Best Places In The World To Retire

Granada is a city but it is also a department of Nicaragua. It is the largest city in the department but there are several other cities within a 30 minute drive of Granada. The "White Towns" of Diria, Diriomo and Catarina are at a higher altitude and tend to be a bit cooler. There are not many ex- pats in these small towns at this time but people are starting to look in that direction. 

 

Another area that is drawing foreigners is the Laguna...

Granada is a city but it is also a department of Nicaragua. It is the largest city in the department but there are several other cities within a 30 minute drive of Granada. The "White Towns" of Diria, Diriomo and Catarina are at a higher altitude and tend to be a bit cooler. There are not many ex- pats in these small towns at this time but people are starting to look in that direction. 

 

Another area that is drawing foreigners is the Laguna de Apoyo located just 20 minutes or so from Granada. This is a beautiful lagoon in the center of an extinct volcanic crater. The Laguna is also a Natural Reserve so it is protected in order to preserve its beauty.  There are several homes, hotels, hostels and restaurants on the lakefront as well as on the rim. Many foreigners are moving to this area as the temperature is cooler and the surroundings are magnificent.

The best reasons to retire overseas are numerous but break into to main categories, the practical and philosophical.

 

The cost of living overseas can be significantly less depending on location chosen.  The paradox is that the quality of life overseas can also be higher, even when it costs less to live.  I know.  My family and I experience this every day and have for the last 11 years.

 

On the philosophical level, living overseas...

The best reasons to retire overseas are numerous but break into to main categories, the practical and philosophical.

 

The cost of living overseas can be significantly less depending on location chosen.  The paradox is that the quality of life overseas can also be higher, even when it costs less to live.  I know.  My family and I experience this every day and have for the last 11 years.

 

On the philosophical level, living overseas gives a freedom not found any more in the US.   It seems like we have a law for everything now in the US.  Living outside the US means I don’t have to worry about all the "nanny state" nonsense.    It's refreshingly wonderful.

If you are moving your things to Portugal, it is best not to bring your electrical appliances because we have a different voltage here in Portugal than in the US. We use 220 voltage here, which is the same as in England.
 
You don’t really have to bring a lot of your stuff here because you can purchase everything here in the Lisbon area. You can find nice furniture, wonderful linen, wonderful china, etc. so you don’t need anything else. The same is true for the whole...

If you are moving your things to Portugal, it is best not to bring your electrical appliances because we have a different voltage here in Portugal than in the US. We use 220 voltage here, which is the same as in England.
 
You don’t really have to bring a lot of your stuff here because you can purchase everything here in the Lisbon area. You can find nice furniture, wonderful linen, wonderful china, etc. so you don’t need anything else. The same is true for the whole country of Portugal.
 
It costs pretty much the same in Portugal as in England to buy things. England is a bigger country so it has a lot more variety and a lot more competition. Here in Portugal, the Swedish have opened up a new chain for us called IKEA. They are here now and everybody shops in IKEA. The prices are pretty much competitive here.
 
If you want to buy some Portuguese furniture, you will find it a bit more expensive but it is because it is of higher quality and of good craftsmanship. When I moved back here from England, I didn’t bring my stuff over. I sold them in England and just bought everything new here in Portugal.

 

(Roof patio, Tavira, Portugal, pictured.)

No shirt, no shoes... no one will notice!
 
With the tropical weather in Belize, casual attire is always in style!
 
I don't recall ever seeing a man in a suit or jacket, although I'm sure there may be some occasion for that within the professional sector. Occasionally you will see someone such as an attorney or office manager in a dress shirt and tie or a dress and heels, but typically even office workers have more casual clothes that work well in the heat.

...

No shirt, no shoes... no one will notice!
 
With the tropical weather in Belize, casual attire is always in style!
 
I don't recall ever seeing a man in a suit or jacket, although I'm sure there may be some occasion for that within the professional sector. Occasionally you will see someone such as an attorney or office manager in a dress shirt and tie or a dress and heels, but typically even office workers have more casual clothes that work well in the heat.

As a tourist or expat living in Belize, you will live in shorts, t-shirts, tank tops and maybe even swimsuits!
 
If you are on one of the cayes, it's very likely that many of the restaurants have sand floors and no A/C. There's really no need, as the ocean breeze is almost always blowing to keep you cool. I always advise my tour guests to only bring casual, comfortable clothes and leave their dress clothes back at home. But just beware - if you stay in Belize for more than a couple of weeks, you start reaching for a jacket when the temperature goes down in the 60's!