Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta can vary from top gastronomical gourmet dining to the other extreme consisting of small Mexican spots frequented by the locals. Naturally prices will vary accordingly. Some of the top chefs in the world are located here and the locations of some of the restaurants will impact the price as well. Since Puerto Vallarta is located on the side of a mountain going down to the sea, restaurants on the hill have incredible views, which of...
Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta can vary from top gastronomical gourmet dining to the other extreme consisting of small Mexican spots frequented by the locals. Naturally prices will vary accordingly. Some of the top chefs in the world are located here and the locations of some of the restaurants will impact the price as well. Since Puerto Vallarta is located on the side of a mountain going down to the sea, restaurants on the hill have incredible views, which of course will impact the price. Other locations on the beach or offering views of the daily spectacular sunsets can be very pricey as well. These locations will cost you as much as any US (i.e., Phoenix) top quality restaurant along with the ambience to boot. You could easily spend $100 US per person along with drinks.
In the middle of the road ($25-$50 US) there are hundreds of places to enjoy with great ambience and great food that are very attractive to tourists that can be found in all areas of the city. These are often written up on websites such as Tripadvisor, etc., so I encourage you to check them out.
However as an expat living in Puerto Vallarta there are an incredible number of places, be they small dining spots, or even street stands where the food is delicious and may cost as little as $2-$3 US for a meal. I find that while there may be little ambience at these places, the experience makes it all the more exciting. Food is often served in ways unfamiliar to outsiders but that's the fun of living in Mexico! You can always tell the ones with the best food because those are the ones that are always crowded.
So from a cost perspective you can dine out for whatever your budget will allow. My recommendation is to mix it up and try the gamut if your budget allows. If not you can still enjoy delicious food for very little money.
Many tourists who travel to Puerto Vallarta here stay at resorts or hotels that are "all inclusive." While that might sound great in theory it really ends up costing your more and limits the opportunity to discover many great alternatives for dining. If you are thinking of moving here make sure you open your options and try all that the area has to offer.
(Taco stand in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)
Retiring in Nicaragua is to have a very relaxing life. You will have a beautiful environment and have a lot of friends.
For instance, in San Juan Del Sur, expats there do exercises or yoga because there are yoga places over there. Maybe they can also have a small business, if they want to have something to do during the day. Depending on where they are, you can also go walking, you can fix your garden, or just meet new friends. Doing something for...
Retiring in Nicaragua is to have a very relaxing life. You will have a beautiful environment and have a lot of friends.
For instance, in San Juan Del Sur, expats there do exercises or yoga because there are yoga places over there. Maybe they can also have a small business, if they want to have something to do during the day. Depending on where they are, you can also go walking, you can fix your garden, or just meet new friends. Doing something for the community is also very good for expat retirees to do.
I didn’t mention Granada as nice retirement place because I like more natural places, but Granada has a lake and has its own beauty, but it is getting more crowded now. The colonial city of Granada is very nice, but for me, Granada is too crowded.
It doesn’t matter what part of Belize you’re going to move to, it’s difficult. The roads are rough in a lot of areas on the mainland and there are extra considerations if you are moving to an island. To try to get any paperwork done it is just mind blowing how complicated it can be. Sometimes there are no rules, then there are new rules, and then there are rules that are just for you.
As an example, it could happen that you would put in all your...
It doesn’t matter what part of Belize you’re going to move to, it’s difficult. The roads are rough in a lot of areas on the mainland and there are extra considerations if you are moving to an island. To try to get any paperwork done it is just mind blowing how complicated it can be. Sometimes there are no rules, then there are new rules, and then there are rules that are just for you.
As an example, it could happen that you would put in all your paperwork for your residency and submit it to the proper government office. They check the application and your paperwork and they would tell you it is fine. Then you might go back in 3 months to make sure that your application is still being processed and you’ll find out that it’s piled on somebody’s desk and nothing has been done. Then you go back in 6 months and they’d tell you.... we really need you to redo this application and make sure all of these forms are certified originals. You could tell them that you did it 6 months ago and you were told that everything was fine and that you shouldn’t have to redo anything but no matter what you do, just keep your cool and redo it. Sometimes it is worth it to pay a lawyer, a connected Belizean or an experienced expat that knows all the right people. It’s quicker, it’s easier, and in the long run, you’re not going to spend any more money.
For us one of the biggest frustrations was when we moved to Ambergris Caye and saw how people threw garbage everywhere. They would just be driving along and throw a bag of garbage out onto the road. The town board did finally put garbage cans in all the different areas for their convenience and began programs in the schools to teach the kids to put their gum wrapper in the garbage and not on the ground. Barry Bowen added more cans on the beach and finally the garbage was not an issue anymore but this took years to accomplish.
The best thing about moving to Belize is the immediate connection to the people. You honestly feel they are your best friends and you want to share your experience of life with them. They want to accept your help but on their terms. They don't want you to turn the country of Belize into the United States.
Well... in my case I had little choice- my preferred country, Australia has become too expensive for me so I had to find somewhere that made my meager pension and savings go further. The argument that everywhere else is as costly as 'home' is false.
Originally my motivations were better prospects, warmer weather that cured my chest infections and a better future for my kids. These are universal motivations, surely? Therefore I find some...
Well... in my case I had little choice- my preferred country, Australia has become too expensive for me so I had to find somewhere that made my meager pension and savings go further. The argument that everywhere else is as costly as 'home' is false.
Originally my motivations were better prospects, warmer weather that cured my chest infections and a better future for my kids. These are universal motivations, surely? Therefore I find some of the comments a bit wide of the mark.
Besides that, I felt I had become a burden to my 'family' and this would get worse, meaning I'd be ever more dependent. At 70 this was not an option. The ME age has been hard for most older people. So I live in exile, really- and I'm not alone in this.
There are several specialty furniture stores in the Algarve. There are also furniture stores in the big malls but what you could also do in Algarve is order furniture from the northern part of Portugal, which is one of the best-known areas for the manufacture of furniture using local woods.
There is place in the north of Portugal called Paços de Ferreira, which is essentially the furniture capital of Portugal. Often, people who want furniture made...
There are several specialty furniture stores in the Algarve. There are also furniture stores in the big malls but what you could also do in Algarve is order furniture from the northern part of Portugal, which is one of the best-known areas for the manufacture of furniture using local woods.
There is place in the north of Portugal called Paços de Ferreira, which is essentially the furniture capital of Portugal. Often, people who want furniture made from certain types of woods would have pieces made to order from Paços de Ferreira and have them shipped down to the Algarve.
We have a good amount of quality furniture in Portugal. The quality is very good and the pricing is incredibly great compared to international standards. If I were in Latin America and getting some local hardwood made by a local person, I am pretty certain that I could get it cheaper there but if you were moving to a country and wanted local handmade furniture out of cherry or oak, you would find the price and quality very good here in Portugal.
If you want ready-made furniture from popular brands, we do have IKEA, which is being built near Loulé, so for all those who want a modern, Northern European look, they can go to IKEA. At the moment, the closest IKEA would be in Spain, in Seville or in Lisbon, which is the capital of Portugal. Aside from furniture, you would also find stores that sell rugs, carpets, and accessory stores. There is one accessory store that we like going to because it is high end but not excessively expensive. It’s called A Loja Gato Preto, which literally translates to “the shop of the black cat”. They have some very nice home décor pieces.
(Hampshire dressing table available at the Furniture Store, an English company with an outlet in the Algarve, Portugal, pictured.)
How much does food cost in the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco?
Eddie Montes - Panama Property Rentals
The cost of food in the San Francisco area of Panama City is pretty similar to the food cost in the US. Grocery store items and restaurants are of similar values to the US as well. This is because the San Francisco area is one of the higher-end areas of Panama City. There are various supermarket chains here in Panama and most of them are comparable to what you see in Miami and in other suburban and urban areas in the United States.
There are other alternatives as well...
The cost of food in the San Francisco area of Panama City is pretty similar to the food cost in the US. Grocery store items and restaurants are of similar values to the US as well. This is because the San Francisco area is one of the higher-end areas of Panama City. There are various supermarket chains here in Panama and most of them are comparable to what you see in Miami and in other suburban and urban areas in the United States.
There are other alternatives as well such as the fruit and vegetable markets and the seafood market where prices are significantly lower than the average one-stop shop supermarkets. A typical fish in the US will run you around US $10 to $12 a pound. Some are a little bit less than that. But here in San Francisco, you can buy any fish across the board for $2 to $2.50 a pound. It is significantly cheaper.
In San Francisco, there is also a company named Price Smart, which is similar to a Costco or a BJ’s Wholesale Club, where you can buy bulk items and the prices are similar to the competition in the US for those types of stores as well.
The prices of fruits and vegetables here in San Francisco in the supermarkets are similar to the ones in the US but the fruit stands are significantly cheaper. In these stands you would pay around 1/3 of the price that you would pay in a supermarket for lettuce, potatoes, peppers, and other herbs.
You can save a lot of money if you are only buying fish and fruits, which is pretty much what I do! It’s a lot less expensive aside from the fact that it’s very healthy for you. Not only do you get to eat healthy but your heart rate goes down as well because you are not spending so much money.
(Bala de Cañon or cannonball fruit found in the Panama Canal, Panama, pictured.)
Not even Goldilocks would have a problem with Ajijic. It’s “just right” and in the middle: not too cold, and not too hot. Ajijic is not too crowded, but with enough residents to have services: there’s a Wal-Mart close by, and dozens of great restaurants, day spas, etc. Guadalajara, at 40 minutes away by car, provides an international airport, high-end shopping, culture, first rate medical care, etc. just close enough to be convenient but not too close to be an...
Boquete mornings greet us with cool, fresh air. Except during the rainy season the morning clouds melt away fast and the sky becomes a beautiful jewel tone blue. The little humming birds come to greet us as we sip coffee in the cool morning air on our patio.
Our patio is private and it is our sanctuary from stress. It is almost always 72 degrees, offers shade, keeps the rain and mist off us as we sit there during the prettiest part of the...
Living in the western end of Panama has its charm as well as its challenges. We often hear that folks miss certain products from home and many make routine treks to Panama City to take advantage of greater product availability. The truth is, there is greater variety in Panama City than in smaller cities and towns. This is often the case in more urban areas. But here in Chiriqui, if you look around long enough you are usually able to find most of what of you need in...
Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta can vary from top gastronomical gourmet dining to the other extreme consisting of small Mexican spots frequented by the locals. Naturally prices will vary accordingly. Some of the top chefs in the world are located here and the locations of some of the restaurants will impact the price as well. Since Puerto Vallarta is located on the side of a mountain going down to the sea, restaurants on the hill have incredible views, which of...
Retiring in Nicaragua is to have a very relaxing life. You will have a beautiful environment and have a lot of friends. 
It doesn’t matter what part of Belize you’re going to move to, it’s difficult. The roads are rough in a lot of areas on the mainland and there are extra considerations if you are moving to an island. To try to get any paperwork done it is just mind blowing how complicated it can be. Sometimes there are no rules, then there are new rules, and then there are rules that are just for you. 
Well... in my case I had little choice- my preferred country, Australia has become too expensive for me so I had to find somewhere that made my meager pension and savings go further. The argument that everywhere else is as costly as 'home' is false. 
There are several specialty furniture stores in the Algarve. There are also furniture stores in the big malls but what you could also do in Algarve is order furniture from the northern part of Portugal, which is one of the best-known areas for the manufacture of furniture using local woods. 
The cost of food in the San Francisco area of Panama City is pretty similar to the food cost in the US. Grocery store items and restaurants are of similar values to the US as well. This is because the San Francisco area is one of the higher-end areas of Panama City. There are various supermarket chains here in Panama and most of them are comparable to what you see in Miami and in other suburban and urban areas in the United States.
Not even Goldilocks would have a problem with Ajijic. It’s “just right” and in the middle: not too cold, and not too hot. Ajijic is not too crowded, but with enough residents to have services: there’s a Wal-Mart close by, and dozens of great restaurants, day spas, etc. Guadalajara, at 40 minutes away by car, provides an international airport, high-end shopping, culture, first rate medical care, etc. just close enough to be convenient but not too close to be an...
The little humming birds come to greet us as we sip coffee in the cool morning air on our patio. 
.png)
Living in the western end of Panama has its charm as well as its challenges. We often hear that folks miss certain products from home and many make routine treks to Panama City to take advantage of greater product availability. The truth is, there is greater variety in Panama City than in smaller cities and towns. This is often the case in more urban areas. But here in Chiriqui, if you look around long enough you are usually able to find most of what of you need in...