Is Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico safe? What's the crime rate in general in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Chuck Bolotin - Best Mexico Movers
There is no more more important question about living in a place than "Is it safe?" If you don't feel safe, nothing else really matters.
Also, safety is a personal, "feeling" issue; statistics and other people's opinions are not as important than how one feels. As founder of Best Places in the World to Retire, I've interviewed hundreds of people living in the Ajijic / Lake Chapala area, and none of them are more worried about violent...
There is no more more important question about living in a place than "Is it safe?" If you don't feel safe, nothing else really matters.
Also, safety is a personal, "feeling" issue; statistics and other people's opinions are not as important than how one feels. As founder of Best Places in the World to Retire, I've interviewed hundreds of people living in the Ajijic / Lake Chapala area, and none of them are more worried about violent crime than they would be in their home country; some quite less so. I have seen and interviewed 70- and 80-year-old single frail-looking women, who move around Ajijic with no feeling of being unsafe, and without any incidents whatsoever. Many have lived here decades.
That doesn't mean that you can do stupid things and have no consequences. Just like anyplace, it is not wise to flash a lot of cash, be extremely drunk by yourself and walking through dark allies. Common sense applies here just like any other place.
I must admit, though, that when I first came to Mexico, with my eyes more attuned to how things looked when they were dangerous in the US or Canada, it looked very unsafe. I saw lots of high fences, barbed wire, security guards with guns, etc. To me, all this shouted: Unsafe area! Beware!!
However, all these items are not generally to deter violent crime; they are to deter theft, which is higher than I am used to in the US. If you don't have these measures, there is a higher chance that you will have something stolen than if you lived in a safe suburb of the US or Canada.
Also, I should point out that the Mexicans in Mexico (certainly in Ajijic) are not at all like many of the Mexicans you may meet in the US. Mexicans in Mexico are much more traditional and much less aggressive, to the point of being perhaps overly non-confrontational and even a bit passive. They tend to be very gentle people.
So, to summarize and personalize, I don't worry at all about violent crime, but we do take measures to guard against theft. If you do the same, you should feel extremely safe here. We do.
The picture is of a typical person you might meet in Ajijic. This woman did some sewing for me. Here's the video.
Carol Bartlett Ribeiro - Carol Bartlett Ribeiro, Property Consultant
Yes, you can buy good clothes in Portugal.
I’m tall, so when I first came to Portugal many years ago, I couldn’t find anything to fit me, so I ended up having to go to a dressmaker. Now you don’t need to do that at all because you can get practically everything like you can get in the States or in England. And now that the Chinese are doing business here in Portugal, there are massive, great department stores as well.
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Yes, you can buy good clothes in Portugal.
I’m tall, so when I first came to Portugal many years ago, I couldn’t find anything to fit me, so I ended up having to go to a dressmaker. Now you don’t need to do that at all because you can get practically everything like you can get in the States or in England. And now that the Chinese are doing business here in Portugal, there are massive, great department stores as well.
And so if you want “cheap and cheerful” you’ve got “cheap and cheerful.” If you want to spend a lot, there are plenty of places to do that. Clothes are easy to get here. Shoes are easy. In fact, Portugal has become the second country next to Italy to produce the best shoes.
(An old postcard featuring the map of Portugal and Sanjo shoes and Joanino hats, pictured.)
Is there racial tension, acceptance or diversity in Panama?
Kathya de Chong - Alto Boquete Condominios
There is no racial tension in Panama. Panamanians are used to living with people from all over the world, and there are some very strong communities that have been established in Panama a very long time ago. For example, there’s the Chinese community, the Jewish community, and communities that include expats from all over the world.
At the moment, Panama is dealing with an immigration crisis from other countries like Venezuela. In some ways,...
There is no racial tension in Panama. Panamanians are used to living with people from all over the world, and there are some very strong communities that have been established in Panama a very long time ago. For example, there’s the Chinese community, the Jewish community, and communities that include expats from all over the world.
At the moment, Panama is dealing with an immigration crisis from other countries like Venezuela. In some ways, there are Panamanians who are not in favor of letting these newer immigrants into the country, but most of the members of the community understand. It is not a racial issue against Venezuela but rather a problem where citizens of Venezuela come into Panama illegally taking jobs.
It’s very common for people here in Panama to have friends who are not of the same race. In fact, our children go to school with children from different parts of the world. As a child, you start sharing your growth with different people, so most of the older and younger people are used to interacting with people from different races. It’s also common for Panamanians and other races to inter-marry with one another and merge families.
(The CEO and owners of of Alto Boquete Condominios and Progreso Realty, Boquete, Panama, pictured.)
Can I use my Medicare outside the US, and if not, what are my alternatives?
Tabitha Paddock - Greenback Expat Tax Services
Unfortunately, in most cases Medicare benefits do not apply to medical care provided outside the US. I would suggest you assess your healthcare needs, and the medical costs in the country you will be retiring in. Depending on which country you plan on retiring in, you may have a public health care system available to you. You should also look into the availability and cost of a private health insurance plan for medical expenses incurred in other countries.
Unfortunately, in most cases Medicare benefits do not apply to medical care provided outside the US. I would suggest you assess your healthcare needs, and the medical costs in the country you will be retiring in. Depending on which country you plan on retiring in, you may have a public health care system available to you. You should also look into the availability and cost of a private health insurance plan for medical expenses incurred in other countries.
How are the rules of etiquette or customs different in Nicaragua?
Valeria Espinoza - Gran Pacifica
The rules of etiquette and customs in Nicaragua are different even from other countries in Central America. One of the first things you need to know, is that by nature, Nicaraguans are very warm and welcoming people. Below I have included a few things that you might want to know when either visiting or living in Nicaragua:
When meeting or greeting a Nicaraguan don’t be surprised when he/she hugs you and kisses you on the cheek, like old friends. Nicaraguans tend to...
The rules of etiquette and customs in Nicaragua are different even from other countries in Central America. One of the first things you need to know, is that by nature, Nicaraguans are very warm and welcoming people. Below I have included a few things that you might want to know when either visiting or living in Nicaragua:
When meeting or greeting a Nicaraguan don’t be surprised when he/she hugs you and kisses you on the cheek, like old friends. Nicaraguans tend to make you feel like family when it comes to meeting people or foreigners.
Most Nicaraguans are very polite and will rarely say anything that would be offensive to anyone present.
Nicaraguans are pretty indirect when it comes to answering questions about their age, weight, marital status, how much they make, how much something costs, etc. There’s a little verbal dance that happens in order answer a question without answering it. If you are a foreigner, don’t feel offended if you don’t get an answer to your questions.
Being on time for a meeting or even a party rarely happens; showing up a half hour, even an hour late is acceptable. Punctuality is not valued very much. La Hora Nica is a very interesting thing. There’s an expression, “Hay más tiempo que vida,” “There’s more time than life”.Typically business meetings will start up to ½-1 hour late, though joking comments will be made about the lateness of the attendees.
If attending a wedding, a 15 year celebration or an anniversary, please expect the meals at about midnight. Go ready for eating between 11 or 12 at night. Get a snack before attending.
If visiting a Nicaraguan friend’s home, you will notice that when guests come over, it is ALWAYS the woman – regardless of what position she holds outside the home – to provide for the guests. It’s very rare that a Nicaraguan man cooks.
Nicaraguans use gestures when speaking, so don’t be surprised when a person points at something with their lips, or if they move their hands to try to explain something, or when something catches their attention, they will raise their eyebrows. They also tend to smile very much.
Two things that Nicaraguans consider as rude are taking your shoes off at a meeting and putting one's feet up on a desk or chair.
Avoid saying ‘no’ when someone offers you something to eat/drink. Nicaraguans always want to share a little bit of their home and family with you.
Cleanliness is highly valued so it is best to avoid being seriously unwashed in public places.
If you don’t speak Spanish and the Nicaraguan doesn’t speak your language and you ask him/her for help or ask a question, he/she will try to explain you using their hands, their eyes, they will speak slower and they will even speak louder to try to explain you or help you with something. They may not stop speaking even if you don’t understand one word. Don’t be stressed; they are only trying to help.
These are just a few things from the top of my head that I consider important for you to know when visiting Nicaragua.
How does the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) affect me if I move to Belize?
Kate Corrigan - Caye International Bank
FACTA does not affect you if you move to Belize, because wherever you move, if you have an international account, you need to declare it. You need to report all of your international holdings and accounts to the IRS, so it makes no difference whether it is in Belize or anywhere else.
FACTA does not affect you if you move to Belize, because wherever you move, if you have an international account, you need to declare it. You need to report all of your international holdings and accounts to the IRS, so it makes no difference whether it is in Belize or anywhere else.
Flash back to 8 years ago, when I visited Panama (from Mexico where I was living) to attend an International Living Conference. Panama was on my radar big time, as an international investor. The prices, cost of living, ease of doing business, resident visa programs... every box was checked. While I didn’t plan on living in Panama, I was keen to add to my investment portfolio, purchase and furnish a property and set it up for short-term vacation rentals as I do with all my properties. I...
I titled this "My Part Time Life in Volcan" because unfortunately I can only live part of the year in Panama. I'm still in my working years in the US and I still haven't figured out how to totally check out and live in Panama full time. It isn't for a lack of trying. Thus far I am able to work in the US for about 9 months and then take 3 months off, with as much of this time in Panama as feasible, depending on the year.
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Yes, you can buy good clothes in Portugal. 
There is no racial tension in Panama. Panamanians are used to living with people from all over the world, and there are some very strong communities that have been established in Panama a very long time ago. For example, there’s the Chinese community, the Jewish community, and communities that include expats from all over the world. 
The rules of etiquette and customs in Nicaragua are different even from other countries in Central America. One of the first things you need to know, is that by nature, Nicaraguans are very warm and welcoming people. Below I have included a few things that you might want to know when either visiting or living in Nicaragua:.jpg)
Flash back to 8 years ago, when I visited Panama (from Mexico where I was living) to attend an International Living Conference. Panama was on my radar big time, as an international investor. The prices, cost of living, ease of doing business, resident visa programs... every box was checked. While I didn’t plan on living in Panama, I was keen to add to my investment portfolio, purchase and furnish a property and set it up for short-term vacation rentals as I do with all my properties. I...