The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop

[jramesch]

In Panama you need to be a legal resident for at least 5 years before you apply for citizenship. There are several options for residency to get you started. You can read about residency 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

[jramesch]

In Panama it's very easy to buy. Shipping adds thousands of dollars in expenses so I generally recommend just buying locally and choosing a model that's popular so it's easy to get parts/repairs for. Foreign models of the same car may differ so it's almost always better to have the locally sold model.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[jramesch]

All the countries we've listed here today have excellent safe and active (and affordable) 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 in specific neighborhoods/towns.
Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[jramesch]

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

[jramesch]

Baseball is indeed extremely popular in Panama. I don't know of any senior leagues per se but I'd be willing to bet you'd have plenty of takers if you came down and started one.

Have fun.

Best,
IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch

[jramesch]

Generally wait times in all the countries featured here today are far better albeit we're typically talking about private not public care. Very affordable.

Best,
IL Overseas Editor Jess Ramesch

[jramesch]

It depends on the country.

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

P.S. Each airline can have their own confusing/exacting requirements and block-out dates... check and double check everything with the airline(s) you're flying.

[BEKAHBOTTONE 0]

I find that people order less online in Costa Rica in general. You can order from Amazon, yet often the taxes are very high. There are mail box services and shipping companies that charge per pound which many people use. I usually just shop when I travel to the US or have my friends and family mule things down for me when needed.
-Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[THESERVS]

Just watched the replay. Super good! Question for Panama guest: We ruled Panama out due to the amount of rain. Is the information we are seeing incorrect? Is there a ton of rain in Panama?

[BEKAHBOTTONE 0]

I know people that have driven from the US to Costa Rica.
I wrote about some tips here: https://internationalliving.com/colorado-to-tamarindo-the-road-trip-of-a-lifetime/

To obtain Costa Rican citizenship, you must establish legal residency in the country for at seven years for non-native Spanish speakers, show proficiency in Spanish, pass a test on Costa Rican history and culture, have a clean criminal record, and show financial stability to support yourself. So it is a process.

here is info on residency in Costa Rica: https://internationalliving.com/countries/costa-rica/visa/

-Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[JEN]

We also host in-person events around the world where you can meet with our experts and get all your questions answered. You'll find our upcoming calendar here: https://internationalliving.com/events/

[BEKAHBOTTONE 0]

I would say Costa Rica is the most expensive. We have a HIGH import tax on cars so older cars cost a lot more than they do in the USA.

-Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[BEKAHBOTTONE 0]

Kids baseball has been more popular lately in Costa Rica,; my son played last year. Yet I have not seen any adult or senior teams here in Guanacaste.
Yet people were excited for baseball... the coach ended up leaving so if it is something you love maybe that is a way to get involved in the community.
-Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[JEN]

Here are a couple articles we've run in IL magazine about this. Generally speaking, our take is that the €1 homes aren't a great deal. They are often in ruins, and you're typically required to renovate on a deadline. Instead, consider a property you could buy for around $50,000 (often less), and renovate that. You can find such places in a quite habitable state. Details below...

You Can Buy a €1 Home in Sicily, But We Have a Better Idea
https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/june_2024/4196109/

The Real Story Behind Sicily's €1 Homes
https://magazine.internationalliving.com/internationalliving/library/item/october_2022/4065088/

[JEN]

We do host live in-person events around the wold, too. At these, you can meet our experts, lots of expats, attorneys, real estate contacts, and more. We'll be in Panama, Portugal, Costa Rica, and then we'll host our big Go Overseas Bootcamp in Portland, OR in 2025. Details about these events here: https://internationalliving.com/events/

[RLPEELER]

The replay option does not work.

[FRANCE]

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback. I've lived on the Cote d'Azur for the last 15 years and never felt unsafe. Violent crime is very low in France, no right to bare arms. I've also never had a problem in Paris, just my personal experience. I've found the south to be very safe.

-Tuula, IL France Correspondent

[BWAG63]

Can i get some info about Costa Rica. Who to talk to about renting a place. I wanted to land in the english areas with Expats and a beach close by. I would be moving from Calgary Alberta Canada

[BEKAHBOTTONE 0]

I know some people who have done the drive to Costa Rica. I would not do this drive just my children and me; however, if I were with a male Spanish-speaker I would consider it-- and I would feel best with a Latino. This is just my opinion-- as a single woman I would not feel safe doing it on my own.

I did write about a family who traveled down from the States and had a great experience. You can find tips in the article: https://internationalliving.com/colorado-to-tamarindo-the-road-trip-of-a-lifetime/

It would be a long trip... so a big adventure!
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent

[BEKAHBOTTONE 0]

I would start our looking for some single Facebook groups and groups in the areas I am interested in to see what is out there.
I find that most expats I connect with love their community and enjoy doing life with other like-minded people.
Good luck in your search!
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent