Cheers Terry started this same thread on TripAdvisor many years ago. Of course right now, it's not a great idea because of the current circumstances. But if things improved significantly, or even just back to the way things used to be, would you consider it?

I am not so sure now but before I would have told you for sure. But I could be 35 years away from retiring!!!! Something I have definitely dreamed about!!

I just turned 68 back in February - still working too - I need the coin. But back before the pandemic, I had every intension of retiring from my work at age 65 and then running off to live in Cuba for 6 months of the year through the winter months. Yudith and I were going to live 6 months in Canada during the warmer spring, summer, and fall months, and 6 months in Cuba the rest of the year to stay warm. We had it all planned out and our casa in Camaguey all fitted-out with the best modern appliances that money could buy. But that idea was quickly dropped during the pandemic, and especially since then as Cuba has deteriorated further into the equivalent of what I call a war zone. That dream is now dead. Yudith and our Cuban daughter Delenys will be coming to live and work here in Canada next year once they receive their PR status. Once working with limited vacation days granted, we'll likely only be able to return each year together for our typical end of year celebrations and grand fiesta at our casa with our other family members still stuck there in Cuba. Terry

I've looked into and considered Puerto Vallarta in retirement, that's for years what I thought I'd do. But that was before I was actually retired (lost my job in the covid pandemic and fortunately was able to call it a day). Now that I am there it seems too complicated without enough benefit. Guess it turns out I'd rather be a "snowbird" keeping my home base in USA (Seattle) and vacations in Mexico and Hawaii and the Caribbean.

I'm with you, Suze. I've dreamed, and still dream, about buying a place in Mexico or in Spain. But I think that the problems would outweigh the benefits.....like you, I travel a few times a year and (in March) stay for a few weeks in one place. Maybe that's the best of both worlds. I don't think I'd have to take every vacation in the same place; as it is, I can change from year to year...

I'd worry about the house/condo/apt during the times I would not be there....and in certain locations I might worry about medical care, although I know it's good in Spain and in Mexico.

You two ladies should really get together and meet up somewhere when travelling abroad - other than Cuba at the moment of course. It seems as though you both have similar situations and similar tastes.

I just wanted to add that I had actually applied for the permanent residency status to live in Cuba full time with my wife Yudith there after I retired from my work, and to be afforded all of the perks that come with that PR status too, short of being able to vote. But like every Cuban, I'd be entitled to the Libreta too - the ration book - not that there's much left on that thing to be had now, nor would I need it. I'd also be able to buy casas in Cuba with my name on the deeds - one extra casa out at the beach as well would have been great for us!. And would have been able to buy myself a motorcycle - a Harley Davidson Panhead or Knucklehead - a hog to cruise back and forth out there to the beaches as well. But alas... I was denied the PR status! Even though Yudith and I have been legally married for 9 years now, the Cuban government denied me the PR status after jumping through all of the hoops needed with the application submitted to Cuban immigration in Camaguey city, and forwarded on to Havana. Of course they never gave me an explanation as to WHY I was denied. They never do! But screw 'em! Now my wife Yudith and my Cuban daughter too will have their Canadian permanent residency status granted to both of them to live here in Canada with me next year - and that WILL happen without a doubt too. To the Cuban government - you snooze, you lose! Terry

Maybe if I was married to a Cuban. My wife and I are born Canadians and all our family are here. Cuba is our favourite sunny destination but I have no need to live there. We have met tourists in Cuba who stay 4 months of the year. That might be ideal but even that is a bit too long. A couple of months each winter at most.

Retire full-time there? Heck no. Three months in the winter - max. There is a big world out there that needs more discovering. Let's see how different the situation is in Cuba when I actually do retire.

For me personally, I would never retire to a permanent residence in a country other than my own for many reasons. I typically make one 3 month trip to Cuba every year and I am happy with that. The food scene is very challenging. Especially outside of Havana. My basic staples of whole grain bread, non dairy unsweetened milk, fresh berries, peanut butter, margarine, whole grain cereal, protein bars, quality tea and other drinks are extremely difficult or impossible to find. And for restaurants, most cities and towns lack any variety whatsoever. A man can only look at another piece of pork with rice again only so many times.

I agree with everyone else - retiring to live in Cuba now for anything more than 2 or 3 months (and even THAT would be painful) is completely out of the question. For us personally, the other 2 reasons why it's now better to have Yudith come to live here in Canada with me for 12 months of the year instead is that she personally needs to continue working as a veterinary technician to help stimulate her mind and keep her brain from turning to mush. She's bored sick whenever she's not able to work - she's not working now as there's never any electricity available within her veterinary clinic anymore. For me, I'll need the same as soon as I finally decide to retire from my work here in Canada. I had given great thought to what I would do in Cuba if living there full time - things that would keep me busy on a daily basis and preventing me from drinking myself to death. The best idea that I had come up with was to teach English classes out of our casa each day, and not for the money - Cubans don't have 2 centavos to rub together. But at least that would give me something to do and to also help me feel a sense of contribution and self-satisfaction to hedge against the daily boredom of living there in Cuba. But with everything else that's now wrong with Cuba, it would just be a daily struggle to survive there no matter what I might establish as extra curricular activities to help keep me occupied. At least retiring to live here in Canada, my options for mental stimulation will be endless. And Yudith can also begin earning REAL money for her efforts too, instead of the pittance that the Cuban state pays her each month - and that's only when the government actually has the money to pay her anything at all. Terry

I have enjoyed a few 6 month trips to Cuba. Most recently in 2021 when I was stuck there. Cuba is and always will be a unique destination. We have all talked about the things that would keep us away from living there full time. But remember the reasons why we keep going back in the first place. I love the constant sounds of music everywhere. A vibrant arts and cultural scene that is incredible for a country the size of Cuba. Spectacular architecture, beaches and nightlife. And of course for the amazing people themselves.

So many great things about Cuba. For me it is safe and close to home (4 hour flight). Not everything is perfect though. As a non-Cuban, you can become a target. Too many wannabe frens and the price gets inflated just for you. With the situation as it is now in Cuba, I am not sure why anyone would want to retire there. Whatever Cuba’s outcome, hopefully it continue to be a unique place to visit but the dream of retiring there died long ago for me.

CubanWaters, that's why you always need to have a Cuban wing-man there with you who you can trust to help keep everyone honest. I let Maikel do the buying or ordering for me when we're out and about - he knows the REAL prices for everything and can't be scammed into having me pay more. When it's just me and my wife out in the city center either shopping or eating / drinking in Cuban paladares, the same holds true - she's my wing-gal and does all of the negotiating and checking the restaurant bills for accuracy for me. Some still TRY to pull one over on me/us, but she always spots the errors and brings those to their attention to be corrected. It pays to have some kind of a Cuban entourage always hanging with you wherever one goes out on safari in Cuba. Terry

I always write down what I ordered and the cost, in any restaurant in Cuba. Especially in tourist areas or restaurants that I am not familiar with. At the end of my meal, the bill I am presented is always different than my own. I pay my total and have never had anyone complain.