Yesterday we reminded ourselves of the core promise on the table here.
Specifically, my promise to you in these dispatches, day by day, is that you can reinvent your life for the better and realize the retirement of your dreams on a budget of US$1,500 a month or even less.
In addition and very important, a low cost of living is only the beginning of this story.
When you retire abroad—even part-time—you open the door to adventure, opportunity, and freedom. You not only make it possible to reduce your cost of living. You make it possible to increase (I’d say dramatically) your quality of life.
We live in a great big beautiful world that is bursting with opportunity around every corner.
Please believe me: The life you want is waiting for you out here…
You just need to get up, get moving, and seize it for yourself.
Where in the world might be best for you?
After 35 years doing this, I have thousands of miles of boots-on-the-ground reconnaissance, decades of experience, and countless feedback from expat retirees…
In other words, I have a pretty good idea of your best options.
Right now, I’d identify 21 countries specifically… all places that are affordable, safe, and, frankly, incredibly appealing places to spend time.
Beach havens, Old World villages, exotic escapes—you’ll find them all in one of these 21 overseas Shangri-las:
| 1. | Belize
An English-speaking Caribbean escape that values independence… this is an adventure wonderland with rain forests, reefs, Mayan ruins, rivers, waterfalls, and white-sand beaches… |
| 2. | Portugal
A sunny and surprisingly affordable European destination, and home to our #1 choice for World’s Best Retirement Haven… This is one of the most popular expat destinations in the world, meaning you could easily get by on English alone… |
| 3. | Argentina
From cosmopolitan Buenos Aires to Mendoza wine country… this country is on a comeback track with a stable economy and a remarkably low cost of living… |
| 4. | Dominican Republic
A quintessential Caribbean, sand-fringed island nation with a low cost of living and the best values in the region… This country also boasts one of the best residency and citizenship programs we’ve ever known… |
| 5. | Chile
The ease of First World living, plus easy residency with low hassle. Plus, U.S. dollar holders benefit from significant bargains thanks to favorable currency exchange rates… |
| 6. | Colombia
After years of an unfair stigma, this country is finally emerging as one of the world’s greatest expat and investment destinations… Specifically Medellín—a European-feel city with a Latin American cost of living… a personal favorite and part-time home for me and my family… |
| 7. | Ecuador
Arguably the most affordable retirement haven in the Americas… a popular retirement haven that boasts colonial cities, great weather, and some of the cheapest coastal real estate found anywhere… |
| 8. | France
The world’s best health care, the world’s most beautiful city, and more affordable than you might think, especially thanks to a weak euro. I can tell you the best value destinations both within and outside of Paris… including the “other” (and more affordable) South of France… |
| 9. | Slovenia
The newest entry to our list of the world’s best expat havens is an incredibly safe and cultured European destination whose affordability is only outmatched by its beauty… |
| 10. | Malta
Long a favorite expat destination among the British, this Mediterranean island boasts rich culture, stunning vistas, and the easiest (and cheapest) requirements for EU residency. Plus, English is one of the official languages, so getting settled in is a breeze… |
| 11. | Malaysia
Possibly the most welcoming Asian destination… its “My Second Home” program is custom-made for foreign retirees, with tax benefits and property-purchase incentives… |
| 12. | Italy
Your dream of la dolce vita is more affordable than you think. Our top regions here are affordable, coastal, and nearby to nearly everything… In one of our favorite places here, you could ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon… |
| 13. | Brazil
A huge, diverse nation boasting excellent investment opportunity, world-class beaches, and bargain property on the coast… |
| 14. | Mexico
Accessible, affordable, and home to an array of diverse lifestyle options… from the beaches to colonial mountain towns… This is the most popular overseas haven for Americans, and well more than 2 million U.S. and Canadians live here at least part time (and for a good reason)… |
| 15. | Thailand
Jaw-droppingly affordable and exotic… Thailand boasts an incredible melting pot of expats from around the world… This “Land of Smiles” is famously welcoming… and its soft-sand beaches are arguably the most stunning in the world… |
| 16. | Indonesia
Specifically Bali, where affordable island living is complete with hidden beaches, sea temples, and cliffside wonders… the well-established expat community here would love to welcome you… |
| 17. | Montenegro
Another new addition to our list, this coastal nation sits across the Adriatic Sea from Italy… and it’s arguably the most affordable expat haven in Europe. The British have been coming to its coasts for years, and now we’re introducing it to the rest of the English-speaking world… |
| 18. | Uruguay
Safe, stable, and tranquil… a great place to raise a family… like the America you remember from your childhood… |
| 19. | Vietnam
Truly welcoming people, an unbelievable low cost of living, and another contender for the most beautiful beaches in the world… This exotic locale is one of the more popular North American expat destinations in Asia… |
| 20. | Spain
An established haven for foreign investors and expats with great beaches, markets, restaurants, attractions, and fiestas… we’ve got the intel on the best places for expats and investors… |
| 21. | Panama
The world’s #1 haven when considering lifestyle, retirement, and investment altogether… This is truly a “do-everything haven,” and it’s where I’ve chosen to call home. From the modern capital city to the Caribbean archipelago, this place has something for everyone… |
Kathleen Peddicord
