Best Places In The World To Retire

In the Lake Chapala / Ajijic area, a gardener will generally charge about 60 pesos per hour.  At the current exchange rate, that is about USD $3 per hour.  If they have their own power tools (for example, a lawn mower or weed whacker), you would pay them more, and many times, you would pay for the job.  For example, we have a gardener who cuts the lawn and whacks elsewhere, using his own lawn mower and weed whacker.  It takes him about two and a half hours, and we pay...

In the Lake Chapala / Ajijic area, a gardener will generally charge about 60 pesos per hour.  At the current exchange rate, that is about USD $3 per hour.  If they have their own power tools (for example, a lawn mower or weed whacker), you would pay them more, and many times, you would pay for the job.  For example, we have a gardener who cuts the lawn and whacks elsewhere, using his own lawn mower and weed whacker.  It takes him about two and a half hours, and we pay him 200 pesos (about $10).

 

 

For long term arrangements, you should pay your gardener a Christmas bonus equal to one month salary if they worked the entire year for you.  For example, if you pay your gardener 60 pesos an hour and he works 6 hours a week, you would pay him 360 pesos per week, or 1,548 pesos a month (360 x 4.3 weeks per month; about $75), which would be his bonus.  If he worked for you only from October, yoyu would pay him one quarter that as his bonus.

 

If you need a mover to move your household goods to Mexico, be sure to check out Best Mexico Movers.

In general, you'll find a very interesting mix of people living in Bocas del Toro.  Isla Colon is the big island where most of the residents of Bocas live, and also where the airport is located. Most Panamanians living in Bocas have some mix of indigenous heritage and Caribbean blood, which means you'll see a lot of darker skin and African features.  Because there was a large banana operation there for many years, many of the locals speak English. Otherwise, Bocas has the...

In general, you'll find a very interesting mix of people living in Bocas del Toro.  Isla Colon is the big island where most of the residents of Bocas live, and also where the airport is located. Most Panamanians living in Bocas have some mix of indigenous heritage and Caribbean blood, which means you'll see a lot of darker skin and African features.  Because there was a large banana operation there for many years, many of the locals speak English. Otherwise, Bocas has the flavor of a rough and rowdy town with some retired expats (lots of hippies), lots of old sailors, and a lot of young backpackers coming through. It can be very fun town to party in for a night or two, but otherwise, it's a very laid back, simpler side of Panama.
 

I have not been back to Europe for many years. But when I was there, it was already expensive and I think it is even more expensive now. Many places are expensive. I have also lived in Australia for five months and in New Zealand for two months and both these places have gotten expensive now. I think it also depends on your budget but I love Australia and New Zealand.

For me, the worst places to retire would be any place that is cold; any place where the weather drops below...

I have not been back to Europe for many years. But when I was there, it was already expensive and I think it is even more expensive now. Many places are expensive. I have also lived in Australia for five months and in New Zealand for two months and both these places have gotten expensive now. I think it also depends on your budget but I love Australia and New Zealand.

For me, the worst places to retire would be any place that is cold; any place where the weather drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I got spoiled in Hawaii because I need a warm climate all year round, I need the ocean and I get that here in Panama. So for me, out here in Panama is ideal. Any place that has cold weather, for me, is out of the question, especially being that I have only one long-sleeved shirt to my name and I have no jackets whatsoever.

 

The cost for a vacation rental in Portugal varies on the size of the property. A villa with three or four bedrooms and with a pool would cost €1,600 (US $1,750 or £1,100) a week in the high season; self-catering. If it’s without a pool it costs about €1,200 (US $1,300 or £865) a week. This is in Cascais, which is the most expensive places in Portugal.
 
The high season in Portugal is from June to August. If you get the same villa without a pool on the...

The cost for a vacation rental in Portugal varies on the size of the property. A villa with three or four bedrooms and with a pool would cost €1,600 (US $1,750 or £1,100) a week in the high season; self-catering. If it’s without a pool it costs about €1,200 (US $1,300 or £865) a week. This is in Cascais, which is the most expensive places in Portugal.
 
The high season in Portugal is from June to August. If you get the same villa without a pool on the low season, it would cost around €1,200 a week. The closer you are to the coast, the more expensive vacation rentals become. If you go to the interior, where it would take about an hour to go to the beach, you would pay for the same type of place around €500 to €600 (US $540 or £360 to $650 or £430) a week.  

 

(Plaza at night, Cascais, Portugal, pictured.)

Belize has a variety of fantastic restaurants in each of it's six districts; from Corozal in the north to Toledo in the south and from Amegris Caye to San Ignacio in Cayo, one can find fantastic dining experiences. In San Pedrotown, on Ambergris Caye in the Belize District, one of my favorite restaurants is Blue Water Grill.

 

Although it's a bit on the pricey side, the food and service are fantastic. Located in the heart of the town, looking out over the...

Belize has a variety of fantastic restaurants in each of it's six districts; from Corozal in the north to Toledo in the south and from Amegris Caye to San Ignacio in Cayo, one can find fantastic dining experiences. In San Pedrotown, on Ambergris Caye in the Belize District, one of my favorite restaurants is Blue Water Grill.

 

Although it's a bit on the pricey side, the food and service are fantastic. Located in the heart of the town, looking out over the Caribbean Sea, with the sounds of waves crashing on the reef, you are sure to have an amazing dining experience. Imagine yourself having the view from this table for a light lunch or a sushi dinner. Dine here yourself, I'm quite sure you will recommend it to a friend!

As far as the nicer areas and the nicer things to do in the city of Managua itself, there are 4-5 places where restaurants are grouped together.  Here are the popular places:
 
Zona Hippo.  In this area, they have a place there called Hippo, which has steak, ribs, and hamburgers; some American-style food. They also play loud music every night, so young people flock to places like that. You can hear competing music from one tavern to another for about three square...

As far as the nicer areas and the nicer things to do in the city of Managua itself, there are 4-5 places where restaurants are grouped together.  Here are the popular places:
 
Zona Hippo.  In this area, they have a place there called Hippo, which has steak, ribs, and hamburgers; some American-style food. They also play loud music every night, so young people flock to places like that. You can hear competing music from one tavern to another for about three square blocks.  There’s lots of nightlife in this area.
 
Galerias.  As far as disco, there are two competing discos.  Both of them are on the newer south part of town located in the Galerias, which is a brand new, very large open shopping center.

 

There's also my favorite, the VIP theater, where for US $8, you get a three foot wide, reclining leather chair, and you can order popcorn, cokes, food, and even Scotch.
           
For other nightlife, there are new clubs, and the Ruben Dario Theatre. Of course, the music is in Spanish, so you have to be attuned to the Spanish language to get the benefit from the cultural depth.