Best Places In The World To Retire

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Recently Answered Questions

What is Mexico’s economic system? More free market, capitalistic, socialist, etc.?

David Schwendeman - Mexlend

Pastries being baked in a traditional oven, Mexico – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The economic system in Mexico is a little bit different than in the US and in Canada and it continues to evolve. The law in Mexico is based primarily on Napoleonic law rather than the Civil Law, of the US. I can’t speak to the economic system or the legal Canada so much because I’m from the US, but I believe the US and Canada might be more similar than the US and Mexico or Canada and Mexico.

Mexico is getting more and more capitalistic....

Mexico is getting more and more capitalistic. When we first moved here, there was considerable talk about the disparity between the lower classes and the upper classes and there wasn’t that much of a middle class. Now the middle class is expanding rapidly in Mexico. There’s so much entrepreneurialism! You’re seeing lots of people opening businesses; anything from small Laundromats to artisinal bakeries to little bars and restaurants to financial services and shipping. And this is not just in the resort areas; the growth is palpable in urban areas as well. It’s a very, very exciting time in Mexico to see more and more people self-starting and experiencing the fulfillment and standard of living associated with owning and operating a business.

Entrepreneurialism is being encouraged and nurtured by the government and by the banks. You’re seeing personal loans and business loans being granted on levels that didn’t happen before. It’s a really exciting time to be here as you see society embracing opportunity that maybe we didn’t see so much of 10 or 15 years ago.

I believe that some of the reasons things have changed in Mexico is on account of the age of information that we live in; the Internet and media. With information comes knowledge. People can see opportunity —and this is not just for Mexico - this is all over the world. Folks can envision what they might achieve if they take steps A, B, and C . . . leading them to success. In the past, when someone wasn’t aware of what they could have or what they could accomplish then they weren’t necessarily going to take the steps to do it. But when you see great accomplishments being made in the world – you get motivated.

Also, the availability of credit is changing across the board in Mexico. Just 10 or 15 years ago hardly anyone had a credit card, and mortgages were pretty much unheard of. Today, nearly everyone has a credit card. Car loans are available and they’re getting more attractive in terms of the interest rates. Ten to 15 years ago, perhaps 1 or 2% of the population would have had a home mortgage. Now we’re up to about 15% of the population.

It’s no secret that Mexico has had issues with its banking industry at several different times, with peso devaluations, etc. As the peso stabilized, the banking industry had a lot of work to do to gain the trust of the Mexican population. Now, we see the results of those efforts. We see people using banks and leverage, we see credit offered through a variety of sources, and you see the concept of leverage catching on whereas previously it was looked at as something to be wary of.

(Pastries being baked in a traditional oven, Sonora, Mexico, pictured.)

What’s the crime rate against Americans, British, and other expats in Portugal?

Duncan MacGregor - Duncan MacGregor Accounting

Avenida Diana Spencer ,Cascais, Portugal – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The crime rate in Portugal is probably the lowest in the world. Whatever crime exists in Portugal is mostly petty crime or drug-related. Some guy would break the window of a car to take a bag or whatever valuable thing he could find, for example, or some guys would break into a house and go after the TV of a Hi-Fi system. Most of the crimes here are non-violent crimes and more of petty crimes.

I live in Cascais (a high end area about 30 minutes west...

How good are the medical centers, hospitals and health clinics in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco, and how close are they?

Gonzalo de la Guardia - Panasurance

There is a Social Security Hospital in San Francisco, an section of Panama City, Panama, and several private clinics. San Francisco is close, 10 minutes away, from the two major private hospitals in Panama City: Hospital Punta Pacifica and Hospital Paitilla. San Francisco is a wonderful community with easy access to medical facilities.

What's it like to live in Nicaragua?

John-Marc Gallagher - GPS Real Estate

Many of the comforts of home are available here in Nicaragua, although, you have to make some adjustments. For instance, in the US, I don’t know too many homes that don’t have an electric dish washer. Here in Nicaragua, I can count on one hand the number of people I know have a built-in automatic dishwasher. Dishwashers are not common here because parts are impossible to get so if something breaks you cannot get it fixed. This is similar to the situation with...

How much does it cost for a gardener in Corozal?

Grant D'Eall

Belize City neighborhood, Belize – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

The minimum wage here in Belize is about US $2.50 per hour, so if you have any kind of laborer that you need for the day, the most you will pay is about $50 Belize or US $25 per day.

When I was in Belize City, there was a lady who cleaned my house for me. It was a four-bedroom home with a kitchen and living room, and she cleaned it from top to bottom. She did my laundry, ironed my clothes, hung them up, made the bed, and she even prepared my meal for...

What are the best places to live in the world?

Ross - Abroad We Go

Castle in Segovia, Spain – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

For me, Spain would be one of the best places in the world to live. I love Spain. The cost of living in Spain is less expensive than most of Europe, the people are great, very fun and lively, and the climate is terrific. In Spain, there’s so much to see if you’re interested in castles and medieval history, beaches, and beautiful mountains. The food in Spain is also great. Overall, I find the people as one of the biggest draws to Spain.

The second best place in the...

Recently Posted Expat Stories

Never Say Never

Before we moved to Panama, we spent 18 months to 2 years researching where in the world we wanted to relocate to, Panama was not even on our radar!

We, like most people who relocate, had a long list of criteria, This list included things like: The county must have a growing economy (we were coming here to work and sadly couldn't afford to retire yet!), a good infrastructure, good education (we have school age children), good healthcare, good weather, including safe...

At a coffee farm in Boquete – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living

Last month while visiting and exploring Boquete Panama just happened to stumble upon a very interesting investment "Factional" Coffee Farm turnkey ownership. Just so happened we arrived the day before they were conducting a guided tour to their farms and processing plant in Boquete. We signed up and got a real education about how coffee is grown, produced, roasted and marketed plus got to taste some really excellent specialty coffees.

...

Change or Die

Hello folks. I wasn't sure where to post this, so many places I could have and not sure if I put it where the most people could read it and help them. But since El Valle is my town I posted it here. Maybe the people who run this site will see fit to place it where it belongs, on another page or in the trash.

My name is Mark. I moved to Panama 8 years ago. I used to write for International Living on their expat exchange site. I wrote over...

Best Places In The World To Retire

Recently Answered Questions

What is Mexico’s economic system? More free market, capitalistic, socialist, etc.?

What’s the crime rate against Americans, British, and other expats in Portugal?

How good are the medical centers, hospitals and health clinics in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco, and how close are they?

What's it like to live in Nicaragua?

How much does it cost for a gardener in Corozal?

What are the best places to live in the world?

Recently Posted Expat Stories

Never Say Never

Found & Capitalized on a Great Retirement Investment in Boquete Panama COFFEE FARM!!

Change or Die

Best Places In The World To Retire