Best Places In The World To Retire

Centro is the oldest part of San Miguel de Allende, and that’s where the old buildings are. Centro has become the most atmospheric part of San Miguel de Allende, where there are cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture. There’s another circle around Centro, but it’s not the historic zone. 

 

Around San Miguel de Allende, there is consistent architecture- you walk everywhere and it’s still a mix of rich, poor and middle...

Centro is the oldest part of San Miguel de Allende, and that’s where the old buildings are. Centro has become the most atmospheric part of San Miguel de Allende, where there are cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture. There’s another circle around Centro, but it’s not the historic zone. 

 

Around San Miguel de Allende, there is consistent architecture- you walk everywhere and it’s still a mix of rich, poor and middle class, but there’s a consistency of architecture in the feel of the town. There’s an area in San Antonio that’s west and adjacent to Centro and has its own square. It used to be a separate town, and has a nice mix of Mexican families and Gringos. In San Antonio, there are a lot of good little restaurants, shops, and as well as workshops, including shops for perhaps an iron worker or a car mechanic, little tiendas and a tortilla shop, etc.  Americans and foreigners really like that area if they want to experience Mexican culture because it’s not as wealthy as a lot of other areas; it’s regular folks. It’s full of color and life 

 

To the east of San Antonio, there’s an area called Guadiana, which is a little more upscale than San Antonio, and is largely residential. The homes are worth US $350,000 to US $1,000,000. In Guadiana, there’s a square that’s very quiet and gentrified. There’s not a lot of activity in Guadiana- there are no workshops, and only a couple of little stores. 

 

There’s an area in San Miguel de Allende called Ojo de Agua which is up the hill from Guadiana, behind Juarez Park. Ojo de Agua is a more upscale area, and the homes there are consistently nice, colonial in  style but relatively new. These homes often have great views, larger lots, and some of them can be huge. The population in Ojo de Agua is composed largely of Americans, but there are Mexican families living there as well. 

 

Above Centro, there are a couple of hillside areas. One is called Atascadero, which is straight up from the square and has been a nice residential area from the 50’s. The houses are a mix of architectural styles. This area is generally quiet, and you get larger pieces of property. It’s not suburban because you’re in town, but it has a very quiet neighborhood.

 

There’s an area called Balcones, which is a newer area. Balcones is a little more consistent- there was a developer involved in starting it, so it’s has uniform nice lots with colors of San Miguel de Allende. A lot of the homes in Balcones have great views of the town.

 

To the north of Balcones in San Miguel de Allende, there’s an area called Guadalupe. Guadalupe is a relatively new area, and is a little like San Antonio. It has a lot of Mexican families, working class and professionals. It’s become very popular with expats, and has a really nice arty vibe- street art, art supply stores, and organic foods. Guadalupe is cool and flat, and it’s a flat walk to Centro. If you go down towards the market, you’ll find a small arroyo (creek) that starts going out in the hills facing Centro. 

 

Other areas in San Miguel de Allende are Sta. Julia, Independencia, and San Rafael- the three main neighborhoods facing town. Sta. Julia, Independencia, and San Rafael’s inhabitants are working class Mexicans and a few expats. These neighborhoods offer really nice views to town, and are a little more humble and less expensive, but living there is very much a Mexican experience. It makes you feel that you’re definitely in Mexico. It’s not a huge mix, but people who live there love it. 

 

On the far outskirts of San Miguel de Allende, there’s Los Frailes, which is outside of the main road of town, and is an older residential community. It started in the 50’s or in the 60’s, and it feels suburban. It’s an official fraccionamiento. There are large 1 and 2 story houses with a yard, there are people walking their dogs, and it’s quiet out there. They have a golf course, a clubhouse, and nice houses overlooking the golf course. 

 

Across the main road are a bunch of new developments that are relatively new, probably developed in the last 10 years. These are newer homes, with a mixture of Americans and Mexicans, but also with a lot of Mexican weekenders, and a lot of Mexican families because they’re gated, secure enclaves. Price ranges are good- about US $250,000 for a house. 

 

( Home in Los Balcones, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)

Retirement has become a worldwide phenomenon so there is a multitude of places in which to retire depending on your origin. In Europe, the common retirement spots are the coast of Spain. The Mediterranean area has been a wonderful place for a lot of people to retire to, so is Australia, areas in Thailand, and areas in Vietnam.

 

We have to remember that the best places to retire are personal and it has to really match the individual. Tourism and retirement...

Retirement has become a worldwide phenomenon so there is a multitude of places in which to retire depending on your origin. In Europe, the common retirement spots are the coast of Spain. The Mediterranean area has been a wonderful place for a lot of people to retire to, so is Australia, areas in Thailand, and areas in Vietnam.

 

We have to remember that the best places to retire are personal and it has to really match the individual. Tourism and retirement sometimes go hand in hand, too. So people who have traveled a lot to different places many times have a place that sticks out on their mind that could be a possible place to retire.

 

With all that said, some of the places that seem to be highly rated and places that I am familiar with are certain areas in Mexico, which are probably some of the better places to retire for Americans and Canadians because of the proximity. Areas of Central America like Panama and Ecuador are also great places, although they tend to be a little more difficult as far as accessibility. Geographic proximity is really important to retirees, particularly those who have children or family because you still want to be able to get back and be in touch. So I think the best places to retire are those places that have some kind of geographic proximity for people so they can still access family, friends, or services. Also the best places to retire are those places that hit a heartstring on people that makes them say it is the place for them.

 

Today many popular places around the world are advertised such as Spain, Argentina, the Caribbean Islands, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, Mexico, Bali, and Hawaii. So internationally, there are a thousand different places that you can go to but the best place to retire really depends on the people who are going to retire and their place of origin. We find streams of migration that develop between locations and that can be really helpful for people in information gathering while they are making a decision. The other really important consideration is whether the retirement is a permanent or temporary/part time retirement. But proximity is always an important consideration for many people.  

 

(David Truly performing with his band the Tallboys in Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)

The crime level in Nicaragua comes down to where you are and your security measures.  For example, if you have a very nice car and you park it in a good area with no one to look after it, it could get vandalized.  But you could also have the same nice car and park it in a bad area, but with someone to look after it, and nothing will happen.

 

Compared with Seattle (where I used to live), the crime in Nicaragua is about the same, but Seattle and...

The crime level in Nicaragua comes down to where you are and your security measures.  For example, if you have a very nice car and you park it in a good area with no one to look after it, it could get vandalized.  But you could also have the same nice car and park it in a bad area, but with someone to look after it, and nothing will happen.

 

Compared with Seattle (where I used to live), the crime in Nicaragua is about the same, but Seattle and Nicaragua have different issues. For example, in Seattle, lots of people have guns, while in Nicaragua, you don’t see it that much.  I have never heard of an issue of guns in a school in Nicaragua.  People in Nicaragua would faint if they heard that.  You also don’t hear about a mall or bank shooting in Nicaragua.  In Seattle, you will see lots of drugs, while in Nicaragua, you won’t.  I keep reading how bad the crime is in Central America, that people are having guns held to their heads, etc.  I have never, never been mugged, and I’m "a girl in an SUV," living here from the age of 18 to 30.  I have, however, been pick pocketed in the public market, but that could happen in Seattle.

 

One of the differences about living in Nicaragua is that, in Nicaragua, depending on where you go, it can be a good idea to pay someone to look after your car.  If you don’t have someone with you, you just pay a person in the street whose “job” it is to watch the car in that area.  The most you would pay is a dollar.  If they look at you as a foreigner, they may ask for two dollars, but that’s about it.  In Granada and the better area of Managua called Carretera Masaya, I don’t pay to have someone watch my car.

 

You should always be aware in Nicaragua and avoid going by yourself to isolated places while carrying items like expensive cameras.

 

In accordance to paragraph 6 of article 81º of the personal income tax code, if a non-habitual resident obtains income deriving from pensions in the United States, it is applied to the exemption method provided that the income is not considered obtained in Portugal.

 

In accordance to paragraph 1 of article20º of the Double Tax Treaty signed between Portugal and the United States, any pensions and other similar remuneration (other than pensions or...

In accordance to paragraph 6 of article 81º of the personal income tax code, if a non-habitual resident obtains income deriving from pensions in the United States, it is applied to the exemption method provided that the income is not considered obtained in Portugal.

 

In accordance to paragraph 1 of article20º of the Double Tax Treaty signed between Portugal and the United States, any pensions and other similar remuneration (other than pensions or remuneration to which Article 21º applies – Public or Governmental Service) derived and beneficially owned by a resident of a Contracting State (Portugal) in consideration of past employment shall be taxable only in that state (Portugal).

 

As such, pension income received by a Portuguese non habitual resident that is paid from the United States cannot be taxed in the United States and will be exempt from tax in Portugal.

 

However, there is an exception for the social security benefits and other public pensions related to Public or Governmental Functions that will still be exempt from tax in Portugal but may be taxed in the United States.

 

(Discoveries Monument commemorating important people in Portuguese history, Lisbon, Portugal, pictured.)

In Corozal, the best sightseeing is in Corozal Bay, a wonderful sight where you can sit down in a restaurant right by the water, get good food, and enjoy the wind in your face.

 

The whole of Belize is full of Mayan history.  There is a small place in Corozal called Santa. Rita which is just one temple that the Mayans built and surrounded by the foundations of other buildings. Visiting Santa Rita is the quickest and simplest way to get a touch of Mayan...

In Corozal, the best sightseeing is in Corozal Bay, a wonderful sight where you can sit down in a restaurant right by the water, get good food, and enjoy the wind in your face.

 

The whole of Belize is full of Mayan history.  There is a small place in Corozal called Santa. Rita which is just one temple that the Mayans built and surrounded by the foundations of other buildings. Visiting Santa Rita is the quickest and simplest way to get a touch of Mayan in you.

 

You could also go to Cerros, an ancient site on the Cerros Peninsula that faces Corozal. There are a couple of buildings you can climb up in Cerros with magnificent views into the bay. That is where the Mayans used to begin their trip inland all the way to Lamanai, which is in the biggest freshwater lagoon the center of the country.   That is my number one favorite because I’ve done that trip well in excess of 100 times. I often take my clients there to show them around and I always get them the best guide. The boat trip up the river is just phenomenal.  On different times of the year, you see different birds, crocodiles, and see some manatee chewing on the grasses in the river. Finally, you reach Lamanai and get to walk around the temples there that are quite stunning, yet are just a very small fraction of the whole complex where about 50,000 people used to live.

 

There are far many temples in Belize that they’ve partially excavated, but you can go to all of them. The high temple is my favorite because you get up there and walk all the way up the lagoon for 30 miles and you can see the Mayan Mountains if the weather is really clear.

 

And every time I go there, I learn more about the place. The guides that show you around there have to go through intensive training, and every year they learn more about the whole Mayan culture and what happened at Lamanai, which is just fascinating. That would be one place that I would recommend to anyone who is visiting Belize.

 

I’ve been to many other sites as well, and they’re very nice. They’re bigger than Cerros, andt smaller or bigger than Lamanai. Lamanai is my favorite.

 

On the river, Lamanai is about 60 miles from Cerros. I go to a place on the Northern Highway, just north of the village of Carmelita, and I go to Lamanai Eco Tours which is run by Errol Cadels. I’ve tried all of the operators along the river, and I found that his operation consistently has the best guides and tours. If you go with just two or 30 people in a group, they can accommodate that. Their prices are just as competitive as anyone else’s, so it’s real value for money. They also give you a traditional Belizean lunch which consists of rice, beans, chicken, and all the other side dishes. It’s really, really good.

 

(Ancient Mayan temple, near Corozal, Belize, pictured.)