The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
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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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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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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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Panama: panama@internationalliving.com
Costa Rica: costarica@internationalliving.com
Mexico: mexico@internationalliving.com
Portugal: portugal@internationalliving.com
France: france@internationalliving.com -
Hello, we always recommend enlisting the help of a reputable attorney, licensed in the country in question, to help you with immigration/visas and real estate or rental matters (contracts, etc). In many countries the same attorney can assist you with all these things but it can vary from country to country.
Re Panama: In our Escape to Panama book we list contact information for Panama attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly whose firm, Mata-Kelly & Partners, specializes in visas and real estate, among others.
Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Mata-Kelly & Partners
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the US/Canada: (011 507) 216-9299
rmk@mata-kelly.com
www.mata-kelly.comSimilarly you can find resources on the other countries you're interested in here on the IL website and at the IL Bookstore (www.ilbookstore.com).
Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch -
Hello, we always recommend enlisting the help of a reputable attorney, licensed in the country in question, to help you with immigration/visas and real estate or rental matters (contracts, etc). In many countries the same attorney can assist you with all these things but it can vary from country to country.
Re Panama: In our Escape to Panama book we list contact information for Panama attorney Rainelda Mata-Kelly whose firm, Mata-Kelly & Partners, specializes in visas and real estate, among others.
Rainelda Mata-Kelly
Mata-Kelly & Partners
Local tel: +(507) 216-9299
From the US/Canada: (011 507) 216-9299
rmk@mata-kelly.com
www.mata-kelly.comSimilarly you can find resources on the other countries you're interested in here on the IL website and at the IL Bookstore (www.ilbookstore.com).
Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch -
Hi Mikel, there are several options for residency. You can read about visas here on the IL website at https://internationalliving.com/countries/panama/visa/ and/or watch this video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Ab76QTi_Q&t=2s&ab_channel=InternationalLiving.
Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch -
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 -
In most of the places we've featured here you can get by with English and a translator app but before scouting a country we recommend reading about it here on the International Living website so you at the very least know what language is spoken as the national language. We recommend learning as much as you can, starting with polite basics like "please" and "thank you," which will help you be a more respectful visitor and potential expat.
In Belize English is the national language, making it a great option for anyone who's very apprehensive about learning or dealing with another language. Read more about Belize here on the IL website (https://internationalliving.com/countries/belize/).
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch -
Most expat communities share info about fun activities on expat Facebook pages. Search the name of the place you'll be visiting with the word expats (e.g., Boquete expats) and see which groups are active. You may also want to "follow" restaurants and other venues advertising live music.
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch -
To the responses here I'll just add that in any country it depends on the city/town/neighborhood you choose. All the countries we've listed here today have excellent, safe communities. Research the countries you're interested in here on the IL website and then you can drill down into communities within your chosen countries. We have plenty of profiles on the website and in International Living magazine that highlight what life is like and how safe expats feel in specific neighborhoods/towns.
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch -
While International Living generally does not organize tours or make introductions you will find rolodexes full of contact information in IL books (e.g., Escape to Panama, www.ilbookstore.com)
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch