International Living Community

With the information you provided, any of the three countries would be a fit, although they are also very different. Some things to consider are the language (which would you prefer to learn), the culture and lifestyle, and if still unsure look at the taxes you will be paying in each county. If you like all three, this could be a deciding factor. Make a list of all the things you want and then a list of the cities/towns in each country that fit that list. Then go visit these places for as long as you can. You are allowed 90 out of 180 days to visit. When you go, don't look at the places through the lens of a tourist. Think about if you would like to live here every day. It is very different from being somewhere on vacation and living there. I agree with Chip, get off the beaten path a really explore each country. You will probably be surprised with the places you find and the people you meet. Enjoy the journey to finding your new home. Sally Pederson International Living, Spain Correspondent

It won't attach here. If you want me to send you a list of clinic phone numbers, send me an email here - bbottone@internationalliving.com

Panama offers a variety of private & public hospitals with new medical treatment equipment, diagnostic personnel from english speaking fully vetted doctors trained in the USA to technicians, nurses and man-power at every level in any medical setting. Immigration is encouraged requiring only $1,000. per month retirement or disability income for lifetime benefit period including spouse for only $250. additional benefit paid monthly by Social Security/military retirement/disability income verification for lifetime disbursement. YouTube "Panama Relocation Tours" hosted & owned by Jackie Lange for a wealth of knowledge in establishing a relocation exploratory to a Latin American country absent of hurricanes & tornadoes with an Eternal Spring climate in the highlands and year round balmy warm temperatures on 1500 miles of beaches on the Pacific & Carribean Oceans.

I do think the rain is better than snow. I LOVE rainy season. So green and lush. You can find transfers on this page. I often use this company. https://tamarindoshuttle.com/ I also use Cristan for transfers... you can send him a message on WhatsApp: +506 8318 3226 You can also rent a car from the airport. The prices really depend on the season... Oct/start of Nov usually have the btetter prices.

Thank you Glenda for your thoughts and great insights. We are taking trips around Portugal and so far we agree with a lot of what you are saying.

I too am trying to find a permanent home in Portugal. I have visited many times. The South is probably the nicest area if you like year round sunshine and never too cold. Porto is very nice up north but it tends to get high rainfall in Winter. The south is the most expensive place to buy a property. The silver coast has some interesting coastal towns. Lisbon is probably the cheapest Capital City in Europe to purchase property and is a beautiful city. Good Luck. Ian

Hi lovelies, I'm Bel, the Mexico Correspondent and I can tell you I've spoken to quite a few black people living in Mexico and they all say the same thing. They feel welcome and safe. As for LGBTQ, well all I can say is welcome friends. My beautiful girls (downstairs neighbours) are getting married next year in Mexico City and we've had many conversations about being gay in Mexico. They say it's widely accepted for foreigners and most people don't care. I hope this helps you feel safer. I sincerely hope it does and if you'd like any other questions answered I'd love to have a chat. My email is - bwoodhouse@internationalliving.com Ciao for now, Bel.

That's great information, thanks so much for sharing it with us. Cheers, Bel.

Thank you

Ed, I also want to emphasize that the locations I mentioned are places where you will not need a car. Many expat retirees use taxis, Ubers, or have private drivers they call on with regularity...very easy and affordable to do.

@KEITHHOCKTON-0 I posted a question above for you. Thank you

Hi Coury, I wanted to follow up on my previus response. We visited and loved Ascoli Piceno in Le Marche but it is not a 7% town as it is too large. Here is a list of Le Marche towns that fit your desired 7% tax offer. Acquacanina (MC); Acquasanta Terme (AP); Amandola (FM); Apiro (MC); Appignano del Tronto (AP); Arquata del Tronto (AP); Ascoli Piceno; Belforte del Chienti (MC); Belmonte Piceno (FM); Bolognola (MC); Caldarola (MC); Camporotondo di Fiastrone (MC); Castel di Lama (AP); Castelraimondo (MC); Castelsantangelo sul Nera (MC); Castignano (AP); Castorano (AP); Cerreto D’esi (AN); Cessapalombo (MC); Cingoli (MC); Colli del Tronto (AP); Colmurano (MC); Comunanza (AP); Corridonia (MC); Cossignano (AP); Esanatoglia (MC); Fabriano (AN); Falerone (FM); Fiastra (MC); Fiordimonte (MC); Fiuminata (MC); Folignano (AP); Force (AP); Gagliole (MC); Gualdo (MC); Loro Piceno (MC); Macerata; Maltignano (AP); Massa Fermana (FM); Matelica (MC); Mogliano (MC); Monsapietro Morico (FM); Montalto delle Marche (AP); Montappone (FM); Monte Rinaldo (FM); Monte San Martino (MC); Monte Vidon Corrado (FM); Montecavallo (MC); Montedinove (AP); Montefalcone Appennino (FM); Montefortino (FM); Montegallo (AP); Montegiorgio (FM); Monteleone (FM); Montelparo (FM); Montemonaco (AP); Muccia (MC); Offida (AP); Ortezzano (FM); Palmiano (AP); Penna San Giovanni (MC); Petriolo (MC); Pieve Torina (MC); Pievebovigliana (MC); Pioraco (MC); Poggio San Vicino (MC); Pollenza (MC); Ripe San Ginesio (MC); Roccafluvione (AP); Rotella (AP); San Ginesio (MC); San Severino Marche (MC); Santa Vittoria in Matenano (FM); Sant’Angelo in Pontano (MC); Sarnano (MC); Sefro (MC); Serrapetrona (MC); Serravalle del Chienti (MC); Servigliano (FM); Smerillo (FM); Tolentino (MC); Treia (MC); Urbisaglia (MC); Ussita (MC); Venarotta (AP); Visso (MC). Camerino ( MC); As you can see there are quite a few! There are more in Abruzzo, and more in Umbria and Lazio. I will be happy to send you a complete list if you wish, please write me at info@thelaughingretirement.com. Also please be aware that all of the towns in the autonomous regions of Central Italy are in the earthquake zone and that is why they are listed. So, you are not put off we live in one of the towns in Lazio listed or over 7 years and have felt, one time a gentle bump and that is all. I hope this helps your search. My best, Chip Stites, IL Correspondent for Italy.

Hi there! How exciting that you'll be in Malaga and at the conference in Portugal! I'll be there too. Thank you for letting us know about the email issue. We're looking into it. Here are a few recommended realtors for Malaga: Remax Top Málaga (Hamilton Beau Bone), Av. Del Obispo Angel Herrera Oria 2, 29007 Málaga +34 952310562 https://www.remax.es/buscador-de-agentes/malaga/malaga/cruz-de-humilladero-arroyo-del-cuarto/hamilton-bone-26986/ Inmobiliaria Krauel, Calle Sancha de Lara, 13 bajo, Málaga 29015; tel. +34 (952) 210-457 and +34 (952) 210-947; email: krauel@innmokrauel.com; website: www.inmokrauel.com Málaga Estates, Calle Hinestrosa, 25, Málaga 29012; tel. +34 (952) 223-288 and +34 (600) 783-711 mobile; email: info@malagaestates.com; website: www.malagaestates.com Marisa Kagan, is a “global ambassador” for the National Association of Realtors, for Italy, Portugal, and Spain. She’s based in US, but has reliable contacts in Spain, and can provide some recommendations too. mkagan@globalrealtysolutions.com I hope this helps! Cepee Tabibian, IL Spain Correspondent

I've never stayed longer than ten days, so I don't know about staying a month. I just got mine at the airport to avoid the hassle.

I have recently spent time in both Costa Rica and Mexico looking for my Not-in-America home. I love them both, but they are different, and there are so many variables. I am landing in Mexico, but Costa Rica is fine as well. I agree with the other comments, that it would be good to take a long vacation in both before you decide. Happy hunting Annabella

Hi! I just sent you a message on Whatsapp. I saw your reply above and your offer to help the poster with the Tamarindo area. My wife and I will be in Tamarindo in early March and I was hoping that your kind offer might extend to us as well. We will be meeting our daughter for her spring break from college so we won't have a lot of time, but I would like to take advantage of being there to investigate real estate opportunities in the area. This is the first time I have used the IL community forum and I'm not sure I could get back to it...not the most tech savy person on the planet If you would be so kind as to respond in WhatsApp that would be wonderful. Thank You!

Hi Laura, My name is David Hammond. I moved from the U.S. to Uruguay 19 years ago when I was 46. I had a good net worth, but did not have a regular passive income. I learned that Uruguay and many other countries in Latin America won't consider a residency applicant's net worth--only their monthly income. However, the regular income does not need to be social security or a pension. In several countries, it can be any form of regular monthly income. What many do (and what I did) is to invest their savings so that it produces a monthly income that can be used as proof of monthly income, such as rent income, dividends, etc. If that doesn't make sense for you, here are a couple of other strategies to consider: I've met many people who got a job teaching English in order to move abroad. It provides you with a visa to live in a country without a passive monthly income. It will enable you to earn some money and also to develop a social circle right off the bat. From what I understand, you can get a TEFL certificate at an online school in a matter of months. And in many places native English speakers are in demand. I've also met several expats who enjoy a roaming life abroad--without needing a foreign residency. In many countries one can stay as a tourist for 90 days. And for a small fee extend one's stay for another 90 days--for a total of 180 days. People who do this might stay in one country for 5.5 months, another for 5.5 months, and then travel for a month. Good luck to you!

I saw Ted's response under PJPLMT. Thank you.

@RAINE1949 Hi Raine, Sorry you've had trouble accessing the Global Retirement Index. It looks like our community site is having some trouble displaying images right now, but I'll do what I can to help you. Try using this link—it should take you directly to the Global Retirement Index. https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/annual_global_retirement_index_2025/4237086/

Hey, Raine, I just singned up, as well. It was kind of annoying with all the sales pitches. Then, I didn't get my sign in credentials and had to reset my PW to actually get into the site for the first time. I am just now exploring and I hope there is more substance than all the fluff I've seen so far. It seems that everything leads to another upsell. Mike