What are the expats like in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Percy Pinklebutt - Percy Pinklebutt Enteprises
There are all sorts of expats from all over the world who come to live here in Chapala and Ajijic. Many are European and North American from a huge variety of social and economic backgrounds. A friend of ours, who is a retired teacher from Florida, used to live here 10 to 15 years ago. She just made it back here to retire again and she is very happy.
Some expats tend not to interact much with the local...
There are all sorts of expats from all over the world who come to live here in Chapala and Ajijic. Many are European and North American from a huge variety of social and economic backgrounds. A friend of ours, who is a retired teacher from Florida, used to live here 10 to 15 years ago. She just made it back here to retire again and she is very happy.
Some expats tend not to interact much with the local lakeside community. Other expats are very engaged with the Mexican community and that’s a really positive thing. You can however, and many expats do, live here with no ability to speak Spanish. Many of the Mexican population here are bi-lingual and fluent in English which makes life much easier for those visitors who have no Spanish language skills.
It’s tough to make a generalization because the expat population is very varied. There are some great characters to be found. We did have a wonderful retired lawyer who used to ride in a cart pulled by a donkey to the pub. Not just any donkey, an albino donkey with a hat full of flowers. He wore a cap with a feather in his hat and an Indian vest and made everyone he passed, smile. A local character indeed.
You never know who you are going to meet in Chapala and Ajijic. There's no way to generalize on expats.
To give you a different answer I am going to let you decide whether the public transportation system is good or bad by answering to these facts about the bus system based in my experience about Boquete public transport from the David-Boquete route.
Are the Boquete Buses puntual?
Yes, the buses leave the station every 45 minutes, always go on time and don't wait for anybody, which is good...
Greetings expats community.
To give you a different answer I am going to let you decide whether the public transportation system is good or bad by answering to these facts about the bus system based in my experience about Boquete public transport from the David-Boquete route.
Are the Boquete Buses puntual?
Yes, the buses leave the station every 45 minutes, always go on time and don't wait for anybody, which is good for the people in the bus, not so good for the people who are late to catch it. There are many stops in the first 8 miles from the bus terminal in David and Boquete so you can take a taxi which will cost you about 2-3 dollars top and catch the bus in the next stop. Each ride takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour so it is important to plan your bus ride the day before.
How are the buses in Boquete?
The Boquete buses used to be the high school bus model. They changed it to the long distance bus type and by now they have changed probably half the bus fleet so it is a matter of luck which one do you use to get to Boquete.
Are the buses reliable in funtionality?
I rode the high school bus type for 8 years when I was in high school and each time I came back to Boquete to visit my family during my university years and they have never broke down or even got a flat tire so speaking from my experience they are very good. There was one time that the bus broke down but that happened to a friend of mine and I cannot guarantee you that it will never happen but if you ask me I would say they are pretty well maintained.
How are the bus passengers?
I have never seen a fight, dispute or anything bad that would make me consider not taking the bus. The only thing that I don't like is that sometimes the bus is completely crowded so you don't find any seats but you just need to wait a few minutes.
For questions about the bus system inside Boquete I am afraid that I can't help you. I have taken those buses just a few times and it was a long time ago. To go to another part of Boquete I've take taxis which are not expensive unless that you go to a really far away place like Caldera or Palmira.
I hope these answers helped you and gives you an idea of how is the Bus system here in Boquete.
Housing is very affordable in Nicaragua even though currently we have a shortage of houses and apartments, which gives the owners leverage over people who are looking for a place to live. The most expensive housing in Central America is Costa Rica, while the least expensive is Honduras. Nicaragua is in the middle. Housing is not extremely cheap compared to the rest of Central America.
A 2,500 square foot home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms in a nice...
Housing is very affordable in Nicaragua even though currently we have a shortage of houses and apartments, which gives the owners leverage over people who are looking for a place to live. The most expensive housing in Central America is Costa Rica, while the least expensive is Honduras. Nicaragua is in the middle. Housing is not extremely cheap compared to the rest of Central America.
A 2,500 square foot home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms in a nice area would cost around US $1,000 to $1,200 to rent. If you buy, then it will be in the $200,000 range. Electricity in Nicaragua is one of the most expensive commodities in Central America, but the rate is different by zones in Nicaragua. The rate you pay depends on where you live. We don’t have a standard price for the electricity. So even though we have the highest rates for electricity in Central America, the cost of electricity could be very cheap in some areas. Even Managua has different prices and the price depends on the neighborhood. The upper class areas pay the most for electricity.
You can have a $200,000 home in front of the beach and pay only 1,000 Cordobas (about $37) per month for electricity. It might not make sense, but that is how the system works here in Nicaragua. If you live in the best neighborhoods in Managua, you will pay high electric rate. If you live in the beach communities, then the prices are lower.
I know many families who are moving back to Nicaragua because here we have a low cost of living. We don’t pay high property taxes. We can pay property taxes every 3 years. If you are moving from the US, there are some laws that will allow you to have a residency and have tax breaks and tax incentives. You can move your things into Nicaragua without paying anything. Here in Nicaragua, the dollar is stable; it doesn’t fluctuate a lot like in other countries. If you sell your dollars in Nicaragua, you’ll see that it has more value here than in the US.
The prices of anything that you buy in the supermarket are very stable, too. Inflation is very low here. All these give the people (and you, if you live in Nicaragua) great purchasing power.
Do I need a second passport if I retire, work, or live abroad?
RICH Novak - RE/MAX Beaches & City! INC.
With regard to Panama - here's how things are working as of December 28, 2012. You do NOT repeat NOT need a second passport to retire or work in Panama.
Panama is a great place for you to retire. Many experts say that Panama's Pensionado (Retirement) Program is the very best. I am a Panama Pensionado. You need a Panama lawyer to help you with becoming a Pensionado. The Panama law firm that I recommend is Panama Relocation Attorneys is Panama City.
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With regard to Panama - here's how things are working as of December 28, 2012. You do NOT repeat NOT need a second passport to retire or work in Panama.
Panama is a great place for you to retire. Many experts say that Panama's Pensionado (Retirement) Program is the very best. I am a Panama Pensionado. You need a Panama lawyer to help you with becoming a Pensionado. The Panama law firm that I recommend is Panama Relocation Attorneys is Panama City.
At this time, a Pensionado can NOT legally work (have income), but a Pensionado can - however - own a Panama Corporation & the Panama Corp can have income. Be very careful here because certain types of business can only be owned by Panamanian citizens. You need to be represented by a competent Panama lawyer.
Being able to legally work in Panama is much more complicated. Panama protects its citizens and makes it very difficult for foreigners to obtain a Panama work permit. However, recently President Martinelli issued Executive Order 343 & this Executive Order may make it easier for foreigners to obtain work permits... but because all this info is so brand new - the mechanics of this Program are still being sorted out by Panama's Immigration Department.
The economy & tourism industry are absolutely booming here in Panama & recently I read that 10,000 additional workers are needed because of all the new Panama hotels that are currently under construction.
Maybe I should also mention that when a citizen of North America comes to Panama as a tourist, this person may remain in Panama for up to 180 days... before the 180 days are over a tourist then needs to leave Panama for 72 hours, but after the 72 hours the tourist can return to Panama for another 180 days. And you can do this over & over & over again & again I personally know of people who have in effect been Perpetual Tourists (PTs) in this manner. In fact my wife & I were PTs before we became Panama Pensionados. A tourist and/or PT can NOT legally work (have income) here in Panama, but even a foreign tourist can own a Panama Corporation & the Panama Corp may have income.
What type of government does Portugal have, and is the government in Portugal stable?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
The government of Portugal is very stable. Portugal has had the longest period to form a government of any government post the revolution in 1974. We currently have a slightly left of center socialist government, which took over from a slightly conservative government.
The government of Portugal is generally stable, although it may change partly left or slightly right of center. The politics as such doesn’t change significantly. There is still very...
The government of Portugal is very stable. Portugal has had the longest period to form a government of any government post the revolution in 1974. We currently have a slightly left of center socialist government, which took over from a slightly conservative government.
The government of Portugal is generally stable, although it may change partly left or slightly right of center. The politics as such doesn’t change significantly. There is still very much a central block of political view, opinion, and political management. We have had a lot of strikes but they do not tend to impact the economy much. The number of political parties has remained reasonably stable for the last 40 years. For the first time in many years, we have a new political party in parliament with one seat. Generally, politics is characterized by boring political stability.
Can I get American or Canadian radio stations in Belize?
David Berger - Tradewinds Hospitality at Orchid Bay
You cannot get American or Canadian radio stations here in Belize via terrestrial radio signal but you can do it on the Internet. As long as the Internet is working you can go online and find American radio stations online but you won’t be able to do that using the terrestrial radio.
We do get Mexican radio stations like the ones from Chetumal, Mexico and the Free Zone Radio. Free Zone is an area that is a part of Belize that is made for Belizeans to...
You cannot get American or Canadian radio stations here in Belize via terrestrial radio signal but you can do it on the Internet. As long as the Internet is working you can go online and find American radio stations online but you won’t be able to do that using the terrestrial radio.
We do get Mexican radio stations like the ones from Chetumal, Mexico and the Free Zone Radio. Free Zone is an area that is a part of Belize that is made for Belizeans to work and where Mexicans go shopping. It is located between the countries of Mexico and Belize and there are a lot of shops and radio stations there, too.
Lest you be skeptical of that “Best City in the World” designation in the title, dear readers, let me begin by saying that Travel + Leisure magazine in 2017 bestowed that very designation on San Miguel de Allende, as had Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2013. And many other publications have granted very similar titles to our little village over the past several years.
My bias for San Miguel, however, began many years before.
I survived my heart attack. Some of you may have read my harrowing story on this site about my ambulance ride to Panama City (Why are you shaving my testicles?), which is why I founded The Panama Helpline.
I didn't die - so... What"s Next? Bucket list time: "I have never won a TONY - so let's go get one" I declared to my wife.
I was undeterred that I had never written a musical, I can't play an instrument, I don't...
I first walked across the border from Costa Rica to Panama in Sixaola with (my now ex) wife. We had some money in our pockets, were vegetarians and vegetarian chefs and wanted to open – you guessed it – a veggie restaurant. It was a risky venture and we were one of the first in Panama and definitely the first in the Bocas province and islands.
So I found 2 shacks connected by an outhouse over the water on Carenero (facing Isla Colon). I signed a 2-year rental...
The government of Portugal is very stable. Portugal has had the longest period to form a government of any government post the revolution in 1974. We currently have a slightly left of center socialist government, which took over from a slightly conservative government. 
You cannot get American or Canadian radio stations here in Belize via terrestrial radio signal but you can do it on the Internet. As long as the Internet is working you can go online and find American radio stations online but you won’t be able to do that using the terrestrial radio. 
Lest you be skeptical of that “Best City in the World” designation in the title, dear readers, let me begin by saying that Travel + Leisure magazine in 2017 bestowed that very designation on San Miguel de Allende, as had Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2013. And many other publications have granted very similar titles to our little village over the past several years. 
I survived my heart attack. Some of you may have read my harrowing story on this site about my ambulance ride to Panama City (.jpg)
ross the border from Costa Rica to Panama in