Best Places In The World To Retire

Dental care is what brought me to the Lake Chapala / Ajijic area. My dentists and her friends are who sent me here by quoting such astronomical prices. I saved so much, really, like 80%, it's hard to believe.

 

My dentist here in the Ajijic area had all the credentials, experience, spoke English, had the best local reputation, and was vetted by my nurse inspector partner. All around, it was a better experience than I had in the States, and I had a good dentist...

Dental care is what brought me to the Lake Chapala / Ajijic area. My dentists and her friends are who sent me here by quoting such astronomical prices. I saved so much, really, like 80%, it's hard to believe.

 

My dentist here in the Ajijic area had all the credentials, experience, spoke English, had the best local reputation, and was vetted by my nurse inspector partner. All around, it was a better experience than I had in the States, and I had a good dentist there. Plus I took a vacation :) Just the cost was the huge difference.

There is a variety of foods offered in the neighborhood markets of San Francisco, Panama City, Panama.  There are three large grocery stores that offer imported and local foods, a few smaller specialty stores with gourmet items from Europe and Asia and several 'mini-supers', or convenience stores that sell snacks, beverages and occasionally basic local produce.  There is an abundance of tropical fruits and produce grown in Panama, and you can also find imported...

There is a variety of foods offered in the neighborhood markets of San Francisco, Panama City, Panama.  There are three large grocery stores that offer imported and local foods, a few smaller specialty stores with gourmet items from Europe and Asia and several 'mini-supers', or convenience stores that sell snacks, beverages and occasionally basic local produce.  There is an abundance of tropical fruits and produce grown in Panama, and you can also find imported fruits, vegetables and proteins.  

Most of the time when people consider moving abroad to retire, they have a desire for a new and happy life, and probably an adjustment to their budget.  These desires bring about all kinds of changes for which you should be prepared, and do your homework, before you move.
 
You should ask yourself these questions: "Is that what I really want to do?" and "Am I ready for that challenge and change in my life"?  Then, visit the country you are...

Most of the time when people consider moving abroad to retire, they have a desire for a new and happy life, and probably an adjustment to their budget.  These desires bring about all kinds of changes for which you should be prepared, and do your homework, before you move.
 
You should ask yourself these questions: "Is that what I really want to do?" and "Am I ready for that challenge and change in my life"?  Then, visit the country you are considering moving to several times, study their culture, and talk to people, expats as well as locals.   And then, not only after you are absolutely sure those changes will make you happy, then, make your decision.  See if the reason you are considering moving meets your expectations.
 
General things to be concerned about in a new country would be:  Am I ready to learn a new language, adapt to local customary life, enjoy new things and people,  place myself and accommodate  to different weather?  If the answer is YES... GO FOR IT, and enjoy your retirement abroad, without any concerns.

You can definitely get by in Portugal with just English. I know several expats who have been here for years and still do not speak a word in Portuguese and they get by well.
 
The reason is because the Portuguese are not like the French or the Spanish. Portuguese people like to please foreigners and therefore they make the effort to speak the same language, whereas the French and the Spanish tend to be more nationalistic and therefore, could make life difficult for a...

You can definitely get by in Portugal with just English. I know several expats who have been here for years and still do not speak a word in Portuguese and they get by well.
 
The reason is because the Portuguese are not like the French or the Spanish. Portuguese people like to please foreigners and therefore they make the effort to speak the same language, whereas the French and the Spanish tend to be more nationalistic and therefore, could make life difficult for a foreigner.  In addition, English is taught in the schools in Portugal so the students know how to speak English.

 

(Bookstore with curved wooden staircase in Portugal, pictured.)