Best Places In The World To Retire

Rafting is not great in the Algarve because there are not steep and fast flowing rivers here. Kayaking and canoeing, however, are good.

 

We have two, large navigable courses in Algarve, the Guadiana River on the border with Spain, which is the largest, and the Arade River, which comes down from the mountains and flows into the sea between Portimão and Ferragudo. Those are fantastic courses because they are quite flat and there are a number of courses along the...

Rafting is not great in the Algarve because there are not steep and fast flowing rivers here. Kayaking and canoeing, however, are good.

 

We have two, large navigable courses in Algarve, the Guadiana River on the border with Spain, which is the largest, and the Arade River, which comes down from the mountains and flows into the sea between Portimão and Ferragudo. Those are fantastic courses because they are quite flat and there are a number of courses along the shores where you can stop your car and load your canoe into the water and paddle from there and back. There are also a number of inlets, which allow you to do even more sheltered canoeing.

 

There is also a fantastic picnic spot, where there is a boat ramp called Sítio das Fontes, in municipality of Lagoa. This is a wonderful place to take your family out for a picnic and take your kayak or canoe and go out from there even with the youngsters so you could teach them to kayak or canoe for the first time. There is no difficulty or risk of being on a big river.

 

The Arade River, which is used for the canoeing and kayaking, is also used for jet skis. The daughter of an Italian family that settled in the Algarve was the world champion jet skier for I believe 3 years in a row and she trained on Arade River, so it is big enough for this kind of activity. In the estuary at Portimão, the World Series powerboat competition is held once a year. They come to Algarve every year and people come to the banks to see these very powerful boats on the edge as they drive around the estuary and the river.

 

In addition to the jet skiing, here is calm kayaking on these rivers. You will see the people paddling up and down from a number of the beaches such as the Batata Beach in Lagos, the Dona Ana Beach in Lagos as well, and others that often have kayaks for rent. On a calm day you can paddle along the coastline and go into the caves and onto the little inlets of the coast. 99% of all kayaking and paddling here in the Algarve is of the quiet type. 

 

There is also some kayaking on the southeast of the Algarve, but strangely enough, not as much as in other areas. The reason is that the whole estuary area called Ria de Tavira, which has low lying islands, sand banks, and the like, is very large and the distances are quite great. You would find that most of the people who explore the river in this area do so in small, motorized boats.

 

(Sítio das Fontes, Portugal,  pictured.)

You can see beautiful flowers, plants, and trees in Placencia-- they are everywhere. Hibiscus is really prominent. Bougainvillea is extremely prominent. There are all kinds of vines that I don't necessarily know the names of; beautiful purple and yellow flowers, just vines covering buildings if they allow it to happen.
 
The one thing I would like people to know about Placencia in general is that when we're looking at all these exotic and beautiful things, it's also very,...

You can see beautiful flowers, plants, and trees in Placencia-- they are everywhere. Hibiscus is really prominent. Bougainvillea is extremely prominent. There are all kinds of vines that I don't necessarily know the names of; beautiful purple and yellow flowers, just vines covering buildings if they allow it to happen.
 
The one thing I would like people to know about Placencia in general is that when we're looking at all these exotic and beautiful things, it's also very, very, basic at the same time. The natural side of the beauty of the village coexists with some very basic elements of a very basic living lifestyle for most of the Belizeans.

 

(Belizean flowers: pink bougainvillea, yellow trumpet flowers and  yellow ixora chinensis, pictured.)

There are many good reasons for retiring overseas, and I'll address them elsewhere in another answer. The worst reasons? I have a list of some things to consider:-

 

1). Don't head overseas just because you are running away from something!

 

It is no good going overseas to retire just because you don't want to be where you are now. You have to do your research, and have to really want to live in the place you decide to retire to.

...

There are many good reasons for retiring overseas, and I'll address them elsewhere in another answer. The worst reasons? I have a list of some things to consider:-

 

1). Don't head overseas just because you are running away from something!

 

It is no good going overseas to retire just because you don't want to be where you are now. You have to do your research, and have to really want to live in the place you decide to retire to.

 

2). Don't think it is going to be easy!

 

For reference, see the picture above. Wherever you go things are going to be different, and there will be challenges to face and hurdles to overcome. Maybe you won't have to rescue a boat from the seabed, but you will face challenges.

 

A new language to learn. New customs. Distance from friends and family.

 

3). Social circle.

 

You are more than likely going to move to a place where you know few, if any, people. You will have to develop a new social circle and support network in your new location. It's fun to do, but you will have to be prepared to make the effort to do so too.

 

4). Do your research!!

 

This is so important, and is what this website is all about. Make sure you are fully informed and fully prepared before you make the leap. The biggest mistake is not knowing what to expect, and therefore being completely unprepared.
 

Once you've done your research, and are confident you are ready for the challenges and adventure ahead, jump in with both feet. After all, life really is meant to be an adventure, isn't it?

 

Here's to a happy and fulfilling retirement.