About Dharmagranny

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Portugal: Safety, social atmosphere for retired American single woman?:

I am 69, divorced, retired on SS pension and a civil service pension, probably together adequate to live in Portugal. Very well traveled (not afraid to travel alone and have lived and worked in all kinds of developing countries), political liberal and well educated former journalist. I am not the kind to sit around or play cards and shuffleboard....would like to travel, enjoy the food, mingle with the locals, and also find some forward-thinking, fun expat friends. Any suggestions on what part of Portugal might be a good fit for me when I am ready to come there in about a year (winter 2017)? I have read a bit about the non habitual residency visa. I don't want to become a Portuguese citizen, but I want ideally to stay in the country for years and come and go at will to other destinations around the world and periodic returns to the US. Is that even possible without some kind of citizenship comittment and/or big bank deposit such as one needs to make in Ecuador and Thailand to "buy" a resident visa. I don't have the $25,000 to do that. I am clueless on the long term visa situation (what you can get, the hoops to jump through,, the contacts in the US to accomplish the paperwork, etc). I am not planning to import any vehicles or pets or household goods, just want to rent a flat that is cheap, nice and furnished. I love the beach, I love the city, I love the country, I love the mountains! I don't mind the cold but I am not at all happy spending extended time in heat over about 80 degrees F. Ideally someplace in the country that is not more than an hour from the beach by rented car or public transportation. I can google but I would really appreciate having that invaluable advice that only expats living in the country or who have lived there recently can offer. Thanks so much!

Mexico: Buddhist groups in Mexico?:

Are there any active Buddhist groups in Mexico? Especially in or near San Miguel de Allende? What school of Buddhism and what teachers are followed? Thanks.

Mexico: hiring a Mesican driver laredo to san miguel e allende:

I have heard that people hire Mexican drivers. Can anyone help me find information that? Is there an attorney anyone would recommend who can do the auto permits, visas, insurance, hiring a driver, and all of it? I want to take my new Chevy truck from Laredo to San Miguel de Allende late in 2016 (date unknown, probably around December, unless that is a foolish time to travel). I am planning to stay there about 6 months or whatever visas will allow and then make the return trip up the Baja coast. I am a single female age 69, well traveled globally and not a scaredy cat, but not foolish enough to make this trip alone. Thanks sinceely for the help.

Mexico: If you are an American retiree with resident status in Mexico, do you need to report global income to file tax return in Mexico or only the income generated in Mexico?:

Sincerely hope you are right. Both Trump the Rump and Hillary Rodham the Corporation are dangerous for our foreign policy and especially dangerous for the expat community, many of whom depend upon Social Security for a significant percentage of their income.

Mexico: Relocating from US:

I am looking into San Miguel de Allende. One of the attractions is that there are reportedly good nursing and assiated living homes there, for the time (not too many years) when I will probably need that. Does anyone on the forum have knowledge or experience with that? Also, I want to bring my Chevy truck into Mexico. Can't sell it, it is too new and I would take a beating. How likely am I to have problems driving it from the US to San Miguel de Allende, and does anyone have experience with hiring a Mexican driver, and what do they charge? Whew. Lotsa questions. Thank you.

Nepal: Expatriate:

Does the marriage have to be a civil one? Specifically, even though a Buddhist marriage may not be recognized as legal for citizenship purposes, might it be enough for property ownership and longer term residency purposes? Long shot.

Date Joined:

5/4/2016

Total Posts:

7

Posts/Day:

0.02