Best Places In The World To Retire

Most of the doctors in Chapala and Ajijic did most of their training in Guadalajara, which is about 45 minutes away, and there are some American doctors here who have had training and worked in the States, but in order to practice here they have to have a Mexican degree. They have to do an internship here; otherwise, they cannot legally practice here in Mexico.
 
Most Mexican doctors go to the States periodically for ongoing training. The medical schools in Guadalajara teach in...

Most of the doctors in Chapala and Ajijic did most of their training in Guadalajara, which is about 45 minutes away, and there are some American doctors here who have had training and worked in the States, but in order to practice here they have to have a Mexican degree. They have to do an internship here; otherwise, they cannot legally practice here in Mexico.
 
Most Mexican doctors go to the States periodically for ongoing training. The medical schools in Guadalajara teach in English because that is the language used to explain the most up to date information.
 
All the doctors who speak English go to Houston or to California for their ongoing education, which most of them do on a regular basis, especially the ones who are working here with foreigners. There is one doctor in particular, Doctor Santiago, who is from Chicago, but did his medical education in Jalisco. Then he went back to the States and practiced medicine for a number of years and decided to relocate down here in Chapala. So he is an American who speaks both Spanish and English and who got his medical degree in Jalisco, so he is a legal doctor in Mexico. He is also a legal doctor in the States. There are a number of doctors who have the skills of Doctor Santiago who are practicing here in Chapala.

 

(American- trained doctor, Dr. Santiago Hernandez at the MEXPAT mixer, Chapala Mexico, pictured.)

Belize City is not a safe place. I would not recommend spending time in the city, but once you are in the island of Ambergris Caye, yes, you are safe. All of the islands of Belize are safe to the extent that you do not leave yourself wide open.

 

You don't leave your Nikon camera on your golf cart seat and walk away because it’s not going to be there in half an hour (and it wouldn’t be there in Canada, either). You should not leave your Samsung smart...

Belize City is not a safe place. I would not recommend spending time in the city, but once you are in the island of Ambergris Caye, yes, you are safe. All of the islands of Belize are safe to the extent that you do not leave yourself wide open.

 

You don't leave your Nikon camera on your golf cart seat and walk away because it’s not going to be there in half an hour (and it wouldn’t be there in Canada, either). You should not leave your Samsung smart phone down on your towel, go for a swim, and expect it to be there. You might be able to do that in a resort compound with full staff and security, but most likely, there is a chance it might not be safe either because everybody passes through the beach. People need to be smart. They need to travel with sense above them, and if they do that, they will generally be fine.

The short answer is no, you cannot use Medicare here in Colombia. The long answer is beyond the scope of a response. International health care policies are a good option, but, as always, the fine print is your friend. For instance, many international policies will not insure you within a certain number of miles of your 'home address,' so don't let that codicil bite you. In our case, with a home address (for now) in Ohio, we can't use our policy within 100 miles of Columbus, so we...

The short answer is no, you cannot use Medicare here in Colombia. The long answer is beyond the scope of a response. International health care policies are a good option, but, as always, the fine print is your friend. For instance, many international policies will not insure you within a certain number of miles of your 'home address,' so don't let that codicil bite you. In our case, with a home address (for now) in Ohio, we can't use our policy within 100 miles of Columbus, so we must acquire an additional policy within that range (I know, it's nuts) or risk going uninsured.

 

The really good news about all this is that many health care systems abroad are much, much cheaper than that found in the U.S., for example, while retaining the quality found there--or exceeding it. My wife needed a full panel dental x-ray when we arrived in Medellin, and she received it in one hour, with no appointment, for about $6.00 US. (You read that right, no need to wipe your glasses.) No co-pay. No insurance interaction.

 

So one answer to the question is to acquire emergency or major medical coverage only, and pay out of pocket for the rest. Not exactly an answer to the original question about Medicare use, but an elaboration on options. Another item to consider is Tricare, if the retiree is eligible for military retirement bennies. Tricare can be used (I'm told) by paying for the expenses, then submitting paperwork to Tricare for reimbursement. Disclosure: I've not gone this route. I've only been told it's possible, so good luck.

 

(Photo: Medellin River, Christmas 2004.  Credit: By Aliman5040 - taken by Alejandra Zapata (my cousin), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikipedia.)

Mosquitos and other bugs (like chitras), are common in some areas of the city, especially in Costa del Este, El Valle or areas surrounded by vegetation, like Gamboa, or the "interior", pass by the Bridge of the Americas, like, but not limited to Howard.

 

The best month to avoid the interior is May, as that's when the rains begin.  But this problem is no more or less than every city around the world.  The jungles are different.  For example,...

Mosquitos and other bugs (like chitras), are common in some areas of the city, especially in Costa del Este, El Valle or areas surrounded by vegetation, like Gamboa, or the "interior", pass by the Bridge of the Americas, like, but not limited to Howard.

 

The best month to avoid the interior is May, as that's when the rains begin.  But this problem is no more or less than every city around the world.  The jungles are different.  For example, a very bad place for bugs is the jungle in Darien.

The standard of living in Managua, Nicaragua for an expat is very good. That said, adjusting to the extreme poverty, the heat, and some of the customs here can be a challenge. But on a purely cost of living basis, Managua is one of the best options for someone looking to live well on a limited budget. According to the cost of living comparison website, numbeo.com, Managua has an average monthly cost of living of $2,246.97 in Managua to maintain the same standard of life that you...

The standard of living in Managua, Nicaragua for an expat is very good. That said, adjusting to the extreme poverty, the heat, and some of the customs here can be a challenge. But on a purely cost of living basis, Managua is one of the best options for someone looking to live well on a limited budget. According to the cost of living comparison website, numbeo.com, Managua has an average monthly cost of living of $2,246.97 in Managua to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,200.00 in Panama City.

 

But cost alone does not include everything to consider in a discussion of standard of living. Managua offers a unique situation where, as the capital city, the biggest in Nicaragua, it has the most opportunities for diversion, entertainment, arts, sports, culture, dining, and shopping then anywhere else in Nicaragua. If you want to enjoy a lifestyle where almost everything is easily available at a good price, where a wide variety of activities can be enjoyed, and be able to afford to do it, Managua is a good option. 

 

For example, on Tuesdays movie tickets are half-price at the upscale shopping mall close to my Farmstay. Galerias de Santo Domingo also has a great sushi restaurant where during the weekdays, sushi rolls are 2 for 1. A wonderful daytime date with your sweetheart can be had for under $20! That is a great bargain, right?

 

Of course, if you are looking to lighten the housekeeping load, domestic employees are available for about $200 per month.

 

A driver can be hired for approximately $10 per hour if you do not want to drive or take local transportation.

 

The amount and variety of fresh fruit and vegetables is amazing in Managua. Going to the wholesale fruit and vegetable market on an early morning sojourn can be an exhilarating experience, not to mention tasty!

 

Another example of a great deal that shows what a nice lifestyle can be had in Managua is when I had guests who wanted to go to a baseball game to see the Managua Boers professional team at the national baseball stadium. When we arrived, the game had already started, but no worries, we got a great parking spot, and found out they had a great promotion that night. VIP seating, promotional dancing girls, and three Flor de Caña rum cocktails for 100 cordobas, or approximately $4 USD! 

 

Thanks for reading and I hope this helped answer your questions about the standard of living in Managua, Nicaragua.