The culture of Chapala and Ajijic is a mix of Mexican and North American culture. It also varies depending on your social circles. The expats tend to stay with the expats, so when you go to their parties or get-togethers, everything tends to be like they are in the US. I have an expat friend who socializes with a lot of the lawyers here and goes to a lot of their functions, so his experience tends to be quite Mexican, and his Spanish is very good. Socially and culturally, he is very...
Food costs in the Algarve are cheap compared to most other countries in Europe. Here there is an abundance of locally grown fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and good quality meat. Many of the products are produced or farmed locally and sold in the towns’ markets, which are friendly and delightful to shop in. This means that the fresh food is not only cheaper, it lasts longer and is more environmentally friendly. It is noticeable that all my guests who come from outside Portugal...
difficult for US citizens thanks to the HIRE Act and the regulations placed on foreign banks. Many foreign banks have simply stopped serving US citizens as a way to comply with the HIRE Act. Banks that do accept US citizens for accounts have increased paperwork and due diligence fees. Many banks will not open an account for a US citizen unless they are a permanent resident of the country they are living in. Some...The Cumbersome Legal System in a Nutshell
Get ready for the delays, the costs, fees and cumbersome legal system of Panama. Here you find it wise to use an attorney for all kinds of transactions. However it isn't just the attorney you deal with, it is bureaucracy mumbo-jumbo and administrators! Many are like the angry, underpaid, middle managers of other places. They have a little power, so they love to abuse it!
I interviewed a young attorney that is just starting out. The government sets the...
Voting is done on Sunday to ensure maximum voter participation. Presidential elections are held every five years, and presidents cannot succeed themselves. Under this system you don’t have a president-elect 
Robert and Isabelle Shahverdians found the place that eventually became La Rosa de Los Vientos in Pedasi, Panama after they had traveled Costa Rica and found it wanting. They then moved around Panama, to see if there was something better.