When moving your stuff to Mexico, you can just bring things that are near and dear to you. I don't recommend that people bring their furniture, as it's quite expensive to have your household items brought down to Mexico. Basically anything that you have back home you can get here. You also don't need to bring your large appliances as these can be bought in Mexico as well. The appliances you can buy here can handle fluctuations or surges in the electricity. Bring your most...
When moving your stuff to Mexico, you can just bring things that are near and dear to you. I don't recommend that people bring their furniture, as it's quite expensive to have your household items brought down to Mexico. Basically anything that you have back home you can get here. You also don't need to bring your large appliances as these can be bought in Mexico as well. The appliances you can buy here can handle fluctuations or surges in the electricity. Bring your most treasured items and maybe just one suit.
(Entryway into the living room, Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)
The most recent holiday in Nicaragua was Christmas. Christmas is celebrated by closing the government offices (except safety) from about the 23rd of December to the first Monday in January.
Easter, especially the week prior, is considered "summer" and government offices, banks and so forth close for at least part of the week (semana santa).
Independence day, and the Sandinista revolution are also celebrated. And, since...
The most recent holiday in Nicaragua was Christmas. Christmas is celebrated by closing the government offices (except safety) from about the 23rd of December to the first Monday in January.
Easter, especially the week prior, is considered "summer" and government offices, banks and so forth close for at least part of the week (semana santa).
Independence day, and the Sandinista revolution are also celebrated. And, since Nicaragua is mostly Roman Catholic, many of the Roman Catholic church's Holy days are celebrated also. Usually with fire works.
A lot of the expats in Placencia are retirees or they have second homes, so they split half their time in the States and half their time in Placencia. Most of the retirees in Placencia are age 45 and up. They are part of the older, retiring, or second-home expat crowd.
In general, the retirees in Placencia are very nice people. Belize attracts friendly, warm, and open personalities. This is part of the Belizean culture, so like-minded people just gravitate towards that. ...
A lot of the expats in Placencia are retirees or they have second homes, so they split half their time in the States and half their time in Placencia. Most of the retirees in Placencia are age 45 and up. They are part of the older, retiring, or second-home expat crowd.
In general, the retirees in Placencia are very nice people. Belize attracts friendly, warm, and open personalities. This is part of the Belizean culture, so like-minded people just gravitate towards that.
The retirees in Placencia are mostly Americans and Canadians, probably a result of them being able to access direct flights from the US or Canada into Belize, the British-based legal system and that Belize is English speaking. So for them, it’s much more convenient to get a second home in Placencia or retire.
(Expats picnicking on the beach in Placencia, Belize, pictured.)
Do I still have to file my US income taxes if I retire, work or just live abroad?
Terry Bradford
You have to file your US income taxes regardless if you retire, live, or work abroad. US citizens must always file their taxes. Living abroad does not make a difference. You still have to file your income tax without exceptions.
For our US taxes, we use an accountant who is still in the US and who is familiar with international law. We also have a Panamanian accountant who is familiar with international law who helps us file our Panamanian income...
You have to file your US income taxes regardless if you retire, live, or work abroad. US citizens must always file their taxes. Living abroad does not make a difference. You still have to file your income tax without exceptions.
For our US taxes, we use an accountant who is still in the US and who is familiar with international law. We also have a Panamanian accountant who is familiar with international law who helps us file our Panamanian income taxes.
The traditional foods of Panama are inspired by its Spanish roots: lots of fried food, in general. The most important dish is SANCOCHO, which is basically a very tasty chicken soup, but there is more to that... especially if you have not yet discovered the subtle flavor of the "culantro" leaf. But of course, where you come from, chicken soup does not feature yam ("ñame"). And free-range chicken ("gallina de patio") is best!
The...
The traditional foods of Panama are inspired by its Spanish roots: lots of fried food, in general. The most important dish is SANCOCHO, which is basically a very tasty chicken soup, but there is more to that... especially if you have not yet discovered the subtle flavor of the "culantro" leaf. But of course, where you come from, chicken soup does not feature yam ("ñame"). And free-range chicken ("gallina de patio") is best!
The best traditional foods are usually found in the country's "interior". I'm a bit partial to the Azuero Peninsula where I lived and where I've come to appreciate the "fondas", rather rustic and friendly food places, usually found on the side of the main road, under roofs made of palm leaves. There you can find "pastelitos de maís nuevo" (made from fresh corn, ground on location) and "tamales" (soft corn paste, mixed with meat, wrapped and cooked in a banana-tree leaf), "arroz con pollo" (rice with chicken), "empanadas" (which my dictionary translates as turnovers), and all kinds of fried delicacies, such as "carimañolas", which are as good as they are cheap.
For a country nested between two oceans, seafood ("marisco") is far from being prevalent, if you except the ubiquitous "corvina" (which you could translate as some sort of Chilean bass) and the "pulpo" (octopus). Be sure to try the "ceviche" (raw seafood "cooked" in lemon, with plenty of onions), the perfect appetizer.
How do I become a permanent resident living in Portugal?
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
In order to obtain the Non-Habitual Resident (“NHR”) Status, firstly it will be necessary to be considered as tax resident in Portugal in the same year that the Portuguese Tax Authorities accept the request to be a Non Habitual Resident.
Thereby, in general terms, to be considered as tax resident in Portugal, it is necessary to fulfill one of the following requirements:
i) Has remained there more than 183 days,...
In order to obtain the Non-Habitual Resident (“NHR”) Status, firstly it will be necessary to be considered as tax resident in Portugal in the same year that the Portuguese Tax Authorities accept the request to be a Non Habitual Resident.
Thereby, in general terms, to be considered as tax resident in Portugal, it is necessary to fulfill one of the following requirements:
i) Has remained there more than 183 days, consecutive or otherwise;
ii) Has stayed for less time, but has available there, on that year, accommodation in conditions that indicate an intention to keep and occupy it as an habitual residence;
iii) Is a crew member of vessels or aircraft, provided that in the service of entities with residence, head office or (place of) effective management in that territory;
iv) Exercises functions or commissions of public character under the Portuguese State, abroad;
v) Performs abroad an office or commission of a public nature, in the service of the Portuguese State.
After the requirements are fulfilled, the recognition of this status is not automatic. Rather, it is still necessary to request the Registration in the Taxpayer Registry of the Portuguese Tax Authorities as a Non-Habitual Resident.
This registration as a Non-Habitual Resident must be made at the moment of the registration as Portuguese tax resident or subsequently until March 31st, of the year after taking up residency in Portugal.
(Cafe off the plaza in Montijo, Portugal, pictured.)
An emerging personal finance trend has seen retirees and people in pre-retirement making investments in foreign real estate, especially in emerging markets. The potential benefits are very enticing; these regions are seeing growth and appreciation rates that exceed those in domestic markets, and there’s built-in potential for generating income by renting the property to vacationers. Best of all, you can live there yourself during the cold-weather months and say goodbye to winter for the...
Biodiversity in Panamá is well known worldwide. Case in point: Panamá's prime humid forests, especially in Darién, with one of the oldest jungle areas, as well as Gamboa, Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. Rainforest tours are very popular, and many adventure tour operators offer them, in combination with bird watching.
But there is a place, almost unknown to visitors and foreigners, called the Summit Botanical Park, situated 30 minutes from the city, with an area...
I was born in Santo Thomas Hospital in Panama City. My parents & grandparents worked for the Panama Canal Company & we lived on the Canal Zone. From birth to age 5 (1944 - 50) we lived in the Balboa Gavlin area on Cacao Street (in the days before the bridge to our house was on Panamá Bay).
Next we moved to Balboa in "the flats" on Carr St. from 1950 - 54, in 1954 we moved to Los Rios & were the first family to occupy the house we lived...
When moving your stuff to Mexico, you can just bring things that are near and dear to you. I don't recommend that people bring their furniture, as it's quite expensive to have your household items brought down to Mexico. Basically anything that you have back home you can get here. You also don't need to bring your large appliances as these can be bought in Mexico as well. The appliances you can buy here can handle fluctuations or surges in the electricity. Bring your most...
The most recent holiday in Nicaragua was Christmas. Christmas is celebrated by closing the government offices (except safety) from about the 23rd of December to the first Monday in January. 
A lot of the expats in Placencia are retirees or they have second homes, so they split half their time in the States and half their time in Placencia. Most of the retirees in Placencia are age 45 and up. They are part of the older, retiring, or second-home expat crowd.
In order to obtain the Non-Habitual Resident (“NHR”) Status, firstly it will be necessary to be considered as tax resident in Portugal in the same year that the Portuguese Tax Authorities accept the request to be a Non Habitual Resident. 
An emerging personal finance trend has seen retirees and people in pre-retirement making investments in foreign real estate, especially in emerging markets. The potential benefits are very enticing; these regions are seeing growth and appreciation rates that exceed those in domestic markets, and there’s built-in potential for generating income by renting the property to vacationers. Best of all, you can live there yourself during the cold-weather months and say goodbye to winter for the....jpg)
I was born in Santo Thomas Hospital in Panama City. My parents & grandparents worked for the Panama Canal Company & we lived on the Canal Zone. From birth to age 5 (1944 - 50) we lived in the Balboa Gavlin area on Cacao Street (in the days before the bridge to our house was on Panamá Bay).