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Recently Answered Questions
What is the cost to buy land or a lot in San Miguel de Allende
Eric Chazaro - Keller Williams Allende
The cost to buy land in San Miguel de Allende varies a lot. If you want to be in the historic center of San Miguel de Allende you could end up paying up to US $1,500 to $2,000 per square meter ($140 to $185 per square foot; $1.5 million to over $2 million per quarter acre) of land and with a lot of restrictions because you might end up having a historic building on top of that land. If that were the case then there would be a lot of restrictions with what you can do with the...
The cost to buy land in San Miguel de Allende varies a lot. If you want to be in the historic center of San Miguel de Allende you could end up paying up to US $1,500 to $2,000 per square meter ($140 to $185 per square foot; $1.5 million to over $2 million per quarter acre) of land and with a lot of restrictions because you might end up having a historic building on top of that land. If that were the case then there would be a lot of restrictions with what you can do with the construction and how you have to protect it. As you go out to different neighborhoods inside of the city, the prices start dropping to $600 per square meter (about $600,000 per quarter acre) all the way down to $100 per square meter (about $100,000 for a quarter acre).
If you start going out to the country, there are incredible gated communities where you would pay $70 to $100 per square meter (about $70,000 to $100,000 per quarter acre) and you would get a larger piece of land. If you want to buy in the Mexican communities that are outside of the city but still inside the municipality, and buy land and be out by yourself, you can find land that would cost $10 to $20 per square meter (about $10,000 t0 $20,000 for a quarter of an acre).
(Lot with view of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, pictured.)
What's the language most often spoken in Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan? Can I get by if I just speak English?
Wilana Oldham - Hot Mama's Belize Limited
Sure, you can get by in Belize with just English.What’s interesting about Belize is that it is an English-speaking country. English is their first language and then Spanish. In the north and in the west, there is the influence from our neighboring countries, which are Mexico and Guatemala, so naturally, there would be a lot more Spanish spoken in those areas.
You will run into some people who I call “refugees” from out of Guatemala, Honduras, or El...
Sure, you can get by in Belize with just English.What’s interesting about Belize is that it is an English-speaking country. English is their first language and then Spanish. In the north and in the west, there is the influence from our neighboring countries, which are Mexico and Guatemala, so naturally, there would be a lot more Spanish spoken in those areas.
You will run into some people who I call “refugees” from out of Guatemala, Honduras, or El Salvador, who have come here to Belize to live here and have been here for many years and still do not speak any English, so it’s to your benefit to learn a little bit of Spanish, but majority of the people here do speak English. An example of when it is beneficial to learn a little bit of Spanish is when you get a housekeeper, because some housekeepers do not speak English.
(English-speaking Belizean resident Howard Oldham at Driftwood Bar and Grill, Hopkins, Belize, pictured.)
What do I need to know about living overseas and retiring abroad?
David Whittington - Tucan Golf Club and Resort
There are a lot of things you need to know about living abroad, starting with your attitude. I find a lot of people come down here to Panama and they still have the same attitude and expectations as when they lived in Canada or the US and they should rather adapt to what’s going on here. At least they should have an accepting attitude, etc. For example, the quality of workmanship will not be as good here as in North America. If you don’t accept...
There are a lot of things you need to know about living abroad, starting with your attitude. I find a lot of people come down here to Panama and they still have the same attitude and expectations as when they lived in Canada or the US and they should rather adapt to what’s going on here. At least they should have an accepting attitude, etc. For example, the quality of workmanship will not be as good here as in North America. If you don’t accept it you can pretty well drive yourself a little mad. If you do find someone who provides good quality workmanship, you should stay with them.
You don’t have to agree with how things are here, but you need to accept it. For example, I don’t agree with the traffic here in Panama City but I accept it because I’m driving in it. I don’t agree with the lack of training many times service people have. For example, recently, I had to show a gas station attendant how to check my oil. I don’t agree with it, but I accept it.
(Puma gas station, Panama, picutred.)
How's the adventure travel and activities in and around the Panama City, Panama area of San Francisco?
Rafael Alvarado - Rafael Alvarado / Attorney / Real Estate Broker
The best adventure or activity that you can do in the San Francisco area would be walking to the best mall we have in Panama, which is called Multiplaza and where you will be busy the entire day.
If you want to go hiking, camping, or zip lining, you would have to go outside Panama City. I suggest you go to Campana, which is north of Panama City and about 45 minutes away by car. You can go camping there in the mountains and have a beautiful view of the sea....
The best adventure or activity that you can do in the San Francisco area would be walking to the best mall we have in Panama, which is called Multiplaza and where you will be busy the entire day.
If you want to go hiking, camping, or zip lining, you would have to go outside Panama City. I suggest you go to Campana, which is north of Panama City and about 45 minutes away by car. You can go camping there in the mountains and have a beautiful view of the sea. Generally speaking, Panamanians do not do a lot of camping.
As a foreigner or expat, can I buy or own land or other real estate property in Portugal?
Luis Rodrigues - Gouveia Pereira, Costa Freitas & Associates, Law Firm, RL
Yes, as a foreigner, you can buy or own land or other real estate in Portugal. There are no restrictions for owning any land or other real estate asset in Portugal based on nationality. Moreover, care to note that Portugal allows individuals and/or companies (regardless of the nationality) to own the freehold of land or other real estate assets for perpetuity. (The long sandy beach at Nazaré on the Atlantic coast, Portugal, pictured.)
Yes, as a foreigner, you can buy or own land or other real estate in Portugal. There are no restrictions for owning any land or other real estate asset in Portugal based on nationality. Moreover, care to note that Portugal allows individuals and/or companies (regardless of the nationality) to own the freehold of land or other real estate assets for perpetuity. (The long sandy beach at Nazaré on the Atlantic coast, Portugal, pictured.)
Is it safe to drink the water in Nicaragua?
Mike Cobb - ECI Development
The water in Nicaragua is generally safe to drink, especially in Managua and other cities. Bottled water is always a good precaution. Ice in most moderate to nice restaurants is made from purified water.
The water in Nicaragua is generally safe to drink, especially in Managua and other cities. Bottled water is always a good precaution. Ice in most moderate to nice restaurants is made from purified water.
Recently Posted Expat Stories
Merry Christmas in Boquete, Panama
This is our second Christmas in Boquete. Our first Christmas was just three weeks after we arrived in Panama. We are now enjoying our second Christmas with some of the many new friends we
have made this year in Boquete.
Arne and I spent the first Christmas with our landlord and his friends.
We have been to a couple of small holiday events.
Parties are all over the place, festive decorations are
up in...
My Life in Panama Has Been Filled with Adventure, Travel and New Stuff
I have been an adventurer for many years. I sold my house and most of my stuff at age 42, bought a travel trailer and tow vehicle and traveled for three years, living in the trailer, then a 5th wheel and finally a motorhome.
My wife and I then formed an RV tour company which became a worldwide operation. We sold the tour company in 2000. I fiddled around with different things (including being a real estate broker in Las Vegas) for awhile .... and then I...
