What does it cost for a vacation rental in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Spencer McMullen - Chapala Law
A 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,000 square feet vacation rental in a safe, gate-guarded neighborhood in the Chapala / Ajijic area would rent for about €1,800 (about US $2,000) a month. (My client is European, so he likes to collect rent in Euros.) The rental would include maid service, pool, views, and everything else.
It’s harder to find vacation rentals. Some people will rent them out vacation-wise but not a lot because...
A 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,000 square feet vacation rental in a safe, gate-guarded neighborhood in the Chapala / Ajijic area would rent for about €1,800 (about US $2,000) a month. (My client is European, so he likes to collect rent in Euros.) The rental would include maid service, pool, views, and everything else.
It’s harder to find vacation rentals. Some people will rent them out vacation-wise but not a lot because there’s the demand here in Chapala / Ajijic in January, February, and March but then what happens for the rest of the year? So people generally want to rent the properties for 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years because if they rent them for 3 months in the high season, even if they receive more monthly rent for these months, they may have the problem renting out for the rest of the year.
We almost have two high seasons here. Everyone knows the snow birds who are escaping the snow come here but then you also have the sun birds which are people who come in to escape the heat in Texas or Arizona or the humidity in Florida or even people here in Mexico who live on the coast that don’t want the unbearable heat and humidity of the coastal areas in the summer time.
(Patio garden in Lake Chapala, Mexico, pictured.)
In addition to the high season of January, February, and March, we see a spike again in July, August, and September, from people who are coming from the coast as well as warmer areas to escape the heat.
What do I need to know about living overseas and retiring abroad?
Jay Butler - Asset Protection Services of America
Having visited over 35 countries worldwide and resided in 6 countries on 4 continents, I believe I may be able to contribute some helpful information with regards to what you need to know about living internationally.
If you are considering living abroad, I would first recommend you take an extended trip for a period of no less than 2 months to the country wherein you are considering living. Vacationing in a foreign country is altogether a different...
Having visited over 35 countries worldwide and resided in 6 countries on 4 continents, I believe I may be able to contribute some helpful information with regards to what you need to know about living internationally.
If you are considering living abroad, I would first recommend you take an extended trip for a period of no less than 2 months to the country wherein you are considering living. Vacationing in a foreign country is altogether a different experience from residing there. Generally, when vacationing, you are in a positive frame of mind and excited to experience new sights and sounds. Everything is new and invigorating and despite one's best efforts to avoid tourist traps, we all have a propensity to witness the best restaurants, museums, shopping and activities a given locality has to offer.
If you have ever moved to different city which is a considerable distance from your home town, then you can relate to some of the stresses involved with locating the nearest grocery store and post office or dentist. When you are no longer returning 'home' to show your friends and co-workers photos from your latest adventure, the honeymoon of traveling abroad wears off and the marriage begins.
The items of most importance which I could relay to you from my experience is to choose a jurisdiction in which you absolutely love the culture and language. If you are considering moving to an predominately Spanish speaking country, but don't know (or care for) the language, you are going to have a hell of a time when you need to sign your first apartment rental agreement or mortgage, etc.
Remember, every country has challenges whether they be providing reliable internet, potable water, or adequate medical care. Unless you have a considerable amount of investments saved away, ensure that you are able to provide for yourself financially. It is much easier to move to a country where the exchange rate favors you than to go in the other direction. If you have ever been stranded due to inclement weather and run out of funds then you know how scary that can be.
Lastly, given the brevity of this answer, make some friends and build contacts in the area where you want to live. You should absolutely have solid legal counsel to assist you with any major purchases such as real property and meeting with new friends to enjoy your drinks by the beach makes the transition far more enjoyable.
How much does it cost for a gardener in Managua, Nicaragua?
Maria Acosta
In Managua, getting a gardener will probably cost you around US $10 a day, plus additional funds for the food and his transportation. A gardener’s service is readily available and you can just contact any of the companies that offer gardening services here in Managua. I think getting a gardener makes life more manageable and enjoyable here, especially if you are a retiree.
In Managua, getting a gardener will probably cost you around US $10 a day, plus additional funds for the food and his transportation. A gardener’s service is readily available and you can just contact any of the companies that offer gardening services here in Managua. I think getting a gardener makes life more manageable and enjoyable here, especially if you are a retiree.
How much does it cost to move my furniture and other stuff to Panama?
Jackie Lange - Panama Relocation Tours
From the United States, you'll spend about $15,000 to $20,000 to ship a 40 foot container to Panama. A 20 foot container will be about $10,000. It will be a little more from Canada.
That's a lot of money to move a lot of used items.
Plan B is to set up a mail forwarding account with a company in Panama. They will assign you an address in Florida. You could ship some boxes to Florida, then they will be put on a...
From the United States, you'll spend about $15,000 to $20,000 to ship a 40 foot container to Panama. A 20 foot container will be about $10,000. It will be a little more from Canada.
That's a lot of money to move a lot of used items.
Plan B is to set up a mail forwarding account with a company in Panama. They will assign you an address in Florida. You could ship some boxes to Florida, then they will be put on a plane to be moved to Panama. You'll need to pick them up at the office of the mail forwarding company in Panama. There is no home delivery.
An example of a mail forwarding company is Mail Boxes Etc, eShop, UnoExpress. There are several others. Make sure their office is close to you plan to move.
In Panama, most houses or condos come completely furnished. And just about anything you need is readily available in Panama. So, it is better not to ship your household items.
I also highly recommend that you visit Panama before you decide to move to Panama. Check out several different areas.
How's the nightlife and entertainment in and around Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan?
Jonathan Lohr - Ceiba Realty Ltd.
Being that San Ignacio, in the Cayo District in Belize is a small town of more or less 20,000 people, the nightlife isn’t exceptional. There are plenty of bars and restaurants. There is a casino and a few nightclubs. It’s not bad, but compared to what people who are coming from a big city are used to, it’s a lot smaller. It’s nothing that people are used to but I find enjoyable when I go out.
There are bars or nightclubs. They offer dancing and you...
Being that San Ignacio, in the Cayo District in Belize is a small town of more or less 20,000 people, the nightlife isn’t exceptional. There are plenty of bars and restaurants. There is a casino and a few nightclubs. It’s not bad, but compared to what people who are coming from a big city are used to, it’s a lot smaller. It’s nothing that people are used to but I find enjoyable when I go out.
There are bars or nightclubs. They offer dancing and you also have the casino. Probably the most popular place for people to go out at night in San Ignacio is the casino because they have a nightclub, a bar, and the casino itself, which offers slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and so forth.
There are no comedy clubs here. There have been theaters but they just haven’t survived. Out in the park, there is a place called the Welcome Center, which is a tourist-oriented location downtown. They have little shops, restaurants, coffee houses, benches you can sit on, and areas where you can walk around. That is also a popular place for people to go out at night and buy ice cream or any snack. On weekends, sometimes they have a public movie showing. They have a big screen and people can come bring a chair and watch the show. They also have some shows on weekends such as a cultural dance, or church groups go there and have a sermon. If you want to do something in that area, you can just reserve the location. Then everybody can stop by and see what your activity is.
People from San Ignacio also get in their cars and go to Belmopan or Belize City for some nightlife. Belize City has some larger nightclubs and casinos. I have done it on some occasions.
(Prince Henry of Wales parties in Belize, pictured.)
Are there islands in Portugal? If so, where, and what are they like?
Ana Ferraz
There are some absolutely beautiful islands in the Algarve near the border of Spain. To go there, you have to take a 40-minute boat ride. There are about six islands there. Only one of those six is deserted.
Up the coast towards the north, there is another island that is inhabited called Berlengas. It is a small island off the coast of Peniche. They have little summer cottages there, a lighthouse, a couple of restaurants, and a ferry that takes people over.
...
There are some absolutely beautiful islands in the Algarve near the border of Spain. To go there, you have to take a 40-minute boat ride. There are about six islands there. Only one of those six is deserted.
Up the coast towards the north, there is another island that is inhabited called Berlengas. It is a small island off the coast of Peniche. They have little summer cottages there, a lighthouse, a couple of restaurants, and a ferry that takes people over.
Because we are so surrounded by sea, on the far coast of Lisbon, we have a river, the Tagus, which separates Lisbon from the south. It is a large river that starts in Spain, crosses Portugal, and finishes in the mouth of Lisbon, at the Atlantic Ocean. So to go to the other side, you have to take bridges. There are three to four bridges. All of the land south of Lisbon, after these bridges, have a vast area of land very sandy, which are called the peninsulas. This is a natural reserve for dolphins. When you are on a boat or a ferry in these areas, you will see a lot of dolphins. Here, you will find an area called Tróia, which is a peninsula. Some of these areas become islands when it is high tide, which only happens at certain times of the year. It is a beautiful area of Portugal because this is where the river meets the sea. This is also a paradise for birdwatchers. They are now developing this area for tourism. A complex of condominiums were just built around this area with villas and timeshares. It is a vast area.
There is another development down in the Algarve, which is also in the peninsulas. This whole area is very stunning. It has lots of wildlife and they are very well preserved.
In the period of less than half a day, our senses and emotions had experienced quite a workout. In the morning, we were on a ferry in the Sea of Cortez, headed towards Mazatlan. In Mazatlan, we were treated to an entirely new concept: jungle in an urban setting. From there, we had found the toll road, breezed through green and wooded highland farmland, and then gradually descended into a profusion of jungle, not only on the sides of the road, but overhead, as we glided...
I don´t remember exactly how it happened, who contacted who that contacted me. It was for sure one of Panama`s classic two degrees of separation, which in Casco makes for a cozy half degree. All I know is that I said “sure, sounds like fun”, emails were sent, and all of a sudden we were on camera! And I`m glad we did.
The experience was truly fun, and it also shifted a lot of my ideas about TV and the people behind it. The crew couldn´t be more down to...
It is called the Manglar Lodge because there are three kinds of mangrove trees found on the property, which you see on the long wooded road to there, the road that never quite leads you to a view of the Pacific, but rather into an intimate place tucked into the nearness of fresh water and salt, land within the reach of sea, a four room structure of masculine sophistication, a boutique inn for surfers and beachcombers alike.
It is situated down the lane from a surf camp and...
A 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,000 square feet vacation rental in a safe, gate-guarded neighborhood in the Chapala / Ajijic area would rent for about €1,800 (about US $2,000) a month. (My client is European, so he likes to collect rent in Euros.) The rental would include maid service, pool, views, and everything else. 
If you have ever moved to different city which is a considerable distance from your home town, then you can relate to some of the stresses involved with locating the nearest grocery store and post office or dentist. When you are no longer returning 'home' to show your friends and co-workers photos from your latest adventure, the honeymoon of traveling abroad wears off and the marriage begins.
It is much easier to move to a country where the exchange rate favors you than to go in the other direction. If you have ever been stranded due to inclement weather and run out of funds then you know how scary that can be.
Being that San Ignacio, in the Cayo District in Belize is a small town of more or less 20,000 people, the nightlife isn’t exceptional. There are plenty of bars and restaurants. There is a casino and a few nightclubs. It’s not bad, but compared to what people who are coming from a big city are used to, it’s a lot smaller. It’s nothing that people are used to but I find enjoyable when I go out. 
There are some absolutely beautiful islands in the Algarve near the border of Spain. To go there, you have to take a 40-minute boat ride. There are about six islands there. Only one of those six is deserted. 
In the period of less than half a day, our senses and emotions had experienced quite a workout. In the morning, we were on a ferry in the Sea of Cortez, headed towards Mazatlan. In Mazatlan, we were treated to an entirely new concept: jungle in an urban setting. From there, we had found the toll road, breezed through green and wooded highland farmland, and then gradually descended into a profusion of jungle, not only on the sides of the road, but overhead, as we glided...
are three kinds of mangrove trees found on the property, which you see on the long wooded road to there, the road that never quite leads you to a view of the Pacific, but rather into an intimate place tucked into the nearness of fresh water and salt, land within the reach of sea, a four room structure of masculine sophistication, a boutique inn for surfers and beachcombers alike.
It is situated down the lane from a surf camp and...