Blackouts and brownouts happen in Chapala and Ajijic, but not with the frequency that it used to and not with enough regularity to be a nuisance. Some neighborhoods are worse than others. I’ve lived in Riberas del Pilar for a year now, and the only time I lost power was for 2 days during a particularly bad rainstorm. 
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 dress code in Granada, Nicaragua is very informal. The lake is close by so you will see a lot of people wearing shorts and sandals. Walking down the street, you will see a lot of people wearing summer clothes all year round. It’s always casual. 
You can indeed buy or you can create a business in Portugal. If you buy a business or create a business and you create a certain number of jobs, you will also be eligible for the Golden Visa.Life in the coffee hills of Veracruz
We moved to Mexico from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in November of 2011. I had visited Mexico many times before, and spoke some Spanish prior to the move. My wife is Mexican born, but had lived in Canada many years. We made the move with our 2 young daughters (2 and newborn), and our 5 year old dog. We were going because of my wife's work (she had been offered a research position at the state of Veracruz' leading university.
I expected some culture shock,...
I expected some culture shock,...