The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
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I always suggest renting to check out the different areas, especially in Costa Rica, were climates can be so different so really spending time to find what fits your life best is recommended.
Are you a beach person or do you love mountains? Are more comfortable at higher elevations? What is the best temperature for you to live in? What activities do you want to have as part of your dalily life? Do you need to be close to the best healthcare? These are all important to consider.
Many people move around to a few places and stay for a month or so in each place to get a really get a feel for it. It is key to meet people living in the area to find deals and get a sense of what everyday life feels like. I love connecting with new people via Facebook groups-- they are a great resource.
Of course, buying a place as an investment or a rental for part of the year is also an option. I would love to have a condo as an investment, personally.
If you are interested in Costa Rica, I could give you some recomendations if you answer the above questions.
bbottone@internationalliving.comBekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
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I know many gay couples in Costa Rica and gay marriage is also legal here.
Walking down the street in San Jose, I have seen the pride flag flying high by the Costa Rican flag, which I love.
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
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Hi P,
Retirement facilities like the one you describe aren't very common in Panama. There are a couple nicer ones including Wonder Years (https://www.facebook.com/WonderYearsPty/?locale=es_LA) but mostly families care for their elder members in the home, hiring at home help. You may well have more options in Mexico as described in the other replies here.
Best,
Jess Ramesch
IL Panama Editor -
Can you please make available the email addresses of the speakers? Thanks!
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Hi Mary,
Panama generally makes it easy to bring in dogs (or cats). The easiest way to do this is to contact a Panamanian relocation service or attorney, but you can also handle things yourself, just make sure you plan ahead as documentation is time sensitive. You’ll need to get health certificates for your pet(s) within 10 days of travel and get them certified by the appropriate local authority (USDA or Canadian Food and Inspection Agency) and a Panamanian embassy or consulate (or Apostille).
Best,
Jess Ramesch
IL Panama Editor -
Most private doctors speak English here in Costa Rica and I find there are a lot of alternative treatments available in this country.
The Central Valley and Arenal area has moderate teperatures, in my opinion, kind of like an eternal spring. Living in Atenas and Grecia in the Central Valley, you can get to a beach in about an hour. You are also close to the best healthcare in the country in these areas.
If you decide you are interested in Costa Rica, the conference in May 2025 is the best place to start and get a feel for the country.
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
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what was the book?
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In Costa Rica, there are lots of concerts these days, so many more than in the past. I don't consider it a huge music scene, however, there are more options than in the past.
Maybe you can check out these places:
https://www.bandsintown.com/c/San-Jose-Costa-Rica?came_from=335&livestreams=true&genre_filter=Christian%2FGospel&genre_filter=R%26B%2FSoul
https://www.songkick.com/metro-areas/56440-costa-rica-heredia
https://www.songkick.com/venues/80783-estadio-nacionalI just saw a few I would love to go to! Thanks for getting me thinking about this.
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
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Hello,
Here's mine for France: france@internationalliving.com -
Hi T,
if you visit and find you like Panama City, Panama, it could be the place for you. It's where you'll find a larger concentration of educated people in all kinds of fields from STEM to literature and pretty much every other field imaginable. It's also a very comfortable place to live with excellent entertainment, shopping, hospitals, etc etc. As a writer I am able to write from anywhere here with the generally excellent internet/cell connectivity. You'll find my big feature article on Panama City in this month's issue of IL Magazine.
Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch -
More and more we're seeing expats say it's best to have a U.S. (residential, not commercial) address if you maintain accounts (brokerage, bank) in the States. If you're not already signed up for and reading the free Field Notes newsletter you may want to sign up, they're very informative:
https://globalintelligenceletter.com/subscribe-3/Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch -
Hi Brucie,
You can read a vast number of accounts from expats who rent and expats who've bought in IL Magazine and on the IL website - there are good arguments for each and you can live well no matter which route you choose.
I'd say at least half of the areas we cover are not urban.
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch -
Hi, Jonathan. In Portugal, you will need to spend four months on a long stay visa that you apply for while still in the USA. Once you are a resident, you must stay in the country for about eight months a year. Of course, I would confirm with a lawyer.
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Hi L, we still see lots of happy expats in Colombia, particularly MedellÃn, you'll find lots of info on the IL website (www.InternationalLiving.com, search "Colombia").
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch -
Hi. In Portugal, there are a couple of health insurance companies that do accept people at age 75. It requires some research ahead of time, but they are out there.
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Hi, Wendy. I actually prefer to have my social security payments go into my Charles Schwab international account in the USA. Then I wire transfer what I need to Portugal each month or so.
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Pat, no problem being single in Portugal!! At 63, I started spending winters here by myself. It was great fun, I met a ton of charming, welcoming people, and never felt threatened once. I also did a little online dating here and met some lovely men, no safety concerns like I had dating in the US!