[IL Moderator]

Hi @JSWIGART2 thanks for your question!

We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,

Taxes are levied at different rates at different income levels. When we say “a 25% rate” or a “40% rate” we are referring to the top marginal tax rate we pay. How much you end up paying to a foreign government once you become tax resident depends on the effect of all that country’s tax rates on your income. You may not pay a total of 15% more, but if the tax rate is higher, you will definitely pay more.

If you’d like to get more advice on diversification from Ted try his consulting service here: https://pro.globalcitizenliving.com/m/2355094

[IL Moderator]

Hi Ray,

Thanks for your question!
Read our article here on Living Overseas with a Disability: Wheelchair Access & Assisted Living where you will find information from country correspondents, including Portugal, who have submitted their observations about mobility accessibility in various countries.
You will also find some useful information in our other articles here: How to Travel The World in a Wheelchair and Moving Abroad With A Disability-Tips on Becoming an Expat

Best of Luck!

[IL Moderator]

Hi @STACEYARBETTER

To tag a user in a message, type the “@” symbol followed by the first few letters of the person’s name. As you type, a list of names will appear, showing people you can tag. Select the correct name from the list, and their username will be included in your message.

We are working on the private message feature, we’re hoping to have it available for users in the coming weeks.

Millie, IL Community Moderator.

[IL Moderator]

Welcome Ray, it’s great to have you!

In this forum you’ll find helpful posts on different countries. Our Southeast Asia section is a place dedicated to navigating life in Southeast Asia with valuable insight, tips, and shared experiences which you may find useful for your journey in Thailand!

Again, welcome to the Community!

[IL Moderator]

Hi @KAKIFRY_DP Thanks for your question!

We’ve checked in with Glenda Cole to get an answer to your question, here is her response,

Like much of the world, temps have indeed increased in Portugal over the last few years. This kind of heat is unusual, but we had a similar heat wave across central Portugal and Spain two summers ago.

I live in the beautiful Algarve on the southern coast, where the sea breezes offset this heat.

[IL Moderator]

Hi @TDECHILL thanks for your question!

We’ve checked in with Roland Dalton, an expat in Southeast Asia and Norm Bour, a full-time travel journalist and nomad.

Here’s what Roland had to say: Choosing the right area in Penang is what it is all about for a condo or house. There are many areas from Batu Ferringhi next to the beaches in the north all the way down to Banyan Lapas in the south. Only way is to check them out personally. We have friends who live in the Gurney Drive area, amazing shopping, and everything except the heritage feel, however it is only a short trip to Georgetown, Penang’s amazing capital. For us we prefer the traditional area of Balik Pulau , with very few tourists, local markets and friendly locals.
With many condos they do not accept pets. Although some do. Some areas have houses with gardens which I’m sure the dogs would prefer. Many of my expat friends in Malaysia have brought their dogs to the country and I’ve always heard positive reports about them bringing them by aircraft.

Here’s what Norm had to say: We spent almost two months in Malaysia, but mostly in Kuala Lumpur with a week or so in Penang, which was NOT long enough. Our room was in George Town based on what many recommended, and since Penang is a big foodie magnet we found it to be yummy! It did get QUITE hot in April, so that would be a red flag (no pun) or what may be during the peak of summer.
As to traveling with dogs (or any animals), every country is different, with some more strict than others. A quarantine is typical, and although you may not need a pet passport, like in many EU countries, you do need an import licence. Yours is a small dog, so presumably not one of the “banned” dogs, which some countries will ban. We enjoyed our stay in Malaysia and have identified it as one of our Four Home locations in SEA, along with Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand. Good luck!

[IL Moderator]

Welcome Deb, it’s great to have you!

Remember you can access and search the International Living Magazine Archive and reach out to IL Customer Service about your membership benefits. You’ll find information on books and other products and upcoming events. In this forum you’ll find helpful posts on different countries (and we invite you to post questions you don’t find the answers for).

Again, welcome to the Community… you’re an ILer now. Here’s to thinking… and living… internationally

[IL Moderator]

Hi Robert,

Here is the link to access ‘The Best Ways to Find Rentals Overseas’ report: https://bit.ly/3SAzr5I

Millie, IL Community Moderator

[IL Moderator]

Hi Dennis, thanks for getting in touch!

Check out our July Issue of IL Magazine where you can find some information and suggestions on 3 Cool-Weather Spots to Beat the Heat and the Crowds in Europe.

Thanks again,
Millie, IL Community Moderator

[IL Moderator]

Hi Kathleen, thanks for reaching out.

For all customer service inquiries please go to the Contact Us page on the International Living website https://internationalliving.com/contact-us/ and use the form to submit your question. You can also check out our FAQs here https://internationalliving.com/page/faq/ From Team IL.

Millie, IL Community Moderator

[IL Moderator]

Welcome John, it’s great to have you!

In this forum you’ll find helpful posts on different countries. Our Portugal section is a place dedicated to navigating life in Portugal with valuable insight, tips, and shared experiences which you may find useful for your journey!

Again, welcome to the Community!

[IL Moderator]

Welcome Brian, it’s great to have you!

Remember you can access and search the International Living Magazine Archive and reach out to IL Customer Service about your membership benefits. You’ll find information on books and other products and upcoming events. In this forum you’ll find helpful posts on different countries (and we invite you to post questions you don’t find the answers for).

Again, welcome to the Community… you’re an ILer now. Here’s to thinking… and living… internationally

[IL Moderator]

Hi John,

We’ve checked in with Roland Dalton an expat in Southeast Asia, Norm Bour a full-time travel journalist and nomad, and Keith Hockton who is IL’s Asia Correspondent, to get answers to your question.

Here is what Roland had to say: The health care in all of the Philippines is divided in two, in the urban areas it is far superior, with some excellent western style hospital/ medical facilities, many doctors having studies in the States and Australia. It is also reasonably inexpensive compared to North American costings.
In the rural areas it is sub standard, the local populace cannot afford the medical fees, also in the rural areas in the south, malaria is still prevalent as is rabies. These ailments are very rarely found in the built up areas.
Basically if you’re going to get sick, do it in a built up area!!
From Davao, Darwin, Australia is only a few hours flight away. Aussie has many reciprocal health agreements with many other countries.

Here is Norm’s response: John, the question of “health care” is one of the most common that we run into. As older (70/71) US residents who have been on the road since 2019, we have encountered a few “challenges,” including a few emergency room visits.
When it comes to health care in a certain COUNTRY, it depends on your status with the government of that country. This information is NOT legal information, but is based on research on the Philippines and many other similar situations.
If you are a “citizen,” with the full rights and privileges, you would be entitled to the same as everyone else, which would probably include public services (usually free or cheap, but may be busier in hospitals), but you can also get private insurance as well. We encountered that in Mexico, Turkei, and many other countries. Presumable you will be/ or have been entitled to live in the Philippines due to your marriage (exclusive of visa limitations), but I cannot tell you if that makes you a “resident” or some other category. Some countries grant spouses the full rights and privileges, others do not. The pool and the gym you speak of might not come into the picture at all, but if you need emergency services or medical treatment, the country has well trained physicians, though their actual facilities may not be as good as other countries. Davao is a large city, so their services would probably be up to par with Manilla and other large towns.”

Here is Keith’s response: There are some very good clinics in Manila, but they are not cheap and they cater to a well heeled crowd. Outside that area not so much – three people that I spoke to there said that for something serious they would fly to Kuching, in Sarawak or directly to Penang or KL, in Malaysia. There are direct flights from Manila.

[IL Moderator]

Hi @KAKIFRY_DP, these replies should be visible to you now.

Millie, IL Community Moderator

[IL Moderator]

Hi @CNUGENT1 Thanks for your question!

We’ve checked in with Glenda Cole, our expert in Portugal, to get an answer to your question. Here is her response,

First, that type of renting is called long let. When searching, enter “long lets in _____”. Idealista.com is a great site for both buying and renting, but it can be difficult to find just a month or two there. If you have a general idea of what area you would like to explore, you can look for long let companies in that area. Typically, going local can save you money. For example, I rent my villa near the sea in the Algarve in July and August. You can find it on Air BnB, but you would save quite a bit by going through my local management company, Luz Villa Rentals.

Before I bought, I used to rent in the western Algarve for three months in the winters. I used two companies: Lagos Long Lets and Coolhouses Algarve. Both were good.

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