Elduendegrande
I agree 100% with your post, but I would like to add that often the question arises "Can I live in Central America on $1500, or $1800 or $2000 or $2500 per month?" The question is irrelevant if you are bored and depressed the entire time you are here.
Sometimes North Americans come here and find that some items are more expensive than in the US. Many Americans that move to CA return home within a couple of years disenchanted.

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My first advice is to ignore the first advice. Everyone is different and because it doesn't move them doesn't mean it's not right for you. However, you do need to do your own research by trying out different countries and cities, no one can answer that for you. Also, if you're bored, it's your own fault.

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Of Course if you are bored, it is your own fault. That doesn't change the fact that many Americans come to CA expecting to meet many friends and find excitement. We are all responsible for our own success and happiness, but it doesn't change the fact that many Americans return home after less than 2 years disenchanted.

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On the basis of keeping busy, I think Panama worth a look. I had employment there 4 days after arrival. It is also very likely the best country to arrive in. Panama allows you to work 6 months on a tourist visa, giving a person the time to check things out without diminishing savings. I would not recommend Panama City or Colon, but enjoyed Santiago, Santa Fe, David, and Boquete. Of Central American countries, I also found Panama the least expensive, mostly due items arriving at both ends of the Canal. I had hopes for the Grande Canal of Panama but again it looks like that won't be happening. Economically, it would be the best thing, saving about 3000 miles in ocean transit. My wife is Nica and we are planning on moving, but takes a bit of convincing. She has family here, Costa Rica, US and Canada. She wants family in those countries which I prefer not to live. Nicaragua is simply a compromise. I have US and Swiss Citizenship so all Europe is open to me . Of 4 Latin countries, Nicaragua is the only one where I have not worked. I can, and have received offers but not any I would accept. She has finally agreed to Panama, Spain and Ireland. Two of her sisters and a brother-in-law are physicians and looking to move as well. Both were educated in Spain. So that iswhat /I am betting on. My wife is a Professor of languages, Spanish, Portuguese, English, French and German. But employment for her in Nicaragua is insulting to her education. She was earning $2400 a month in Costa Rica. I can get her a job in Panama at $3000 a month, plus housing. Top offer here has been $550 and travel to Managua required. 3 years ago I met the General Manager for Lada- Nicaragua. He was Russian. His income was $1200 plus a car and apartment. He too was about to go to Panama.. I had another Nica friend who owned a small bar and was trying to market a hot sauce. After 4 years he took my advice, went to Panama and got an International Patent on it for $5000. He was unable to get it going here due too much bureaucracy. So on opportunity #1 is Panama. On beauty climate #1 is Costa Rica. On safety, general demeanor of people, and believe it or not traffic #1 is Nicaragua, in my opinion. With recent changes I believe Ecuador may be even more attractive than Panama.

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Hammer's anaysis seems pretty acurate. Equador has a lot of talk about its accesibility for the newbee expat. If I were 20 yrs younger I would look there for sure now. Also Buenos Aires is a place I have many intecontinental friends spend part if not all their year. Nicaragua is strongly popular socialist govenment and change is slow, but secure. If you expect 'multi-tasking' as a part of your life, Nicaragua is not your new home. No one does more than one task at a time, then often has to get permission to go to the next step. You will find obstacles in all Latin coutnries if you expect to create a capitalist commercial venture as an outsider. Big corporations have trouble investing here, let alone an individual The more sophisticated the country, and easier acess, the more you will be dealing with native residents who will take advatage of you in a heart beat. My experiences would caution to live at least a year before making ANY investment anywhere in a foreign country. Actual culture change takes its toll first on your bank account, then once you wake up, on your soul.

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Frankly, anyone of retirement age should seriously consider Western Europe or maybe Chile and Uruguay. You can't beat the safety and infrastructure these countries have to offer. The cost might be a little higher, but you can't beat the international flavor that Western Europe has to offer. Transportation is top notch, cheap and safe. Food prices are cheap if you buy at local markets. Law enforcement is professional and aren't looking for bribes. If someone is looking for fairly cheap living in the tropics, than CA might be just for you if you are willing to put up with the hassles that you will have to deal with. The problems in CA are growing, from crime, corruption and cost of living. If you don't believe me, do some web searching and you will see what I mean. Personally, I'd rather have to live on a tighter budget someplace that has more to offer than to deal with all the headaches I would have to deal with in CA. Don't get me wrong. Western Europe has it's problems. Corruption and beaurocracy is a pain there too. But safety including being able to leave your house for days on end or just walking the streets at night are nowhere as dangerous as CA. Besides, you can live just about anywhere no matter how much money you have if you work at it.

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From what I have heard, most of Spain, Portugal and Ireland are less expensive than Central America. And like you say Uruguay and Chile may be less expensive. Peru as well. A poor way of enticement perhaps but I see stores and homes without bars in these other countries. To me it indicates less fear of crime. But you can never be sure until you experience it. Very good changes in Ecuador since I was last there. Panama has made English an official language along side Spanish. That's bound to be an advantage as well. I suppose one attraction of Central America is you can drive here. Though it likely is not worth it especially since residency is required before household items are tax exempt.

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Elduengrande had the best advice, seems many did not get it:
"If you don't' have family, property, a business or a church mission, you have no reason to be here."
I had a B&B in Costa Rica. Many if not most guests were looking to see if they could move there. I heard it all. Dreamers and fools for the most part, searching for their last wave. A great example is the 78 yr old Las Vegas pianist in poor health wanted to move his wife down to the beach as their 'forever home". That would last a couple years and the poor old broad, widowed, would be stuck in a foreign world all alone.
Lesson one. Your friends and families will not be visiting you like at home. Once if lucky. then if you pay for it. You really get no guests here.
The one advantage here is you can be a 'patron' thus respected for your generosity and good works. (But that means you have to be of a good natured and generous spirit)
But you will never be one of them. You are gringo forever. This will alienate you, or you learn to embrace it, depending on how you inculcate yourself into the neighborhood.
I now live in Nicaragua with the family who worked for me in Costa Rica. The babies were born in my bed, I have been their second dad for 17 years now. We live in their family neighborhood in a poor section of town. Privelges go to their being sent to private schools and having some better goods and services, but not beyond the reach of some of their family and neighbors. Part of this journey includes family illegaly in the US at times and If you have problem with that, you do not belong here.
I have seen some wealthier gringos suceed by building farms and schools to dig in their right to be here.
Many mission groups have good sted but within very poor communities. Can you shower in cold water, share toilet with ten people...?
Those looking to 'bring down' their American household and lifestyle will be making a big mistake. You will only get close to that in very high end isolated rich communities. I remind you , Elduende said, " If you don't have family, property, a business or a church mission, you have no reason to be here."

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i should have aded; "becoming" an expat, is very different from being an explorer, a venturer, a vagabond, or a long term tourist. It is all about life time commitment. Take time to know thyself in the land of 'the other'.

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Wow! I never ran into more people that had all the answers, unequivocally, for everyone else, under all circumstances, than on the internet. I guess no one can call you on your mistakes if you are anonymous. Better to have suggestions, I.M.O.

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When the question is to gve yoru , opinion on which CA country is best to live in, some of us with experience hve iven our insight and opion. You seem to add nothing but a nasty attack on the people who have "answered the question". Oh, and thanks for adding to the nomenclature here with your teenage use of "I.M.O." whatever that means. You are a disapointment in the expat community or some failed wannabe French movie star or a drag queen with a name like Gigi.

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Once again you have disgraced this forum with your crass comments. Grow up and get life!

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It is Saturday and we can assume Dickbush is on his first few drinks and is still selecting which disco outfit to put on to go out tonight to the bars. Are you already so fogged out that you don't see she is insulting you most of all?

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Count your blessings. Been in the southern cone the last few weeks. Montevideo and Buenos Aires are roughly triple priced versus Nica-Colombia-Ecuador -- Montevideo features $2 local bus fares, $2-$4 newspapers, $6 draft beer, and $8-12 menu del dia lunch -- which doesn't include soup. Single scoop ice cream cone is $2.50. The coffee is usually $4 a cup and often tastes of iodine. But that all looks pretty cheap when you cross the river to Buenos Aires, home of the $7US Big Mac. At least the Spanish is an entertaining variant, and the butcher will cut you a nice ribeye for $3 or $4 a pound.

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A bit off subject but I went to a sport's bar last night with two Nica friends. I didn't get in because I was wearing shorts. But noted at least 3 inside were wearing shorts. My guess is the guards, all 3 of them wanted a bribe. Hell it's a sports bar, not a disco. And the climate here does not have me wanting to dress hot. Saved lots of money at my place, having some Tonas, better music and playing Risk. In my life that was the only time I failed dress code to get entry. Needless to say, neither myself or my two friends will return there.

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I try to be curteous junior, a trait you never learned. If I am not towards you it is because you cannot understand the cocept so it would be wasted.

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I try to be curteous junior, a trait you never learned. If I am not towards you it is because you cannot understand the cocept so it would be wasted.

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Only a chooch ass-umes, shows everyone wha you are junior.

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Only a chooch ass-umes, shows everyone wha you are junior.

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johnchip
But couldn't that be said about moving to any country regarding not having family, a business, etc.?

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Blue, 'could what not be said'? Yes transplanting countries and cultures and particualarly languges has it similarities. Since childhood I was transplanted and continued it by choice in adulthood. But everytime has its challenges, many the same, some more complex in adulthood.

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Dickbush, you, curteous? HA! Everytime you plagrize some philospher and write one of your epistles, everytime you complain, criticize and label others, and most of all when you come riding in on your high horse, sidesaddle, you make me "blink then giggle". But you really give me belly cramp roars when you keep using your low class Itatlian slang. Hilarious! And now, you got so confused you claim to practice being "curteous' when you obviously spend more time practicing your 'curtsy' for your drag rountine. Keep me "blinking and giggling", Punchinello..

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Another of your typical chidish responses, keep me laughing copy cat. Keep trying chooch - some day you may get an original thought. Noticed your bed buddy no longer posts, did you break up with him?

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@Longhammer.....just curious as to why you didnt ask to speak to the manager or owner of the business? And then politely point out the other folks inside in shorts...My guess is the doorman would have gotten his aas chewed and you guys would have had the last laff...

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Had I been alone I likely would have asked for the manager. But I was with two Nica friends that aren't the type to be pushed around. I defused a situation. And after returning to my place we figured it out that it wasn't about me wearing shorts but them, and the guards wise enough not to tell them they were unwanted. I still have the last laugh, neither myself, those two friends, any of my relatives and friends here or theirs will go to that place in the future. Funny thing with businesses is 1000 people can say good about it and other's don't care. But even 1 saying bad about it and the business takes a dive. So I will let others say one way or the other in the business ratings. I am all for successful businesses, and really can only praise them if they can make any business work. Damned shame some big investments are made only to have things fall apart within months. I have seen several good restaurants not get past 3 months.

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@Longhammer....Im with you on that but it sounds like a case of "staying power". If youre gonna make an investment of time and energy and $ then you better be ready to stick it out....Takes longer than 3 months for a business to catch on....you gotta have deep enuff pockets to hang in there until it does....

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I have had successful businesses in Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Bolivia and Mexico. But fell flat in Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Part of it may have been better times. Others failures with partners. I now occasionally invest in letting locals start businesses with minimal $100 to $500 investments. Small enough when they waste it away and expect more, I am not too disappointed. For over 4 years I have offered educations, grades 1 through 12 on line from US schools absolutely free. So far no takers unless I provide the computer, a place to live, vehicle and living expenses. Nope, I can only give the free education in Oregon, Arizona and California. After that possibly 2 years junior college which would cost me around $2500 if they make the grade possibly more from one of my alma maters. . I had Post office boxes, phone numbers and addresses in those states but finally closed all but the one in Oregon. Too bad, if my offer had been taken up on a high school freshman, they could have graduated by now and had a diploma worth something and different from the others. In the last 6 months I have given away 660 solar powered scientific calculators in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. My total investment was less than $1200 and 2 trips to the US I was taking anyway. Distributed anonymously by churches, schools and teachers. To me any business profit would have gone to charities and helping others. But no longer in the position to do what I once could.

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Pls elaborate on your experience in Ecuador Longhammer.......What sort of business did you get involved with and why arent you still there? Its a beautiful country with a nice polite soft spoken culture.........Unfortunately with too many taxes.........

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At the time I was in Ecuador one could only stay 90 on a Tourist Visa and then could not return for one year. Thankfully that changed. But at the time I was there a more permanent visa had to be obtained in your own country from the Ecuador Embassy or Consulate.
I imported just over $8,000 of computer equipment and tools. I kept track of everything. It all arrived from the US in 6 days at Guayaquil. Went through Customs fine. But my lazy Ecuadoran Business partner on whom I depended either never picked it up or ripped me off. Because a week later it was gone. That's the risk taken with partners anywhere. But I have bad experiences in Ecuador and Central America. I have done well with partnerships in Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and Mexico. And still trying to pin down what the difference is.

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Hammer, I am in awe. You have lived the movie star life of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", the Howard Hughes success and failures in business, owning a home in a 'secure upper class community' immersed in the psycho-drama of garden hoses, and now, being kicked out of a tacky bar at your age. My hero!

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For the record I have not owned a home since 1985. I have never owned a new car. The most I ever paid for a vehicle was $6200. I have not had a credit card since I was 27. I was never concerned with family until 3 years ago. My dad I only knew briefly as he was in quarantine in a VA Hospital with highly contagious TB so I was always in another room speaking over a telephone. No, I grew up in an orphanage. My father died 3 weeks after I entered the Army when I was 17.. I got a damned check for $99 from Social Security I never cashed. You must have had a very miserable life dedicating so much of your time attacking others. Sorry your life is so miserable, I hope you can do something beneficial. What I give to charities and individuals is largely to provide what I never got. But sure took advantage of the GI education for serving in the Army. I also learned from countless people instead of questioned them. The free educations I have offered are financed by Veteran's of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the schools and state governments. The only cost for me is getting the Diploma from my US address to them. You said if you were younger you might give Ecuador a try. Might do you good seeking change. I believe you said you lived in Cost Rica 19 years and 12 years here. I have never lived more than 3 years in a row in any country in my adult life. You can be bitter or you can live for goals. Go for it. Tell you one thing though., your bitterness Doesn' t really have any effect except on yourself and those who have to put up with your personal contact. I really do have to laugh about you ans AZ saying how you don't like reading what I write. At least if I don't like to read what is written I have the intelligence not to read it, It must be embarrassing to make such blunders.

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I think you got the drift correctly Gigi. From what I have read from a few here they are like Ambassadors against Nicaragua. Some apparently have miserable lives and share that. I have to thank them though as my Nicaraguan wife is now very willing to leave her family behind and we will soon be moving to Spain. I am thinking either Grenada or Valencia (love the oranges in the latter). Frankly, I would really like to move to Switzerland or Norway but I just can't afford those. Nor the wife the cold climate.

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My experience in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador is invest no more than you are prepared to lose. As that has been the case with me. The biggest loss was a bit over $8000 in Ecuador. Nicaragua is a good enough place for me to retire, but then I am not really wanting to be retired. Being the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere I had hoped to improve things a bit. No way would I buy property here, as the mortgage payments will continue many years after their poorly mixed cement turns to rubble. Best part of renting is if you don't like your neighbors or the neighborhood takes a turn for the worst, it is so easy to move.

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Zen would be for Japanese motorcycles. I owned and rode BMW's exclusively since 1978. Made in Germany where it would be Fahrvergnügen. Can't beat the BMW Boxer engine for working on them. Everything is easily accessible. A Chilton's Manual should get jest about anyone through vehicle repairs, with the exception of Post Ioccoca Chrysler on their electrical systems.

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Where have you lived, in a cultural cave? "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance":One of the most important and influential books written in the past half-century, Robert M. Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a powerful, moving, and penetrating examination of how we live . . . and a breathtaking meditation on how to live better. Here is the book that transformed a generation: an unforgettable narration of a summer motorcycle trip across America's Northwest, undertaken by a father and his young son. A story of love and fear -- of growth, discovery, and acceptance -- that becomes a profound personal and philosophical odyssey into life's fundamental questions, this uniquely exhilarating modern classic is both touching and transcendent, resonant with the myriad confusions of existence . . . and the small, essential triumphs that propel us forward. Sounfdfamiliar, Hammer?

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Hey, Hammer, I have often said I like your comments and they are spot on and your spirit is fresh. I also like to tease you, so get a grip.

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You missed the point I grew up without a father in my life due his hospitalization. My reading material is nearly exclusively non-fiction, technical, scientific. For philosophy I have a preference for Classical Greek. In life I also prefer the experience first hand. Lastly, I regard motorcycles as one person vehicles. I have never been or had a passenger on one of mine. The results have been very good. Close on the cave living though. That is exactly what we called laboratories, clean rooms and launch command centers.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_and_the_Art_of_Motorcycle_Maintenance

I don't see anything saying much about importance or real reference to true Zen or motorcycle repair., Pirsig definitely had perseverance getting it to become a best seller after 121 rejections. Though a US Citizen I found US authors not to be appealing.

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Hammer, you as a priveleged survivor of your past are a legacy to an heroic survivor of American neglect and the lack of dignity given to vets and their families. I would as you are, proud of your strengths that let you survive. I am sorry for that you have to live that story with any pain or regret.. I was privleged or not, to have a dad in the USMC who rose to high rank. But the abuse I and my friends suffered has yet to be written, but we share in facebook conversations now and other venues, very much in private.
I have been an expat all my life. I know it has difficulties but I do not blame it on the other.
I live with a family who I made a 'commitment' to a long time ago. There are days, including yesterday I want to leave. Spain Florida, all cheap to live,but with whom? I chose to 'commit.' You seem to have nothing you commiit to here.
Our one boy, 15 has developed epilepsy and is not going to school. and is agressive and making family life horrible.Do I abandon him now? The otherimmediate nd extended family problems often get so far beyond me I need to hole up with a bottle for a couple days, and pay the price. Paying for doctors, seeing little results,the mother coddling him, I go crazy, but do I.move to Spain? I this not what all commted 'families' have to go through to stay whole? You seem to not make that 'commitment' yet wherever you go. I hope you do find it.. I really do.

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Hammer, you as a priveleged survivor of your past are a legacy to an heroic survivor of American neglect and the lack of dignity given to vets and their families. I would as you are, proud of your strengths that let you survive. I am sorry for that you have to live that story with any pain or regret.. I was privleged or not, to have a dad in the USMC who rose to high rank. But the abuse I and my friends suffered has yet to be written, but we share in facebook conversations now and other venues, very much in private.
I have been an expat all my life. I know it has difficulties but I do not blame it on the other.
I live with a family who I made a 'commitment' to a long time ago. There are days, including yesterday I want to leave. Spain Florida, all cheap to live,but with whom? I chose to 'commit.' You seem to have nothing you commiit to here.
Our one boy, 15 has developed epilepsy and is not going to school. and is agressive and making family life horrible.Do I abandon him now? The otherimmediate nd extended family problems often get so far beyond me I need to hole up with a bottle for a couple days, and pay the price. Paying for doctors, seeing little results,the mother coddling him, I go crazy, but do I.move to Spain? I this not what all commted 'families' have to go through to stay whole? You seem to not make that 'commitment' yet wherever you go. I hope you do find it.. I really do.

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I needed the military to get a good education. But I learned from my dad who had been in a Sherman Unit and hit Omaha on the first wave. All the tanks sunk. I knew that sort of stuff wasn't for me. So I was assigned to the biggest chicken outfit the US Army had. Signal Corp, 1st Signal Brigade, Long Lines Battalion. Our unit scarf was yellow to match the strip on our backs.
JohnC, that type Epilepsy my pilot friend had was called Photo Epilepsy. Apparently with increasing technology it has become a bigger problem. Besides a couple friends, I had two collie show dogs with epilepsy. For them water was a trigger so had to get rid of my swimming pool. And of course I could no longer enter them in shows.

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JohnChip, have a look at your private messages. I had a few things best out of public regarding economic conditions I speculate on future. I do have a history of arriving too late for boom times, but also one of getting out before things fall apart.

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I agree with you completely and have been reading your latest posts with much interest. Thank you for writing as you have. it is a pleasure to see such varied interests. People in the US have always made fun of my "classical: and art interests if i ventured out of Academia or the art world! Not comfortable with someone who lived so many years abroad. Then at an old age, I was blessed and met my husband who is adventurous enough to agree we should move out of the states when he retires. We have fallen in love with the beaches in Nicaragua, but two concerns:1) what happens let's say 10 years from now to stability 2) health care, that though we are healthy now, the what if factor makes CR more attractive. I had lived 24 years in Italy so am used to a slower pace and won't have a problem. But am intrigues at your knowing when to leave a place. Spain is wonderful as is Portugal.
thank you again for your writing to us all.

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wow, so what about someone who pretty much resents most things about America and believes pretty much everything we think we know is a lie. Can't stand how the mantra is all that matters is the bottom line - no matter how you get it and this is only reinforced by our supposed leaders who are nothing but cheap whores, selling themselves for 10,20 even 30k or so when what they push through is making the corporation billions, if you're going to be a whore, at least be a high class one. Or maybe can't stand how no one seems to really care if you try to talk about the statistics since they privatized prisons, so a prisoner is seen as nothing more than profit. So much so that while this was a long time ago nothing has changed, when one company, I forget their name now off the top of my head, had a powerpoint presentation at their shareholders meeting touting the fact they do not rehabilitate their prisoners as it insures a high recidivism rate. Post could go on for days writing about all that is wrong here, basically comes down to I do not believe we are truly a democratic republic anymore, there was a coup long ago and it's all a dog and pony show to distract us from whats really going on and the whole purpose of the Republican and Democratic parties is simply to get me to hate the other guy so much, I will excuse anything my guy does believing it's better than having the other guy in charge but and this absolutely amazes me how intelligent people are so blind, if they paid attention, the same stuff gets done no matter who is in charge.....but I think u get the point.
So we are not welcome here ? Curious what category you fall under, business maybe ? Surely you didn't just come here yourself tired of your old way of life, seeking simply someplace where you felt you could do nothing more than find joy in the simple things in life, find happiness in those around you.
I guess I picked the wrong place then since I have none of what u listed.
And I had read Nicaraguans were a warm, open, welcoming people to those who made an effort to assimilate - oh, wait, you're not nicaraguan are you. Sorry, my bad

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Bluewind--
"We are here because we are not all there".

The rational mind would seek the best place they could afford, not the cheapest or the closest.

My opinion is Panama hands down, with CR being OK and the rest being also rans at best.

That is assuming you are a quality of lifer looking for a great retiement.

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