Reaching retirement age, many people reassess their options. No longer bound by geographic commitments to employers, and often in need of a location that is more affordable, many retirees are relocating internationally to destinations that offer affordable retirement, great healthcare, and a high standard of living
2. TheWorld’s Best Places to Retire
for less than $2,000 per month:
▪ Europe:
▪ Portugal
▪ France
▪ Italy
▪ Turkey
▪ Asia:
▪ Philippines
▪ Thailand
▪ Latin America:
▪ Costa Rica
▪ Nicaragua
3. Europe
There are some hidden gems in Europe that are both
affordable and lovely, granting the high standard of
living on a budget that retirees can handle.
4. Portugal
While not all areas
of Portugal are
affordable for the
retiree on a limited
budget, there is
one golden little
town that some are
calling the “best
place in the world
to retire.”
Welcome to the
coastal town of
Algarve.
5. Portugal
• Home to over 100,000 expatriates in retirement
• Ranked the 17th safest country on the planet
• Good infrastructure
• International standard health care
• Great weather
• Easy residency programs for retirees and ex-pats
• Foreign drivers’ licenses are valid until they expire
• Extensive bus and railway network that will get
you where you need to go
• According to a report by USA News, a budget of as
little as $1,500 per month will suffice for a retired
couple to live comfortably
6. France
Surprisingly affordable,
small southern rural towns
like Carcassonne offer those
who love good food, wine,
old world charm and a laid
back atmosphere a lot to
consider.
The city of Pau is another
great expatriate retirement
choice, with terrific weather
and verdant slopes filled
with rich vineyards. A
university town, the young
culture will help keep those
in their golden years feeling
youthful and lively.
7. France
• Some of the best health care in the world: If you
join the CMU, pre-existing conditions are not
taken into account
• France has a great public transportation system
• Once you acquire your long-term visa, you must
register to the French Office of Immigration and
Integration to obtain your residence permit
• Learning basic French will help tremendously
8. Italy
With gorgeous
beaches and nearby
mountains, Abruzzo
is one of Italy’s best
kept secrets;
peaceful and
reminiscent of old-
world Italian days
gone by, a couple
could easily retire
here on less than
$2000 a month and
enjoy a quiet, gentle
lifestyle.
9. Italy
• Italy ranks number 2 on the World Health
Organization’s list of health services
• The famous delicacy of Italian cuisine, beautiful
landscape, and the historic culture of Italy await
retirees from all walks of life.
• Learning Italian is a huge plus for making the most
of the lifestyle, but fluency is not required by any
means
10. Turkey
Those looking to
retire in a big city
may want to
consider Istanbul,
which touches the
shores of both
Europe and Asia.
Exceedingly
affordable, those
looking for a “euro-
chic lifestyle” can
enjoy world class
city living with
access to café’s,
parks, culture, and
river-walks.
11. Turkey
• Weather in Istanbul is reminiscent of a
Mediterranean environment, with warm
summers, rainy winter months, and mild spring
and autumn weather
• Healthcare is relatively cheap inTurkey compared
to the rest of Europe
• Turkish is the official language, but expats will find
that many people speak English
• A two bedroom apartment goes for $440.31 (1,000
lira) per month
• Buses will get you around the city for a cheap fare
12. Asia
There are a number of great destinations in Asia
where folks can retire on a shoestring budget.
13. Philippines
Welcoming and
friendly, the English-
speaking people of
Dumaguete are
inviting to expatriate
retirees.
With a warm,
tropical climate and
plenty of culture,
those who choose to
retire in the
Philippines can
enjoy the best of
both city life and
outdoor adventures.
14. Philippines
• Good medical care
• Big expat community
• Medical costs are also much lower than the US
• Filipino doctors are usually trained overseas, and
their nurses are world-famous for their
friendliness and skill
• Tagalog is the national language, but English is
the second language
• Renting a house can go for $400 to $600 per
month
• The Philippine Retirement Authority provides a
plan that will grant resident visas
15. Thailand
The small city of
Chiang Rai enjoys a
cozy feeling set
against a backdrop
of lush green forests,
stunning waterfalls,
hot springs and
tropical jungle.
Thai food is known
worldwide for its
decadent flavor,
featuring popular
dishes like PadThai,
Kao Phad, and Kuay
Tiew.
16. Thailand
• For less than $1,000 (32,645Thai baht) a month, a
retired couple can enjoy a very comfortable, and
peaceful, lifestyle
• Growing medical tourism has led to a high
standard of health care inThailand
• You’ll be fine inThailand speaking English, but
learning common words and phrases inThai is
highly recommended
17. Latin America
Close to home, Latin America is a favorite for many
retirees because of its easy access to North America.
After all, visiting the grandkids can be expensive
when a plane is needed to get there. Prudent retirees
consider relocating to Latin America to help extend
their nest egg.
18. Costa Rica
While admittedly
the most expensive
Central American
country to live in,
Costa Rica is still a
haven for retirees
who wish to retire
fairly close to home
and on a budget,
with affordable, high
standard health
care, great weather
and all the amenities
you could expect in
any developed
country.
19. Costa Rica
• Healthcare costs in Costa Rica are about a third of
what you would pay in the United States
• The official language is Spanish, but English is
widely spoken throughout the country
• Public transportation is readily available
everywhere so you could easily do without a car
• While housing is more expensive in the beach
cities and in the capital, rural areas are cheaper
(and, some say, more beautiful); a retired couple
can easily live on less than $2000 per month.
20. Nicaragua
MSNBC has referred
to Nicaragua as “the
world’s best kept
retirement secret”
and other notable
magazines and
reports have named
it among the top ten
best places to retire
in the world.
Nicaragua is
beautiful, its people
are friendly, and the
cost of living is
extraordinarily low.
21. Nicaragua
• Comprehensive retiree benefit program
• Amazing tax benefits for foreign retirees
• High quality health care in Nicaragua at an
affordable cost
• A three bedroom apartment costs about $460 per
month to rent
• A new highway system makes transportation
around the country a breeze
22. Retiring abroad is more feasible than many retirees believe.Your
nest egg may go much farther in many countries.
NYShipping is happy to provide
more information on international relocation
