the dry season, April. The...
The relevant, overall Lake Chapala area has about 120,000 total residents, 85% or more of whom are Mexican. Although Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico, the areas most expats are interested in, from Jocotepec to the town of Chapala, is only about 30 kilometers (18 miles) apart. Locals will call this area “Lakeside”. Lakeside is located on the far northwest side of the lake. Sprinkled among the areas I describe below are lots of smaller housing....png)
The average cost for a housekeeper in San Ignacio where I have made some enquiries is about 5$ BZ (US $2.50) per hour so 25$ BZ (US $12.50) for a 5 hour day. Some employers pay Social Security benefits or may pay for transportation, probably by bus and often lunch or breakfast may be supplied. 
The United States has a highly stringent policy when it comes to the taxation of its citizens and permanent residents (i.e., those with a green card). The US government taxes all of its citizens based on worldwide income, which means it does not matter where the money is earned. 
The Portuguese government introduced the Non-Habitual Resident Scheme in 2009, which has only really taken off since 2011. It is designed to attract retirees from other countries to come and retire in Portugal. Under this scheme, for 10 years retirees from other countries will not have to pay any Portuguese income tax on their pension. If one’s pension is tax-free in the country from where it is sourced if the retiree lives abroad, then a retiree can move to Portugal and...
There are changes in religion, even here in Nicaragua. 
When you envision someone in December packing their van in the middle of a driving rain, what pops into your mind? Do you see a person in swimming trunks and sandals? Probably not, unless you had the same experience as us, as we got ready to leave Akumal. I just couldn’t think of a smarter way to do it. It was raining hard, it was warm, we needed to get going right away, and I needed something that would dry quickly and that I could easily change out of. ...
The care I received for my cardiac event at Medellin’s Pablo Tobón Uribe hospital was excellent, with world-class attention, state of the art equipment, and highly professional staff. Tobón Uribe is a Joint Commission accredited institution, ranked as one of the best hospitals in Latin America. Indeed, my only complaint concerning the four days I was embedded there was about the mediocre meals. Hospitals must have been in competition with the airlines for worst food, and the airlines...
In choosing a destination to retire in the near future, I wanted to check out Playa Coronado, Panama. All the information I could find said this would be a great place for Expats.