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In: Travel & Leisure
5 Dec 2009Trying to decide where to retire? Remember it’s difficult to retire overseas. I recommend vacationing there for at least six months before you make the move so you get a chance to make sure you will be happy there and get a feel for living there. If it works out then you can move with confidence that you will be happy.

Panama City is the ultimate place to retire, offering the perks of a big city, sandy beautiful beaches, warm winters, and a very reasonable, low cost of living. Panama City has a great infrastructure, comparable to a big city in the U.S., but at a much lower cost of living. Panama also offers a great pension program with tons of perks for retirees. All that is required to qualify is that you can show evidence of a monthly income of at least $500 for an individual, or $600 as a couple, in some form of government pension, such as social security or another pension program.
You are allowed the following benefits: 1) Freedom from paying import taxes on a new vehicle each two year period and 2) It gives worthwhile reductions on the price of things like movie tickets, concert or theater performances, sports games, travel tickets, hotel stays and restaurant bills. Should you want to purchase real estate in this location, discounts are given of one percentage point lower on mortgage charges up to 25 percent of what would be due when you close the deal.
Anyone who plans to retire early, retire young, or retire abroad should consider moving overseas to Panama City. A great many Panamanians speak English, so you won’t have a problem making yourself understand. However, things are much simpler if you just learn to speak Spanish. If you don’t want a lack of language proficiency to interfere with your communicating with the locals, then I suggest you learn to speak and understand Spanish. When you learn a new language, it increases the agility of your brain, and it also makes your adjustment to the culture much easier. Things will go much easier for you when you build a supportive network of expatriate and local friends.
New Zealand, a land of naturalistic beauty and mountains that seem to soar into the sky, appeals to many individuals from all parts of the globe. This attraction becomes all the more enticing when you consider the great real estate bargains and opportunities to be had and no capital gains taxes! Auckland, the New Zealand capital, offers all of the amenities of a major city, such as shopping, entertainment, and a host of other activities to enjoy while experiencing a low cost of living. Unfortunately for older retirees and seniors, the New Zealand immigration policy favors younger immigrants to the island. As a result of this difficult process, some seniors may opt to reside part time in New Zealand and part time at another location. Young people and early retirees can bypass these issues based on the aforementioned immigration process. Fortunately for U. S. retirees, New Zealand summers and winters fall at opposite points of the calendar from those in the U.S. and other locations in the northern hemisphere.
Proximity and accessibility to US makes Mexico a retirement haven. Being a low cost destination makes your dollar go further and hence even small budgets may seem quite large. Mexico has a rich heritage and a great culture. Mexican food is prepared with number of spices and herbs providing an intense and varied flavor to the food and generally is very colorful. Mexicans cook really well and have the knack to provide extra “flavor” to make a dish really tasty.
Before you retire overseas, follow these tips to guarantee you experience safe expatriate living
