Best Places In The World To Retire

The cost of QUALITY  Medical attention in Mexico, is about 30% of what would cost in the US and Canada. This can look like a simplistic estimate, but its purpose is to give a general idea. Numbers are the name of the game.

 

If you wish to get that type of attention, then your Insurance premium should be budgeted at about 30% of what costs in your country, Not too bad, because back home you are used to participate with a good chunk of the medical bills,...

The cost of QUALITY  Medical attention in Mexico, is about 30% of what would cost in the US and Canada. This can look like a simplistic estimate, but its purpose is to give a general idea. Numbers are the name of the game.

 

If you wish to get that type of attention, then your Insurance premium should be budgeted at about 30% of what costs in your country, Not too bad, because back home you are used to participate with a good chunk of the medical bills, even if you have insurance. (Prescription drugs, high deductibles, copays, not covered procedures, etc.) 

 

Discounted prices will buy you discounted coverage. 

 

México is known for its big social and economic differences. There is an intended "Universal Health System", which works well for the poor. For your maid, gardener, store clerk, or waiter. You can hire full time one of those service providers for $250 USD a month, or less. What kind of medical service can they buy with that salary?  Seguro Popular, or if the employer is law abiding and has a formal payroll, IMSS. (Less than 50% of workforce have a formal, benefits including employment) My father died of stomach cancer, probably because he was not diagnosed until it was too, too late.  He was going every month to the IMSS clinic, complaining of acute stomach pain, but prescribed omeprazol and a strict diet. (Yes, the physician visits and the omeprazol were free).  Again, numbers are the name of the game. How can 1 tertiary level hospital (the ones fully equipped) be enough to serve an average 2 million people?

 

Those who can afford private Health Insurance, or the higher corporate executives (No more than 15% of Mexican Population. They are the ones using the nicest hospitals, seeing the most qualified specialists and using the most sophisticated diagnostic equipment. If you make more than 25 k USD a year, or have more than $500,000 USD in cash or personal assets, then Congratulations! You belong to this upper class in México, and should be able to invest in your Health coverage.

 

But health care in Mexico can be very expensive. More than 50% of the total medical costs are paid out of pocket.  People enrolled in IMSS or Seguro Popular, prefer to go to private providers, because of the availability. There are many poorly equipped private clinics and hospitals. In many cases, you get half of what you pay for. When there is the need for a costly medical procedure, we incur in heavy debt or sell personal assets, including the house. “The goods are for remediate the bads”, we say. Are you ready to embrace our culture?

 

I would suggest for a retiree, to spare about 30% of his/her income for health care. You can invest part of it on a good wellness program that includes exercising, check-ups, good supplements and insurance. If you do not invest some sooner, you will spend it later in medical treatments.

 

If you do not have medical service back home, and you cannot afford Insurance or Quality out of pocket Medical Attention, or you are not eligible for one, or you have pre-existing conditions that are not covered, or if you have one of those "Critical Illness" or "Catastrophe Insurance", or high deductibles policy, then is a good idea for you to enroll in the Social Health System, assuming that you are eligible

 

Deductible in México, should not be more than 30% of your foreign deductible.

 

The average claim paid by Mexican insurance is about $4,000 US Dollars. Insurers negotiate lower rates with providers. If you go straight to the doctor or hospitals you can be charged twice as much. For those reasons I suggest your deductible in Mexico to be between $1,000 and $1,500 USD. It works per each illness. Very different from US or Canada. If your policy has a deductible of $4,000 USD or more, you are ruling out most of the medical procedure performed in México.

 

 

For many years we were really dedicated to the fishing and agriculture land and, when you’re talking about nature and agriculture lands, you’re talking about animals and when you’re talking about animals, you have pets and when you have pets you have to take them to the doctor. So there are a lot of veterinary stores around everywhere, and there are a lot of animal hospitals as well and animal hotels.  This is something that is booming as well in Portugal. 
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For many years we were really dedicated to the fishing and agriculture land and, when you’re talking about nature and agriculture lands, you’re talking about animals and when you’re talking about animals, you have pets and when you have pets you have to take them to the doctor. So there are a lot of veterinary stores around everywhere, and there are a lot of animal hospitals as well and animal hotels.  This is something that is booming as well in Portugal. 
 
At home with me I have a Labrador. In my parent’s home, I have ducks, an ostrich, three other dogs, and parrots, and I feel completely comfortable taking my dog to the vet here.  It is a bit expensive, though.  The last time I took my dog for a vaccination it cost me €120 (US $134). 
 
However, that was because I didn’t already have a relationship with the vet.  In Portugal, when you start having a good relationship with people they drop the prices to half, so the prices are not standard.  

 

(Dog in Portugal, pictured.)

The prices of homes, condos and lots in San Juan del Sur vary according to location and proximity to the beaches. Some lots with great ocean views can be a low as US $50,000 and spectacular homes can be as much as $1,000,000

 

SJDS has just about every kind of property for any budget. There are many developments both north and south of town that offer homes, lots and condos, as well as the Tola area. Buying property in Nicaragua is very easy with simple title. I...

The prices of homes, condos and lots in San Juan del Sur vary according to location and proximity to the beaches. Some lots with great ocean views can be a low as US $50,000 and spectacular homes can be as much as $1,000,000

 

SJDS has just about every kind of property for any budget. There are many developments both north and south of town that offer homes, lots and condos, as well as the Tola area. Buying property in Nicaragua is very easy with simple title. I suggest that all buyers use a reputable and internationally recognized realtor for all transactions.

Driving in Placencia is great. Three years ago, because of all the real estate projects, the government paved all the roads from Belize City to Placencia, which is about a three-hour drive. When you head a little further into Belmopan and San Ignacio, some of the roads are okay but they are not great because they are still dirt roads. Overall, driving in Placencia is great because of the paved roads.
 
There are police bumps throughout Placencia, which is very good because it...

Driving in Placencia is great. Three years ago, because of all the real estate projects, the government paved all the roads from Belize City to Placencia, which is about a three-hour drive. When you head a little further into Belmopan and San Ignacio, some of the roads are okay but they are not great because they are still dirt roads. Overall, driving in Placencia is great because of the paved roads.
 
There are police bumps throughout Placencia, which is very good because it stops one from driving crazy at high speeds and getting into an accident. From a safety point of view, the police bumps are a good thing.
 
However, I recommend that you be careful if you are driving at night when you are not familiar with the area. My suggestion is that you drive in the area during the day to get familiar with the area and then you can drive at night later. My recommendation doesn’t have to do with crime but it has to do with familiarity because there are times when you would not see the police bumps if you are driving at night and your car might hop a little. Drive carefully and drive smart. I would recommend the same if you were driving in the States.

 

(Aerial view of The Placencia, Placenca, Belize, pictured.)