Best Places In The World To Retire

Mexico has recently changed the laws regarding permanent residency.
 
When I got here, you could only stay in Mexico up to six months and then you had to renew. You had to pay your immigration lawyer for his or her time, especially if you do not know how to speak Spanish and need to depend on somebody who can take care of you.
 
Then, the government decided that they didn’t want temporary residents in Mexico.  After living here four years, you paid around $412...

Mexico has recently changed the laws regarding permanent residency.
 
When I got here, you could only stay in Mexico up to six months and then you had to renew. You had to pay your immigration lawyer for his or her time, especially if you do not know how to speak Spanish and need to depend on somebody who can take care of you.
 
Then, the government decided that they didn’t want temporary residents in Mexico.  After living here four years, you paid around $412 USD to the immigration office, plus around $118 USD to your immigration lawyer. You did not have to prove your income, and you were done. You waited for your card and you were a permanent resident. I did that, and I am now a permanent resident.
 
I asked them if I could leave the country and how long I could go and still maintain my permanent residency. I’m leaving in two weeks and going to six countries in the next two years. I have to be back in Mexico before the 24-month period is up. If I don’t get back in time, I lose my permanent residency.  From what I understand from my immigration lawyer, once I come back during that time period, I can leave Mexico for many years and never lose my permanent residence.  As a result, I will be using Mexico as my home base to go to other places and travel and I’ll always come back here.
 
The advantage of having a permanent resident card is you do not have to go through the hassle every six months, go to the immigration office, paying the fee, and having to spend all day at the immigration office every six months. 
 
Other countries make it harder for expats to become a permanent resident. Mexico does not do that. They changed the law and made it very easy once you’ve been here for four years.
 

(Immigration office in Corozal, Mexico, pictured.)

Yes, you can get a mortgage on property in Belize.  Most banks in the States will not loan to an out-of-country real estate purchase, but there are a few in the region that will finance properties in Lain America.  One of the most well known and trusted banks in Belize is Caye International Bank, Ltd.  In addition, some larger developers offer financing.

Yes, you can get a mortgage on property in Belize.  Most banks in the States will not loan to an out-of-country real estate purchase, but there are a few in the region that will finance properties in Lain America.  One of the most well known and trusted banks in Belize is Caye International Bank, Ltd.  In addition, some larger developers offer financing.

My understanding is that, for some states such as California, you can file as a non-resident and be eligible for an exclusion from state income taxes as well. Some states allow the exclusion, and some states don’t, so you need to check the law in your particular state. 

Raising children in Portugal is wonderful. There is no violence here. It’s very secure so the children have lots of freedom and they can have lots of activities after school.
 
Here in Portugal, you will see children the age of 12 going to school by themselves by getting on to public transports. By the age of 15, they go to the cafes or the cinemas without adult supervision. Most cafes in Portugal don’t close until 1 AM. They go on their own. Parents don’t need...

Raising children in Portugal is wonderful. There is no violence here. It’s very secure so the children have lots of freedom and they can have lots of activities after school.
 
Here in Portugal, you will see children the age of 12 going to school by themselves by getting on to public transports. By the age of 15, they go to the cafes or the cinemas without adult supervision. Most cafes in Portugal don’t close until 1 AM. They go on their own. Parents don’t need to always guard their children here.
 
Raising children in Portugal is totally different from raising children in England. I raised my daughter in England and at age 6, she couldn’t go to the sweets shop by herself. Here in Portugal, you would see children ages 5 to 7 who go to the sweets shop on their own or they go to the small stores to buy bread, etc. You will see 12 to 15 year olds at the beach without their parents. You can let your children go on their own here in Portugal but you can’t do the same in England because England has more crimes; it’s unbelievable. In England, you’ll hear of children who got raped at the age of 6 or 7. You never hear of that in Portugal. Children get abducted in England and here in Portugal, that doesn’t happen. It’s safe here in Portugal.  

 

(Easter egg hunt in Portugal, pictured.)

Yes, you need a car in Casco Viejo, and it is probably better if you have a garage, if you live there. The parking on the street in Casco Viejo is notoriously tight, so a garage is essential to have that peace of mind of where to park the car. If you do not have a car, you might have to rent one periodically, especially if you take day trips.

The public transportation system in Casco Viejo is not terribly bad. You can always hire cabs easily by using phone apps. If you really want to...

Yes, you need a car in Casco Viejo, and it is probably better if you have a garage, if you live there. The parking on the street in Casco Viejo is notoriously tight, so a garage is essential to have that peace of mind of where to park the car. If you do not have a car, you might have to rent one periodically, especially if you take day trips.

The public transportation system in Casco Viejo is not terribly bad. You can always hire cabs easily by using phone apps. If you really want to explore the country of Panama, you will want to have a car.