Best Places In The World To Retire

I saw some apartments in Puerto Vallarta for around US $300 for a 1-bedroom with a bath and a kitchen. Or, you could go to the other extreme by renting an apartment for $2,000 a month.
 
Some of the rental prices are higher because there are so many snowbirds.  As a result, a lot of the apartments sit empty or they’re just for vacation rentals, so sometimes it’s hard to find a long-term rental because units have been rented out for the high season and...

I saw some apartments in Puerto Vallarta for around US $300 for a 1-bedroom with a bath and a kitchen. Or, you could go to the other extreme by renting an apartment for $2,000 a month.
 
Some of the rental prices are higher because there are so many snowbirds.  As a result, a lot of the apartments sit empty or they’re just for vacation rentals, so sometimes it’s hard to find a long-term rental because units have been rented out for the high season and they’re only available for rent during the low season. 
 
Our rental contract is for 12 months, which was difficult to find. Some of the ones that we really liked weren’t available except for just in the low season. And the price goes up in the high season. The price for a 12 month contract is roughly an average between low season rent and the high season rent. So for the same unit you might rent it during the low season for $800 a month but in the high season it would cost you $2,000 a month. 
 
Our furnished, 1,400 square foot apartment cost us $1,000 per month for the whole year We’re six blocks up the hill from the beach with a view that looks down at the bay and the sunset. It’s right in the middle of town so that I can walk anywhere.  It’s in a nice part of Puerto Vallarta, but not the nicest part.   The nicest part and the part that I really wanted to be in was the romantic zone. But I just couldn’t find anything there that would be available at the cost we wanted.
 
Our cost per month includes Internet service and gas but it does not include electric. Electric is very expensive and so in Puerto Vallarta in particular they have these what they call split air conditioner units. There’s a unit in each of the bedrooms so that you only cool the room that you’re in. The main part of the house is not air conditioned because there’s a nice breeze coming up from the water all the time.  

 

(Apartments that look over the beach, Puerto Vallarta,  Mexico, picture.)

Panama is known to have a considerable amount of active faults, and tremors can be common. While there is a risk of earthquakes, it is rare that they cause major destruction or casualties.

Panama is known to have a considerable amount of active faults, and tremors can be common. While there is a risk of earthquakes, it is rare that they cause major destruction or casualties.

By USA law, Medicare is not applicable outside the borders of the states.  But there are many expats who use Medicare as a secondary alternative to healthcare in Nicaragua.  Many people who live here in Nicaragua have their Medicare deducted from their Social Security, and then go back to use their personal doctor in case of dire emergency.

 

My personal insurance is covered for major medical from the Vivian Pellas Metropolitano Hospital, one...

By USA law, Medicare is not applicable outside the borders of the states.  But there are many expats who use Medicare as a secondary alternative to healthcare in Nicaragua.  Many people who live here in Nicaragua have their Medicare deducted from their Social Security, and then go back to use their personal doctor in case of dire emergency.

 

My personal insurance is covered for major medical from the Vivian Pellas Metropolitano Hospital, one of the accredited hospitals in Central America.  Most doctors are bilingual, and have been trained on the newest equipment and many in the United States. 

The difference between citizenship and residency is the rights that you have. If you are a citizen of Nicaragua, then you have additional rights as compared to someone who is just a resident. For example, as a citizen of Nicaragua, you are able to vote.

The difference between citizenship and residency is the rights that you have. If you are a citizen of Nicaragua, then you have additional rights as compared to someone who is just a resident. For example, as a citizen of Nicaragua, you are able to vote.

One of the best reasons to retire in Portugal is the safety. Where I live here in Portugal, I can go to the café or to the supermarket around the corner and I don’t have to lock my front door. The neighbors know each other and if anything happens, everybody watches for each other. In contrast, in England, everybody keeps to themselves. They don’t trust anybody because of the crime. We don’t have that here in Portugal because you know your neighbors. In England, you...

One of the best reasons to retire in Portugal is the safety. Where I live here in Portugal, I can go to the café or to the supermarket around the corner and I don’t have to lock my front door. The neighbors know each other and if anything happens, everybody watches for each other. In contrast, in England, everybody keeps to themselves. They don’t trust anybody because of the crime. We don’t have that here in Portugal because you know your neighbors. In England, you can live on the same street and not know your neighbor next door. 
 
Another good reason to retire in Portugal is the lower cost of living. My daughter lives in England but she comes here four times a year and she is constantly amazed by the prices here in Portugal. It’s very cheap.
 
The quality and taste of food in Portugal is another factor for retiring here. Food here has a flavor. We have very good cuisine. The fish is unbelievable. Meat is very good as well. You only need to You just haves to know where to buy your food. Once you know that, you will have food that is very tasty. 
 
Healthcare in Portugal is good. I would recommend the private health system here in Portugal because of the good quality and fast service. Relative to the US, healthcare I Portugal is extremely inexpensive and it’s possible to get insurance for a couple in good health, without pre-existing conditions for around €60 to €100 (US $65 or £44 to US $109 or £73) a month. If you have insurance and you go to see a doctor, it would cost €30 to €40 (US $33 or £22 to $44 or £29).
 
The weather is great in Portugal. During December, we have sunshine and the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). That is winter, so it’s great. We are not on the Mediterranean but we are by the Atlantic Ocean so we have mild temperatures. We don’t get snow or frost. In the winter, the temperature goes down to about 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 Fahrenheit).
 
The lifestyle here in Portugal is very nice as well. People are very friendly. There are a lot of outdoor activities so you don’t spend too much time at home. You can definitely keep yourself busy by going to the beach, golfing, horseback riding, playing water sports, etc.  
 
So to me, those are the best reasons to retire in Portugal; the safety, everything being cheaper here, the food, healthcare, great weather, and the wine. What else do you want in life?