How are Americans in San Miguel de Allende treated? How are expats in San Miguel de Allende treated generally?
Jonathan Peters - Ventanas de San Miguel
Expats are treated very well in San Miguel de Allende. The consensus would be that expats have brought more benefit to San Miguel than disadvantages. Just like anywhere you should be conscious that you're a guest in any country. No one wants to hear foreigners harping about things that the people in their guest country should do differently, because different is not always better. Every country's different, but as long as you're respectful and you treat people the way you'd...
Expats are treated very well in San Miguel de Allende. The consensus would be that expats have brought more benefit to San Miguel than disadvantages. Just like anywhere you should be conscious that you're a guest in any country. No one wants to hear foreigners harping about things that the people in their guest country should do differently, because different is not always better. Every country's different, but as long as you're respectful and you treat people the way you'd like to be treated, you're treated as well as you'd be treated back in the States. The general perception of expats is really good here. Also if you're not a jerk, you're treated particularly well here.
(Banner for a golf tournament at Ventanas de San Miguel benefiting CRISMA, Centro de Rehabilitación in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)
How good are the medical centers, hospitals and health clinics in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, and how close are they?
Lucy Valenti - Liv Nicaragua
In San Juan del Sur there is only a basic clinic, just for basic treatments or for an emergency. If you have a more serious healthcare problem, you should get it treated in a hospital, which San Juan del Sur does not have.
Depending on the severity of your health emergency, you could go to the public hospital in Rivas (20 – 25 minutes away) or, preferably, to Managua (two hours away). Managua has the best hospitals in Nicaragua, up to the standards of the US.
In San Juan del Sur there is only a basic clinic, just for basic treatments or for an emergency. If you have a more serious healthcare problem, you should get it treated in a hospital, which San Juan del Sur does not have.
Depending on the severity of your health emergency, you could go to the public hospital in Rivas (20 – 25 minutes away) or, preferably, to Managua (two hours away). Managua has the best hospitals in Nicaragua, up to the standards of the US.
What are the best and worst things about living and retiring in Placencia, Belize?
Nikki Muschamp
The best thing in Placencia, Belize is living on the beach. I personally like living on the beach because of the different cultures. The people are friendly and open. We have a great community spirit here. I like the fact that we are able to go to the mainland, a 45-minute drive and be back the same day and have a great adventure. I like that we have the cayes and the reefs are very near to us, so you can go and be back the same day.
I would not say “worst,”...
The best thing in Placencia, Belize is living on the beach. I personally like living on the beach because of the different cultures. The people are friendly and open. We have a great community spirit here. I like the fact that we are able to go to the mainland, a 45-minute drive and be back the same day and have a great adventure. I like that we have the cayes and the reefs are very near to us, so you can go and be back the same day.
I would not say “worst,” but there are things that are sort of difficult to do here in Placencia. One example is going back to the middle of the country to purchase stuff because the cost is better over there and it is too expensive here in Placencia. We are still in the process of getting certain things here for sale. We do not have butcher shops here, so we have deliveries. We do not have those things that would be more convenient, but it is nice because if you do not find something in one shop you, have to go to another shop and you get to meet different people.
Do I still have to file my US income taxes if I retire, work or just live abroad?
Judy Sacco
Yes you do. Also, if you have bank accounts in Panama over $10,000, you have to file the FBAR (Form TD-F 90-22.1) and over $50,000 the form 8938 reporting your foreign bank accounts and corporations. You also have to report any interest earned on foreign accounts.
The earned income credit is a benefit. You can exclude about $92,000 of income earned in Panama (other than interest). You can figure all of this using TurboTax. If you do not report, there can be...
Yes you do. Also, if you have bank accounts in Panama over $10,000, you have to file the FBAR (Form TD-F 90-22.1) and over $50,000 the form 8938 reporting your foreign bank accounts and corporations. You also have to report any interest earned on foreign accounts.
The earned income credit is a benefit. You can exclude about $92,000 of income earned in Panama (other than interest). You can figure all of this using TurboTax. If you do not report, there can be dire penalties.
What is Portugal’s economic system? More free market, capitalistic, socialist, etc.?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
Generally speaking, Portugal has a free market and fairly capitalistic system but still with a very strong role of the state in terms of its social responsibility. As a result, you will still see a government that attempts to protect within the financial limits imposed by budgets and other things. You will still see a government attempting to protect the poorest relative to their salaries, the elderly, etc., and although those protected mechanisms have drastically reduced and...
Generally speaking, Portugal has a free market and fairly capitalistic system but still with a very strong role of the state in terms of its social responsibility. As a result, you will still see a government that attempts to protect within the financial limits imposed by budgets and other things. You will still see a government attempting to protect the poorest relative to their salaries, the elderly, etc., and although those protected mechanisms have drastically reduced and fallen away over the years because of certain measures. Nonetheless, compared to the US, for example, the state here in Portugal intervenes a lot.
A good example is that before the change of government, which happened just recently, the national airline, TAP was privatized and 51% of it was sold to a consortium headed by an American investor, but at the moment, the socialist government is trying to reverse that situation by renegotiating the shareholding of the external investor from the majority to the minority position. I think this is something that in the US would be unheard of or the state would not be looking to buy the shares back from any of the airlines because there isn’t really a national airline in the US. If there were one, it would be difficult to imagine the US government buying back shares in an airline to ensure some kind of say in its management or protection of the nation as a whole.
(1968 TAP airline commercial in lights behind the fountain in Rossio Square, Lisbon, Portugal, pictured.)
How's the kayaking in and around Bocas Del Toro, Panama and the rafting in and around Bocas Del Toro, Panama?
JB Seligman - BUENA VISTA REALTY located in BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA
Kayaking is the standard way to explore certain island areas around Bocas del Toro. Always remember going on the first leg out... you have to turn around and come back!!! Sometimes with the wind in front of you, it can be challenging.
There is no real rafting here in the islands, as we have no rapid rivers. The mainland has rafting companies.
A popular water sport here is "stand up paddle boarding." Lots of expats own their...
Kayaking is the standard way to explore certain island areas around Bocas del Toro. Always remember going on the first leg out... you have to turn around and come back!!! Sometimes with the wind in front of you, it can be challenging.
There is no real rafting here in the islands, as we have no rapid rivers. The mainland has rafting companies.
A popular water sport here is "stand up paddle boarding." Lots of expats own their boards, or you can rent them in town. It's fun to paddle over a reef!
I hear you are Belize bound. Maybe I can help. No, packing plates wasn’t what I had in mind. Sorry. Be of good cheer, though, that your porcelain will remain safely out of my CLUMSY hands.
Now then, let’s consider some handy things you may want to toss in that last box before you tape the top. First, have you included a goodly number of chains among your household items? You look at me wildly. Take it easy, now. I am not...
This morning my wife and I made our first official visit to a medical provider here in Medellin Colombia. I had a minor issue that I was sure would dissipate with the ‘tincture of time,’ as health professionals refer to treatment for temporary, innocuous conditions. But we decided to take our health care insurance for a test drive anyway, just to learn how the system works. Not only was it an enlightening visit, introducing us to the health care system in Colombia, but...
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...