Best Places In The World To Retire

Many of the things that you should be most concerned about in retiring abroad will depend on your age. For example, if you are 65 years old or older and are retiring abroad, then you definitely should be concerned about health care because you’re going to be moving from one health care system to another.
 
It’s common knowledge that Medicare does not apply to procedures or expenses that are incurred outside of the United States, so if you’re going to take...

Many of the things that you should be most concerned about in retiring abroad will depend on your age. For example, if you are 65 years old or older and are retiring abroad, then you definitely should be concerned about health care because you’re going to be moving from one health care system to another.
 
It’s common knowledge that Medicare does not apply to procedures or expenses that are incurred outside of the United States, so if you’re going to take advantage of Medicare, you’re going to have to take a plane back to the United States.
 
On the other hand, most countries, including Costa Rica (where I live), have systems of health care that are just as good as the health care in the United States, but are a lot cheaper. These health care systems include most medical treatments, procedures and pieces of equipment that are not cutting edge.
 
Out of pocket charges abroad are typically a quarter to a third cheaper than they are in the United States. For example, I have a Cuban born and trained doctor where I live here in Tamarindo, Costa Rica who makes house calls for about US $36 (20,000 colón) and he is as good as, if not better, than any doctor I’ve seen in Miami, Florida. Most of the doctors I’ve seen in Miami were also Cuban doctors.
 
I’m paying the charges of seeing a doctor in Tamarindo out-of-pocket, but these out-of-pocket charges are most likely less than what the deductible of my health insurance the United States, and cheaper than most procedures there. This is another thing to be concerned about.
 
In Costa Rica, there is a comprehensive system of health care that you can typically join for about $100 per month. This membership has the same coverage as the Medicare in the United States, and I have seen some people take advantage of this.
 
If you’re retiring while under 65 years old and are not eligible for Medicare, then the positives of the healthcare system here in Costa Rica far outweigh the negatives. This is because here in Costa Rica, you can buy private health insurance policies that will be cheaper than they would cost in the United States, and for good reason, because the out-of-pocket health care costs are much cheaper. For example, my Costa Rican wife of six years had to have a procedure where they fused two discs on her neck. In the United States, this procedure would have cost around $40,000. Here in Costa Rica, hospital charges and top-notch doctor fees with excellent results cost around $12,000 in total. That’s an absolute savings.
 
I don’t bother with private health insurance because I’m over 65 years old, but if I did, I’m sure that the insurance cost would have been much lower than what it is in the States.
 
I know a retired contractor from the United States who developed COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a condition that requires taking medications daily.  One of the main reasons this retired contractor moved to and became a resident of Costa Rica was to join to socialized medicine system here in Costa Rica. Through this socialized medicine system, all his medications cost him only $100 a month. That means he is saving thousands of dollars a month for medicine compared to what he was paying in the United States.
 
For those who are under 65 years old, and for those who are dealing with treatments that are not typically covered by insurance, such as dental procedures that only cost 1/4 - 1/3 of what they would normally cost in the United States, this is very attractive.
 
The need for private health insurance depends on the person’s age. As an example, it doesn’t bother me not having private health insurance because I’m over 65 years old, and it’s only a $300 plane ride from here to Miami, where I’m from, and where I still have all my connections. I’ve got the best of both worlds- I’ve got comprehensive medical care in the United States through Medicare, a Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Plan B, and here in Costa Rica, I’m paying a lot less out of pocket, and I need to see a doctor a lot less than when I was in the United States.
 
Having this kind of freedom with health care provides me with lifestyle benefits- there’s less stress, my blood pressure is not a problem, and if I avoid fast food joints, diet is not a problem for me, either.

 

(The Oaks Tamarindo pool at night, Costa Rica, pictured.)

We do have poisonous snakes here in Belize. The fer-de-lance is one of the most poisonous snakes and we have that here in Belize. Snakebites are really rare, however. You have to be deep in the jungle to encounter a snake. You will not find snakes where people live since snakes tend to stay in the jungle. If you do go to the jungle, you might see a snake or a jaguar, but we have not had any occurrences where they come out and attack people because the snakes and jaguars are scared of...

We do have poisonous snakes here in Belize. The fer-de-lance is one of the most poisonous snakes and we have that here in Belize. Snakebites are really rare, however. You have to be deep in the jungle to encounter a snake. You will not find snakes where people live since snakes tend to stay in the jungle. If you do go to the jungle, you might see a snake or a jaguar, but we have not had any occurrences where they come out and attack people because the snakes and jaguars are scared of people. 

 

I have been living in Belize for 25 years and I hike a lot so I have seen a fer-de-lance in the jungle. They do not trouble you if you do not trouble them. Just keep walking. A friend of mine did the Victoria Peak climb. He went on a hike and went to swim in the river, and on his way back from the river, there was a fer-de-lance that bit him. He had to be airlifted so he could get the anti-venom.

 

We do have good medical aid for people who get bitten by snakes here in Belize so they could airlift you and get you the anti-venom.

 

But even if we do have poisonous snakes here, they won’t stop you from hiking. There are a lot of people here who go hiking all the time and have never seen a snake. A few people have seen snakes but they are snakes that are not venomous, such as tree snakes.

 

Belize has luscious jungles so the vegetation is thick and green and there are lots of animals. I have seen a jaguar before as well. It just ran away. They stay away from people as much as they can so they run. You are strange to their habitat so they run away. When we go hiking, we go with a group of people. I do not recommend going into the thick jungle all by yourself. 

 

In the more populated areas, such as places where expats live, you wouldn’t find these dangerous animals. They are usually in the jungles. You will hardly ever find snakes in populated areas. Belize has a big jungle so the snakes do not have to go to the city.

 

(Group of students on spring break hiking in Belize, pictured.)

Crime rate in Panamá

 

Panamá has nine provinces and two Indian reservations.  Years ago the country's small army was eliminated.  In other words, our police force is small, compared to other's, which are much better equipped and trained.

 

But don´t get me wrong.  Panamanian police, in all their departments, including National Security, the border patrol, tourist police, juvenile police and the...

Crime rate in Panamá

 

Panamá has nine provinces and two Indian reservations.  Years ago the country's small army was eliminated.  In other words, our police force is small, compared to other's, which are much better equipped and trained.

 

But don´t get me wrong.  Panamanian police, in all their departments, including National Security, the border patrol, tourist police, juvenile police and the community police (which are the majority of the police force) are highly effective, and trained with very modern, high-tech equipment.  Also, Panamá is one of the countries that has confiscated more drugs and arms than anybody else. (Panamanian motorcycle police patrol, pictured.)

 

Because of the tenacity and extraordinary effort of each and every one of those units, they are  proud to serve.  The sacrifice of the officers is greater than any sacrifice we may do, leaving their family for months, jeopardizing their health in the woods with snakes and other animals, and getting into the jungle and inhospitable areas, just to do their job. 

 

In addition, Panamá has special elite force units, highly trained internationally and comprised of Panamanians, who risk their lives every single day to protect locals and foreigners in this country.

 

The day-to-day community police are continuously taking educational training to better serve and to do the best job they can.  Every morning, they start the day with a very singular and deep inspirational religious ceremony, asking for wisdom to perform a good job.

 

 

Panamanians feel extremely safe wherever they go, of course, avoiding certain "red areas" in which drugs and other issues are around. But a person has to use their judgment and precaution as in any other place.

 

As a frequent traveler, I certainly can say that no place is safe now, other than those little isolated villages in the mountains with snow, that you read about in magazines here and there.  If you read the news, it is very scary what is happening worldwide.

 

Another reason to trust how everything is done here, is that Panamá is a neutral country, due to our Panamá Canal.  This brings maximum security and safety to the country, whether it is in the city or the countryside.

 

Besides, all Panamanians are aware of the many "crimes" produced by sensationalist reporters that magnify out of proportion the news to sell their papers or  TV news programs. Not to mention, that if they are against whichever government is in power, they will do anything to make the government look bad.   That is the negative in politics, which is very sad.

 

In summary, the Panamanian police have worked very hard through the years to become what they are now, an extraordinary force, trying to maintain peace and security for every resident.

When you come to Granada, Nicaragua, my first suggestion would be to not judge people too quickly. Pay attention to your environment. It is good to talk to other expats who you know that have been here for some time. It is good do a little research by asking people about the culture of Granada and its people. As soon as you arrive in Granada, relax, look around, pay attention to the people, and see how they work and how they talk. When you talk to somebody, do not assume...

When you come to Granada, Nicaragua, my first suggestion would be to not judge people too quickly. Pay attention to your environment. It is good to talk to other expats who you know that have been here for some time. It is good do a little research by asking people about the culture of Granada and its people. As soon as you arrive in Granada, relax, look around, pay attention to the people, and see how they work and how they talk. When you talk to somebody, do not assume that they do not know what you are saying. Do not assume that you are smarter than they are; you might be surprised.

Some people in Granada might take advantage of you if they know that you are new and you do not know the culture. If you are out socializing with other people, it is nice to be friendly but do not be too trusting and give everything away. Do not be too sure that people are not going to try to steal from you if you do not pay attention to your belongings. Do not show off; that is the main thing. Do not show any attitude, just like you wouldn’t anywhere else. It is just like if you would go to New York or to any other city in the United States. People pay attention to attitude. Nicaraguans and Granadinos are no different. But, absolutely, they are good and happy people, you can talk to them and they can practice their English, too. They love to practice their English.

The cost for landline phone service in Portugal is about €10 to €20 (US $10.75 to $21.70 or £7.21 to £14.42), which would give you unlimited calls within Portugal.
 
During weekends, you would also get free calls from 9 PM to 9 AM to any place in Europe. Outside those times, you would have to pay for calls that you make to Europe.

 

(Telephone booth in Lisbon, Portugal, pictured.)

The cost for landline phone service in Portugal is about €10 to €20 (US $10.75 to $21.70 or £7.21 to £14.42), which would give you unlimited calls within Portugal.
 
During weekends, you would also get free calls from 9 PM to 9 AM to any place in Europe. Outside those times, you would have to pay for calls that you make to Europe.

 

(Telephone booth in Lisbon, Portugal, pictured.)