You ask a very good question, TurboZamboni, and one that I’ve been thinking about for quite some time.
Each place has its positives and negatives, which may be different based on the individual. For example, what does “moderate climate” mean? You mentioned Costa Rica and Belize, both of which many people would consider quite hot.
In any event, its best to stay away from the “retire here” articles, as you describe them. Instead, try this: http://bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com/questions-and-answers It has questoins and asnwers about Belize (which you mentinoed), Panama, and Nicaragua. The difference between this and the “retire here” sites is that this one has answers from LOTS of people already living overseas.
It has questions about gun laws, climate, government, safety, even a question on is each place a good one for preppers. Just use the search in the site, and it will give you the opinions of people on the ground.
One of the things that I found most interesting in my own research is that a place like Panama (and even Nicaragua, which is nominally socialist) actually provides more day-to-day freedom than the US. Why? Because their governments are so weak that they don’t have the ability to get into every aspect of your business.
In Nicaragua, for example, you can live like a king for $2,000 a month. Panama is a bit more expensive, and in Belize, it depends where you live. However, Belize is English-speaking. Panama is a pretty good choice, all around. Their economy is doing great, their government is stable and democratic, and you can choose your climate. They have mountainous areas like Boquete (famous expat location) where the temperate is in the mid-70s all year around. And, if you want to go to the beach, the Pacific is about an hour away, and you can even get to the Caribbean in about 3 hours.
Generally speaking, the advantages of Costa Rica are in the past. Its too expensive now and a bit unsafe.
If you have an open mind and the courage to look, there’s lots of places that can meet your criteria.
By the way, another interest of mine is to have one of these places get really smart and declare a “freedom zone”, which would operate on free market principles, rule of law, etc. Imagine how many people would move there? People vote with their feet. I would move there in an instant. Imagine the pressure it would put on other places, as the best of each country leaves to go there? Believe it or not, one of these countries is planning just that. I’m sorry, but I forgot which one. Also, there are plenty of reasons why it would fail. We can hope, though, can’t we?
Good luck with your search, TurboZamboni!
Great idea. With the internet they could also offer a world wide zero house percentage bit coin lottery, tax free if winners move there to claim it. They'd have mostly happy rich people immigrating there, the reverse of our Land of the Free Stuff.