Best Places In The World To Retire

There were several indigenous empires previous to the Aztecs. A lot of people believe that the Aztecs were the leading power in Mexico but they were just a power in a region. There are the Mayans down south and other indigenous tribes controlling the north.
 
The Spanish conquered part of Mexico, which extended all the way up to Canada. (Mexico lost a good portion of its territory in the Mexican-American War.)  When most of Mexico proclaimed its independence, some regions...

There were several indigenous empires previous to the Aztecs. A lot of people believe that the Aztecs were the leading power in Mexico but they were just a power in a region. There are the Mayans down south and other indigenous tribes controlling the north.
 
The Spanish conquered part of Mexico, which extended all the way up to Canada. (Mexico lost a good portion of its territory in the Mexican-American War.)  When most of Mexico proclaimed its independence, some regions like the Yucatan Peninsula did not join Mexico and weren’t actually part of Mexico for several periods.  The Yucatan was part of Mexico then in and out three times before they decided on staying with the republic of Mexico. You can see in the food and the music, which definitely has a German-French influence.  This extends not only in architecture but also in gastronomy and in customs.  I believe that this makes Mexico more of a melting pot than the US has ever been.

 

 

(Mayan pyramid in the ancient city of Chichen Itza  during the  spring equinox, Yucatan, Mexico, pictured.)

Food costs in Corozal are all fairly low, excluding products that have been brought in from non- CARICOM (trading block that includes Belize) countries. For instance, there is an Indian shop here in Corozal I frequent that has a lot of American products.  I need to go there sometimes whenever I’m searching for a certain product that I haven’t been able to find...

Food costs in Corozal are all fairly low, excluding products that have been brought in from non- CARICOM (trading block that includes Belize) countries. For instance, there is an Indian shop here in Corozal I frequent that has a lot of American products.  I need to go there sometimes whenever I’m searching for a certain product that I haven’t been able to find locally, or find a similar locally made product at a lower price. These products are generally 15% more expensive here in Corozal than if I bought them in the States. 

 

There are many “Chinos” (Chinese stores) throughout Corozal that will offer you everything, soup to nuts. The quality of some of the items in these Chinos is not as good as you may want, but you have the option to go to the Indian store in Corozal instead. 

 

I love going to the butcher. In Corozal, Frank’s is my choice of butcher. Frank’s has everything that you can imagine. The meats in Belize are cut up differently, so when you order, you have to tell them how you want your meat cut to make sure that it meets your needs. Otherwise, they’ll have some pre-packaged stuff which you can also buy. 

 

Bacon in Belize is to die for. It may be because the way the pork is raised makes it end up being extremely flavorful and tender. Sometimes it may have a little more fat than I would normally like, but the flavor always comes through. 

 

Chicken products in Belize are exceptional. Poultry in Belize aren’t intensely farmed in the way they are up in those big factory farms in the United States. The Mennonites raise the chickens in Belize, and they do a great job with it. 

 

It’s strange how when you go to the butcher, they also have a phenomenal stock of fish and shrimp. It doesn’t make any sense, but you’ll get to understand why that is after you’ve been to other stores where you’ll see for example a store that sells auto parts along with fresh orange juice. 

 

 

(Mennonite children, Corozal, Belize, pictured.)

The best reasons to retire overseas have nothing to do with saving money, although that is often a side-benefit.

 

Nor do they have to do with moving from a horrible, frigid climate (like Canada, my home country) to a beautiful place that is warm and sunny 12 months a year (Panama), although, again, that is a side-benefit.

 

Nor is the slower, more relaxed pace of life (in places like Panama) one of the most important reasons for moving overseas,...

The best reasons to retire overseas have nothing to do with saving money, although that is often a side-benefit.

 

Nor do they have to do with moving from a horrible, frigid climate (like Canada, my home country) to a beautiful place that is warm and sunny 12 months a year (Panama), although, again, that is a side-benefit.

 

Nor is the slower, more relaxed pace of life (in places like Panama) one of the most important reasons for moving overseas, although it is definitely a selling point.

 

No, the main reasons you should consider retiring overseas are different, and may surprise you:

 

You have probably lived all your life in the same country, indeed the same state or province, or city. This is a big world. Learn more about it. Expand your horizons. Move somewhere new and discover what it is like to adapt to a different culture. Stretch your mental universe. You will learn lots about your new country -- and  about yourself.

 

If you come from a wealthy and well-organized city like Toronto, as I do, you will be shocked at all of the unmet needs in poorer regions such as Panama. You will see starving dogs on the roads. You will see impoverished indigenous peoples in the countryside, often living in dirt-floor shacks with leaky, thatched roofs. You can react in two ways to these sights: either 1) feel appalled or 2) think of them as opportunities to do something useful with your life, as opportunities to make a contribution. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel about your own life when you start to make a positive contribution to others.

If you want to move indefinitely to Panama, you need have a permanent resident permit issued by the Immigration authorities. Panama Immigration laws provide an option for retirees who would like to obtain the permanent residence in Panama by means of retirement. Individuals must comply with Immigration requirements in order to obtain the permanent residence.

If you want to move indefinitely to Panama, you need have a permanent resident permit issued by the Immigration authorities. Panama Immigration laws provide an option for retirees who would like to obtain the permanent residence in Panama by means of retirement. Individuals must comply with Immigration requirements in order to obtain the permanent residence.