International Living Community

Hi, I'm Bel the Mexico Correspondent and I was in San Miguel de Allende a couple of months ago. Is this the San Miguel you are referring to? I live in San Miguel de Cozumel, and there are other San Miguel's throughout the country so I just want to check I give you the correct information.
Assuming it's this San Miguel, allow me to put your mind at ease. I went out to the popular expat neighbourhoods outside of the city and they were full of beautiful modern homes and good infrastructure for driving around, close to major shopping malls and quiet. But if mountains aren't your thing, then on both east and west coasts you'll fine lively, fun beach towns and cities with plenty to do and beautiful natural scenery. I would recommend checking out (scroll to the bottom of) our Mexico page which has 43 places listed an there are plenty to choose from depending on the area you'd like to live. You can find that here - https://internationalliving.com/countries/mexico/
Warmest regards, Bel - Mexico Correspondent.

Hi @SDKRANZ1 Thanks for your question!

The Portugal page on our website and our Portugal Guide have plenty of information you might find helpful on everything you need to know about moving to and living in Portugal.

Here are the links:
https://internationalliving.com/countries/portugal/
https://www.ilbookstore.com/portugal-itinerary

Best of luck!

Hi Don, Thanks for your question!

We've checked in with Margaret Summerfield, Real Estate Trend Alert, to get an answer to your question. Here is her response,

The cost would depend on a number of factors – where the property is located, if the seller is tax resident in Spain, etc. The typical costs are:

1, real estate agent fees (vary from 3% to 10%)
2, capital gains tax – which can be up to 24% of the gain for a non-resident, non EU/EEA seller. Deductions are allowed, and the tax can be lower if the seller is tax resident/selling a primary residence/using the proceeds to buy a primary residence
3, plusvalia (like a municipal land tax) – this is based on the rise in value of the land the property sits on from the time of purchase to the time of sale - and is on a sliding scale based on how long the seller has owned the property. If say you have held it for up to 5 years, it’s around 3.7%
4, legal costs (around 1%)
5, You also need to pay for certificates (including an energy performance certificate), cancelling a mortgage if there is one, etc.

Welcome Brian, it’s great to have you!

Remember you can access and search the International Living Magazine Archive and reach out to IL Customer Service about your membership benefits. You’ll find information on books and other products and upcoming events. In this forum you’ll find helpful posts on different countries (and we invite you to post questions you don’t find the answers for).

Again, welcome to the Community… you’re an ILer now. Here’s to thinking… and living… internationally 👏 🎉

Hi @KAKIFRY_DP Thanks for your question!

We’ve checked in with Glenda Cole to get an answer to your question, here is her response,

Like much of the world, temps have indeed increased in Portugal over the last few years. This kind of heat is unusual, but we had a similar heat wave across central Portugal and Spain two summers ago.

I live in the beautiful Algarve on the southern coast, where the sea breezes offset this heat.