Can I see beautiful flowers, plants and trees in or around Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Jerry Smith, MD
There are beautiful flowers, plants and trees everywhere in Ajijic because it is springtime all year. You should see my garden. It’s just gorgeous. My wife’s hobby is gardening.
It is phenomenal living where you have flowers blooming all year round because it’s 75 degrees the entire year. We have sprinklers that we use in the dry season and right now, which is the middle of June, the rainy season has started and we get a...
There are beautiful flowers, plants and trees everywhere in Ajijic because it is springtime all year. You should see my garden. It’s just gorgeous. My wife’s hobby is gardening.
It is phenomenal living where you have flowers blooming all year round because it’s 75 degrees the entire year. We have sprinklers that we use in the dry season and right now, which is the middle of June, the rainy season has started and we get a shower almost every day of a quarter to a half an inch of rain, right through the end of September. Also, the rain comes mostly at night.
We all have beautiful yards, and many of us have planted water conserving succulents and cacti.
What is Belize's gun ownership policy and gun laws?
Virginia Krohn - Villa Cayo Belize
Yes, you can have guns in Belize. You can have a personal protection gun and a shotgun for farm use. My husband and I both carry personal protection guns. Small ones that fit into your boot or on your belt but others carry larger pistols like the Glock. You could also carry them in a purse or put them in the glove box of your vehicle. You have to have your permit to carry with you at all times. There is a fee every year to keep your permit current. ...
Yes, you can have guns in Belize. You can have a personal protection gun and a shotgun for farm use. My husband and I both carry personal protection guns. Small ones that fit into your boot or on your belt but others carry larger pistols like the Glock. You could also carry them in a purse or put them in the glove box of your vehicle. You have to have your permit to carry with you at all times. There is a fee every year to keep your permit current. Ammunition is not licensed but you have to show a license to purchase it and the quantity is limited.
If you bring guns in from the states they will be left at the airport until you obtain permits and then you can pick them up. Sometimes it can take a period of months to accomplish this. I think it is far better if you are going to buy the gun to buy it here. They will help you get your paperwork together and tell you what to do.
Since I sell real estate I travel around a bit and have strangers in my vehicle but I have never felt the need to use the gun. The only time I have ever used it is to do practice rounds on my property.
Are there tax advantages or disadvantages if I retire, work or live abroad?
Jay Butler - Asset Protection Services of America
If you are U.S. citizen with foreign earned income and are (or will be) a bona fide resident of a foreign country for any entire year, or physically present in a foreign country for no less than 330 days during a year, then you may qualify for the "Foreign Earned Income Exclusion" as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
Advantage to Working Abroad - The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
If you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien of...
If you are U.S. citizen with foreign earned income and are (or will be) a bona fide resident of a foreign country for any entire year, or physically present in a foreign country for no less than 330 days during a year, then you may qualify for the "Foreign Earned Income Exclusion" as allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
Advantage to Working Abroad - The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
If you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien of the United States and you live abroad, you are taxed on your worldwide income. However, you may qualify to exclude from income up to an amount of your foreign earnings that is now adjusted for inflation:
$91,400 for 2009
$91,500 for 2010
$92,900 for 2011
$95,100 for 2012
In addition, you can exclude or deduct certain foreign housing amounts. You may want to research or inquire about IRS form 2555 for more information.
Disadvantage to Retiring Abroad - Receiving SSI and Medicare
Although you should still be eligible to receive Social Security (SS) irrespective of where you live, if you are a U.S. citizen and move offshore Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare payments will cease to be paid. SSI is taxpayer funded program which assists the blind, elderly, low income and disabled and is not available to U.S. citizens living abroad. Likewise, Medicare provides no coverage overseas but may be available for those who are living in a foreign country for an undetermined period of time and have plans to return.
As with any tax matter, it is always advisable to seek the competent advise of a tax professional.
What's the closest airport to Algarve and what are the flights to and from Algarve?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
The only airport in Algarve is the one in Faro. Faro is probably the busiest airport in Portugal after Lisbon. It serves flights from many destinations. They have all year round flights into Portugal from many European destinations, including the UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, and the list goes on. There are also seasonal flights from as far away as Canada. There are times when there are direct flights into Faro from Toronto, Canada. It’s quite interesting to see that there...
The only airport in Algarve is the one in Faro. Faro is probably the busiest airport in Portugal after Lisbon. It serves flights from many destinations. They have all year round flights into Portugal from many European destinations, including the UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, and the list goes on. There are also seasonal flights from as far away as Canada. There are times when there are direct flights into Faro from Toronto, Canada. It’s quite interesting to see that there are already some companies in North America that have identified the opportunity of the Algarve for the North American market and they are putting up flights to address those opportunities.
The population of the Algarve is about 300,000 and there are between 5 and 6 million arrivals at Faro Airport per year. It is a fairly substantial airport, which has undergone a number of renovations and expansions.
There are a couple of small airstrips in the Algarve as well, which are used for private planes, parachuting activities, and helicopters. The next closest airport is in Beja, which is the province above the Algarve and in Baixo Alentejo.
Many people drive in order to catch a flight to Lisbon and then rent a car and drive down to the Algarve or catch a bus going to the Algarve. Lisbon is 300 kilometers, or 180 miles more or less from the Algarve. There are many flights from the US into Lisbon and to Faro. The East Coast of the US is fairly well connected to Lisbon. We have flights from New York, JFK, Miami, etc. On the other hand, we don’t have flights coming from the West Coast. If you are going to Lisbon from the West Coast, you have to go to the East Coast first then take a flight from there into Lisbon.
How much does it cost to get TV in Panama depends on a number of factors. You can watch local channels for free, but it's analog, while TV in Panama is digital. To obtain digital programming, your building must be equipped with fiber optics. You should look up the websites of the two main providers: CableOnda and Cable&Wireless (the provider I have selected, after switching from the former). They have English-speaking reps. The first question they'll ask you is the location of...
How much does it cost to get TV in Panama depends on a number of factors. You can watch local channels for free, but it's analog, while TV in Panama is digital. To obtain digital programming, your building must be equipped with fiber optics. You should look up the websites of the two main providers: CableOnda and Cable&Wireless (the provider I have selected, after switching from the former). They have English-speaking reps. The first question they'll ask you is the location of your apartment. Once they have verified it meets their technical requirements, they'll offer you a few plans. For comparison's sake, make sure that the rates offered are for the same length of time (one month or half-month). Keep in mind that those same companies offer packages (TV + Internet + phone, and in the case of C&W cell phone too). Those companies are big competitors and their offers are likely to vary. As of mid April 2013, here's a sampling:
The local channels are included. Additionally, CableOnda offers a Superfamiliar Plan with 184 channels (including HBO - but be aware it's not the same HBO you would watch in the US... ) at US$ 33.00 (monthly), or the Silver Pack with 208 channels at $38.50.
Cable&Wireless offers a Plan Creativo with 184 channels (no HBO) at $ 29.95 and a Plan Completo with 253 channels including HBO, MAX Prime and Movie City.
Naturally, with both providers, you can add-on the channels of your preference, but it can be costly, so it's probably better to select a wide range of channels even if you're unlikely to watch them, as long as they include your favorites.
Now, if your building is not equipped with fiber optics, you can contact Claro (my cell phone provider) and they can install a small satellite dish. Price for the installation varies between $20 and $40, depending on promotions. They offer a basic plan with 43 channels at $20.25 monthly or an advanced plan with 59 channels at $33.74. Adding HBO would cost an additional $9.00.
Carlos Roman Gutierrez Solis - Casa Granada Properties
Regular, basic car insurance in Nicaragua costs US $55 per year. This is the minimum requirement when the police stops you on the road, checks your papers, and asks for your car insurance and driver's license.
Car insurance with full coverage will cost $650 per year. This covers theft, damages, fires, when the driver hits someone, third person liability, and personal and passenger injuries during accidents.
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Regular, basic car insurance in Nicaragua costs US $55 per year. This is the minimum requirement when the police stops you on the road, checks your papers, and asks for your car insurance and driver's license.
Car insurance with full coverage will cost $650 per year. This covers theft, damages, fires, when the driver hits someone, third person liability, and personal and passenger injuries during accidents.
The care I received for my cardiac event at Medellin’s Pablo Tobón Uribe hospital was excellent, with world-class attention, state of the art equipment, and highly professional staff. Tobón Uribe is a Joint Commission accredited institution, ranked as one of the best hospitals in Latin America. Indeed, my only complaint concerning the four days I was embedded there was about the mediocre meals. Hospitals must have been in competition with the airlines for worst food, and the airlines...
When I got an email from my Doctor, a Whats App from my Consultant/Surgeon and a personal phone call from the Doctor doing the lab results, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore! (Or England in my case!)
Yes, you just read that correctly, the local Doctor here in Coronado, emailed me to see how I was and if I had heard anything about the test results I was waiting for.
Prior to that, I had undergone some surgery and the Consultant/Surgeon had...
Baseball has always been the main traditional sport in Panamá. Boys practice it from the time they are very little, with whatever they have on hand, and wherever they find a place. Little and major leagues compete locally, nationally and internationally.
Lately, leagues in Panamá have gone more and more international, with exceptional scoring and winning important games, to the point that Panamá is now positioned as a leader in the region.
There are beautiful flowers, plants and trees everywhere in Ajijic because it is springtime all year. You should see my garden. It’s just gorgeous. My wife’s hobby is gardening. 
Yes, you can have guns in Belize. You can have a personal protection gun and a shotgun for farm use. My husband and I both carry personal protection guns. Small ones that fit into your boot or on your belt but others carry larger pistols like the Glock. You could also carry them in a purse or put them in the glove box of your vehicle. You have to have your permit to carry with you at all times. There is a fee every year to keep your permit current. ...
The only airport in Algarve is the one in Faro. Faro is probably the busiest airport in Portugal after Lisbon. It serves flights from many destinations. They have all year round flights into Portugal from many European destinations, including the UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, and the list goes on. There are also seasonal flights from as far away as Canada. There are times when there are direct flights into Faro from Toronto, Canada. It’s quite interesting to see that there...
Regular, basic car insurance in Nicaragua costs US $55 per year. This is the minimum requirement when the police stops you on the road, checks your papers, and asks for your car insurance and driver's license. 
The care I received for my cardiac event at Medellin’s Pablo Tobón Uribe hospital was excellent, with world-class attention, state of the art equipment, and highly professional staff. Tobón Uribe is a Joint Commission accredited institution, ranked as one of the best hospitals in Latin America. Indeed, my only complaint concerning the four days I was embedded there was about the mediocre meals. Hospitals must have been in competition with the airlines for worst food, and the airlines...
When I got an email from my Doctor, a Whats App from my Consultant/Surgeon and a personal phone call from the Doctor doing the lab results, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore! (Or England in my case!)