Best Places In The World To Retire

The cost to buy land in Chapala and Ajijic varies depending on several factors but the biggest factor would be the location of the land. Land in Mexico, in general, is not cheap. One of the reasons why it is not cheap is because land is what Mexicans invest in. They do not invest in the peso, bank products, or the stock market. Historically, that has been a bad idea in Mexico. The peso gets devalued over time against other world currencies, particularly the dollar. So for Mexicans who...

The cost to buy land in Chapala and Ajijic varies depending on several factors but the biggest factor would be the location of the land. Land in Mexico, in general, is not cheap. One of the reasons why it is not cheap is because land is what Mexicans invest in. They do not invest in the peso, bank products, or the stock market. Historically, that has been a bad idea in Mexico. The peso gets devalued over time against other world currencies, particularly the dollar. So for Mexicans who want to have safe investments for their future of their family and their heirs, they buy land and the sit on it often for generations.
 
As a result, the price for land in Chapala and Ajijic is often very comparable on a square footage basis to the price in the US or Canada. A buildable lot in a good neighborhood, a ¼ acre lot would cost around $60,000 to $150,000.  The price will then vary depending on the view, whether it is part of a gated community with common areas, or how close or how far it is from the Ajijic village. $150,000 for a ¼ acre lot would be in a high scale, gated community with a lake view. $60,000 for a ¼ acre lot would be located in a nice neighborhood but without a lake view and maybe not gated.

 

(Image: lot plan in Chapala, Mexico.)

If you are moving your things to Portugal, it is best not to bring your electrical appliances because we have a different voltage here in Portugal than in the US. We use 220 voltage here, which is the same as in England.
 
You don’t really have to bring a lot of your stuff here because you can purchase everything here in the Lisbon area. You can find nice furniture, wonderful linen, wonderful china, etc. so you don’t need anything else. The same is true for the whole...

If you are moving your things to Portugal, it is best not to bring your electrical appliances because we have a different voltage here in Portugal than in the US. We use 220 voltage here, which is the same as in England.
 
You don’t really have to bring a lot of your stuff here because you can purchase everything here in the Lisbon area. You can find nice furniture, wonderful linen, wonderful china, etc. so you don’t need anything else. The same is true for the whole country of Portugal.
 
It costs pretty much the same in Portugal as in England to buy things. England is a bigger country so it has a lot more variety and a lot more competition. Here in Portugal, the Swedish have opened up a new chain for us called IKEA. They are here now and everybody shops in IKEA. The prices are pretty much competitive here.
 
If you want to buy some Portuguese furniture, you will find it a bit more expensive but it is because it is of higher quality and of good craftsmanship. When I moved back here from England, I didn’t bring my stuff over. I sold them in England and just bought everything new here in Portugal.

 

(Roof patio, Tavira, Portugal, pictured.)

Do you remember the Biblical story of the Exodus? The Israelites managed to escape Egypt, its bureaucracy and crime and unpleasantness -- and through the forty years of wandering in the wilderness they whined and complained for ever having left, and, when they got to the Promised Land, they proceeded to set up a country with a king, bureaucracy, crime, and unpleasantness.

There's a moral in this story for expats moving to Panamá or any other foreign country. Don't expect it...

Do you remember the Biblical story of the Exodus? The Israelites managed to escape Egypt, its bureaucracy and crime and unpleasantness -- and through the forty years of wandering in the wilderness they whined and complained for ever having left, and, when they got to the Promised Land, they proceeded to set up a country with a king, bureaucracy, crime, and unpleasantness.

There's a moral in this story for expats moving to Panamá or any other foreign country. Don't expect it to be your home country. Think of yourself as a guest, and respect the way things are done here. You will certainly conclude that some things might be done better; but, if you keep your mind open, you will realize that some things are, in fact, done better in your new country. Don't rush to judgment, and don't sneer or criticize your new neighbors. Don't leave the United States (or wherever) for various reasons (high costs, political turmoil, psychological tension, crime, etc.) and then demand the same kinds of services here in Panamá that lead to the same factors!

 

The community of Boquete, for example, is about half "gringo" by now, with the proportion constantly increasing. As an inevitable result, the cost of living is higher there than in other parts of the Tierras Altas - and crime is more common, government is more irritating, and the pace of life is far less tranquil. The gringos there, sadly, have been creating a new "Egypt" in imitation of the one they couldn't wait to get away from.

 

My advice is come with few preconceptions - and come with few physical possessions. You can buy what you need when you get here. Start fresh!

Do your homework. If you rely on Social Security or Medicare, get solid information on their availability to you. If you have medical needs, consider proximity to a good hospital. (There is a top-notch facility in the capital city of this Chiriquí province, and a new hospital is about to open in Volcán. Don't rely on other gringos for information; I have lost track of the completely erroneous un-facts given to me by gringos living here.

 

Above all, be gracious. On my first day here I began the practice of walking about my new neighborhood - for exercise, and to get to know my neighbors. My Spanish was at the time execrable, but by this means I quickly improved, and speak it fluently now; I find it abhorrent that some gringos expect everyone here to speak English, and start angrily shouting at Panamanians as if that will somehow improve their ability to understand English. By walking about, I also became known to my neighbors, such that they looked out for me as good neighbors do.
 

Become used to how things are here. The electric power and internet services often quit for a few minutes or an hour -- that's life here, so don't whine about it. Panamanian homes often don't have hot showers; if that's how it is for you, enjoy it (I find it's better than coffee in the morning). Shops and services often make promises and are rather flexible about when they keep them or whether they will keep them at all; don't let this get you angry; it's just how it is here. You do better to ask someone knowledgeable for a recommendation of a good service provider.

If you're coming from North America, you can expect that the construction standards you'll see in Panama are generally lower than what you see at home.  Panama builders build very well in concrete block, and their structures (generally) will last for a very long time, and are structurally sound. What they don't do particular well - or to the standards that North Americans have learned to expect in their home countries - is interior finishes. That's because Panama does not...

If you're coming from North America, you can expect that the construction standards you'll see in Panama are generally lower than what you see at home.  Panama builders build very well in concrete block, and their structures (generally) will last for a very long time, and are structurally sound. What they don't do particular well - or to the standards that North Americans have learned to expect in their home countries - is interior finishes. That's because Panama does not have a skilled labor force related to interior finishes. Currently, there's no specific schooling or training provided for that industry in the country.

 

Happily, there are now certain developments - like Panama Pacifico - that are changing the standards in Panama, meaning they are actively mentoring onsite workers on the job to build better.  Even so, those new to Panama will definitely notice a difference from what they see at home.

 

If you can come in knowing that interior finishes will be lower than what you would see at home, and you can expect that that will be the case, you'll be better off. It's safe to assume that even after you move in - no matter where you move in to - there will be some maintenance and fixes that have to take place.  This is pretty normal in Panama.

 

(House in Panama Pacifico development, pictured.)

The best thing about living and retiring in San Juan del Sur is that it is a nice town with beaches all around. It is not only San Juan del Sur that has surrounding beaches. You can choose among ten beaches within only 30 minutes by car. It is very relaxed.

One of the worst things about living and retiring in San Juan del Sur is that there’s not much infrastructure. There are no hospitals. I think it will get better. Development is ongoing and continuing.

 

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The best thing about living and retiring in San Juan del Sur is that it is a nice town with beaches all around. It is not only San Juan del Sur that has surrounding beaches. You can choose among ten beaches within only 30 minutes by car. It is very relaxed.

One of the worst things about living and retiring in San Juan del Sur is that there’s not much infrastructure. There are no hospitals. I think it will get better. Development is ongoing and continuing.

 

(Kayaking on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, pictured.)