best places to retire

7/28/2019 Best Places to Retire

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The Eight Best Places To

Retire In 2013

Published by Live and Invest Overseas

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The Eight Best Places to Retire | 2013

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The Eight Best Places To Retire In 2013

From the Editors of Live and Invest OverseasPublished by Live and Invest OverseasAltos del Golf, Loma Alegre, Los Tulipanes St., House #B1,Panama, Republic of PanamaRepublic of PanamaPublisher: Kathleen PeddicordCopyright 2013 Live and Invest Overseas

All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced by anymeans without the express written consent of the publisher.The information contained herein is obtained from sources believedto be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Any investments recommended in this publication should be madeonly after consulting with your investment advisor and only afterreviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.



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Table of Contents

Most Turnkey, Expat-Ready Place To Retire: Coronado, Panama ........................... 5

Best Place To Retire #2: Medellin, Colombia ........................................................ 12

Best Place To Retire #3: South of France .............................................................. 17

Best Place To Retire #4: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ................................................. 20

Best Place To Retire #5: Cayo District, Belize ....................................................... 25

Best Place To Retire #6: Cuenca, Ecuador ............................................................ 29

Best Place To Retire #7: Chiang Mai, Thailand ..................................................... 32

Best Place To Retire #8: Granada, Nicaragua ....................................................... 36


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The Eight Best Places To Retire In 2013

Cheapest, safestbest weather, best infrastructure, best health caremost

tax-advantaged, and most foreign-resident-friendly. Not to mention mostromantic, beautiful, exotic, historic, and adventure filled

We sent our scouts around the world to find the best, the most comfortable,the most affordable, and the most convenient locations for retirement in2013.

And the winners are: Coronado, Panama; Medellin, Colombia; the South ofFrance; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cayo District, Belize Cuenca, Ecuador;Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Granada, Nicaragua. Each of these places has itsdrawbacks, of course. No place is perfect. But, all things considered, thesesix locations offer the greatest opportunities for enviable overseasretirement living in 2013.

To help launch your thinking, we provide here an introduction to each ofthese eight top retirement havens. Well continue this conversation, withmore on the worlds top choices right now for living and retiring overseas, inyour free e-letter dispatch, theOverseas Opportunity Letter, which youll bereceiving from us each day.
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Most Turnkey, Expat-Ready Place To Retire:

Coronado, Panama

Monthly budget: $1,800Monthly rent: $600

For the potential retiree or foreignresident, Panama offers big andunequaled advantageswarm weatherand lots of sunshine, a low cost ofliving, a foreign-resident-friendly taxsystem, one of the best banking

systems in the world, a stable politicalsituation, a bright economic outlook,and the worlds best program of

discounts and perks for foreign retiresbetter than the famedpensionadoprogram that operated in Costa Rica throughout the 1980s.

Panama makes more sense now than ever. Panama has effectively side-stepped the recession that has crippled much of the rest of the world andcontinues to enjoy solid economic growth and a positive future outlook.

Since taking office July 1, 2009, President Ricardo Martinelli has madeground-breaking changesmost of which forward Panama further along thepath of progress and of political and economic stability.

Is Panama Right For You?

Still, Panama is not for everyone. Panama City is often compared withMiami, and the similarities are many. Youve got to remember, though, that

Panama is the developing world. Devout Europhiles argue its the Third

World. It depends on your perspective, but, bottom line, life is going to bedifferent here than youre used to.

Maybe more different than youre ready for.

Dont come to Panama if youre bothered by barking dogs in the middle of


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the night, blaring boom boxes at all hours, or the constant honking of carhorns.

Dont move to Panama (especially not to Panama City) if you dont want to

own a car or if youre an avid walker. This is not a city for strolling. Theinfrastructure may be the best in the region, but the sidewalks can be socracked and broken that youve often got to tip-toe your way down thestreet.

The only reasonable way to get around is by car. Yet, as the citys population

continues to expand, so does the number of vehicles on its streets. Somedays it seems like rush hour extends from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On this front, relief could beforthcoming. The government isconstructing a metro system thatshould ease traffic headaches andmake getting around Panama Citymuch easier. If all goes according toschedule, the new metro should becompleted by the end of 2013. Untilthen, be prepared to brave the chaosevery time you cross town.

For A More Peaceful Retirement, Look To Coronado

Your cost of living will be much lower, and your quality of life could be better(depending what, for you, qualifies as quality), if youre willing to live

outside Panama City. Most of Panamas small interior towns offer a laid-back, affordable lifestyle.

The beach town of Coronado, only an hour from Panama City, offers manyamenities youd expect from a larger city. Indeed, Coronado offers the mostturn-key, most expat-ready ocean-front lifestyle available in Panama.Foreign retirees living in Coronado have already paved the way, leaving youlittle to do for yourself to create a familiar, comfortable, English-speakingatmosphere. Moreover, in a town like Coronado, not only your rent, but yourtransportation costs, as well, and your monthly entertainment bills, too, will


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be lower, maybe significantly so, than in the capital.

It's fear of the unknown that keeps many people from making the moveoverseas. In Coronado you can rest assured you'll find like-minded folks, all

living out their dream retirements on the beach, ready to mingle andwelcome new neighbors.

For many years, Coronado's main purpose was to serve as the vacationgetaway and weekend home for those who could afford a retreat outside thecapital. Over the past few years, though, as Panama City has grown busier,dirtier, noisier, and generally harder for many retirees to take day-to-day,Coronado has transformed into a full-time retirement community.

On the Pan-American Highway at the turnoff to Coronado, three newshopping centers have sprung up, along with a number of restaurants. Thisarea today has everything the retiree could want or need, from a medicalclinic to a brand-new gym, from three major supermarkets to a dry cleaner,from a Mailboxes Etc. to a golf course, even an equestrian school and threeinternational schools. And, remember, you're only an hour from PanamaCity, with its Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital, 18-screen movie theaters,nightlife, shopping, and casinos.

Some of the homes on the beach are magnificent. Some are old-fashionedand have been around for many years, while some others are modern,fancy, even slightly futuristic-looking. Something for everyone, includingsmaller homes in the US$250,000 range. If you're willing to look on theoutskirts of town, even right across the street in the hillside town of LasLajas, homes can be found for less.

No matter where you go in Panama right now, youll find better real estate

prices than weve seen in a few years. Though the ongoing global recessionhas had only minimal impact in this country, it has served, indirectly, to

deflate the ballooning property market.

Boquete is another place where owning in Panama has become moreappealing than its been in years. The sometimes super-inflated prices ofyesteryear are no more, and Boquete is more within the financial reach ofwould-be expat retirees today than it has been in a long time.


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Note that Panama is the one of a few Latin America markets where itspossible to borrow locally as a foreigner for the purchase of real estate. Youwill have to jump through some hoops, but if youre willing to push through

the bureaucratic red tape, and you qualify, you can be rewarded with up to80% LTV financing. Note, too, that Panamas banking sector is stable andsolid.

Furthermore, Panama is one country that rolls out the welcome mat forforeign retirees. With a monthly pension of just US$1,000, you can qualifyfor apensionado visa and all the rewards that come with it, includingdiscounts from 15% to 50% on everything from movie tickets to in-countryairfares, even closing costs on your real estate purchase.

Why else does Panama make sense?

Specifically, Panama offers:

Affordable First-World health carePanamas health-care facilitiesbuilt to U.S. standards ever since the U.S.ran the Panama Canalare the best in Central America. Youll find nearlyevery health-care service you could need, at a fraction of the cost, and witha level of personal service (remember house calls?) you may have forgottenever existed.

Generous incentives for investors

The worlds best program of discounts and other benefits for foreignretirees

As a Panamapensionado, you save on almost everything, including in-country airfares, hotel stays, restaurant meals, prescription drugseven

closing costs when buying a home.

First-world infrastructurePanama offers the most reliable Internet in the region, not to mention thebest cross-country road system, domestic flights, reliable water andelectricity supply, satellite TV, four cellular service providers competing


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against each other, and, it seems like every day the Martinelli government isannouncing even more ambitious plans, like the Panama City Metro, highwayexpansions, new domestic airports, and easier residency programs.

Great shoppingThanks to its position as one of the worlds premier trading centers (and itscanal), youll find anything you might want in this countryeverything fromBenetton and Burberry to the latest electronic gadgets, and any Americancomfort food you could name.

One of the worlds biggest international banking centersPanama is one of the worlds few remaining offshore tax havens.

A U.S. dollar-based economy (since 1904)Americans face no currency-exchange risk.

Favorable tax legislation for foreign residentsForeign residents pay tax in Panama only on money earned in Panama.When it comes to taxation, this is as good as it gets for the foreign residentor retiree.

A stable political systemPanamas government is as stable as its ever been and President Martinelli

wants Panama to compete on an international level. Hes weeding out the

corrupt politicians of yesterday, and replacing them with people who want towork for a better Panama.

A fast-growing economy and a bright economic outlook

Safety and securityPanama is one of the safest places in Central America. There are poor areasand a definite division between the haves and the have-nots, but there is

little random violent crime.

Panamanians are friendly and they welcome foreigners, both as tourists andas residents. And, after eight decades of American involvement in therunning of the Panama Canal, theyre well-accustomed to Americans amongthem.


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The family circle is important in Panama, much more so than in the U.S., asis religion.

A natural wonderlandThe world doesnt know it yet, but Panama is a natural wonderland. Its

expansive rainforests are among the richest and most complex on theplanet. Its the only country where jaguars and pumas prowl only a shortdrive from the capital. Its also the only country where you could wake upover a cup of fresh coffee and a Caribbean sunrise and unwind later thatsame day with an ice cold cervesa Panama and the sun setting of the Pacific.

Panamas vast, road-less jungle are home to more than 940 recorded birdspecies and 105 endangered species, including the Central American tapir,the American crocodile the scarlet macaw, and many species of eagle.Off Panamas shores are some of the best diving, surfing, boating, deep-seafishing, and snorkeling anywhere.

The advantages for the would-be retiree, expat, entrepreneur, and investorin this country right now are too many and too great to ignore.

Further Information on Panama:

Panama Starter Kit Our ever-expanding and comprehensive Panamapublication package. Note that a subscription to the Panama Letter(below)includes free access to the entire kit.The Panama Letter The comprehensive monthly Panama e-zine in whichwe bring you the real Panamawarts and all. The Panama Letterbringsyou the real Panama, warts and all. This is your chance to discover what it isreally like to live in this country, without the sugar coating. This is the good,the bad, and the ugly, brought to you by a team of insiders, with, amongthem, decades of firsthand experience living, investing, and doing business

in Panama. Understand, with their help, the opportunities that are right foryou in the worlds top retirement, lifestyle, investment, doing-business, andembarking-on-a-new-adventure haven.Each monthly issue spotlights a different top choice in Panama, fromPanama City to Las Tablas, from Santa Fe to Boquete. Glossy magazines andwebsites tell you the best of Panama; the Panama Letterintroduces you to
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all Panama.Live and Invest in Panama Conferences The only way to trulyexperience Panamato determine if its a place you could call homeor a

place to invest.

The Panama CircleThe premier hand-holding VIP service we offer inPanama. Includes real estate vouchers of up to $3000, free conferenceattendance for life, a personal trilingual assistant, access to all of ourPanama publications for life, and much, much more.Our Panama Country PageMaps, photos, and general demographic,tax, and government information.For a complete list of publications and services, visit our Live and InvestOverseas Online Store.If you have general Panama-related questions, you can reach our editorialteam at:[email protected].

Recommended Resources

For current real estate opportunities in Panama and the surrounding beachareas you can get in touch with our preferred Panama real estate agency,

Inside Panama Real Estate. To view listings or schedule a real estatetour,get in touch here.

AttorneyRainelda Mata-Kellyin Panama City is our number-one resource inthis country, not only for legal issues, but also for all questions related tovisas, residency, citizenship, taxes, property purchase, holding structures,corporations, banking, and investment incentives. You can get in touch withRaineldahere.
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Best Place To Retire #2: Medellin, Colombia

Monthly budget: US$1,700

Monthly rent: US$500

Colombias city of springtime

and flowers offers a superiorquality of life for far less thanyoud expect.

Medellin makes a goodimpression immediately and onmany levels. Architecturally, this city is lovely. Built almost entirely of redbrick, with most every structure topped by a red clay tile roof, the place ispleasing in its consistency, especially when viewed from some height. Itappears a sea of red clay tiles and red brick buildings interspersed regularlyby swatches of foliage and flowers. The effect is calming and peaceful.

Medellin is impressively green, with trees, plants, and small gardenseverywhere, and, as its remarkably clean. In the central neighborhoods, yousee no litter. The metro, a point of pride for the local population, is spotless

and like new.

Medellin is a pretty, leafy city, a safe, peaceful, welcoming place. Thats a

good starting point. But would this city with such a troubled past be a goodplace to chart your own course, an appealing place to plan to spend time inyour retirement?

What is it about this city?

Here are some things you should know about this area. First, real estate in

this country is priced in pesos, meaning you have to remember theexchange rate, which fluctuates daily. The U.S. dollar has beenstrengthening against the peso for the past few months, but who knowswhere the exchange rate will stand in the future.

Also note that exchange controls and other bureaucratic restrictions are inplace. As an early expat in Colombia, you would need to be prepared to


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navigate the system. This market is still in what I refer to as theworkaround stage.

There arepensionado and rentista visas available, if you qualify. Thepensionado visa requires a guaranteed pension income equivalent to three

times the Colombian minimum wage monthly (about US$1000 at the time ofthis writing); the rentista requires a guaranteed income equivalent to 10times the Colombian minimum wage (about US$3000 at the time of thiswriting). Note that the required monthly income amounts fluctuate with theexchange rate.

If you dont qualify for thepensionado or rentista visa, your options are anExecutive or an Investor visa. Toqualify for the Investor Visa, you mustinvest a minimum of US$200,000 in real estate or US$100,000 in a non-real

estate investment. To acquire full-time legal residency without investing thatmuch money, your option is to set up a corporation outside Colombia andapply, as the owner of that corporation, for an Executive Visa. As Ive

mentioned, this is a bit of a workaround and may or may not be a good ideafor you. Note that it does not give you a work permit, only a residency visa.

Medellin makes sense both for full-time livingand part-time

If youre not up for the hassles, the

current uncertainties, and the risks

involved with working around thesystem to acquire legal full-timeresidency, consider part-time retirementto Medellin instead. Plan to spend up tosix months a year in this City ofFlowersand the other six months at

the beach maybe, in Panama, say, orNicaragua, or Belize.

Another big plus is the climate, which is temperate year-round, and is near-perfect. As its situated on the side of a mountain, the altitude of Medellinascends from around 1,500 meters to 1,800 meters. The surroundingmountains rise to more than 2,500 meters. Temperatures range from 16 to30 degrees Celsius (60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit). The rainy season isduring the second half of the year, but its mild (that is, prolonged rainy


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periods and flooding are uncommon).

Next, Medellin is culturally and recreationally rich and diverse. Living here,you'd never want for something fun and interesting to do. On any given day,you could go hiking or bike riding. You could visit a museum or one of the

many shopping malls. You could see a tango show or an opera (in season).Come evening, you could dance the night away (tango is a national pastime)and sample the local rum in one of the bawdy nightclubs or enjoy a finemeal and white glove service at one of the many international-standardrestaurants.

Day-to-day costs in Medellin are on par with those in Panama City, which isto say theyre not ultra-bargain basement. A bottle of water in a cornershop, restaurant meals, taxis, and movie tickets all cost more or less what

they'd cost in the Panamanian capital. The difference, of course, is that thecost of everything fluctuates in U.S. dollar terms every day.

Bottom line, the cost of living here would be greater than in Ecuador, forexample, or Nicaragua; on par with that in Panama City; less than inArgentina. One notable cost savings living in Medellin would have to do withutility expense. Thanks to the climate, you could live here with neitherheating nor air conditioning, meaning your utility costs could be almostnegligible. This could reduce your overall monthly budget by as much asUS$200 or more.

However, the real cost advantage of Medellin has to do with real estate. Thismarket today is like the Panama City market about a decade ago. That is, itqualifies as a screaming bargain. El Poblado is the top end of the market, forboth renting and buying. Here you're looking at US$1,000 to US$1,500 persquare meter to purchase resale (sometimes furnished); US$1,500 toUS$2,000 per square meter to buy new; and US$1,000 (for a one-bedroom)to maybe US$3,000 (for a luxury-level penthouse) per month to rent,furnished. Again, thats the top of the market. In less recognized, more local

neighborhoods, those prices can fall in half and more.Right now, for example, you could rent a one-bedroom apartment in theLaureles neighborhood (a neighborhood that we found to be safe, pleasant,and up-and-cominga very good budget choice compared with more centraland more discovered El Poblado) for as little as 850,000 pesos a month,maybe less. In the more local middle-class Florida Nueva neighborhood, you


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could rent a two-bedroom apartment for 650,000 pesos a month, or, again,maybe less.

The general consensus among expats in Medellin is that a retiree needsbetween 1.5 million and 2 million pesos to live in this city comfortably.Thats a budget for living a comfortable lifestyle. You could probably live on

less, if youre willing to go completely local. And you certainly could spendmore, two or three times as much, to live like a king, as they say.

One of the appealing things about Medellin is that this is a place where aluxury level lifestyle is available if youre interested in pursuing and payingfor it. This isn't true of all places we recommend.

The current cost of renting or of investing in your own second or retirementhome in this city is an absolute (as opposed to a relative) bargain. Bundlethis with the quality of life on offer in Medellin, and you understand why thiscity is near the top of our cheapest places to retire in 2012 list.

Further Reading

To find out more about living and retiring in Medellin, Colombia,have a lookat the full report weve publishedon this beautiful City of Flowers andSpringtime.

For maps, photos, and general demographic, tax, and government

information, check out ourColombia Pageon the Live and Invest Overseaswebsite.

In addition, stay tuned to your dailyOverseas Opportunity Letterdispatchfrom Publisher Kathleen Peddicord for specific opportunities and regularupdates on Medellin.


For all legal matters, including thinking through which residency options

might work in your situation, we recommend Juan Dario Gutirrez, one ofthe partners in the firm Gutirrez Mrquez Asesores. You can reach himdirectlyhere.

Rich Holman, a native of Texas who established a real-estate agency inMedellin five years ago, is the first person to visit when you want to rent or
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buy property in this city.Get in touch with him here.

To find out more about this beautiful country join us at our annualLive andInvest in ColombiaConference.

Colombia is one of the countries we feature in our How To Retire OverseasKit, a brand-new first-ever two-part kit to help you, first, consider all theworld's current top options at once (20 destinations in total), while armingyou with the practical support you'll need to make your retirement dreamscome true as easy and hassle-free as possible.Get in touch here for moreinformation.
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Best Place To Retire #3: South of France

Monthly budget: $2,000Monthly rent: $800

France is a land of superlatives.Its capital has been named themost beautiful, most romantic,and most touristed city on earth.Its wines, cheeses, restaurants,shopping, castles, gardens,parks, beaches, museums, cafes,

galleries, vineyards, countryvillages, medieval towns, art,and architecture are all amongthe best that the world has to offer. The typical concern for anyone who hasever dreamed of a new life in France is that it's too expensive for theaverage guy or gal to consider seriously.

Not so. Paris isn't cheap, but elsewhere in France you can find realisticoptions even if your retirement budget is modest.

Specifically, for retirement in 2013, I'd recommend the "other" South ofFrance. Not Provence (which, yes, is pricey), but west of there, in theLanguedoc-Roussillon region, between Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur to theeast, the Midi-Pyrenees to the west, and the Auvergne to the north. Spain isa few hours' drive to the south. Not everyone is cut out for life in the Tropicsor the developing world. If you prefer Old World living, this is perhaps yourbest option right now. This region is colorful, eclectic, always changing,never following a formula, and very open to retirees. This is wine country,with a long history and a lot of heart.

After scouting options in the Americas from Mexico to Costa Rica to Panamafor a year, Lucy Culpepper and her family decided that life in the New Worldwas not for them. Instead, they sought out the traditions, charms, andculture of life back on the Continent. When they decided to focus on Europe,they could have settled anywhere. They chose France, specifically the villageof Cessenon-sur-Orb in Languedoc. The other South of France is a region


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of the country that Lucy and her husband found to offer all the best ofFrench country living at a very reasonable cost, even for their family of four.

This unsung part of Francedelivers an extraordinary and

hard-to-match quality of life forevery euro invested. Languedoc ishistoric, colorful, eclectic, alwayschanging, authentically French,and, at the same time, very opento retirees. Villages here date fromprehistoric times, but the feel ofthis part of France is medieval.The living is simple and traditional

while still offering all the servicesand amenities of the 21st century.

My second France-beyond-Paris pick is a corner of the country so tuckedaway that even the French find it hard to place on the map. The Barnregion, in the southwest of France, has everything the would-be retireeinterested in Continental country life could be looking for. From the Romansto the Renaissance and the Belle poque to Art Deco, there's history to beenjoyed at every turn. This area also has gorgeous scenery, rolling wooded

countryside, and friendly people. The majestic mountains of the Pyreneesdominate the views and beautiful beaches are just a short drive away.

How big, exactly, would your budget need to be to afford a new life inFrance? You could live in Paris on a budget of 1,500 euro per month, notincluding the cost of housing. But you could call one of my favorite Frenchcountry regions home at a cost of about 1,000 euro per month, again, notincluding housing.

If youre looking for a French country renovation project as part of your

retirement plan, in the current market, this is an almost irresistibly temptingand realistic idea. You could purchase a cute and cozy old farmhouse foraround 70,000 euro. Of course, some renovation work would be required.How much is a matter of perspective. Maybe youd be happy with basic but

quintessentially French living quarters or maybe youd want to do your

French country house up more elaborately. In places like Cessenon-Sur-Orb,


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Cazedarnes, and Villespassans, you could own a little townhouse of your ownfor the equivalent of US$100,000 or less. And France is one country whereit's a relatively straightforward process for foreigners to borrow locally forthe purchase of real estate.

France is not only perhaps the best place in the world to live, thanks to itsfood, wine, architecture, history, museums, parks, gardens, and cultural andrecreational offerings, but it's also, thanks to its reliable tourist trade, one ofthe best places to think about parking some capital. A rental property inFrance is about as recession-proof a real estate investment as you're goingto find.

France is the world's best example of getting what you pay for. There arereasons France sees more tourists than any other country in the world,

almost 80 million of them annually. To accommodate all those tourists, theinfrastructure of this country, from the airports to the train system, from therestaurants to the hotels, has to be top notch and it is.

Further Reading

France Starter Kit a one-of-a-kind bundle of resources intended to helpyou to experience France, not as a tourist, but with the help of long-timeresidents.

You can access full reports on France and other retirement havenshere.

For maps, budgets, photos, and general demographic, tax, and governmentinformation, check out theFrance Country Pageof the Live and InvestOverseas website.

France is one of the countries we feature in our How To Retire Overseas Kit,a brand-new first-ever two-part kit to help you, first, consider all the world'scurrent top options at once (20 destinations in total), while arming you with

the practical support you'll need to make your retirement dreams come trueas easy and hassle-free as possible.Get in touch here for more information.
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Best Place To Retire #4: Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia

Monthly budget: US$1,250Monthly rent: US$500

Malaysia is a tropical paradise. Beautifulislands and beaches, cool mountainretreats, great food, a diverse and multi-ethnic culture, excellent shopping, and alow cost of living...Malaysia has it all.

Plus, the infrastructure and health care aremodern and efficient. English is widelyspoken.

Entertainment ranges from streetcelebrations to casino gambling, fromamusement parks to mountain climbing,from jungle trekking to championship levelgolf, and from Formula 1 racing to world

music festivals and philharmonic orchestra productions. World-renowneddiving and snorkeling destinations are never more than a few hours away.

And here's the cherry on top: The Malaysian government makes itsurprisingly easy to live long-term in this hard-to-resistShangri-la.

Malaysia makes it easy

Unlike other countries in Southeast Asia, Malaysia actively encourages foreignresidents to relocate here. Excellent incentives are available if you qualify forthe Malaysia My Second Home Program. And, even without attaining thisspecial immigration status, Malaysia is an easy country to live in lesspermanently.

Most westerners arriving in Malaysia receive a Social Visit Stamp upon entry.


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This is not technically a visa, but it permits you to remain in the country forup to 90 days. To stay in Malaysia longer than 90 days, you could, as manypeople do, take a short trip into a neighboring country for a day, then returnthat afternoon, receiving a brand-new 90-day Social Visit Stamp upon re-

entry. Many foreigners have lived in Malaysia this way for years. Here's yourbetter option: Apply for the government-sponsored initiative called theMalaysia My Second Home Program, or MM2H. About 12,000 foreignresidents are already participating and enjoying the benefits.

Unlike in many Asian countries, Malaysia's MM2H program is available toforeigners of all ages. It gives you a multiple-entry visa good for up to 10years, allows your spouse, children, and parents to reside in Malaysia alongwith you, and, under certain conditions, even allows you to hold part-timeemployment or to have a business in the country.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of MM2H status is the tax status it gives you. Asa MM2H resident in Malaysia, all your foreign-source income, including pension, interest, anddividend income, as well as foreign earnedincome, is exempt from Malaysian taxes. Note,though, that income from employment orbusiness within Malaysia is taxable.

Kuala Lumpursteeped in history and

tradition

Life in Kuala Lumpur is different than it is inthe West. Unlike so many places in Asia,foreigners are genuinely welcomed in KualaLumpur. Language isnt a problemalmosteveryone speaks adequate English. It istaught in the schools and is the primary

spoken language for many Malaysians. In some Asian cities, its easy for a

foreigner to feel something akin to a walking wallet. Not so in KL.Here, foreigners pay the same prices as the locals. People want to know you.Health care is first-rate, public transportation is modern and efficient, andthe tap water is safe enough to drink. Beautiful beaches are just a shortdrive or flight away, cool mountain retreats can be reached in less than anhour, and the thriving city-state of Singapore is easily accessible in a few


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hours by car, train, and bus or an hour by plane. Its an easy city to stay in

for a few weeksor even a lifetime.

Although KL is more expensive than rural Malaysia, it is marvelouslyinexpensive by Western standards. You can realistically expect to cut your

living expenses by a third and still enjoy a lifestyle comparable to what youare accustomed to now. Kuala Lumpur is one of the most affordable, moderncities in the world.

Regardless of your interests, you can always find something fun to do inKuala Lumpur. As the cultural, financial, and political center of Malaysia, KLattracts ambitious and creative people and enterprises from throughout theregion. Galleries, concerts, and museums abound. Parks are carefullyplanned and maintained. Sports and athletic venues, both indoor and

outdoor, are scattered liberally throughout the city and many moreattractions can be found within a short drive of the city limits. KL is agastronomic nirvana.

From cutting-edge fusion cooking to centuries-old traditional fare, you couldeat at a differenthighly regardedplace every day and never get to theend of the list. If you live in KL, be assured you wont run out of things to

see, eat, or do.

Kuala Lumpur has seven golf courses and several more in the near vicinity.

The upscale KL Golf and Country Club offers excellent golfing for membersand nonmembers alike. Senior members can enjoy nine holes for aroundUS$25, and younger non-members will pay about US$67 during theweekdays.

The many markets throughout the Klang Valley cant be missed. Indoor flea

markets offer almost every item imaginable, from kitschy statues of Mao TseTung to old LP record albums and collector comic books. The indoor (and air-conditioned) PasarSeni(Central Market) offers wide selections ofhandicrafts, food, and art. The discerning shopper with good bargaining skills

can pick up prized items at very reasonable prices.

Outdoor markets are part of the KL experience, too. A visit to the huge ChowKit Market or one of the dozens of smaller morning and evening markets aregreat opportunities to purchase good-value produce, meat, fish, householditems, and clothing.


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Unlike many other Asian countries, the sheer diversity of Malaysian cultureguarantees that there is a very good selection of food for all tastes.Hundreds of restaurants catering to local tastes offer up a delicious array ofMalay, Chinese, and Indian food. You can eat very well in KL on a very low

budget, with meals at these restaurants generally costing under US$3.If you really want to eat on the cheap, try one of the many excellent

vendors selling food in the outdoor markets. Here, fresh char kway teow(anoodle and shrimp dish similar to Pad Thai) is prepared as you watch, stir-fried in a hot wok and served steaming hot for about US$1. A chickendrumstick served with rice, green beans, peanuts, and soup will cost aroundUS$1.25, and a plate of delicious fresh curry puffs will cost US$1 or less. KLsupermarkets are well stocked with both local and imported goods, all atreasonable prices.

When you first move to Malaysia, or to any foreign country for that matter,its advisable to rent for six months to a year before you purchase property.

English-language newspapers, such as The Starand the New Straits Times,have large classified sections with many rental listings. Since English iswidely spoken throughout Malaysia, English-speaking foreigners can oftensimply call the property owner and make a viewing appointment.

Rent in KL is surprisingly affordable. Unfurnished two-bedroomcondominiums of 1,000 square feet and larger, in attractive parts of town,

start around 750 RM per month. If you prefer a fully furnished condominium,expect prices to begin at around 1,500 RM per month. Modern, two-bedroom and three-bedroom fully furnished condominiums in upscaleneighborhoods will generally start in the neighborhood of 2,500 RM.

People who love living in the city but cant afford the price tag that generally

comes with an urban lifestyle will want to consider living in Kuala Lumpur.With so much to do in the city, and its convenience as a transportation hubto almost every place in Asia, active retirees will find more than enough

opportunities to experience the wonders of this part of the world. Peoplehoping to live cheaply, yet still enjoy modern conveniences and productsfrom their country of origin will be pleasantly surprised with KL. Malaysias

welcoming immigration policies makes living long-term here easy.Exceptional health care, widespread use of English, and advancedinfrastructure makes life easy. From mountains to beaches, busy malls to


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tranquil parks, fine imported foods to tasty street cooking, its easy to see

why so many people find that KL has it all.

Further Reading

For more nitty-gritty details on living, investing, and doing business inMalaysia, access our country reportshereand theCountry Pageon ourwebsite. For specific opportunities, remember to stay tuned to your dailyedition of theOverseas Opportunity Letter.


For more information on the Malaysia My Second Home residency program,go here now.

Mike Soo, our trusted residency and real estate resource in Malaysia, cananswer all your questions about living, retiring, and investing in this country.Get in touch with him here.

Malaysia is one of the countries we feature in our How To Retire OverseasKit, a brand-new first-ever two-part kit to help you, first, consider all theworld's current top options at once (20 destinations in total), while arming

you with the practical support you'll need to make your retirement dreamscome true as easy and hassle-free as possible.Click here for moreinformation.
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Best Place To Retire #5: Cayo District, Belize

Monthly budget: $1200

Monthly rent: $600

Belize is a quirky country. Belize City'sroadways are built around a system ofroundabouts (thanks to her British colonizers),but shops alongside them sell rice, beans, andtortillas still ground by hand.

Everyone you meet speaks English (it's the country's official language), but

this belies the stories of their origins. The 350,000 people populating Belizetoday are descendants of migrants from Britain, but also, more so, thesurrounding Central American countries. You've got Mexicans, Guatemalans,Hondurans, and Nicaraguans mixed with current-day generations of theMaya who originally inhabited this land, the pirates who came later, theMennonite farmers who began arriving on the scene in the 16th century, theBritish who ruled until 1981, and each other.

Belize is a country of freedom-seekers. The pirates came to ply their pirate

trading out of view. The Mennonites came from Germany and theNetherlands so they could be Mennonites without anyone bothering them.The British came to do their banking in private. And the folks from thesurrounding countries have made their way across Belize's borders over thedecades in search of safety.

The early English in this part of the world were under such constant pressurefrom Spain that they were reluctant to establish any formal government tomanage Belize for at least a century. From the beginning, as a result,Belizeans had to be self-sufficient. These two founding characteristics remainthe driving forces behind Belizean culture today. The country has alwaysattracted expats who value independence and freedom.

Today a new population of freedom-seekers is finding its way to theseshores: American retirees.


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Belize is a nation of independent thinkers and doers, a country where youmake your own way and where, while you're doing it, no one is making anyattempt to thwart your efforts, including the Belize government. This is apoor country. The government doesn't have enough money to get up to any

real trouble. And, if they tried, the Belizeans wouldn't allow it. The focushere is on very local-level government--addressing the crime problems incertain southern sections of Belize City, for example, or trying to dissuadethe Guatemalan banditos who occasionally wander over into Belize in searchof a couple of good horses to steal.

Arriving in Belize, stepping off the plane, and walking across the tarmac tothe one-room arrivals hall of the airport, you have a sense of leaving therest of the world behind. Belize and her people operate according to theirown rules and mind their own business. The troubles, uncertainties, andworries that seem so all-consuming stateside and elsewhere in the worldright now fade away here. You're faced with a land that remains a frontier,undeveloped and oozing potential.

Belize is also one of the most user-friendly places in the world to establishforeign residency, and a place where a retiree could enjoy a back-to-basicslifestyle on a modest budget. You could buy a building lot in a plannedcommunity for as little as $25,000 and build your own home for as little as$100,000.

Belize is also a top choice if youre interested in a sustainable lifeorresilient livingan opportunity to live off the grid, completely self-sufficient.

Good friends in this country have been living the sustainable life for morethan three decades, since long before it was a fashionable idea.

In 1977, Mick and Lucy Fleming traveled from Great Britain to Belize. Theyhad but US$600 in their pockets. For Mick and Lucy and Belize, it was loveat first sight. They fell in love especially with the countrys Cayo District, a

region of rain forest, rivers, mountains, and Mayan ruins. As soon as theycould scrape the money together, Mick and Lucy bought a remote piece ofproperty in the Cayo, on the Makal River. And they lived off the land. Theonly way in to their property back then was on horseback or by canoe, upthe river.


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That was more than 30 years ago and, today, Mick and Lucy have developedtheir Chaa Creek property into the most impressive and most applauded rainforest eco-resort in the country, rated the Best Eco-Resort in all the

Caribbean by Caribbean Travel & Life four years straight.

A visit to Chaa Creek qualifies as a luxury experience these days. However,its still very possible to have the back-to-basics, off-the-grid experience thatfirst attracted Mick and Lucy to this part of Belize so many years ago.

Today, the Cayo District, is the fastest-growing area in the country. The lushtropical rain forests you find here, the abundant freshwater rivers, thelargest underground cave system in the Western Hemisphere, and the fertileBelize River Valley once supported hundreds of thousands of Maya. Today,they support 21st-century adventurers and environmentalists looking toescape to a simpler, sweeter life.

Easy retirement residency

In 1999, Belize created an incentive program for retirees called the QualifiedRetirement Persons (QRP) program, offering duty-free concessions and otherbenefits for official residency. Minimum requirements were established inorder to attract more retirees to Belize. The applicant must be 45 years ofage, show a monthly income of US$2,000, and provide some basicdocumentation, such as identification, background check, and medicalexamination. The concession allows the retiree to import all personalhousehold effects including a vehicle, boat, and aircraft duty-free.

Further Reading

Belize Starter Kit a one-of-a-kind bundle of resources intended to help

you to experience France, not as a tourist, but with the help of long-timeresidents.

You can access full reports on Belize and other retirement havenshere.

For maps, budgets, photos, and general demographic, tax, and government
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information, check out theBelize Country Page of the Live and InvestOverseas website.

Belize is one of the countries we feature in our How To Retire Overseas Kit, abrand-new first-ever two-part kit to help you, first, consider all the world'scurrent top options at once (20 destinations in total), while arming you withthe practical support you'll need to make your retirement dreams come trueas easy and hassle-free as possible.Get in touch here for more information.
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Best Place To Retire #6: Cuenca, Ecuador

Monthly budget: US$1,300

Monthly rent: US$500Ecuador is one of the most affordableplaces in the world to retire. Also tobuy or rent a home. Its veryaccessible from the U.S.you can flydirect from both Quito and Guayaquilto Miami, Atlanta, Houston, NewYork, and Atlanta.

Temperatures are constant year-round,as is the length of each day. In Ecuador you can count on 12 hours ofdaylight 365 days a year. In the mountains, temperatures are cool andcomfortable, spring-like, 12 months a year, in the range of 50 degreesFahrenheit in the evenings, to 70 degrees in the daytime.

Health care is excellent in the cities, particularly in Quito and Cuenca, whichboast hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment and specialists in all fields. Avisit to the doctor can cost just US$20; a specialist charges US$25. An added

bonus: Ecuadorian doctors spend 30 to 45 minutes with each patient. As ageneral rule, health care costs are 10% to 25% of those in the U.S., and localin-country health insurance is available for a fraction the cost in the States.

Enjoy Special Benefits if You Are a Foreign Retiree

Foreign retirees in Ecuador are eligible for discounts:

50% off all public transportation 50% off national and international airfares 50% off all cultural, sports, artistic, and recreational events 50% off electricity, water, and telephone service A special discount on property tax

As a foreign retiree you also receive relief from Ecuadorian income tax and,


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best of all, you never have to stand in line; seniors always go to the front.

Cuenca and its colonial splendor

Cuencas large colonial historic

center lies just a short distance fromthe airport. Im always impressed byits wealth of colonial homes, theirinterior courtyards, thick adobewalls, and iron-railed terraceslooking down onto the street.Residents and visitors alike enjoy thebeautiful plazas, magnificentchurches, and cobblestoned streets,

whose first traffic pre-dated thearrival of the Incas.

But expat retirees want more. Besides treasuring the citys rich culture and

colonial charm, they want to take advantage of a cost of living thats among

the lowest in Latin America...real estate prices that are unheard-of in a citywith such a rich quality of life...an unbeatable retiree benefit package...and athriving expat community surrounded by a warm and welcoming people whomake you feel like you really belong.

If youre coming to try Cuenca on for size,youll need a furnished rental.Theres no better preview of what its like to be a resident. You can expect a

modern, luxury furnished rental to cost between US$500 and US$850 permonth, varying with the size, location, and length of stay. In this case, Iwould plan on spending around US$1,200 per month. However, you couldlive in Cuenca for less. You could rent a local-style apartment for aboutUS$100 a month. For this, youd get maybe 600 square feet in an older

building with no doorman or garage. Alternatively, invest in a home of yourown in Cuenca, an apartment or one of the charming colonial houses the cityis known for, and you can live on a monthly budget of US$700.

The Spanish spoken in Cuenca is crisp, clear, and relatively formal, making ita great place to learn the language. In fact, language- learning is a thrivingbusiness in Cuenca, with international students in residence all year.


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If youre not already a fluent Spanish-speaker, Id strongly recommendattending one of the excellent language schools in town, such as therenownedCEDEIorAbraham Lincolncultural centers. If you dont learnSpanish, youll be able to get by. But youll be confined to (and dependent

on) a small circle of English-speakers and miss much of the rich, culturalexperience that the Spanish-speaking expats enjoy every day.

When you consider all that Cuenca has to offer the overseas retireeandwhat it costs to live hereyoull agree that, for many, theres no better dealout there. Plan a trip, have a look, and get ready for an exciting life in theAndes.

Further Reading

We published a full report on this little Andean gem, which includes anoverview of the real estate market and comprehensive information on whatto do in the city and how much the cost of living is. You can access ithere.

For maps, photos, and general demographic, tax, and governmentinformation, check out ourEcuador Pageon the Live and Invest Overseaswebsite.

Also, for ongoing coverage of Cuenca and elsewhere in Ecuador, be sure toread the dailyOverseas Opportunity Letterby Kathleen Peddicord.


For help with legal issues you can Bruce Horowitz (e-mail:[email protected]), while our correspondents Mike Sager (e-mail:[email protected]) and David Morrill (e-mail:[email protected]) are on call for anything real estate-related.

Ecuador is one of the countries we feature in our How To Retire OverseasKit, a brand-new first-ever two-part kit to help you, first, consider all the

world's current top options at once (20 destinations in total), while armingyou with the practical support you'll need to make your retirement dreamscome true as easy and hassle-free as possible.Click here for moreinformation.
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Best Place To Retire #7: Chiang Mai, Thailand


Thailand is arguably the cheapest place on earth to live well. Our friendsPaul and Vicki, on-and-off residents of the country for more than two

decades, have long been teasing andtempting us with tales of US$1 Pad Thailunches and US$11-a-night hotels (includingbreakfast and free WiFi)

Thailand has three very distinctive areas. Thecapital, Bangkok, located roughly in the centerof the country, is the largest city. Fascinatingin many ways, its worth seeing at least

onceif youre traveling to Thailand, youllalmost certainly have to pass through itsairport. Farther south, extending for nearly600 miles along a narrow peninsula, layhundreds of idyllic beaches, dense vegetation,

and tropical islands. Many foreigners chooseto make central or southern Thailand their home, but probably more peopleend up settling around Thailands third country,Chiang Mai.

Across Thailand, the standard of medical care is very high and costs areextremely reasonable. This has helped to make the country a populardestination for medical tourists, who find it much less expensive to fly toThailand and receive treatment there, than it would be to have the sameprocedure done in their home country.

Exotic living on a budgetChiang Mai

The city of Chiang Mai, with a current population of nearly 240,000, hasexisted for over 700 years. The heart of Chiang Mai lies within its old citywalls. Here, dozens of ancient and modern Buddhist temples coexist withpublic and international schools, residential and commercial neighborhoods.


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Street markets and festivals occur almost nightly, and a huge array ofrestaurants catering to all tastes can be found within walking distance ofalmost anywhere in the Old City.

Chiang Mai has grown beyond the ancient walls, though, and extends forseveral miles in every direction. Largeshopping complexes are located along thesuperhighway, a multi-lane, controlled-access ring road that circles the outskirts ofthe city. Several mega-mallsand hugemulti-national grocery and departmentstores line the access roads to theSuperhighway.

Chiang Mai is an inexpensive place to live byalmost any standard. With housing prices solow, its no wonder so many expats havechosen to make Thailand their permanenthome. Unlike some cities, foreigners hereare more likely to integrate with the localsand live in any area in and around Chiang Mai. One popular area is theneighborhood near the trendy Nimminhemin Road. Upscale condominiumsare conveniently located near excellent restaurants and a good foreignerinfrastructure, close to English-speaking dentists, internationally accreditedhospitals, and within a short walk of the Old City.

With an abundance of restaurants, offering a huge array of Thai, Oriental,and Western cuisines, you wont go hungry around Chiang Mai. Along the

main streets of the Old City are rows of mainly inexpensive restaurantscatering to Western palates. Everything from fine Italian food to Greek gyros,fresh sushi, vegetarian wraps, Indian food, German cuisine and English fish-and-chips are easily found, as well as excellent Thai and Chinese food. Along

the banks of the Mae Ping River, not far from the Wororot Market and justacross the Nawarat Bridge, are many higher-end restaurants with loyal expatfollowings. Scattered throughout the city and shopping areas are restaurantsin all price ranges, many serving fine international cuisines.

You can buy a comfortable expat-standard house in Chiang Mai for as little asUS$100,000; however, as a foreigner, you cannot hold title to the land, only


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to the construction. Alternatively, you can rent a furnished house in the cityfor around US$400 per month. If you own your place, the estimated monthlyexpenses youll incur will be of around US$650, and of US$940 if you rent.

For a long time, the Thai city of Chiang Mai has been luring expats from the

West. Some come for the weather; others are attracted to the low cost ofliving. High-quality health care and health-related services are importantdraws for retirees. Housing prices are very affordable, and foreigners rarelyhave problems purchasing condominiums or, in some cases, real property.Whatever the reason, at least 17,000 foreigners have chosen Chiang Mai astheir home. Could you be next?...

Further Reading

Weve published a full report on Chang Mai, which includes an overview ofthe real estate market and comprehensive information including cost ofliving and activities. The report is available here.

For maps, photos, and general demographic, tax, and governmentinformation, check out ourThailand Pageon the Live and Invest Overseaswebsite.

Thailand, as well as other top destinations in Asia, are covered in ourAroundAsia package, availablehere.


Real Estate

Chiang Mai Properties(sales and rentals)Tel. (Gai) +66(0)89700 2261; e-mail:[email protected]. (Nai) +66(0)89700 1368; e-mail:[email protected]

Chiang Mai House (sales and rentals) 2/7 Serm Suk Road, T. Chang Puek, A.Muang, Tel. Office: +66(0)5340 4035 Mobile: +66(0)89756 8137

Satihoga-Tropical Homes(sales and rentals) 79/157 Moo 2, Chiang Mai-DoiSaket Rd. T. Taladkhuan, A. Doi Saket; Tel. +66(0)89953 4981
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An attorney we recommend is Rene-Philippe Dubout, whom you cancontact by e-mail [email protected].

Thailand is one of the countries we feature in our How To Retire OverseasKit, a brand-new first-ever two-part kit to help you, first, consider all theworld's current top options at once (20 destinations in total), while armingyou with the practical support you'll need to make your retirement dreamscome true as easy and hassle-free as possible.Get in touch here for moreinformation.
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Best Place To Retire #8: Granada, Nicaragua


Nicaragua is a beautiful country with loads of sunshine and two long coasts.It is a land of lakes and volcanoes, of cloud forests and tropical jungles, ofcattle ranches and Spanish colonial cities, of rare orchids and white-facedcapuchin monkeys.

It is also very affordable, not tomention safe. Youll find most

goods and services in Nicaraguacost significantly less than in yourhometown. Regular publictransportation (buses and taxis)amounts to about US$20 amonth. Eating out twice a week(and avoiding the Dom Perignon)will dent the wallet approximatelyUS$100 a month. A furnishedone- or two-bedroom house rents

for about US$500 a month; water charges are US$7; and its US$2 forgarbage removal. Allow US$100 for basic food staples...and your reasonablebudget adds up to US$877 a month. For maid service, add another US$60.

Special legislation benefiting retirees

In August 2009, Nicaragua became an even more enticing destination forthe foreign retiree. The Nicaraguan government passed a new residency law(Law #694) that increased the tax exemptions and other benefits for foreignretirees. Specifically, the new law allows foreign residents to bring up toUS$20,000 worth of household goods and personal belongings into thecountry duty-free; to pay no duty when importing a car valued up toUS$25,000; a tax exemption of US$50,000 of the VAT (value-added tax) ofconstruction materials to build a house to live in; and to pay no taxes onout-of country earnings. The minimum age for eligibility is 45. The minimum


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income requirement to qualify for the resident program is US$600 forretirees and US$750 for people with private incomes (income frominvestments, stocks, rents, etc.). Add US$150 for each dependent.

Granada

The Spanish first landed inNicaragua in 1522. Two years laterthe Spanish ConquistadorFrancisco Fernandez de Cordobafounded Granada, which considersherself the oldest city in theAmericas. She was intended, bythe Spanish, to be a statement of

elegance and a reflection of theoriginal Granada in Spain. The newGranada, on the shores of LakeNicaragua, has suffered a long cycle of destruction at the mercy ofbuccaneers and earthquakes. Yet this old girl continues to dust herself offand re-right her crown, and today she shines.

Granada is home to hundreds of expat retirees, from North America andEurope, whove been at work fixing up the citys old haciendas and opening

taverns and eateries in the town center for the past dozen years. Theyve

added a new and appealing dimension to life in Granada.

Granada's current renaissance is thanks to private and public funding. Spainhas restored some of the major thoroughfares with palms and paving. Therest of the rehabilitation is being carried out by wealthy Nicaraguans andretiring expatriates from the world over. The bandstand in the park has beenpainted, and the park itself is clean and inviting. There's a new hospitalnearby, donated by the Japanese.

How much to live here? All things considered, a budget of US$1,200 toUS$1,400 per month should keep you nicely, including rent of aboutUS$500, which should be enough to afford you a comfortable, high-endhome. HOA fees are not commonly paid by apartment renters, as they are inEcuador. This would buy you an expat-standard life; as anywhere you couldlive like a local for considerably less.


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One of the key attractions for Granada, along with its super-low cost of livingis its classic-style Spanish colonial architecture. Today, thanks to thecollapse of Nicaragua's property market in recent years, real estate prices inGranada, as in Cuenca, are below the magic $1,000-per-square-meter mark.

That is, today, you could buy one of Granada's old colonials for as little as$50,000. You could spend much more, of course, but, whatever yourbudget, you'll have lots of options. The city boasts lots of inventory of someof the most impressive Spanish-colonial structures in the world. Their centercourtyards are typically open-air and often contain swimming pools.

Granada has most of what youd need right in town, and its a city laid outfor walking. You could live here without investing in a car. For longerdistances, buses and taxis are easy to come by and cheap.

Heres how an average budget for retired life in Granada would break down:US$500 a month for rent; US$50 a month for transportation; US$20 amonth for gas (used for hot water and cooking); US$20 a month fortelephone; US$30 a month for Internet and cable TV (which come bundled);US$360 for food; and US$200 for entertainment. Add US$180 a month forfull-time houshold help if you want it.

If you invest in your own home, you wont have rent, but you will have anHOA fee (if you buy into a private residential community; count on about

US$75 a month), property taxes (US$50 for a large house in the city), andthe expense of homeowners insurance (US$95 for that same property).

Your budget overall as a homeowner would amount to about US$900 amonth. Again, add US$180 a month for full-time household help.

Nicaragua is another place where it can be affordable to keep a car. Youllpay US$12 a month for your registration; US$70 a month for insurance;US$50 a month for maintenance; and US$60 a month for fuel (depending onuse).

Note that Nicaraguas currency is the crdoba, which normall underperformsthe greenback. So, while a falling dollar can erode the buying power of theU.S. expat abroad, the faster-falling crdoba can normally be counted on tooffset that in Nicaragua.


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Further Reading

You can access full reports on Nicaragua and other retirement havenshere.

For maps, budgets, photos, and general demographic, tax, and governmentinformation, check out theNicaragua Country Pageof the Live and InvestOverseas website.

Nicaragua is one of the countries we feature in our How To Retire OverseasKit, a brand-new first-ever two-part kit to help you, first, consider all theworld's current top options at once (20 destinations in total), while armingyou with the practical support you'll need to make your retirement dreamscome true as easy and hassle-free as possible.Get in touch here for moreinformation.
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Overseas Retirement Letter

Top 2011 Retire Overseas Options Revealed In Full

Cheapest, safest, friendliest...best weather, bestinfrastructure, best health care...most tax-advantagedand most foreign resident-friendly...

Plus most beautiful, romantic, exotic, historic, andadventure-filledFind out more here.

Overseas Retirement Circle Membership

Members of our Overseas Retirement Circle are part ofan inner circle working together, with full support fromus and complete access to our extensive Live andInvest Overseas resources.Find out more here.

44 Things You Must Know Before You

Relocate, Retire, Or Invest Offshore

The nuts-and-bolts support you need to live, retire,and invest overseas with confidence.

Find more here.

Further Live and Invest Overseas Resources
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