In my opinion, everything in Belize is cheap except for electricity. I have not paid an electric bill in the US for 8 years, but I believe that the cost in the US over the last 8 years has gone up and should continue to rise. My most recent electric bill in Belize was $196 Belize, which translates to about US $98 and that powers my entire house – fans, two refrigerators, a large freezer, and my dryer. In my opinion, everything in Belize is cheap except for electricity. I have not paid an electric bill in the US for 8 years, but I believe that the cost in the US over the last 8 years has gone up and should continue to rise. My most recent electric bill in Belize was $196 Belize, which translates to about US $98 and that powers my entire house – fans, two refrigerators, a large freezer, and my dryer. 
There’s a program in Panama on new construction that provides a 20-year exemption on property taxes. There have been some changes recently. Now the length of time of the exemption is on the value of the property, according to a scale. A million-dollar property is exempted for 5 years, and as the price of the property becomes less, the amount of years on the exemption gets longer. So if it’s $100,000 property, you get a 20-year exemption. If the property is worth...There’s a program in Panama on new construction that provides a 20-year exemption on property taxes. There have been some changes recently. Now the length of time of the exemption is on the value of the property, according to a scale. A million-dollar property is exempted for 5 years, and as the price of the property becomes less, the amount of years on the exemption gets longer. So if it’s $100,000 property, you get a 20-year exemption. If the property is worth $500,000, I suspect you would get a 10-year exemption. 
There are over 450 surf spots in Portugal. We have over 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) of coastline. We have been a recognized country for surfing for many years. In 2011, Ericeira, which is 60 kilometers (37 miles) away from Cascais (near Lisbon), was elected second as World Surfing Reserve and the first in Europe. There are over 450 surf spots in Portugal. We have over 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) of coastline. We have been a recognized country for surfing for many years. In 2011, Ericeira, which is 60 kilometers (37 miles) away from Cascais (near Lisbon), was elected second as World Surfing Reserve and the first in Europe. 
After a year and a half of reading over 4,700 answers and 200 stories posted by the expat experts who contribute to Best Places, I've learned a thing or two.
I titled this "My Part Time Life in Volcan" because unfortunately I can only live part of the year in Panama. I'm still in my working years in the US and I still haven't figured out how to totally check out and live in Panama full time. It isn't for a lack of trying. Thus far I am able to work in the US for about 9 months and then take 3 months off, with as much of this time in Panama as feasible, depending on the year.
Since I am building my house...
