Best Places In The World To Retire

One of the worst reasons to retire to Mexico is expecting Mexico to be exactly like Canada or the US. That’s one of the reasons why sometimes things may not work out for some people when they move to Mexico. We have to understand that Mexico is a different country, that Mexicans have a different culture- a beautiful culture-- and that we need to learn to adapt. A lot of people come to Mexico and want to change everything, but that’s not going to happen. 

One of the worst reasons to retire to Mexico is expecting Mexico to be exactly like Canada or the US. That’s one of the reasons why sometimes things may not work out for some people when they move to Mexico. We have to understand that Mexico is a different country, that Mexicans have a different culture- a beautiful culture-- and that we need to learn to adapt. A lot of people come to Mexico and want to change everything, but that’s not going to happen. 

 

There are people who are forced to retire to Mexico because they don’t have enough money for a retirement in Canada or in the US. Sometimes, the pension that the residents of Canada and the United States receive is so small that they can barely survive in Canada or in the US. The solution that some people find is coming to Mexico. They come to Mexico to find a better lifestyle but don’t want to adjust to the Mexican culture. That has a big impact on some people. 

 

In addition, retiring to Mexico without the willingness to adapt to its beautiful culture and people is also one of the worst reasons to retire to Mexico. Here in Mexico, everything is lovely, but if you don’t want that, then you’re not going to be happy.  

 

(Outside of a typical small store in Mexico, pictured.)

Party hearty Sun - Worshippers and Scuba Divers usually migrate to Ambergris Caye – for some of the best diving in the world. Those with a little less interest in getting popped off by someone driving a golf cart on Ambergris Caye, head to slower and sleepier Caye Caulker. Toledo seems to attract the more intrepid and iconoclastic expat – not cut out of any mold. Toledo is often referred to as “the forgotten district of Belize.” Corozal attracts a lot of...

Party hearty Sun - Worshippers and Scuba Divers usually migrate to Ambergris Caye – for some of the best diving in the world. Those with a little less interest in getting popped off by someone driving a golf cart on Ambergris Caye, head to slower and sleepier Caye Caulker. Toledo seems to attract the more intrepid and iconoclastic expat – not cut out of any mold. Toledo is often referred to as “the forgotten district of Belize.” Corozal attracts a lot of retirees and "Walmartians" – as they can deke [ice hockey term] across the border to Chetumal, Mexico for their Big-Box fix. Placencia attracts mariners and salty dogs; Placencia is the Sailing Capital of Belize with a deep water access marina. Anyone worth their salt or due diligence avoids Belize City.

 

Cayo is the choice for many people who enjoy:

My children describe driving in Panama City as being in a video game! It seems that most of the traffic signals here in Panama such as stop, yield, etc., are merely suggestions and not necessarily a rule of law. People do generally respect streetlights so they will stop at a red light but everything else is fair game.

 

Driving in Panama can be a little bit hectic but at the same time, the movement of the cars is fluid. There are traffic jams in rush hour...

My children describe driving in Panama City as being in a video game! It seems that most of the traffic signals here in Panama such as stop, yield, etc., are merely suggestions and not necessarily a rule of law. People do generally respect streetlights so they will stop at a red light but everything else is fair game.

 

Driving in Panama can be a little bit hectic but at the same time, the movement of the cars is fluid. There are traffic jams in rush hour that are exacerbated by afternoon rains during the rainy season but for the most part, driving is described by some people as a contact sport. It’s a little bit crazy but it is something you would definitely get used to if you do need to get a car and move yourself on your own.

 

Once you get out of Panama City, there is typically less traffic. There are fewer roads. People are more respectful of traffic signals, so it is a whole different story once you are outside of the city, itself. Panama City is just so congested. Most jobs are in the city so there are lots of people who travel from the outskirts and the suburban parts of the city into the center of the city during their workdays.

 

The traffic congestion here in Panama City is different from the traffic congestion in Miami, even though Miami is also congested. There are major highways that are backed up in Miami. In Panama, distances in the city are generally short, whereas a typical commute in Miami could be 30 to 40 miles each way and it could take you an hour to get to your destination, depending on traffic. Here in Panama everything is much closer but you do have to leave some time for fender benders and accidents and general congestion as a whole. It is different because congestion is generally on the side streets and small streets here in Panama, whereas traffic jams in Miami are on the major highways.  

 

(Side street in Panama City, Panama, pictured.)