Best Places In The World To Retire

You should absolutely rent a home or apartment before you purchase in Mexico.

 

When I owned my company in the United States, I was involved extensively in relocation. We helped thousands of families move across the country and my advice was always for them to take time and see if they liked a new community. Some people just are not comfortable in new surroundings.

 

This becomes more important when someone moves to a different country. When you...

You should absolutely rent a home or apartment before you purchase in Mexico.

 

When I owned my company in the United States, I was involved extensively in relocation. We helped thousands of families move across the country and my advice was always for them to take time and see if they liked a new community. Some people just are not comfortable in new surroundings.

 

This becomes more important when someone moves to a different country. When you move to a different country, you will be facing a different culture and a whole list of day-to-day differences from your home country.

 

Most of the expatriates I have met, have loved the changes and the exciting new life. But when I am consulting or helping someone find a new home, I have always believed in being very careful.

 

 

​The rental does not need to be long term. You will probably know what you want within a few months.

 

If you do not like the new country, you will be very glad that I recommended renting first.  And if you fall in love with your new country, you still will be better-prepared top select the best neighborhood for your particular needs.

San Juan del Sur doesn’t have malls like you would find in Managua.  If you want to go to a larger mall, you’ll have to go to Managua, which is two hours away.  We have an artisan market and places where you can buy clothing, mainly the kind you would wear around the beach or casually.
 
More recently, there are many mom and pop types stores that sell jeans, shoes, beach clothing, etc.  We have several small supermarkets and now a larger supermarket.
...

San Juan del Sur doesn’t have malls like you would find in Managua.  If you want to go to a larger mall, you’ll have to go to Managua, which is two hours away.  We have an artisan market and places where you can buy clothing, mainly the kind you would wear around the beach or casually.
 
More recently, there are many mom and pop types stores that sell jeans, shoes, beach clothing, etc.  We have several small supermarkets and now a larger supermarket.
 
The shopping in San Juan del Sur is pretty much what you would expect in a smaller beach town.

As in any country, if you are ostentatious, flaunting your valuables, then don´t be surprised if you are robbed. I live in the rural Tierras Altas of western Panamá, and I find that most crimes are petty robbery, "crimes of opportunity", and most frequently from gringos who show off their wealth, or are careless. If you get to know your Panamanian neighbors and treat them with respect, and if you mind basic precautions, such as avoiding city neighborhoods in...

As in any country, if you are ostentatious, flaunting your valuables, then don´t be surprised if you are robbed. I live in the rural Tierras Altas of western Panamá, and I find that most crimes are petty robbery, "crimes of opportunity", and most frequently from gringos who show off their wealth, or are careless. If you get to know your Panamanian neighbors and treat them with respect, and if you mind basic precautions, such as avoiding city neighborhoods in Panamá City and Colón where crime is likely, including keeping your door locked at night and when you are not home, leaving lights on when you are out at night, you should be just fine.
 

There are different towns where expats end up living in Belize. Placencia, Hopkins, and San Pedro are just some of the main areas where there are expat communities.
 
Placencia is a 16-mile long peninsula in Belize. You will see the Caribbean on one side and the lagoon on the other. On the other side of the lagoon is the mainland, and a short distance further you can see the Maya Mountains. There are lots of expats moving here permanently and others make Placencia their second...

There are different towns where expats end up living in Belize. Placencia, Hopkins, and San Pedro are just some of the main areas where there are expat communities.
 
Placencia is a 16-mile long peninsula in Belize. You will see the Caribbean on one side and the lagoon on the other. On the other side of the lagoon is the mainland, and a short distance further you can see the Maya Mountains. There are lots of expats moving here permanently and others make Placencia their second homes. Some expats move to Placencia to set up businesses. There was a guy who came to my office today was looking to set up a business here. Placencia is probably the second biggest business tourist destination in Belize, so it draws more tourists.
 
San Pedro, which is on the island of Ambergris Caye, which is up North, is the number one tourist destination in Belize. I myself had come down here twenty years ago and the first trip I did to Belize was to San Pedro and I had a great time. A lot of expats have moved there, too. Again, they’ve set up second homes, they run the bars and the restaurants, etc. We have a lot of American and Canadian expats here. We are getting some more Europeans expats recently.
 
Then you have the Cayo district, within which is San Ignacio, the main town in the district. The Cayo district is in the western part of Belize on the border of Guatemala, in the mountainous area so it is cooler up there and a little more green. People want their own space in Cayo. You can live close to the river and grow organic vegetables. Some expats retire there. They are mostly Americans and Canadians and a few Europeans. People retire in Cayo because they want to live close to the jungle, they live on the river, they live off the land and become healthy. They do not lead the tourist life that the other two destinations I have mentioned have.
 
Up to the Mexican border, just below the Mexican town of Chetumal is Corozal, where you will also find some expat communities who are mostly Americans. I think one of the main reasons why people move up there is because it is cheaper to live up there. Even the land is cheaper. So Americans who don’t have the time and money can move to Belize and set up a life that is cheaper than that in the US, while being in the tropics. Across the border, in Mexico, there is a Walmart and other amenities that some Americans cannot live without. That’s why Corozal is termed the cheapest place to live in Belize for expats. The town is pretty and there is no mountain there, so it is flat. It is not the beautiful Belize that most people envision but it’s cheaper than other places in Belize.
 
Hopkins is between Placencia and Belize City and there are some expats over there. There are some new developments there, too, mainly condominium projects.

No you do not need a second passport to retire, work, or live abroad.  You can reside in Panama as a tourist but it is recommended to apply for one of the many visas offered.  There are plenty to choose from for the retired and non-retired.  Panama has opened its doors to many nations due to the need for skilled labour.  The new Friendly Nations visa has made it a lot easier for individuals who are not ready to retire but who want to live and work in Panama.

No you do not need a second passport to retire, work, or live abroad.  You can reside in Panama as a tourist but it is recommended to apply for one of the many visas offered.  There are plenty to choose from for the retired and non-retired.  Panama has opened its doors to many nations due to the need for skilled labour.  The new Friendly Nations visa has made it a lot easier for individuals who are not ready to retire but who want to live and work in Panama.