I'm 62, male, single and thinking of retiring in Central America. Where would you recommend?

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Seryan

Your two best choices are Panama or Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is more beautiful but it is no longer as 'gringo' friendly as it once was. Plus there is a big crime problem now, with street crime aimed at foreigners, that's you.

Costa Rica has a big infrastructure problem, not enough electric power.

The roads are the worst in the region. The water is good and the food is good but not plentiful and not much diversity. The women are lovely, especially in the bigger cities.

Panama has a much better infrastructure. It has excellent roads and very few, if any power black outs.

Panama doesn't have hurricanes and never will, it is too close to the equator.

Panama has a greater diversity of cultures and as a result the food is better and cheaper. There is more seafood and cheaper too (jumbo shrimp for $4.50 a pound). They have excellent coffee and homegrown fruits and vegetables.

They use the American dollar so you don't have to figure an exchange rate. In CR they use Colones, about 500 something to the dollar.

You can live in the mountains where it is like spring all year round, or on the beach where it is like Miami all year round. You can do that in CR too.

The water is so good in Panama that Heineken, Warsteiner and Budweiser have breweries there. Panama brews five of it's own national beers too.

Most of the gringos in Panama are in Chiriqui province, up in the mountains. Housing is expensive in both places but living costs are lower than in the USA.

Health care is excellent in both places but cheaper in CR.

In Panama you can get a permanent resident visa if you can prove an income of $500 a month and do not have a criminal record. You can live on your SS, about 1200 a month.

In Panama, your Pensiondo status will get you discounts at pharmacies, theaters, plane tickets and restaurants. Not so in CR.

So take your pick, both have benefits. For my money, and
after living in both places I think Panama is the better choice.

And...the women are gorgeous and they don't care if you are older than they are. Most of the ones I've met want an older man, where as in the USA, young women won't give you the time of day.

Nancy Kay

Honduras is fast becoming a haven for expatriated Americans...the dollar is about 6-to-1...learning Spanish once you get there will enhance your living experience...and I suppose they do have women there...whatever THAT has to do with it...

NIKOS THE PRESIDENT OF YAHOO

I pity you...You think that girls will love you, but actually they will suck your money...And they'll dump you when you have no more bucks

jpndogg

Retire in the US!!

Rasha S

Puerto Rico... They have the most English friendly environment.

But, Costa Rica is gorgeous!! And, it's the most affluent of the latin countries...

salsera

Move to Belize. It's the only country in Central America that speaks your language!

Hardball.

Central America is beautiful!
I don't know what to recommend because i've never been down there but from what i am hearing Coasta rica is a beautiful place with beautiful people! The american dollar, no language berrior, and a great place to retire!
Great choice!
CONGRATS on retiring!
Hope you learn some spanish

â˜¼Summerâ˜¼ Gurl

Hi!!
I think I can really help you.
I am from Costa Rica myself.I am actually going back to my Grandma's HUGE house in San Isidro for the rest of the summer in less than 2 weeks.I love it there!!! It is paradise!!!
I definitely recommend retiring there.
My parents bought land there and will retire in 4 years. They are going to build a Mansion on the land and live there on a mountain looking to the ocean....I don't know about you but that seems like a pretty good way to live the rest of your life!! lol.What a coincidence,my parents are going to retire there...lol.
Anyways....it has beautiful beaches and relaxing weather....nice people....and you could live comfortably there.
Oh and you say you like women??? Well Pamela Anderson has a House on some land she bought from the guy that is selling the acers.If .My parents are like neighbors to her. From there house they can see straight at her house.
The land also has great view's of the beach front.
If only I can renember the website of the man who is selling the property....I'll have to ask my parents...anywayzz...
Your going to love Costa Rica,I do!!!!!

cantkeepfive

Siberia?
Its lovely this time of year.

Browns93

COLORADO it is beautiful and the weather is the best

Diggs

Costa Rica

soarlikeaneagle

Belize,of course.It's one of the only english speaking countries in Central America.Beautiful Islands and lots of other fun things to do.

makawao_kane

Try Panama. The dollar is still very strong in Panama, the cost of living is very small, and there's a large American community of ex-pats living there.

Beautiful women are to be found all over, so I'm sure you can find them there.

Dani

You should look at Guadalarara, Mexico, around Lake Chapala. Many Americans are retired there and love it. It's very nice and very affordable and a quick flight to the US.

http://www.allaboutguadalajara.com/

http://www.allaboutguadalajara.com/realestate.htm

Mongo

Take a lot of bribe money with you.

bcn_mimosa

Costa Rica.. Its a great place for alot of People who are planning to retire.. Its quiet, they have the tico times ( Newspaper in English) and the people are very hospitable....

Check out the newspaper.. they may have something for you..

http://www.ticotimes.net/

Take care..

Bcn_mimosa from Barcelona, Spain..

( My Dad Travels to Costa Rica alot and he plans to retire there on day also that's why i know so much about it hehe)

EPIC

South America .... take a look!! The best place hands down is Rio de Janeiro. Rio is one of my favorite places to vacation. There are beautiful women everywhere, which seems to be something in your criteria. Here is an example: There is a place where my friend has been looking for a vacation home called MaricÃ¡. It is about an hour from the city of Rio de Janeiro, world-renowned beaches such as Copacobana, Ipanema, Flamengo, Botafogo and Cabo Frio, the Rio international airport, and tourist attractions such as the Statue of Christ and Sugar Loaf Mountain. You can get Beachfront homes for a really great price. Here is an example http://www.investmentsonthebeach.com/houses/h008.htm

Property taxes are about $100-$200 a year. Fulltime caretaker services are about $150 a month (That is the cost for a live in caretaker!!). Transportation by bus to the city of Rio de Janeiro costs about $2 - $3 or by a private taxi for about $30. Depending on your lifestyle, you could live in MaricÃ¡ for about $7,000 a year. Everything in Rio is very cheap including the nicest restaurants. Don't forget the great weather.

claudio_vallarta

I live here in Puerto Vallarta, it could be a good choice.

About 10,000 US and Canadian citizens live here. And they are all happy. The good thing is, it is still close to the US and You can go and come cheap by air.

You should have alook to several internet sites to get informed. If You need some specific information email me, I see what I can do.

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