Is the electricity reliable in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico? Are there blackouts or brownouts in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Juan Eufracio Marquez Flores - LM&A Immigration and Legal Services
Unless you live in a housing development that has underground utilities, there are blackouts and brownouts in the Chapala – Ajijic area. But if the transformer is maybe 100 meters and there’s a problem, regardless of where you live, you will be without electricity. Usually, if there’s a lot of wind and it’s raining, we have problems with electricity.
In the rainy season, the power may go out perhaps once a month. In the...
Unless you live in a housing development that has underground utilities, there are blackouts and brownouts in the Chapala – Ajijic area. But if the transformer is maybe 100 meters and there’s a problem, regardless of where you live, you will be without electricity. Usually, if there’s a lot of wind and it’s raining, we have problems with electricity.
In the rainy season, the power may go out perhaps once a month. In the dry season, it may not go off at all. Overall, the power may go out 3 to 5 times a year, with the maximum outage about one hour.
I don’t have a generator at my house because it’s just not necessary. If the power goes out, we just wait for it to come back on. It’s not a huge disruption to business unless the transformer explodes, but that usually doesn’t happen. This year until today I haven’t remembered being more than an hour without light, not even a day.
(Larry Laframboise and Lev hiking along the rainy season streams in Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)
What does it cost for a vacation rental in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?
David Smith - Nicaragua Sotheby's International Realty
The cost for a vacation rental in San Juan del Sur can range anywhere from US $50 a night to $500 a night, so you can stay on a luxury resort. You can rent a luxury home in Pacific Marlin and pay $500 a night. You can pay more if you want a chef provided. There are many vacation homes that will provide you with chef services and maid services for which you can pay a thousand dollars a night. San Juan del Sur has some super luxury options. And then we have lovely options for as...
The cost for a vacation rental in San Juan del Sur can range anywhere from US $50 a night to $500 a night, so you can stay on a luxury resort. You can rent a luxury home in Pacific Marlin and pay $500 a night. You can pay more if you want a chef provided. There are many vacation homes that will provide you with chef services and maid services for which you can pay a thousand dollars a night. San Juan del Sur has some super luxury options. And then we have lovely options for as little as $50 or $60 a night.
For $500 a week, you would get a two-bedroom home with an ocean view and a pool. For $1,000 a week, you would get you something bigger, nicer, and closer to the water; perhaps a three-bedroom, three-bathroom, closer to town or on the bay of San Juan, walking distance to the restaurants.
(Pool overlooking the bay at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, pictured.)
What are the things I'll be most happily surprised by when moving or retiring abroad?
Ross - Abroad We Go
When moving or retiring abroad, you’d be most happily surprised by how outgoing, more much more active, and much easier to meet and befriend the local people are. In the US, the people are a little different.
Another thing to look out for when moving or retiring abroad are the different lifestyles in different places. Typically, the lifestyle in most countries that I’ve been to is more active than the lifestyle I had in the US. People who want to retire are...
When moving or retiring abroad, you’d be most happily surprised by how outgoing, more much more active, and much easier to meet and befriend the local people are. In the US, the people are a little different.
Another thing to look out for when moving or retiring abroad are the different lifestyles in different places. Typically, the lifestyle in most countries that I’ve been to is more active than the lifestyle I had in the US. People who want to retire are always looking for an active and healthy lifestyle, and living overseas provides more of this than they experience in the US.
There are many different cultures, colors and things to absorb in moving and living overseas. If people want to immerse themselves in culture, they’ll be surprised by how many different nuances there are overseas.
(Ross with new friends found in the Andes in Ecuador, pictured.)
How’s the adventure travel and activities in Belize?
Wendy Miller - RE/MAX Property Center South
Traveling around Belize can be a bit of a challenge but it can be done. If you choose to go by bus, you will be restricted to the bus routes and schedules which don't really travel off the main roads. For the more adventuresome you can try hitch-hiking. Or more practically, rent a vehicle. Vehicle rentals aren't cheap here, but you do have the flexibility to come and go as you please and come and go where you please. Make sure, if you plan on going off...
Traveling around Belize can be a bit of a challenge but it can be done. If you choose to go by bus, you will be restricted to the bus routes and schedules which don't really travel off the main roads. For the more adventuresome you can try hitch-hiking. Or more practically, rent a vehicle. Vehicle rentals aren't cheap here, but you do have the flexibility to come and go as you please and come and go where you please. Make sure, if you plan on going off the main roads, you rent a 4-wheel vehicle.
Now, once you have your mode of transportation figured out just get up and go. There aren't that many highways in Belize so you likely won't get too lost and if you do, just ask. Somebody will be willing to tell you where to go :-).
Additionally, you can go higher end, stay at one of the resorts and arrange your activity packages through them. Makes it easier but it does cost a bit more.
Once you determine your mode of transportation you can figure out what you want to do and where you want to do it. Belize is well-known for its activities from river tubing, to cave tubing, to ziplining, to cacao tours, to snorkeling, to deep sea diving to fishing or just lounging on the beach. Or if you know that all you want to do are water activities then a vehicle rental isn't absolutely necessary. Come and see what you can do. Nothing is carved in stone. If you didn't rent a car but find you want one, rent one.
Being flexible is the key. And understand the type of transport you will be depending on, where you can and can't go with it.
If I live in Portugal, do I have to renounce or relinquish my US citizenship?
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
No, if you live in Portugal as a foreigner, you do not have to renounce or relinquish your US citizenship. Portuguese law allows you to accumulate Portuguese nationality with other nationalities, and it is very common for people Portuguese nationality to have two or three different nationalities.
(Tom Hanks, two grandparents on his mother's side were Azorean, Portuguese and two grandparents on his father's side were also Azorean, pictured.)
No, if you live in Portugal as a foreigner, you do not have to renounce or relinquish your US citizenship. Portuguese law allows you to accumulate Portuguese nationality with other nationalities, and it is very common for people Portuguese nationality to have two or three different nationalities.
(Tom Hanks, two grandparents on his mother's side were Azorean, Portuguese and two grandparents on his father's side were also Azorean, pictured.)
Travel is: “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” So said Mark Twain in his 1869 travelogue titled 'Innocents Abroad.' So I'd say one thing I'm most proud of at becoming an expat is taking old Sam Clemens' advice and moving from the comfort, familiarity, and ease of home.
Utilizing the old brain cells becomes more important as we age, of course, so any assistance I can get in that department is a good thing. Professor Adam Galinsky at the...
(This video is of the Panamanian band that will be at the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Make sure to click the "make full screen" at the bottom right of the frame so you can see it better. More at bandaherbertolopez.edu.pa)
Pride is a very common trait among the human race. Everyone shines when they talk about their grandchildren, children, pets and accomplishments in their life. But, what about when...
Surfing has been here in the Pedasi area for a long time. The waves in Venao (about 30 minutes away by car) were discovered a long time ago. The first time I came here to Pedasi, which was about 10 years ago, Venao was a very quiet place where the only things you will see are cantinas. During that time, beer only costs US $.40 per bottle and one meal was only about $2 per surfer. The surfers were happy because they came here in the summer, set up their tents at the beach, the...
Unless you live in a housing development that has underground utilities, there are blackouts and brownouts in the Chapala – Ajijic area. But if the transformer is maybe 100 meters and there’s a problem, regardless of where you live, you will be without electricity. Usually, if there’s a lot of wind and it’s raining, we have problems with electricity. 
The cost for a vacation rental in San Juan del Sur can range anywhere from US $50 a night to $500 a night, so you can stay on a luxury resort. You can rent a luxury home in Pacific Marlin and pay $500 a night. You can pay more if you want a chef provided. There are many vacation homes that will provide you with chef services and maid services for which you can pay a thousand dollars a night. San Juan del Sur has some super luxury options. And then we have lovely options for as...
When moving or retiring abroad, you’d be most happily surprised by how outgoing, more much more active, and much easier to meet and befriend the local people are. In the US, the people are a little different. 
Traveling around Belize can be a bit of a challenge but it can be done. If you choose to go by bus, you will be restricted to the bus routes and schedules which don't really travel off the main roads. For the more adventuresome you can try hitch-hiking. Or more practically, rent a vehicle. Vehicle rentals aren't cheap here, but you do have the flexibility to come and go as you please and come and go where you please. Make sure, if you plan on going off...
No, if you live in Portugal as a foreigner, you do not have to renounce or relinquish your US citizenship. Portuguese law allows you to accumulate Portuguese nationality with other nationalities, and it is very common for people Portuguese nationality to have two or three different nationalities. 
Travel is: “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” So said Mark Twain in his 1869 travelogue titled 'Innocents Abroad.' So I'd say one thing I'm most proud of at becoming an expat is taking old Sam Clemens' advice and moving from the comfort, familiarity, and ease of home. 
