I am a single 46 year old Canadian woman...looking for a new home...Central America...South America???
I am a single, 46 yr. old single Cdn. woman...looking for a new home...Central America...South America??? Your suggestions please? I am researching where I can possibly live. I have not traveled very much, only Cuba and Greece. I absolutely fell in love with Cuba (Havana, in particular), and would move there tomorrow, if there were not so many difficulties(although I have yet to rule it out entirely). I am considering Panama, Argentina, and open to any other suggestions. The biggest benefit of Panama, is that I could apply for 'pensionado' status, allowing for many discounted costs. I live on a very modest pension, and keeping costs down is crucial. That being said, the people, the 'vibe' are the most important to me. Having just returned from Greece, and not enjoying the overall negative, critical attitude of (many) Greeks, an overall positive and welcoming attitude are key. My plan would be to study Spanish (intensively), wherever I end up. The biggest (perceived) benefit of Argentina (B.A.) is the very cosmopolitan, European feel to the city. The research I have done (rather limited) is that (in both Panama and Argentina) there are very low demographics of 'people of color'. I thoroughly enjoy being in a really 'mixed' culture, not only 'white' people. What neighborhoods, or smaller cities would you recommend? I am a 'people watcher', and need to be where there is plenty of foot traffic. Sharing a coffee or beer with new friends, is my favorite pass time. It is hard to get a handle of actual apartment rental costs, (in either Panama or Argentina), the info is so incredibly broad. My plan would be to travel (??) for 3-4 months, starting in September, to 'try it on'. Maybe 6 weeks in each of these countries? The hotter the climate, the better...with 25 -35 C being the usual. I am on the look for an open hearted/open minded culture. I would really appreciate the benefit of all of your collective experience and welcome all suggestions.
Reply to this Have you looked at central Mexico? I recently gave some thought to relocating to Guanajuato, but my wife got a job she really likes so that is not going to happen -- not right away anyway. Guanajuato is a well-preserved small city with a good theater and an excellent university -- thus lots of cultural activities. Not overrun with Americans (and Canadians) like San Miguel de Allende (which is nearby, about an hour). A great walking city (as long as you like hills). And about equidistant from Guadalajara and Mexico City in case you need the resources of a major city or major airport (about 5 hours by bus). They have a huge performing arts festival -- the Cervantes festival -- in October so all the hotels are booked for much of that month.
KST
Reply to this Hi,
Agree on your idea for BA...lovely place...look also at Costa Rica. Safe, stable, and attacting a lot of younger retirees who wish to stay active.
Reply to this Panama and Costa Rica are not cheap to live in any longer. Buenos Aires is cosmopolitan yes but also expensive to live in. You never mentioned your monthly budget but I would continue to look around if I were you.
Reply to this I don´t know Panama so I can´t tell, but I live in Buenos Aires and for what I see in your post you will love it here. I know two Canadian couples who came last summer to spend two months in Buenos Aires (your winter), and they loved it, and left with plans for returning next year. Buenos Aires has everything: cultural events all year round, the best restaurants, nighlife, cafes to seat around and people watch all around the city, museums, art, and they say people is the most friendly and with the best ¨vibe¨in Latin America.
You are right in that there are not many people of color in Buenos Aires, but everyone is welcomed and you will find people from all nationalities.
As for the cost of living, we are having an increasing inflation lately but with a fixed income in dollars you will be just fine, at least for now it is still cheap for foreigners. Rental prices are higher for tourists than for residents. For a short term rental, 1 bdr apartment can range from 800 to 100 us dollars (maybe less if you don´t care too much about the location), and for a long term rental, arond 300-600 us dollars in a good location.
For daily expenses, there´s 5 of us in the family and we spend around 150 us dollars per week in supermarket purchases, so I guess that´s what you will be spending per month.
Dinner at a nice restaurant for one person can be around 35 us dollars, and you can have a fixed price lunch at most restaurants for around 10 dollars.
There´s too much to say about Buenos Aires, you will have to come and see for yourself. Just PM me if you have any other questions.
Reply to this Thanks to all for responding. It is always interesting and helpful to get others' perspectives. I know a good amount of information, (through Journals and Blogs, etc), are from older(than me??), retired ex-pats. I am thinking their idea of expensive, or inexpensive are worlds apart. Although I do want to be able to access a fully engaged and alive, cosmopolitan city, I live a rather simple life. My (limited) experience has shown me that there are always several approaches. I know if I am seeing 2 bdrm apts. for $500-$1000, then, I will be able to find one for $300...just not as easily. Costa Rica and Panama are definitely not as cheap as they were, let's say 5-7 years ago, yet, still affordable, next to our North American costs. I will not be living in a 'gated' community, or dining in high end restaurants. I live a rather modest lifestyle. Of course, the $$ don't mean everything, how you 'feel' in a place, is for me (the absolute key). My plan is to go to Panama, Costa Rica and Argentina and 'feel' them all. I have not been successful in finding too much info on Panama City. I am not sure if this is because there are not many ex-pats living there, or if they are just not posting? Is it that there aren't as many there, or that their experience is not worth posting? It has me asking myself that question. I have no doubt that I will find everything I could ever want/need in Buenos Aires, and will have access to an absolute plethora of fascinating people. Costa Rica may well be too laid back for me...who knows? I am not a jet-setter type person, but, do (at least) like to have access to all of the amenities/serivices/culture that a cosmopolitan city, (such as BA) can provide. And ultimately, I am looking for enough of a population, in diversity and tolerance, to make it really interesting. I am starting the 'next phase' of my life, and looking for my new home and my new 'family'.
(FYI-My monthly budget is around $1000).
Thanks again.
Reply to this did you think about Chile?? south of Chile? I chilean and I going back , with $ 1.000 US, I can live easily, but not in Santiago. My pension will be low than your budget, but still I can live. More info , ? write me .
Reply to this Buenos Aires is the best place to live because you got everything you need and we have all the weathers and very quiet neigbourhoods. Also it's a cheap place to live.
Reply to this I'm an expat Canadian who has lived in Buzios, Brazil for 18 months and love it. To be honest, I haven't seen much else of Brazil - came here, fell in love, went back to Canada, packed my bags, returned. My suggestion, however, would be that you travel around a bit first and then decide. When I came for a trip to SA, Brazil was an afterthought, but after one visit I was enchanted. In my opinion, much nicer than Argentina, but to each their own.
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