What are the best and worst things about living and retiring in Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Luzma Grande - Ajijic Concierge Services
The best thing about living in Chapala and Ajijic is that you can do simple things and be happy. As an example, if you like kayaking, you could join the kayaking club here and they are very friendly even to non-professional kayakers. You could go out and kayak with your friends.
Also, a lot of people come to Chapala and Ajijic because of the low cost of living. The weather is another reason why a lot of people like Ajijic. Those two things are usually the...
The best thing about living in Chapala and Ajijic is that you can do simple things and be happy. As an example, if you like kayaking, you could join the kayaking club here and they are very friendly even to non-professional kayakers. You could go out and kayak with your friends.
Also, a lot of people come to Chapala and Ajijic because of the low cost of living. The weather is another reason why a lot of people like Ajijic. Those two things are usually the reasons why people like living here. It’s either they are after the low cost of living or the good weather. There is a lot of good places to eat and drink in Chapala and Ajijic. There are not a lot places where you could go out and dance but we used to have much more of those.
The worst thing about living here for me, is just being far away from my family. If I were closer to my family then I would be happier but Ajijic is where I can work so that is why I am here. I like the ambiance here as well.
(Unspoiled shoreline of Lake Chapala, Ajijic, Mexico, pictured.)
The worst reasons to retire overseas are to live like a king and the idea that you want to go overseas because it is cheaper because that usually doesn’t pan out very well. The other reason is the idea of retiring overseas just because other people did it and you’re thinking that it’s a cool thing to do, so you’re going to do it. We live in a world where marketing and advertising, certainly, has a major sway on people.
Another...
The worst reasons to retire overseas are to live like a king and the idea that you want to go overseas because it is cheaper because that usually doesn’t pan out very well. The other reason is the idea of retiring overseas just because other people did it and you’re thinking that it’s a cool thing to do, so you’re going to do it. We live in a world where marketing and advertising, certainly, has a major sway on people.
Another bad reason to retire overseas is the impulsive move based on some difficult event or simply due to a very cold winter. They come down to this idyllic place, and say, “Wow this is great! This is it!”Bbut don’t really think it through. It’s not a good thing to come and retire overseas just because all of a sudden it seems to be the right thing to do for whatever reason. It should not be an impulsive decision for most people. Retiring overseas is something that people need to think about.
Strictly economic reasons, personal tragedy, or just thinking you can live better somewhere without really looking into it are bad reasons for retiring overseas, are often these cases don’t turn out very well for people.
You don’t need to own a car in Ambergris Caye. Typically, people wouldn’t own a car and typically people might own or lease a golf cart. Golf cart rental is as expensive as renting a US car. It will be around US $400 to $500 a month to rent a golf cart. So if you are going to be here for a long time or if you are planning to retire here, you would probably buy a golf cart.
New golf cart costs around $15,000 to $25,000, which seems expensive,...
You don’t need to own a car in Ambergris Caye. Typically, people wouldn’t own a car and typically people might own or lease a golf cart. Golf cart rental is as expensive as renting a US car. It will be around US $400 to $500 a month to rent a golf cart. So if you are going to be here for a long time or if you are planning to retire here, you would probably buy a golf cart.
New golf cart costs around $15,000 to $25,000, which seems expensive, but there is duty on those things to bring them in. A used golf cart costs around US $7,500 up to around $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the features and the type of parts. If you are thinking of buying, that is the best course of action.
But you want to make sure that you can get a permit for your golf cart. Every golf cart has a requirement to have a permit and only citizens or residents can get permits for golf carts.
On the high end, there are also golf carts here that cost $30,000. They tend to be larger and are four-wheel drive. They are four-wheel drive with some type of storage on the back.
Typically, people do not own cars in Ambergris Caye; they own golf carts. Some people who have been here for a long time or have the need, would have a car. Personally, I have a golf cart. I don’t have a car and I wouldn’t have a car.
How high are the mountains in Panama, and how does the elevation change the weather?
Paul McBride - Inside Panama Real Estate
Geographically, Panama actually lies in a west to east direction so Costa Rica is on the western border and Colombia is on the eastern border. The north coast of Panama borders the Caribbean Sea and the south coast borders the Pacific Ocean. Most people naturally assume that Panama is oriented north to south when in actuality it lies east to west. This has a major impact on the weather and the climate.
The North American continental divide runs right down the...
Geographically, Panama actually lies in a west to east direction so Costa Rica is on the western border and Colombia is on the eastern border. The north coast of Panama borders the Caribbean Sea and the south coast borders the Pacific Ocean. Most people naturally assume that Panama is oriented north to south when in actuality it lies east to west. This has a major impact on the weather and the climate.
The North American continental divide runs right down the middle of Panama. The highest mountain in Panama is Volcan Baru and has an elevation of just about 11,400 feet (3,475 meters) above sea level. Volcan Baru is located in Western Panama and Boquete lies along the eastern slope of the mountain.
The mountains of Panama have a great effect on the weather and climate. During our dry season (mid-December through April) the prevailing winds are from the north (or the Caribbean side) and these winds dry out the Pacific side of the country. The mountains block much of the wind at this time and become a rain shield for the Pacific coast. The humidity drops, rainfall is at a minimum, the days are sunny and the skies are clear. By contrast, the weather on the Caribbean side can be much wetter during this period.
Panama is an equatorial tropical country, which means that our temperatures are warm and humid all year long. However, the mountains of Panama affect the climate in an interesting way. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler the air temperature becomes. For example, the city of David (the capital of the Chiriqui Province) is located at about sea level and is always hot and humid. However, as you make the 24-mile (38 kilometer) drive to Boquete you gain over 3,500 feet in elevation and temperatures can drop as much as 15 degree F. It’s not unusual to be in David where the temperature is in the mid-90’s and drive 40-minutes to Boquete and the temperature is in the upper 70’s.
The mountains have another effect on the weather. During the wet season, warm moist air from the Pacific Ocean rises up the slopes of the surrounding mountain. As this air moves upward, the moisture is forced out of the air and the results are the thunderstorms we experience during this time. The more moisture the air holds, the stronger the thunderstorm.
The mountains of Panama have a major impact on the weather and are the reasons we enjoy such a pleasant climate in Boquete.
How are the stores and shops in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua? How's the shopping in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?
Eugenio Cortez - Hacienda & Ecolodge Morgan´s Rock
Stores and shops in San Juan del Sur are primarily made up of local families selling the usual shirts, skirts, homemade jewelry and basic home needs. You won’t find world known stores or anything with a big name. Prices are very low on the different items and are all pretty much 100% Nicaraguan made.
Stores and shops in San Juan del Sur are primarily made up of local families selling the usual shirts, skirts, homemade jewelry and basic home needs. You won’t find world known stores or anything with a big name. Prices are very low on the different items and are all pretty much 100% Nicaraguan made.
High quality, broadband Internet service in Portugal costs about €10 (US $11 or £7.50) a month. The country’s aim is for Internet service to be free for everybody by the year 2020. The reason why the Internet connectivity is so cheap in Portugal is because the government subsidizes it.
(Pictured: high tech looking hotel in Portugal.)
High quality, broadband Internet service in Portugal costs about €10 (US $11 or £7.50) a month. The country’s aim is for Internet service to be free for everybody by the year 2020. The reason why the Internet connectivity is so cheap in Portugal is because the government subsidizes it.
An emerging personal finance trend has seen retirees and people in pre-retirement making investments in foreign real estate, especially in emerging markets. The potential benefits are very enticing; these regions are seeing growth and appreciation rates that exceed those in domestic markets, and there’s built-in potential for generating income by renting the property to vacationers. Best of all, you can live there yourself during the cold-weather months and say goodbye to winter for the...
So there we were, in our van, after taking the Baja Ferry from La Paz and disembarking at the port at Mazatlán.
Given that we had just spent more than six weeks in the Baja California desert, even in the parking lot of the harbor in Mazatlán, we were struck by the profusion of plant life. Palm trees, vines, and other types of jungle shrubbery seemed to be growing everywhere, sometimes on top of each other, successfully utilizing any amount of even the...
It was the extra toilet paper holder, a lace and chintz contraption hanging on the wall, that made us laugh. The room in which we stayed was called Limonera, named for the lime tree in its private terrace, which was a separate studio around the back of the main house of Park Eden in El Valle de Anton, Panama. If I were a detective, I would say it was originally the residence of someone who loved to read, for there were many books along the wall, and who loved Panama for the...
The best thing about living in Chapala and Ajijic is that you can do simple things and be happy. As an example, if you like kayaking, you could join the kayaking club here and they are very friendly even to non-professional kayakers. You could go out and kayak with your friends. 
The worst reasons to retire overseas are to live like a king and the idea that you want to go overseas because it is cheaper because that usually doesn’t pan out very well. The other reason is the idea of retiring overseas just because other people did it and you’re thinking that it’s a cool thing to do, so you’re going to do it. We live in a world where marketing and advertising, certainly, has a major sway on people. 
You don’t need to own a car in Ambergris Caye. Typically, people wouldn’t own a car and typically people might own or lease a golf cart. Golf cart rental is as expensive as renting a US car. It will be around US $400 to $500 a month to rent a golf cart. So if you are going to be here for a long time or if you are planning to retire here, you would probably buy a golf cart. 
High quality, broadband Internet service in Portugal costs about €10 (US $11 or £7.50) a month. The country’s aim is for Internet service to be free for everybody by the year 2020. The reason why the Internet connectivity is so cheap in Portugal is because the government subsidizes it. 
An emerging personal finance trend has seen retirees and people in pre-retirement making investments in foreign real estate, especially in emerging markets. The potential benefits are very enticing; these regions are seeing growth and appreciation rates that exceed those in domestic markets, and there’s built-in potential for generating income by renting the property to vacationers. Best of all, you can live there yourself during the cold-weather months and say goodbye to winter for the...
So there we were, in our van, after taking the Baja Ferry from La Paz and disembarking at the port at Mazatlán. 
It was the extra toilet paper holder, a lace and chintz contraption hanging on the wall, that made us laugh. The room in which we stayed was called Limonera, named for the lime tree in its private terrace, which was a separate studio around the back of the main house of Park Eden in El Valle de Anton, Panama. If I were a detective, I would say it was originally the residence of someone who loved to read, for there were many books along the wall, and who loved Panama for the...