Right now, the value of the Mexican peso is fluctuating relative to the US dollar. I think it’s healthy and natural that the peso is fluctuating. An expensive peso is not convenient for Mexicans, so a cheap peso is better. A less expensive peso brings more economic activity and investment to the country, even though the Mexicans are really angry with a cheap peso because foreign goods will cost more for them to purchase.
The macro economy in Mexico...
Right now, the value of the Mexican peso is fluctuating relative to the US dollar. I think it’s healthy and natural that the peso is fluctuating. An expensive peso is not convenient for Mexicans, so a cheap peso is better. A less expensive peso brings more economic activity and investment to the country, even though the Mexicans are really angry with a cheap peso because foreign goods will cost more for them to purchase.
The macro economy in Mexico is growing, but the micro economy is not the best. There’s a very big part of the Mexican economy that is working. There’s an informal economy in Mexico and that’s very difficult to control or measure.
How well the Mexican economy does has not really affected those who retire here. Foreign retirees are very happy because with their retirement funds from the US, with which here they live perfectly well because it’s so much cheaper here.
The sector of the Mexican economy I would most recommend for investment is real estate, because it’s quite stable, and the return of investment is very good. Real estate is always one of the safest or I could say one of the sectors with less risk of all investments. Mexicans will tend to hold on to real estate much longer than let’s say Americans, so if there’s an economic downturn, they will tend to hold on to it. Also Mexicans will own real estate with much less leverage than Americans, which also helps to stabilize real estate prices. Could be, yes. I agree with that.
(Caribbean beach on the Riviera Maya, Yucatan, Mexico, pictured.)
How hard is it to remodel in Belize? What do I need to know before I remodel in Belize?
Tiffany Swift - Rentals In Belize
The key to remodeling is having a good working team. In San Ignacio Town there are many builders including Americans, Canadians and local Belizeans. Always ask your real estate agent or other expats who they use. It is highly likely that they will recommend someone that they have been using for years and that was initially recommended to them by someone else.
There are many hardware stores within the Cayo District but nothing like Home Depot like...
The key to remodeling is having a good working team. In San Ignacio Town there are many builders including Americans, Canadians and local Belizeans. Always ask your real estate agent or other expats who they use. It is highly likely that they will recommend someone that they have been using for years and that was initially recommended to them by someone else.
There are many hardware stores within the Cayo District but nothing like Home Depot like you're used to. Of course, you can find most stuff in Belize but remember, they are all imported. Anything that you cannot find in the Cayo District or Belize City, you can order online and have it shipped to Belize.
(A young, Belizean AC technician pictured on the roof top of Gordon House in Belize City.)
In addition to Mr. Stone´s complete answer, I´ll like to add that sometimes the dates of the holidays are transferred to make a long weekend. Also during carnival, independence and Holy Week holidays, pretty much everything is closed, and locals go to their country houses to enjoy these days off. And, usually, because these times are high season, airline tickets and hotels are slightly higher.
In addition to Mr. Stone´s complete answer, I´ll like to add that sometimes the dates of the holidays are transferred to make a long weekend. Also during carnival, independence and Holy Week holidays, pretty much everything is closed, and locals go to their country houses to enjoy these days off. And, usually, because these times are high season, airline tickets and hotels are slightly higher.
If it appears that you are moving to Nicaragua full time and you think of moving your things here, it is better to get your residency first before shipping your things. Because then, the government will allow you to ship your container duty-free. You still have to pay your freight forwarder on the American end, the freight forwarder on the Nicaraguan end, and the cost of the container on the container ship. The total fees and charges will be around $2,500 to $3,000 but you will not...
If it appears that you are moving to Nicaragua full time and you think of moving your things here, it is better to get your residency first before shipping your things. Because then, the government will allow you to ship your container duty-free. You still have to pay your freight forwarder on the American end, the freight forwarder on the Nicaraguan end, and the cost of the container on the container ship. The total fees and charges will be around $2,500 to $3,000 but you will not pay duty on your merchandise coming out of customs since you have residency.
My suggestion is to ship only the things that you really cannot live without and things that you cannot replace or purchase here in Nicaragua. For example, if you have a 42-inch TV, and you declared its value as $400, it could easily cost you $550 to $600 on shipping, customs fees, and duty while a brand new 42-inch TV here in Nicaragua is about $650. Therefore, you might be better off just selling your TV in the US rather than shipping it here, putting a lot of effort on shipping, and paying for all these fees.
How corrupt are the police in Portugal? Do I need to bribe the police in Portugal?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
I am very happy to answer this question because the police in Portugal are not corrupt at all. There is no corruption on that level in Portugal. I would highly recommend that people do not try any Latin American or African tricks of trying to slip in dollar notes into a driver’s license or any funny business like that because that doesn’t work in Europe. That is completely frowned upon and you could well be arrested if you do something like that. If you are coming to...
I am very happy to answer this question because the police in Portugal are not corrupt at all. There is no corruption on that level in Portugal. I would highly recommend that people do not try any Latin American or African tricks of trying to slip in dollar notes into a driver’s license or any funny business like that because that doesn’t work in Europe. That is completely frowned upon and you could well be arrested if you do something like that. If you are coming to Portugal, don’t try it. No one expects for corruption to happen at that level.
Unfortunately, however, there is still some corruption that happens at other levels. For example, you may find relative to obtaining planning permission for certain projects, you sometimes wonder how certain properties were built. They may be too large or too close to a natural reserve so it is questionable how they managed to build there and so there might be some corruption that happened at the political level. There is still some suspicion of corruption in those areas around Portugal but it is not by any means commonplace nor is it of the kind of level that you would find in Africa or Latin America. Having lived in both Africa and Latin America, I can comment based on my observation and comparison of these different regions. There is a huge difference.
BEST PLACES IN THE WORLD TO RETIRE...PANAMA IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST!
Panama is not a place to come to die - Panama is a place to come and start living and enjoying life. You work all your life, and now you deserve to start living it. Panama offers an environment that stimulates you in so many ways, not only financially but also spiritually!
The high quality of living for a modest price available in Panama City was the subject...
BEST PLACES IN THE WORLD TO RETIRE...PANAMA IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST!
Panama is not a place to come to die - Panama is a place to come and start living and enjoying life. You work all your life, and now you deserve to start living it. Panama offers an environment that stimulates you in so many ways, not only financially but also spiritually!
The high quality of living for a modest price available in Panama City was the subject of a news report on CNN a couple of weeks ago. Using the Economist Intelligence Unit's report, Panama was the "shining star". Panama City is listed as the most affordable capital city in the Americas, with a "plethora of top-quality, luxury experiences for cut prices". In the report, Panama`s "fastest growing economy in Latin America", and free 30-day travel insurance for tourists arriving at Tocumen International Airport were the main subjects.
Panama is fast becoming one of the world´s top retirement destinations and also a world class tourist location. With a US-style infrastructure, Panama offers an easy transition particularly for US retirees.
So why is Panama gaining in popularity among retirees, investors, and part-time expatriates? Not only because of increased publicity. Panama has more amenities, lower costs and lower crime rates than many other traditional retirement locations. In fact Panama´s advantages are unrivaled. Apart from tax advantages and privacy advantages, consider the following:
Panama has a stable government and a growing economy
The US dollar is the legal tender. Panama has a stable economy that has been based upon the US dollar since 1904
Residents pay no tax on foreign earned income.
Foreigners can buy and own property in Panama with the same rights and protections as Panamanian citizens.
PENSIONADO PROGRAM (retiree incentive program), the best in the world, is not necessarily age-related and the benefits are considerable. It is considered to be the best retirement program in the world.
English is widely spoken
The US presence in the country for many years has lead to a US style infrastructure with a number of familiar names and businesses.
Panama has a number of US-standard health care facilities and services with many US-trained English-speaking doctors available. Very good hospitals, including a John Hopkins Hospital.
Panama has a reliable communications system with fiber optic telephone lines and much of the country has ADSL internet
Panama is one of the best offshore havens in the world
The cost of living in Panama is lower than the US and much lower than Western Europe.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, PANAMA IS BEAUTIFUL!
Come to Panama to visit and you can see for yourself! You will love it!
Panamá has the privilege of having some of the best weather in the world, as well as having primary rainforest areas, and the most beautiful nature found anywhere.
The name “Panamá” means “abundance.” Abundance of fish, butterflies and birds. We have one of the most complete collection of all of these in the world. For a visitor who loves bird watching (with over 850 species), or who enjoys nature, this is the place to come.
This province is situated on the border with Colombia, and the center is La Palma. Weather is around 70° to 87°. It´s also known as “Tapón del Darién”, because of its extensive and prime mountainous rainforest and jungle. Its geography, with lots of high volume rivers like the “Chucunaque” and “Tuira”, heavy jungle, national park and waterfalls, do not permit the...
In Panama City, there is one place that is not normally included in general city tours; the Presidential Palace (located in Casco Viejo), a recently renovated, beautiful old building that offers every visitor a significant part of history. A unique place to visit, totally free. All you have to do is send a note in advance, with names and passport numbers (for security reasons), and request a specific date. They will reply with confirmation, or...
Right now, the value of the Mexican peso is fluctuating relative to the US dollar. I think it’s healthy and natural that the peso is fluctuating. An expensive peso is not convenient for Mexicans, so a cheap peso is better. A less expensive peso brings more economic activity and investment to the country, even though the Mexicans are really angry with a cheap peso because foreign goods will cost more for them to purchase. 
The key to remodeling is having a good working team. In San Ignacio Town there are many builders including Americans, Canadians and local Belizeans. Always ask your real estate agent or other expats who they use. It is highly likely that they will recommend someone that they have been using for years and that was initially recommended to them by someone else. .jpg)
I am very happy to answer this question because the police in Portugal are not corrupt at all. There is no corruption on that level in Portugal. I would highly recommend that people do not try any Latin American or African tricks of trying to slip in dollar notes into a driver’s license or any funny business like that because that doesn’t work in Europe. That is completely frowned upon and you could well be arrested if you do something like that. If you are coming to...
PANAMA IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST! 
Panamá has the privilege of having some of the best weather in the world, as well as having primary rainforest areas, and the most beautiful nature found anywhere.
not normally included in general city tours; the Presidential Palace (located in Casco Viejo), a recently renovated, beautiful old building that offers every visitor a significant part of history. A unique place to visit, totally free. All you have to do is send a note in advance, with names and passport numbers (for security reasons), and request a specific date. They will reply with confirmation, or...
