canuck

Hi from the frozen north! We have been planning our retirement and had always pictured ourselves in Florida for 2-3 months every winter. But with the lousy Canadian dollar, we just can't make it stretch far enough in the U.S. for that amount of time. Can anyone share a similar experience - maybe you spent 2-3 months somewhere in Mexico or elsewhere where you felt safe, weather was great and it wasn't outrageously expensive. Would love to hear from you. Thanks.

Lan Sluder

There are cheaper places, but Belize has a good deal to offer, and quite a few Canadians have made the move. Belize has world-class diving, snorkeling and fishing in the Caribeban and lots to see and do on the mainland as well. It's a multicultural society, English is the official language and the legal system, unlike that in most of the rest of Latin America, is based on English common law.<BR><BR>If you stay away from tourist areas such as San Pedro or Placencia and choose a small town such as Corozal, you can find decent rental housing for Us$100 a month. Medical care, insurance, taxes and personal services are cheap, as are rum and Belizean style foods -- anything imported is likely to be as expensive or more expensive than in Canada.<BR><BR>The Belize government has a program to attract retired persons age 45 and over, similar to the now defunct pensionado program in Costa Rica.<BR><BR>There are downsides, too, but along with Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and a few other countries in the region Belize is worth a look.<BR><BR>How do I know? I've been banging around Belize for about 12 years and have written or co-written six books on the country, including one (Adapter Kit: Belize) on living, retiring and buying property in Belize.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder<BR>www.belizefirst.com<BR><BR>

canuck

Thanks Lan..very interesting. Did you say $100/month U.S. for a rental apt.?? That seems incredibly low even by Canadian dollar standards? Can you rent say for 2-3 months? And what can you expect for that rental price? One bedroom? Kitchen? outhouse?? (just kidding)...

Lan Sluder

For US$100, a simple cinder block or frame house, Belizean style, one or two bedrooms, in Corozal Town (not on the water). Bathroom but no air conditioning. For shorter term, you'd likely want something furnished, and that would be more.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder<BR><BR>

Susan

Another Canuck replying. Our dollar is terrible! I probably won't be retiring for another 8 or 9 years (unfortunately), and hopefully our economy will improve by then. <BR><BR>We usually spend a couple of weeks in Mexico and it is getting more expensive, like many other places. However, I didn't really find Belize much cheaper, at least when we were there 3 or 4 years ago. The Belize dollar is tied into the USD so it's always 2 for 1. <BR><BR>Friends of ours from BC have spent time in Melaque on the west coast of Mexico as well - they are retired and go for extended periods of time. I haven't been there myself. <BR><BR>Are you looking to be near the ocean? Mexico has some wonderful cities in the interior which I've found pretty reasonable. (I also am not sure I'd want 3 months in a beach community, but that's just me.) <BR><BR>Good luck with your planning!

canuck

Actually Susan..we too aren't crazy about beaching it for the whole time so would sure consider inland. Have heard San Miguel is getting pricy and overrun.Any other suggestions?

Susan

We've been to a few places in the interior - San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Morelia and Mexico City. Actually we just got back from Mexico City on the weekend - I loved my time there and I'll definitely go back - there's so much to see and do - but it's not a place where I'd want to live long term. We visited Morelia last winter for a week or so. Morelia is northwest of Mexico City. It's fairly large, but I really enjoyed it. The town centre is a world heritage site and the climate was wonderful. There are several schools and universities in the area. A good website for that area is http://www.mexconnect.com/forumsindex.html - they have a forum where you could find out more.<BR><BR>Another area that might appeal is Merida. It's been a few years since we were there, but you're within a few hours by bus of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, etc. if you wanted to go to a beach area. <BR><BR>I know you're asking about Latin America, but have you thought about something totally different, like Australia. I know the airfare is very high, but more Canadians seem to be going there. We were there in 1996 visiting my husband's family - at that time our dollar was worth less than theirs. Their dollar is now worth less than ours. $200 AUD came to $150 CAD at Christmas. Mind you, the length of the flight is a killer. <BR><BR>Another place we loved was Turkey - that would very reasonable - unfortunately it's not really warm enough in the winter, although maybe if you're really south along the Mediterranean.<BR><BR>Today in Toronto, I see all kinds of bulbs showing in my garden. Spring is on its way! But if I didn't have to work, I probably wouldn't chose to live here all winter.

Susan

Global news is running a story tonight about how the Mexican peso has done so well compared to our CAD. I guess it's true. Apparently Mexicans may start to vacation in Canada!

bobo

Unfortunately the Canadian dollar isn't worth anything anywhere!!!!!!<BR><BR>Good luck in finding a suitable exchange rate! Lira maybe?

Dave

Hi there. For the last 4 years my wife and I have been spending 4-5 weeks in the Progreso area of Yucatan. On the beach just north of Merida. We are planning on retiring in a couple of years and are planning on spending at least 3 months there when we do.<BR><BR>For us to fly down, rent a 3 bedroom 3 bathroom condo on the beach with a pool and all our linens and cooking facilities, and live a lifestyle equivalent or better than we do in Canada, costs us about $500/week per person. With the airfare being the same whether we were there for a month or 3 months, it would be even cheaper over the longer term. In fact, if we do spend our winters there, we would drive down.

brenda

aloha, we too are considering retirement (a ways off yet) and really LOVE Mexico and it's people...recently found a used book (I am sure you can get an updated version) this one is1988 and the title is "Choose Mexico retire on $400 a month" I am sure that is probably a bit more now...but many many great ideas, good info on different climates areas what is available, rents, food costs. hired help costs. medical hospitals, artis towns, silver towns, etc. etc. the book is by Howells & Merwin...good luck and hope to see you there....