In the southern U.S., summertime heat and humidity drive people indoors into the air conditioning. That means enjoying the outdoors is a no-go for much of the year. And utility costs can go through the roof.
For Ray and Michele Martin, the year-round temperate climate of Costa Rica’s Orosí Valley leaves them with no need for heating or air conditioning. Temperatures stay in the 70s F most of the time, which means that they can get out on their farm all year-round.
In the morning, I like to take in the view from my balcony: To the south, I have the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the central Apennines, to the east, a turquoise stretch of the Adriatic Sea. And in between, olive groves, green meadows, and picturesque hilltop towns.
The smell of baking bread greets me as I walk along the narrow medieval streets in the early morning. The church bell is chiming. It’s September and there are no clouds to obscure the vivid cobalt-blue, Mediterranean sky.
If you’re someone who is looking for the conveniences of a good-sized city close to the beach and the mountains—I may have found the sweet spot for you. Especially if you are a trailblazer—someone who would enjoy the experience of immersing yourself in a new language and culture.
Front Street got its name because, to put it plainly, it’s in front. That is to say, it’s in front of Middle Street and Back Street, the other two primary lanes on tiny, five-mile-long Caye Caulker, Belize. Front Street faces the sea.
Because Caye Caulker is small, there aren’t many homes or condos available for sale. It’s a thin market with high demand. And prices have risen over the last few years. But there are still good deals to be found.
It’s like being inside an aquarium,” my grandchildren kept saying, as we made our way back to shore from their first diving trip in the Caribbean. I had been ecstatic about introducing them to my favorite activity since we moved to Belize.
By 6 a.m., the vendors are already setting up on my little lane in Chiang Mai, the university city of nearly 1 million people in northern Thailand that I call home. Fruit stalls and coffee stands, with waffles and egg breakfasts, line the lane; I can eat outside on little stools or take what I want back to my condo.
“The town is overflowing with charm and beauty,” says Jack Bramy, who has found his ideal retirement spot in Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast. “It’s everywhere, from tiny local bistros to the narrow cobblestone streets climbing up the hillsides."