The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
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We don't speak any language but English. I've tried to learn, but perhaps we need better tools. I know a few words of Spanish. I have health issues that require a combination of regular and alternative treatments and meds. And we'd like a place with moderate temps that is affordable and maybe within an hour of a beach. Is all that even realistic in any of these destinations? If we visit places first, do you offer help to visit the best areas to live for expats?
My doctor here in the Algarve on the Southern coast of Portugal is South African. Her English is better than mine! I also have many health issues and I am on many meds. The costs would be staggering in the US, very affordable here. The quality of care is also excellent! And I live 8 minutes from the beach.
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One of my basic concerns would be availability and cost of health insurance for me 73 and my wife 70 years old.
Also the offers of a 2 bedroom & 2 bathroom apartment , house or similar.
Where to find B&B at reasonable prices to rent while scouting the areas. Car rentals too.Portugal offers very affordable health insurance. I am 66, I pay $207 for private health insurance. You can rent a lovely two bedroom apartment in a number of places in Portugal for less than $1,000 a month. To scout, I always recommend getting a home base and stayingin a neighborhood. I have used Air BnB and VRBO and had great luck here in an number of areas. And a great tip for the cheapest car rentals here: carjet.com.
Good luck! Glenda
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Hello! We are considering retiring to either France, Mexico, Panama or Portugal. Visas can be tricky. Do you recommend consulting an immigration attorney first? And would they be attornies in the U.S. or the country we are interested in? And how do we find these attornies? A similar question relates to renting a home or apartment. I read that it is a good idea to have a local attorney review the contract since countries have very different laws related to this process. Any thoughts or information would be greatly appreciated.
While in the US, you need to apply for your residency visa on line if you plan to stay more than 90 days in Portugal. You go through a website: vfsglobal.com. I did it all myself, a lot of pieces, but not difficult. Give yourself 90 days to get it all together before you get on the plane.
As far as real estate, you must have an attorney in Portugal to do the contract. I would just look for a local Portuguese attorney in the area you decide to settle. To do some fun exploring on line for homes to rent or buy, try idealista.pt. I have spent many fun hours on that site. I found my home there.
Good luck! Glenda
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We are big music people. What countries/cities have the best nighlife (as in live music, not "club" music).
Where I live, in the Algarve on the southern coast of Portugal, there is always live music to be found. There's a local jazz place at the marina that has live music year round. There are musical events listed in the weekly expat paper of all genres and in all areas here. Of course, the major cities have live music as well. My boyfriend is a musician and he loves living here.
Glenda
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What about moving? I mean physically. Do you recommend shipping all your furniture, appliances, books, cd's, etc. Or should you just dump all that and start from scratch?
What type of electricity is available in these 5 places?
Is online shopping easy and reasonable abroad? During covid I got used to using Amazon a lot. I know Walmart and other common US stores have an international presence, Can I shop online with them? What about HSN and QVC?I dumped almost everything, and I am shocked that I really haven't missed my "stuff". I had a LOT of it. Here in Portugal, it's so cheap (and fun!) to replace everything, it's not an issue. My Amazon Prime works here with Amazon Spain, I order something pretty much every week (three boxes today) and get free shipping. Wonderful! No Walmart or QVC that i am aware of, but lots of malls and small stores. I am a shopaholic and I love it in Portugal!
Glenda
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please advise how much of the native language you need for each location or can you get by with just Englis and a transilator app
Portugal, particularly on the warm southern coast, is English. Also in the major cities. In the countryside, Goodle Translate will work well.
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I am a musician and I'm wondering what is the best way to research the community music scene in various places overseas.
On the southern coast of Portugal, there is a weekly newspaper for expats that publishes all the musical events coming up for the week. You can check it out on line: portugalresident.com
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safest place to retire?
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world. Almost no violent crime, I am a single woman and feel very safe here.
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We are interested in retiring to either France, Mexico, Panama or Portugal. Getting visas can be tricky for those of us who haven’t done it in the past. Do you recommend getting an immigration attorney? If so, would that be one in the U.S. or the country we’re interested in? How do we find a knowledgeable immigration attorney?
For Portugal, I did it myself on vfsglobal.com. Just be sure to apply while you are in the US.
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My husband and I (retired mid sixties) are interested in becoming part time residents in Portugal where my maternal ancestors are from. I speak some Portuguese and am working on improving. We are traveling there soon for three months to explore the country as a possible area in which to buy a condo. Our hope is to buy a place in the Algarve area that can be rented out during the warmest months while we are in the U.S. and spend about half the year in the condo ourselves. We have a certain amount of money to spend but it's not half a million euros, so I'm looking for a real estate manager who can help us in the 200-400,000 Euro range. It seems many I have found are very high end and we need someone willing to help the lower middle range. Any suggestions on how to find someone? Thank you!
Hi, I live on the Algarve and do exactly what you describe, I rent my villa in July and August while I explore the world. I know a very nice lady who volunteered with me at a charity event here. She's is English, a real estate agent here, but I have not used her services. I can tell you she gave her time for a hospice charity, so she is a good person and seems quite professional. Her name is Karen Sneider Shears. She can be reached on What's App or by phone at +351 915 962 156. Please tell her that Glenda Cole referred you. Good luck, it's a BEAUTIFUL life!!
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Can I still receive US social security when living in a foreign country
Absolutely. I live in Portugal and get it every month! Glenda
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what if we wsnted to stay in multiple countries throughout the year at most appropriate times within each cointry? Maybe three or four countries?
Sure. If you are talking about Europe, keep an eye on the 90 day limit with the Schengen Zone.
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For Portugal, you need to spend 5 years on a residency visa. Then you can either choose to apply for a citizenship, or a permanent Visa.
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Is it cheaper and easy to ship a car to Panama, Costa Rica or Portugal or purchase a car in country?
For Portugal, much easier to buy here. There are huge import takes added to cars in most European countries. I bought a little used car and I love it. Glenda
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UK has horrendous waits to see a dr. how are wait times in the countries you mention?
In Portugal, I can see my doctor the same day if I am ill. Or I can wait a day or two for an appoitnment with her. And she is fabulous! Glenda
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What is a good way to handle automobile driving and auto insurance in my new place of retirement, as well as on those times I return to the US? Is it better to not drive in my new country, and to use rideshare services and car rentals when back in the States? Is my US driver's license good abroad and would a license from a foreign country be valid in the US?
In Portugal, you can get a Portuguese drivers license. Your American license will also work just fine. I kept my American license and use it when I go back to the States. Glenda
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For longer stays abroad, what are the best options for health insurance, especially for those over 65 with pre-existing conditions, in countries that require private insurance?
Hi, Eric. Yes, getting local health insurance is good and cheap. In Portugal, I pay $207 a month. I am 66 years old. Care is excellent. And my doctor speaks perfect English. Glenda
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We are interested in retiring to either France, Mexico, Panama or Portugal. Getting visas can be tricky for those of us who haven’t done it in the past. Do you recommend getting an immigration attorney? If so, would that be one in the U.S. or the country we’re interested in? How do we find a knowledgeable immigration attorney?
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How do we find an attorney that can review home or apartment rental contracts before we sign them? Rental agreements in other countries can be tricky.