15 Retirement Paradises Where You Live Like a King
With today’s economy, many Americans are worried about their retirement. Having worked for decades to save up, it isn’t very pleasant to see that the money you’ve so carefully saved may not stretch as far as you’d hoped. In fact, when you think about the life you hope to have in retirement versus the cost of living in the US, it can feel impossible to reach the life you’ve been dreaming of.
Because of this, many retirees are looking for places beyond the United States to stretch their retirement funds. If you’re willing to move outside of the United States for your retirement, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful locations where your dollars will stretch much further. To help you decide, we’ve gathered 15 of the best countries to retire in to ensure you can live like a king! Keep reading to discover some of these amazing retirement locations!
Best Central/South American Countries to Retire to
1. Peru
If you’re longing for the beach and all the delicious seafood that should come with it, Peru could be the right place to retire. Imagine having the Pacific Ocean right near your front door, with world wonders within easy traveling range as well. With as little as $2,000 a month, you can live a lavish lifestyle in the country’s capital or move outside the city and stretch your dollars further.
2. Uruguay
Nestled between Argentina and Brazil, you’ll find the tranquil country of Uruguay. While you won’t hear Uruguay talked about on the news often, we think that’s a good thing for would-be retirees! The country is known for its relatively stable political life, high quality of life, and strong healthcare. You’ll also be happy to know Uruguay offers excellent beaches and rural country scenes to enjoy!
3. Mexico
You may want to consider Mexico if you can’t imagine getting too far away from the United States. Mexico has many locations perfectly suited for retirees, plus it is easy to live on a budget in Mexico. You can settle in a big city such as Mexico City or explore one of many beach towns up the coast. You’ll get the best of both worlds: a high quality of life and a low living cost. Everything you could want in retirement, from housing and healthcare to nice meals, will be cheaper in Mexico.
4. Costa Rica
One of the best places to retire and live like a king these days is in Costa Rica. Costa Rica allows you to enjoy a tropical paradise at an incomparable price. You’ll find excellent weather, amazing vistas, welcoming people, and plenty of other ex-pats to make your retirement more enjoyable. Plus, if healthcare is one of your concerns, Costa Rica has one of the best healthcare systems in Latin America. That makes retirement in Costa Rica an even better deal!
5. Panama
Perhaps you don’t want to choose a particular retirement environment. Panama is the perfect place for retirees who want a bit of everything, from sand and ocean to skyscrapers and mountain peaks. In addition to its low comparative cost of living, Panama also offers tax incentives and discounts for retirees relocating to the country. The country has invested in attracting retirees, which can pay off for you!
6. Colombia
Are you interested in the vibes of island living without having to relocate to an actual island? Colombia, which sits at the top of South America, could be the right place for you in retirement. Although Colombia has had a tainted public image in recent decades, it is a lovely country with a low cost of living, allowing retirees to live well and enjoy every dollar. You could live in a beach-side city or a more reclusive countryside, whichever you prefer!
7. Ecuador
If you want to explore nature of all kinds in your retirement, consider heading to Ecuador. You could go from island to island in the Galapagos, explore the mountains, or walk through the valleys. Plus, you’ll be able to live like a king in Ecuador owing to the special breaks the government offers retirees and the visa program that makes it easy to make your way there. With $2,000 monthly, you can quickly get everything you need, making it easy to stretch an extra dollar in retirement.
Best Budget-Friendly European Retirement Destinations
8. Slovenia
If you’ve been reading through this list thinking South or Central America isn’t your style, don’t worry! Slovenia, a lesser-known European country near Italy, is also a spectacular place to retire. While you’ll be subject to the dollar/euro conversion rate in Slovenia, Slovenian prices are very reasonable. Even in the beautiful capital city, you can easily rent an apartment for less than $1,000 per month, leaving you with plenty of extra funds to enjoy.
9. Greece
Have you ever imagined yourself on a beautiful island during retirement? You can achieve that with a retirement in Greece! Whether you want to build a life in a small town somewhere or prefer more of a city, you can find both in Greece. Plus the Golden Visa program makes it relatively easy for retirees to get the proper paperwork sorted to move.
10. Spain
A European retirement sounds untenable to many. However, if you’re looking at Spain, it is more than you might think possible. Spain offers an excellent combination of peaceful, restful living with a remarkably low cost of living. If you plan correctly and check your requirements in advance, you may even be able to get onto Spain’s universal healthcare system. That’s just one more way to reduce your bills and ensure that you spend your retirement on what makes you happy.
11. Czech Republic
If you’re looking for a safe country in Europe for retirement, the Czech Republic is the way to go. As with every country on this list, you’ll enjoy a low cost of living in the Czech Republic. You’ll also have the beautiful architecture and history you would expect from a European destination. Plus, you’re almost guaranteed to see your friends and family more in retirement when you live where everyone wants to vacation! Consider the Czech Republic when you’re looking for your retirement paradise.
12. Austria
For lovers of music and the arts, there are few better places to retire than Austria! This lovely country is a cultural icon, full of vibrant cultural events. From music and art to the city’s beauty, you won’t run out of things to do in Austria. If you want to live in Vienna, prices will be a little bit higher. However, if you’re willing to get a little outside the main city, you can live like a king in retirement.
13. Portugal
If you want some peace in retirement, consider Portugal. This amazing country regularly earns the distinction of being one of the most peaceful nations on the planet. With favorable tax incentives for retirees and top-notch healthcare infrastructure, you can get everything you need & want in Portugal. As a bonus, being in Europe means easy travel to other destinations you may want to see!
Budget-Friendly Retirement Destinations in Asia
14. Malaysia
Moving abroad for retirement can sound scary, especially if you don’t speak your new country’s language. If that is a concern for you, Malaysia could be the right spot for you. With a high rate of English as a second language, many retirees can find a community and a low cost of living in Malaysia. Nature lovers will also be pleased with the variety and beauty of the local scenery, of which you’ll never grow tired!
15. Thailand
For anyone who feels the pull of adventure in retirement, you should consider retreating to the stunning landscapes of Thailand. Although Thailand is known as a backpacker’s paradise, the country has all the infrastructure you need for a comfortable retirement at a low cost. On top of this, the government has made the visa process extremely easy for retirees; just one more reason to put Thailand at the top of your list for retirement.
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