The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
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Hello,
I think you could have some luck in many spots in Europe. Quite a different cultural mindset, worth perhaps spending some time in one city / town and seeing if it speaks to you.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Hi Eric,
Panama doesn't require you to have health insurance but I urge everyone to buy travel insurance prior to any international travel and if you're living in Panama rather than just visiting I do recommend looking into locally underwritten insurance if you're under 64 or international insurance if you're over 64.
After the age of 70 it can be difficult to get into an int'l insurance plan but you can use the super-subsidized public system in Panama and/or pay for inexpensive private out of pocket as it's so affordable. (Most USCs keep some form of Medicare so they can return and be close to family in the event of anything major.)
Best,
Jess Ramesch, IL Panama Editor -
In Costa Rica, you can get a liscense nowadays once you are a resident. However, before that, as long as your tourist visa is valid, you can drive on your US liscence showing your passport stamp, which can be good for up to 180-days, depending on what they gave you when you entered the country.
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Hello,
Well, there could possibly be budget questions... but overall, it's a good idea to rent for awhile, even up to a year, to see if the spot where you landed is a good fit.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Hi Donald, I'm afraid the livestream isn't captioned however once we post the recording afterwards, it will include captions. Please check the page once the recording has been posted for captions.
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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?
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Female - 84 in February, 2025
Active and mentally alert/Multi-lingual
Somewhat limited financial resources
Any suggestions? -
France is great for live music! All around the country... Every June 21st, they have a national music festival where bands, singers, etc play all around France, even in small villages. Loads of jazz festivals, especially in the summer. Nice, Toulon, and Antibes, to name a few.
Check out "Fete de la Musique" on Google.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Are you recording this so I can share it with my Fiance' No need to answer live
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In Costa Rica, to maintain temporary residency, you depending on the type of residency you have, you need to spend 3-4 months in the country (I need to confirm with my laywer). Once you obtain permanent residency, you need to visit Costa Rica once a year to keep your status (for 3 days).
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Hello,
For France, the visa is not too difficult. Many IL readers have done it on their own. You can see the steps on the IL website. I do have attorney contacts if you need them. Also, Adrian Leeds is the French real estate expert if you'd like to contact her.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Hi Wendy,
You'll need to note each country's particularities individually. Panama has one of the world's most stable banking centers so many expats have accounts in the US and here in Panama.
Research your US banks before a move abroad. Some banks—like Charles Schwab—may be able to offer you important perks like foreign ATM fee reimbursement. Others—like Capital One—may offer credit cards with zero foreign currency fees.
Best,
Jess Ramesch, IL Panama Editor -
Hi Pat,
I know there is a beautiful CCRC here in Mexican Caribbean, in Cancun. I spoke to the owners at our big annual Bootcamp in Las Vegas last month and it was also a lot more affordable. The name of the place is Kiosko and here is the link to their website - https://kioskoseniorliving.com/. I hope that helps.
Warm Regards,
Bel Woodhouse - Mexico Correspondent. -
Hello,
For France, you can expect to pay $1800 a year, or less, per person for healthcare. There are no age restrictions and the public system provides great care.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Hi Doug, yes we are. The recording will be posted on this page afterwards.
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Hello,
If you contact the correspondents, they can usually set you up with some expat contacts that live in the spot you'd like to visit. In France, there's an app where you can search for English-speaking doctors, if that's helpful.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Hello,
No, there are no health restrictions for France.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Hi,
Most places in Mexico are very open to foreigners and the warmth of the Mexican people means it's easy to meet people and form friendships or something more.
As for being a writer, I myself am a writer and have never had any issues. We have excellent internet, and places like San Miguel de Allende in Mexico has a wonderful creative expat community full of writers. They also hold an annual literary festival which attracts thousands of participants from all over the world so I'm sure you would meet some amazing people in San Miguel.
Regards,
Bel - Il Mexico Correspondent. -
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!