What's the language most often spoken in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico? Can I get by if I just speak English?
Michael Kavanaugh - Continental Realty
Yes, you can get by just speaking English in the Ajijic – Chapala area because of the mix of Americans, Canadians, and Mexican nationals. Mostly in the service areas, everybody speaks a little English and everybody can learn a little Spanglish to get by. It’s not a problem.
Most people take Spanish lessons to get a little grip of the language. However, most of the service providers speak a little English and hand gestures go a long way. ...
Yes, you can get by just speaking English in the Ajijic – Chapala area because of the mix of Americans, Canadians, and Mexican nationals. Mostly in the service areas, everybody speaks a little English and everybody can learn a little Spanglish to get by. It’s not a problem.
Most people take Spanish lessons to get a little grip of the language. However, most of the service providers speak a little English and hand gestures go a long way.
(For sale sign in Spanish and English for a weekend cottage, Lake Chapala, Mexico, pictured.)
The expats in Belize are a lively mix of various nationalities from all over the world—former military, former big business, former small business people; all different kinds of people from all over the world.
Belize itself is a very cosmopolitan country—various ethnicities, races, all mixed up and all getting along. And I would say that the expats in Belize reflect that as well. The people here in Belize are European, Canadian, American,...
The expats in Belize are a lively mix of various nationalities from all over the world—former military, former big business, former small business people; all different kinds of people from all over the world.
Belize itself is a very cosmopolitan country—various ethnicities, races, all mixed up and all getting along. And I would say that the expats in Belize reflect that as well. The people here in Belize are European, Canadian, American, African, South American; name a country and I’m sure you could find someone in Belize from that country. Everybody tends to get along and it’s a happy mix.
The commonality amongst expats is that they have moved to a developing country, so they’re a bit adventurous. Our expats who live here realize that they are not going to be going to a Broadway show or a McDonald’s or some type of activity that are available in the biggest cities in the world. One thing that most expats here have in common is that they are looking for a place with a little bit slower pace as far as life is concerned and also a high quality of life; people who enjoy nature and a natural life. This is not a fast paced country. On the contrary, it is very slow paced. What most expats here have in common is that desire to slow things down, have an easier going life and not stress out and worry so much.
One of the best reasons to retire in Portugal is the safety. Where I live here in Portugal, I can go to the café or to the supermarket around the corner and I don’t have to lock my front door. The neighbors know each other and if anything happens, everybody watches for each other. In contrast, in England, everybody keeps to themselves. They don’t trust anybody because of the crime. We don’t have that here in Portugal because you know your neighbors. In England, you...
One of the best reasons to retire in Portugal is the safety. Where I live here in Portugal, I can go to the café or to the supermarket around the corner and I don’t have to lock my front door. The neighbors know each other and if anything happens, everybody watches for each other. In contrast, in England, everybody keeps to themselves. They don’t trust anybody because of the crime. We don’t have that here in Portugal because you know your neighbors. In England, you can live on the same street and not know your neighbor next door.
Another good reason to retire in Portugal is the lower cost of living. My daughter lives in England but she comes here four times a year and she is constantly amazed by the prices here in Portugal. It’s very cheap.
The quality and taste of food in Portugal is another factor for retiring here. Food here has a flavor. We have very good cuisine. The fish is unbelievable. Meat is very good as well. You only need to You just haves to know where to buy your food. Once you know that, you will have food that is very tasty.
Healthcare in Portugal is good. I would recommend the private health system here in Portugal because of the good quality and fast service. Relative to the US, healthcare I Portugal is extremely inexpensive and it’s possible to get insurance for a couple in good health, without pre-existing conditions for around €60 to €100 (US $65 or £44 to US $109 or £73) a month. If you have insurance and you go to see a doctor, it would cost €30 to €40 (US $33 or £22 to $44 or £29).
The weather is great in Portugal. During December, we have sunshine and the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). That is winter, so it’s great. We are not on the Mediterranean but we are by the Atlantic Ocean so we have mild temperatures. We don’t get snow or frost. In the winter, the temperature goes down to about 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 Fahrenheit).
The lifestyle here in Portugal is very nice as well. People are very friendly. There are a lot of outdoor activities so you don’t spend too much time at home. You can definitely keep yourself busy by going to the beach, golfing, horseback riding, playing water sports, etc.
So to me, those are the best reasons to retire in Portugal; the safety, everything being cheaper here, the food, healthcare, great weather, and the wine. What else do you want in life?
To buy good clothes in Managua, Nicaragua, I recommend instead, that you buy excellent quality fabric at the Centro Commercial Market and have a tailor custom make the clothes for you. It will cost less than US $30 for custom clothing, including fabric. I had a beautiful skirt made that fits perfectly. Lots of people do exactly this here in Managua.
To buy good clothes in Managua, Nicaragua, I recommend instead, that you buy excellent quality fabric at the Centro Commercial Market and have a tailor custom make the clothes for you. It will cost less than US $30 for custom clothing, including fabric. I had a beautiful skirt made that fits perfectly. Lots of people do exactly this here in Managua.
How much rain does El Valle de Anton, Panama get? When is the Rainy Season and the Dry Season in El Valle de Anton, Panama and what is it like?
Bill Brunner
The best way to answer the first question ("How much rain does El Valle get?") is to say "a lot of rain", but it does keep things cool and green, and we like that. The Dry Season starts the 1st of January and runs until late April or mid May. The rains don't come all at once, but we do see the beginning of rainy season then. Of course the rainy season goes until December 31. Between October and December you will see the most amount of...
The best way to answer the first question ("How much rain does El Valle get?") is to say "a lot of rain", but it does keep things cool and green, and we like that. The Dry Season starts the 1st of January and runs until late April or mid May. The rains don't come all at once, but we do see the beginning of rainy season then. Of course the rainy season goes until December 31. Between October and December you will see the most amount of rain, but the temperatures drop some to make staying indoors a bit more comfortable. Who doesn't like napping when it's raining?
The Dry Season is usually very windy but at first it brings a light mist with it so that the flowers get their much needed water. The month of January is when all the flowers are in bloom here, and many of the trees have changed to colors like red or yellow. The nights a very cool, but not cold, and the stars at night are incredible. By the time April comes the grass has changed to brown, and leaves are blowing all over the place, much like you would expect Fall in the US to be like in the southern states.
My husband pulled our high-top white van with the dogs in the backseat into the Pemex, the ubiquitous gas stations of Baja California, Mexico. We were returning to the outskirts of La Paz, a busy little town that fronts a bay and is held in by the mountains. He spoke in Spanglish to the attendant about the price of gas as the van was serviced. I sat inside, drowsy from a day of walking along soft surf. From my side of the van, I watched a woman approach the car to the right of me....
I was at a lecture a few years ago where the speaker casually mentioned that most members of the audience were in the final third of their lives. As I looked around, I saw a lot of “old people,” so it seemed like he was right.
Presented with permission from Bob Adams of Retirement Wave
Folks often ask me what’s important that I do when I get to Panama.
“Do I need to learn the language?”
“Is there some place I can go to learn the culture?”
“Should I travel around the country?”
Basically, while all these things are interesting and they’re good things to do, the most important thing for the entirety of the time you’re here, in...
Yes, you can get by just speaking English in the Ajijic – Chapala area because of the mix of Americans, Canadians, and Mexican nationals. Mostly in the service areas, everybody speaks a little English and everybody can learn a little Spanglish to get by. It’s not a problem. 
The expats in Belize are a lively mix of various nationalities from all over the world—former military, former big business, former small business people; all different kinds of people from all over the world. 
My husband pulled our high-top white van with the dogs in the backseat into the Pemex, the ubiquitous gas stations of Baja California, Mexico. We were returning to the outskirts of La Paz, a busy little town that fronts a bay and is held in by the mountains. He spoke in Spanglish to the attendant about the price of gas as the van was serviced. I sat inside, drowsy from a day of walking along soft surf. From my side of the van, I watched a woman approach the car to the right of me....
(We thank the wonderful people and our good friends at