Best Places In The World To Retire

In order to formally do an importation of household goods without the 16% tax assessment on value of the items, it is necessary to process documents through the Mexican consulate and may also require the use of a broker licensed in Mexico.  Otherwise, you will find yourself at the discretion of the MX customs official as to whether to assess an importation tax on the amount of the goods being imported.  I am familiar with varying experiences in this regard.

 

In order to formally do an importation of household goods without the 16% tax assessment on value of the items, it is necessary to process documents through the Mexican consulate and may also require the use of a broker licensed in Mexico.  Otherwise, you will find yourself at the discretion of the MX customs official as to whether to assess an importation tax on the amount of the goods being imported.  I am familiar with varying experiences in this regard.

 

Some folks have gone through the consulate process, and imported themselves while others have used the broker, who largely functions as the moving company.  Some folks have had vastly different outcomes with brokers, just like any other moving service.  We chose to forego the broker in our move from California to Baja and trucked it across ourselves using a combination of trailers and a detailed manifest.  And yes, I did move the entire contents of a 3 bedroom house; didn't want to part with family antiques and other items that recreate my comfort zone.

 

We paid the importation tax that totaled about $1,500 USD.  Including trailer rentals, we approximate that it cost us $2,000 USD less than using a broker.  When all was unpacked and in place, the only casualty was a piece of glass that needed to be replaced in a cabinet -- which was easily handled locally for $10 USD.  Certainly a factor in your decision will depend upon the distance between where you are now and where you are moving to in Mexico.  For us, it was just a 6 hour trek / 320 miles.  Hope this helps.

 

(Campers and trailers, Rocky Point, Mexico, pictured.)

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.)

Where I live in the Tierras Altas (Highlands) of Chiriquí Province, the simple answer is that it is far less expensive to live here than the United States or France, where I previously lived. Imported goods (anything from food products to automobiles) generally cost about the same as in the States, but Panamanian goods are generally considerably less costly. Groceries for two adults cost me less than $100 a month. You can rent a nice casita with one or two bedrooms for $300 to $400...

Where I live in the Tierras Altas (Highlands) of Chiriquí Province, the simple answer is that it is far less expensive to live here than the United States or France, where I previously lived. Imported goods (anything from food products to automobiles) generally cost about the same as in the States, but Panamanian goods are generally considerably less costly. Groceries for two adults cost me less than $100 a month. You can rent a nice casita with one or two bedrooms for $300 to $400 a month, plus maybe $30 for gas and electric. Once you get to know the area, you will find great savings opportunities, such as buying fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer. Medical costs are often much lower, too; a typical doctor or dentist visit runs about $10-$30. An excellent herbalist costs $5/visit.