How's the standard of living in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Michael Kavanaugh - Continental Realty
The standard of living in Ajijic is probably better than it is in Chapala, even though the local government seat is Chapala. There are fewer Americans and Canadians living in Chapala as opposed to Ajijic. The standard of living is better because there are more amenities provided where there are more Americans and Canadians.
In order to compare the standard of living in Ajijic and Chapala with something an American would be familiar with,...
The standard of living in Ajijic is probably better than it is in Chapala, even though the local government seat is Chapala. There are fewer Americans and Canadians living in Chapala as opposed to Ajijic. The standard of living is better because there are more amenities provided where there are more Americans and Canadians.
In order to compare the standard of living in Ajijic and Chapala with something an American would be familiar with, it’s just a question of expectations. Everybody’s lives are different. For example, personally, my wife and I rarely go out to eat. We cook seven days a week generally and every once in a while we’ll go to Guadalajara for lunch at some fabulous restaurant. But there are other people who live here who go out to eat two meals a day or more. My wife and I don’t go to the theatre, even though they have a fabulous live auditorium here for ballets and folkloricos and there are international musicians who come here to Ajijic. Even though it’s absolutely wonderful, we never go. It’s just not a thing that we do or enjoy, but a lot of people do, and they’re extremely popular. We’re homebodies, even though there’s a lot of culture here.
If you want to go to restaurants, you can eat for 60% to 70% off. For example, you can go to a restaurant called Tango, in Ajijic, and have a fabulous steak dinner for two people and a bottle of wine, and it would cost you 400 pesos (US $22) or maybe 500 pesos (US $28). In the US that same meal would probably cost you $150 at the same quality restaurant.
You can get a housekeeper for 40 to 50 pesos (US $2-3) an hour. Normally in the US, if you can’t afford a housekeeper you’re doing your own housekeeping. But over here, instead of doing housekeeping you can have someone else do it for a very reasonable amount and you’re free to enjoy other things.
Also, there’s not better weather anywhere in the world, except in a certain part of Kenya, and very few people want to live there.
(Steak dinner at Tango restaurant, Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)
Can I bring my dog or cat or other pets to Nicaragua?
Carolyn Membreño - León Travel Bureau
Yes, you can bring your pets to Nicaragua, and many people do. There are a couple of agencies that can help you and from my understanding, it is not a very difficult procedure at all.
It is also not painful or inconvenient for the animal. They have systems that are set up that make it very convenient to bring your pet into the country.
(Dogs on the beach in Nicaragua, pictured.)
Yes, you can bring your pets to Nicaragua, and many people do. There are a couple of agencies that can help you and from my understanding, it is not a very difficult procedure at all.
It is also not painful or inconvenient for the animal. They have systems that are set up that make it very convenient to bring your pet into the country.
What are the best places in the world to retire? The answer to this question will obviously be different for each individual, so I'll just give you my own answer - make of it what you will.
For now, I have chosen to spend my time in beautiful Bocas del Toro on the sunny Caribbean coast of Panama. Take a look at the picture on the right, which shows Starfish Beach, a short bus or boat ride from Bocas Town. That might give you some suggestion as to why you...
What are the best places in the world to retire? The answer to this question will obviously be different for each individual, so I'll just give you my own answer - make of it what you will.
For now, I have chosen to spend my time in beautiful Bocas del Toro on the sunny Caribbean coast of Panama. Take a look at the picture on the right, which shows Starfish Beach, a short bus or boat ride from Bocas Town. That might give you some suggestion as to why you might consider Bocas as a possible retirement location.
I'm not sure that I can actually classify myself as retired, but I haven't done a stroke of paid work for anybody else for over five years now, and that's how I'd like it to stay. I'm a writer, and I wrote my second book right here in paradise. Now that certainly beats some writing in some chilly flat in wintry London, fingers gloved to keep them warm.
Bocas del Toro offers a cheap alternative to the rat-race, a place where the cost of living can be very low, but the quality of life disproportionately high.
The best things about living here?
1). The people - both the expat community and the local populace are wonderful people to spend time with. This place seems to draw interesting, and sometimes slightly eccentric people.
2). The weather - it can rain quite a bit, which is a good thing if you are off-grid and rely on rainwater collection. But when the sun comes out, which it does often, and there is no wind, the lagoon is so beautiful.
3). Wonderful restaurants - away from town, down in the lagoons there are some hidden gems which offer wonderful social scenes, awesome views and great food.
4). Dolphins - I live just outside Dolphin Bay, and when out and about in the boat it is rare not to see at least a couple of dolphins. They always brighten your day.
5). Swimming and snorkelling - I can do both right from my dock.
6). Clothing choice - one of my favourite things is that here the temperature is pretty constant. When you get up in a morning there is no clothing dilemmas:
"Will I take a jacket?"
"What shoes should I wear?"
You can be pretty sure that shorts, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops cover all occasions.
I could go on, but instead I'll just suggest that you really need to come and take a look at this special place for yourself.
What electrical current or voltage is used in Portugal? Will my electrical appliances work in Portugal?
Carol Bartlett Ribeiro - Carol Bartlett Ribeiro, Property Consultant
The voltage here in Portugal is the same as you have in the States, and unlike England where you have 3 plugs. You can take the hair drier you use in the US and plug it right into the wall in Portugal and it will work, whereas, if you take your hair drier from the US to Portugal, you will need an adapter.
Previously if you put a washing machine on and a hair dryer everything would blow up because the homes couldn’t accommodate too much of an...
The voltage here in Portugal is the same as you have in the States, and unlike England where you have 3 plugs. You can take the hair drier you use in the US and plug it right into the wall in Portugal and it will work, whereas, if you take your hair drier from the US to Portugal, you will need an adapter.
Previously if you put a washing machine on and a hair dryer everything would blow up because the homes couldn’t accommodate too much of an electrical demand. Now it’s not like that because the electrical boards have been updated.
It’s taken a while for money to be in Portugal. Things that you have now are a lot more top range and sophisticated than it used to be.
(Old style wood burning stove in a Portuguese kitchen, pictured.)
The economy in Belize is growing, and the business culture can be described as “hungry.” People are bringing down nice boats, nice cars, and they are building beautiful homes. There’s hunger for the vast majority of Belizeans who want to grow into middle class, so if you have an opportunity to bring business opportunities, Belize is a very good market.
If you want to do business in Belize, you should find a very good law firm. There is Courtenay Coye LLP, and...
The economy in Belize is growing, and the business culture can be described as “hungry.” People are bringing down nice boats, nice cars, and they are building beautiful homes. There’s hunger for the vast majority of Belizeans who want to grow into middle class, so if you have an opportunity to bring business opportunities, Belize is a very good market.
If you want to do business in Belize, you should find a very good law firm. There is Courtenay Coye LLP, and a number of other law firms. Just make sure that you get the proper legal counsel and to keep any ruling families or internal disputes at bay, just like what you will do anywhere.
Typically, four families run the country of Belize. For example, one family controls all Coca Cola products, bottling, and beer. Another may control pretty much all the citrus and the bananas. Basically, these families have large, monopolistic control over different parts of the businesses in of Belize.
However, you don’t need to be blessed by these families in order to start a business. Your business success here depends on who you are and how much value you create.
How much does it cost to have a cell phone in Panama?
Suha Gomez - Palm Travel and Co.
Cellular phones in Panama are very easy to get as these are considered a necessity. Companies such as Movistar, Claro, Digicel and + Movil supply phone services and equipment for every budget. If you prefer having a pre-paid cell, the cards are sold everywhere, from the supermarket and restaurants to small stores. There are also annual contracts you get with the companies which give you some benefits, such as changing the phone every year when renewing the contract.
Cellular phones in Panama are very easy to get as these are considered a necessity. Companies such as Movistar, Claro, Digicel and + Movil supply phone services and equipment for every budget. If you prefer having a pre-paid cell, the cards are sold everywhere, from the supermarket and restaurants to small stores. There are also annual contracts you get with the companies which give you some benefits, such as changing the phone every year when renewing the contract.
I was at a lecture a few years ago where the speaker casually mentioned that most members of the audience were in the final third of their lives. As I looked around, I saw a lot of “old people,” so it seemed like he was right.
Zaqueo hired a third friend of his from his home area named Chicalo. He was to be an “ayudante,” or assistant as they are called when they don’t have a specific trade. Chicalo had only one working eye. The other had been irreparably damaged by a bungee cord accident. I used to work with eye surgeons, and one of them told me, “Don’t EVER use bungee cords, and tell everyone you know they are very dangerous and to throw them out!” She had...
We have many friends who are living the day-to-day hardship of the crisis in America. They choose to stay and deal with the political, economic and emotional stress on a daily basis. It takes a toll on everyone of all ages.
My husband and I chose to leave in hopes we could find a less stressful lifestyle. We wanted to be able to afford a more comfortable life in a climate that seems to boost our spirits. We found it in Boquete, Panama! Along with thousands of...