How much do healthcare and medical services cost in Mexico?
Cathie Smith LoCicero - Cathie Smith Insurance
We have all talked about how affordable health care is here in Mexico, and even Richard who paid ten thousand for his pacemaker made a good point. However, none of us want to think about catastrophic accidents or illnesses. Those that may require monumental efforts to save our lives, such as strokes or cancer, that would require weeks, months, or even years of treatments. There are various types of medical insurance available for expats and snowbirds; from government plans...
We have all talked about how affordable health care is here in Mexico, and even Richard who paid ten thousand for his pacemaker made a good point. However, none of us want to think about catastrophic accidents or illnesses. Those that may require monumental efforts to save our lives, such as strokes or cancer, that would require weeks, months, or even years of treatments. There are various types of medical insurance available for expats and snowbirds; from government plans with great doctors but overworked staff and services, where you may wait many hours to see a doctor, to private insurance policies that pay for the finest hospitals and treatments in Mexico and the world. Somewhere in there, your personal needs and budget will fit. If keeping your costs as low as possible is your priority, consider choosing the highest deductible comfortable for your budget, so you are protected from the catastrophic expenses related to devastating illnesses and accidents. If you still have medical insurance in your home country, then an affordable air ambulance evacuation insurance policy should be your top priority. I enjoy helping people find solutions.
A lot of investment, both national and international, left Nicaragua during the 1980s, because the country spent so many years at war. This really destroyed the economy. So, you have to bear in mind that up to 1990 or so (just over 20 years ago), the economy of Nicaragua was in bad shape. After that, we established a new democratic system in Nicaragua, having presidential elections every five years. One of the first and most difficult tasks starting at that time was to...
A lot of investment, both national and international, left Nicaragua during the 1980s, because the country spent so many years at war. This really destroyed the economy. So, you have to bear in mind that up to 1990 or so (just over 20 years ago), the economy of Nicaragua was in bad shape. After that, we established a new democratic system in Nicaragua, having presidential elections every five years. One of the first and most difficult tasks starting at that time was to rebuild the economy, so the government started promoting and providing incentives to bring investment into Nicaragua.
So far, we have managed to do that very well. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have praised the Nicaraguan economy for how we have managed to keep a very healthy economy during the most recent worldwide financial crises. And also, Nicaragua is one of the top destinations in all of Latin America for foreign investment now.
In Nicaragua, we had to rebuild everything and start from scratch. As a result, there are plenty of opportunities in all fields for investment. There are many, many opportunities. Here are just three of them:
Renewable energy is one of the top priorities in the country and one in which Nicaragua leads Central America. Nicaragua is one of the top three countries in the world with the highest potential for wind-powered energy.
In tourism, we haven’t even developed a third of the potential of Nicaragua, so we have many opportunities in that field.
We also have potential for a canal that would be a huge investment – US $50 billion.
There are a lot of opportunities to invest in Nicaragua now, and the law and the government promotes it as well.
Biking is very common in Boquete, for transportation or as a sport. My husband and I are in a group of Panamanians who ride mountain bikes and road bikes; both are great here.
Car drivers in Chiriquí (the province in which Boquete is located) are the most educated in the country regarding bicycle riders, which makes biking very safe. We also know expats who bike every day in small groups. We also see tourists traveling by bike...
Biking is very common in Boquete, for transportation or as a sport. My husband and I are in a group of Panamanians who ride mountain bikes and road bikes; both are great here.
Car drivers in Chiriquí (the province in which Boquete is located) are the most educated in the country regarding bicycle riders, which makes biking very safe. We also know expats who bike every day in small groups. We also see tourists traveling by bike and others who rent bikes for transportation.
Do I lower my US income tax liabilities if I retire or work abroad?
Jackie Lange - Panama Relocation Tours
If you receive Social Security or other pension income, it does not qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exemption (FEIE). They are considered passive income.
If you have ACTIVE income from a job or business, then you can take advantage of the FEIE. There are rules of course. It is best to consult with an international tax attorney or CAP who specializes in international taxes for more details.
Even if you can't reduce your...
If you receive Social Security or other pension income, it does not qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exemption (FEIE). They are considered passive income.
If you have ACTIVE income from a job or business, then you can take advantage of the FEIE. There are rules of course. It is best to consult with an international tax attorney or CAP who specializes in international taxes for more details.
Even if you can't reduce your income taxes, you will be probably be able to reduce your cost of living my moving offshore.
Everyone is treated equally here in Corozal, Belize, where I live. There is no discrimination, which is one of the things I like about the country of Belize in general.
There are women in business and there are women in power here such town councils, or board of directors. It is a very active community. I do not find it difficult being a woman here in Belize. I have businesses on the side with my husband and people treat me very well here.
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Everyone is treated equally here in Corozal, Belize, where I live. There is no discrimination, which is one of the things I like about the country of Belize in general.
There are women in business and there are women in power here such town councils, or board of directors. It is a very active community. I do not find it difficult being a woman here in Belize. I have businesses on the side with my husband and people treat me very well here.
(Belize Tourism Industry Association, Corozal Chapter, Belize, pictured.)
In Portugal, do I have to worry about malaria, yellow fever and other diseases we don’t generally have in North America or other parts of Europe?
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal.
(Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, pictured.)
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal.
After we bought our property in Belize we were getting excited about building something where we could go and hang out
Initially it started as a cabin with enough room for us and the occasional visitors/family.
We began researching costs and wanted to pay cash for everything. After looking around the country at different types of construction, we realized our budget was not going to let us build a U.S. style home.
Many, many years ago, back when they still printed Newsweek and we managed to live without iPhones, I was leading a quiet existence in Geneva, minding my own business, when my friend Dr. César Pereira Burgos introduced me to Rita, a bright young diplomat and my future Panamanian wife. César, a prominent lawyer and politician, went on to become my compadre (my son's godfather) and Panama's Supreme Court president. Love at first sight; we married a few months later. The timing was a...
I have been an adventurer for many years. I sold my house and most of my stuff at age 42, bought a travel trailer and tow vehicle and traveled for three years, living in the trailer, then a 5th wheel and finally a motorhome.
My wife and I then formed an RV tour company which became a worldwide operation. We sold the tour company in 2000. I fiddled around with different things (including being a real estate broker in Las Vegas) for awhile .... and then I...
Everyone is treated equally here in Corozal, Belize, where I live. There is no discrimination, which is one of the things I like about the country of Belize in general. 
No, if you move or visit Portugal, you do not have to worry about diseases that are typical in tropical countries, which is not the case in Portugal. Although the climate is hotter than in most European countries, Portugal has a temperate climate (it has the same latitude as Virginia or Maryland), which does not allow such diseases to exist. There are no medical restrictions or warnings for travel to Portugal. 
After we bought our property in Belize we were getting excited about building something where we could go and hang out 
