Where's the best sightseeing in and around Yucatan: Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Merida, etc.?
Doug Willey - Doug Willey, Independent Real Estate Consultant
In the state of Yucatan, Merida is an amazing city. It still has cobblestone streets. Some of the buildings there are actually breathtaking.
One of the main roads going to Merida is called Paseo Montejo, which has amazing homes. The malls are big and modern. They have wonderful museums. It’s just an amazing place to go. And then once you turn off of Paseo Montejo, and go in to the city, that’s where they have all the condos and street music and...
In the state of Yucatan, Merida is an amazing city. It still has cobblestone streets. Some of the buildings there are actually breathtaking.
One of the main roads going to Merida is called Paseo Montejo, which has amazing homes. The malls are big and modern. They have wonderful museums. It’s just an amazing place to go. And then once you turn off of Paseo Montejo, and go in to the city, that’s where they have all the condos and street music and street vendors.
On Sundays, in downtown Merida, they close off a lot of the streets so they’re only for pedestrians. The locals come out and the bands play music and the ladies do the traditional dances. It’s an amazing place to go on a Sunday.
(Mansions along Paseo Montejo, Merida, Mexico, pictured.)
What’s my best strategy for health insurance for retiring in Belize?
John Acott
Most expats don’t bother getting health insurance here in Belize. I am British and I would have free healthcare in England but I am not entitled to it now. I don’t have private insurance here; nothing. But saying that, healthcare is free here in Belize for Belizeans and for foreigners. If you need healthcare, no one is going to ask if you are Belizean because it is not an issue. For more serious health issues, people go to...
Most expats don’t bother getting health insurance here in Belize. I am British and I would have free healthcare in England but I am not entitled to it now. I don’t have private insurance here; nothing. But saying that, healthcare is free here in Belize for Belizeans and for foreigners. If you need healthcare, no one is going to ask if you are Belizean because it is not an issue. For more serious health issues, people go to Cuba, Guatemala City, or to Merida in Mexico.
Last year, I had a twelve and a half hour spinal surgery in a private hospital and the total cost with the surgeon, the hospital, the anesthesia, and the medication was US $6,500. The public hospitals will cost you zero but sometimes I recommend for people to go to the private hospitals they provide better service.
Is the electricity reliable in Algarve? Are there blackouts or brownouts in Algarve?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
The Algarve has hardly any blackouts or brownouts. We have a very, very reliable power source. In a typical year, we will have zero blackouts or brownouts.
(Night lights at the pool and restaurant at Algarve Senior Living, Portugal, pictured.)
The Algarve has hardly any blackouts or brownouts. We have a very, very reliable power source. In a typical year, we will have zero blackouts or brownouts.
(Night lights at the pool and restaurant at Algarve Senior Living, Portugal, pictured.)
If I want to live in Nicaragua, what's the difference between citizenship and residency?
Jonathan Butcher - NICA
The difference between residency and citizenship is about the same is every country. One establishes where you live semi-permanently or permanently (residency) and the other establishes where your home country is located (citizenship).
For example, I am still a U.S. citizen, but I have applied for residency in Nicaragua because I live here most of the time, and I want to conduct business here carefree. Usually, people will only change their citizenship for political...
The difference between residency and citizenship is about the same is every country. One establishes where you live semi-permanently or permanently (residency) and the other establishes where your home country is located (citizenship).
For example, I am still a U.S. citizen, but I have applied for residency in Nicaragua because I live here most of the time, and I want to conduct business here carefree. Usually, people will only change their citizenship for political reasons such as exile or refugee. However, its highly recommended to invest in a cedula (residency card) if you want to live in Nicaragua most of the time. It will cost about $800 for the attorney fees.
What are the main cities, towns, communities and developments of the Panama City Casco Viejo area and what is each one like?
Lourdes Townshend
Casco Viejo is a charming place, inside the city of Panamá. It was appointed "Patrimony of the Humanity" (World Heritage Site) by the UNESCO a few years ago, for its unique historical and cultural monuments relating several centuries of participation by Panamá as a center for all kinds of cultural and trade paths and history that can still be seen today. There is also the phenomenon that Panamá is considered the number one...
Casco Viejo is a charming place, inside the city of Panamá. It was appointed "Patrimony of the Humanity" (World Heritage Site) by the UNESCO a few years ago, for its unique historical and cultural monuments relating several centuries of participation by Panamá as a center for all kinds of cultural and trade paths and history that can still be seen today. There is also the phenomenon that Panamá is considered the number one destination for many foreigners seeking a better life.
Casco Viejo is not divided into towns, cities, communities or developments. It is simply a place with narrow brick streets, lots of history, small arts & crafts stores, many cafes and restaurants, the Presidential Palace, government buildings, many old Catholic churches including St. Joseph (which has a real gold altar), some beautifuly renovated houses, and the "Bovedas" which is an antique fort for defense against the pirates, all of which is surrounded by a beautiful bay. Houses will be renovated little by little, but are protected by a special law of conservation.
Casco Viejo is not yet fully developed, and some old local residents still remain in the area, but visitors and future residents are looking into the Casco Viejo area more and more every day. It will soon also be surrounded by the new and final phase of the "cinta costera", which is a beautiful boulevard between the ocean and Casco Viejo, ending at the entrance to the Panamá Canal.
Do I still have to file my US income taxes if I retire, work or just live abroad?
Terry Bradford
You have to file your US income taxes regardless if you retire, live, or work abroad. US citizens must always file their taxes. Living abroad does not make a difference. You still have to file your income tax without exceptions.
For our US taxes, we use an accountant who is still in the US and who is familiar with international law. We also have a Panamanian accountant who is familiar with international law who helps us file our Panamanian income...
You have to file your US income taxes regardless if you retire, live, or work abroad. US citizens must always file their taxes. Living abroad does not make a difference. You still have to file your income tax without exceptions.
For our US taxes, we use an accountant who is still in the US and who is familiar with international law. We also have a Panamanian accountant who is familiar with international law who helps us file our Panamanian income taxes.
I have lived in four countries, Spain, Ireland, United States and Panama. My advice when moving abroad is to make sure you can adjust your self to the new culture and traditions of the country you are going to live in. Do some research, learn about the customs and traditions. Be open minded, be prepared to learn new things. Be positive, I strongly recommend you to mingle with the locals.
She was walking hand in hand with her husband that cold winter's day. I was so impressed to see such an old couple holding hands. When I asked her how long have they been married, she offered me a toothless smile and said, "67 years, Señor."
Her gentle words touched me in a very special way on that cold winter's day, so I offered to help the both of them with FREE dental treatment and dentures in my clinic.
We had dinner with a couple that is doing their recon mission to see if living in Boquete (or Panama) is right for them. Everyone who lives here has done the same. And maybe everyone has asked themselves, "Does Boquete have enough things to do so I won't get bored?"
I think that if you are boring or have no interests, you will be bored everywhere you go. I also don't think that it is possible to be bored in Boquete unless you make it your mission. Even if you don't want to...