The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
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UK has horrendous waits to see a dr. how are wait times in the countries you mention?
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what plans to make to bring a pet into your country?
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 EditorP.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.
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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 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 -
- fastest place and easy to get 2nd cititzenship
CTFANDJCF said:
Is it practical, or safe, to drive from the US to Panama?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
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Do you have a personal contact member at each country or location that can be hired to guide and advise me as to what and where it takes to move there I would fly in to meet them Somewhere like Porta Vallarta
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/
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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?
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
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I have a unique question...I started playing Senior Softball here in Florida last year, and I really enjoy it. Does Panama have any Senior Softball leagues or pickup games? I know baseball is popular there. I'd be interested to see if Mexico or Costa Rica has Senior Softball also, but I would tend to think not...Thanks!
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 -
I know that Italy isn’t one of the countries being discussed today, but it was just on the news that there were certain towns there that are selling houses for a dollar. Do you have any information/knowledge about this?
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/ -
Do you have anybody at the different locations that could be hired to give a tour and show someone around the area and explain things tht are needed ?
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/
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Spain - there is a strong feeeling against foreigners, especially British.
France - safety has become a very serious matter especially in Paris and on Cote d'Azur
These are things you should tell everyone considering a move to these countries, not that the sun is always shinning and everything is greatHello,
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
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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 -
Two questions. First, I am a single man, almost 87, who is in excellent health. I think that, more important than where you live is the human relationships you form. That said, finding a female partner in a country where more than half the people voted for a criminal, traitor, and overall despicable person as president is very difficult. I hope to find an educated, more enlightened woman in the expat or native population of the country I move to. What areas are best for cultivating female friendships that may lead to a relationship?
Second, I am a writer and author, and want to continue plying my avocation where I relocate. In what spots would I most likely thrive?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 -
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
There are lots of beaches with tons of expats. I live in Guanacaste, by Tamarindo- my tropical paradise!
Most beaches and even in the Central Valley have English speaking expat communities. Have you ever visited Costa Rica? The IL conference in May would be a great starting point!
Reading these articles could give you a feel for different areas to help narrow down what you think woudl be the best fit for you: https://internationalliving.com/author/bekah-bottone/
Feel free to reach out to me in an email and we can chat more.
bbottone@internationalliving.comBekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
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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?
I am in neighboring Costa Rica and we have a rainy and dry season. I am not am expert on the regions in Panama, yet Guancaste (where I live in Costa Rica) is the dryest area in the country. However, there are 6 months of rain where it could rain for a week straight or be sunny and just rain at night or for a bit during the day.
I love the rain becuase it makes everything lush and vibrant, yet I also love the dry season since we never need to make rain plans. It's the perfect mix for me.
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
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Two questions. First, I am a single man, almost 87, who is in excellent health. I think that, more important than where you live is the human relationships you form. That said, finding a female partner in a country where more than half the people voted for a criminal, traitor, and overall despicable person as president is very difficult. I hope to find an educated, more enlightened woman in the expat or native population of the country I move to. What areas are best for cultivating female friendships that may lead to a relationship?
Second, I am a writer and author, and want to continue plying my avocation where I relocate. In what spots would I most likely thrive?just wanted to add.. I know there is a writing group that meets weekly in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. I would look on Facebook groups to see what kind of writing groups you can find too.
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent -
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 Nicky!!!!
There are many places in Costa Rica where people live who don't speak any Spanish. I have lots of friends in Tamarindo who ONLY speak English. Basic Spanish is more than they have!
I do suggest learning if you decide to move becuause it is a way to integrate into the culture and it is good for our brains (I love learning about neuroscience-- this can give you more info: https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/).
I have a friend who owns this school and might be a good option for you:
https://wespeakspanish-cr.com/Good luck and feel free to reach out with more questions about Costa Rica.
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
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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?
NICKYSILVER3
November 29, 18:51
I am single --only speak basic Spanish and not sure where to go where I can build community and not be challenged by the language barrier.Hi Nicky,
Sounds like you're interested in Latam-Caribbean retirement destinations. In most of the places we've featured here there are vibrant expat communities where you'll be able to make lots of English-speaking friends. And, if/when you struggle to communicate with a Spanish-speaking acquaintance or service provider, you can often get by just fine with English and a translator app. Before scouting a country we recommend reading about it here on the International Living website so you get a sense for how English-speaking expats with little to no Spanish manage in their chosen locations. Polite basics you've already mastered, like "por favor" and "gracias," will help you be a respectful (and welcome) 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
