Retire in Antigua Guatemala
In the 16 century considered as one of the three most beautiful city in the New World with Lima and Mexico, Antigua Guatemala as kept is charms intact. Read about it here Our first weeks were exciting as we learned our way around, built up our ability to walk everywhere we wanted to go, and learned the system of the tuk-tuks. These three-wheeled taxis built for two can take you anywhere in the city for US$1.20 to US$1.85. We walk one to two miles each day. It is our exercise program, and, after five months here, we are still discovering new places.
">Read about it here Our first weeks were exciting as we learned our way around, built up our ability to walk everywhere we wanted to go, and learned the system of the tuk-tuks. These three-wheeled taxis built for two can take you anywhere in the city for US$1.20 to US$1.85. We walk one to two miles each day. It is our exercise program, and, after five months here, we are still discovering new places.
">Guatemala City when we want to shop for things not available in Antigua. He is bilingual and charges US$80 for 8 to 10 hours of service. He negotiates discounts on purchases, supplies the van, and knows where to go for everything.
"We have a Price Mart and a huge Wal Mart store. Restaurant meals are $3.50 to US$4 for breakfast, US$4 to US$5 for lunch, and US$5 to US$10 per person for dinner. The most expensive dinner out in town costs about US$20 per person. Recently we splurged at the Mezon Panza Verde, the premier dining house in town. We enjoyed a nice bottle of wine and two steak dinners for less than US$60 total.
"Since we've been living here, Suzy has had two bouts of stomach problems and one sprained ankle. The visits to a private hospital for the stomach problems cost US$90, including examinations, lab work, and prescriptions. For the ankle problem, the bill was US$50.
"Strolling into the city center and beautiful Central Park, we found that few people speak English. The Mayan culture is prevalent, along with its many languages. Spanish becomes everyone's second language. So it was off to school for us! After a few weeks at a language school, though, we realized we'd be better off with a private tutor. Now, twice a week for four hours at a time, we have private lessons at our house. The total bill for the two of us is US$50. Today when we walk to the park, we speak Spanish to everyone. It is limited, but we make progress each week.
"We've also taken oil painting lessons. Six weeks of classes for the two of us cost US$100, including supplies. The fruits of our labor (four framed paintings) are hanging in the living room. This has been the fun part of our new life.
"Now for the nuts and bolts. Money!
"Our food budget is US$200. Fruits and vegetables are cheap. I can buy all that I can carry at the local mercado for US$3 to US$4; it's enough to last all week. Products imported from the States cost about the same as they do Stateside. Quality wine is available from Argentina, Chile, Italy and Spain. We're spending about US$150 a month on it, as we enjoy a nice bottle with our evening meal. Eating out is one of our big hobbies, as we enjoy the food and the chance to practice our Spanish. We allow US$300 per month for this.
"We get most of our medications through our senior coverage in the States. We budget US$25 a month for pharmacy expenditures and US$100 for doctors.
"The cost of entertainment is quite reasonable. Last week we attended a performance by a Costa Rican singer. She put on a full stage performance with singers, dancers, and great musicians. It lasted two hours and cost US$7.50. Plan on about US$100 a month for entertainment, and you will be very busy.
"Our utilities are averaging about US$190 a month, including Internet, land telephone, cellular telephone, and electricity. We have a maid who comes in on Wednesdays and Saturdays for three to four hours at a time. We pay her US$1.33 per hour. That's the going rate, and it amounts to a total of about US$35 per month.
"Expenses for the two dogs are running US$60 per month.
"Include US$100 per month in your budget for miscellaneous, because you will always find something interesting to buy.
"In all, we're spending about US$2,100 per month, and we are well covered and very comfortable.
