After a career of service and sacrifice, military Veterans face an important question when they retire: Where to go? A growing number of American Veterans are opting to live outside of the nation they served in search of a higher quality of life—and a more affordable one.
Retiring from military service isn’t merely leaving a career, it’s transitioning from one way of life into something else entirely. It’s navigating a new chapter. One that ideally offers Veterans the life they deserve after a career that doesn’t take it easy on the mind, body, or soul.
You can say a lot of things about military service, but you can’t say it makes you rich. Veterans do retire younger and gain access to lifelong benefits, but the skyrocketing cost of living makes a comfortable life on a military pension in American cities next to impossible. A lot of Veterans serve twenty challenging years in the military only to be ushered straight into the civilian workforce to pay the bills.
Retiring abroad changes the math. It means you can retire younger with the energy and health required to fully enjoy life. Many Vets aren’t willing or ready to hang up the uniform and resign themselves to a conventional life. Moving abroad keeps the adventure rolling and Vets can enjoy a comfortable life on their fixed income.
Why Vets Make Perfect Expats
Veterans are adaptable and after years of bouncing between bases, deploying, and traveling they find themselves uniquely suited to expat life.
After navigating foreign countries, eating diverse cuisines, and experiencing different cultures they’ve practically earned a PhD in cultural immersion.
Military service provides a crash course to expat life and with American military bases in eighty countries, there are a lot of options. American service men and women serve on every continent, including Antarctica as well as under the ocean and into space.
Veterans possess an adventurous spirit—not everyone has the guts to join the military. Serving in the military provides you with a unique comfort with change, resiliency in unfamiliar surroundings, and diverse perspectives. Military personnel can have a sixth sense about personal safety and are obsessed with preparedness. Like a mix between a boy scout, a ninja, and your crazy uncle who’s prepping for the zombie apocalypse.
A lot of people stress about moving across town, but Veterans have turned relocation into an art form. An entire life can be quickly squeezed into a duffel bag or two. Moving abroad is far from a terrifying endeavor; it’s just another day to someone who’s done it before. You can drop a Veteran into a foreign country and within a week they’ll have a favorite bar, will have adopted a dog, and made local friends.
Any expat will tell you, one of the most annoying and frustrating parts of living abroad is visas and bureaucracy. Veterans have a bullshit threshold that’s a lot higher than your average person, with years spent getting multiple signatures, resending forms, and dealing with lost paperwork. Any Veteran has already signed their life away on a contract. A visa form is far from intimidating and waiting in lines is normal to someone who has been hurrying up only to wait for years.
The Allure Of A Cheaper Life
There’s no ignoring that the primary motivator for a lot of Veterans is economics. Most of us would agree life has gotten too damn expensive in the United States. Many Vets can take their fixed income and live a higher quality of life in places where rent, transportation, and food costs are a fraction of what they cost back home.
Financial health is mental health and when you’re not worrying about paying the bills, you can relax.
Veterans can enjoy luxuries abroad that they can’t in the United States, everything from having a maid to being able to drink the good stuff. Ocean views, nicer clothes, and pursuing pricey hobbies like scuba diving and golf are a possibility outside of the United States. If you’re a Veteran, you should enjoy your retirement—you fought for the American dream, even if you can’t afford it.
There’s always been two ways to improve your financial situation, you can make more or spend less. But now Veterans are discovering a third option, you can just move abroad and go from Ramen noodles to full course meals out on the town. Moving abroad takes Veterans from surviving to thriving.
The Desire For Peace
Beyond the financial benefits, retiring abroad offers Veterans an opportunity for a lifestyle with more peace, health, and a slower pace. The struggles American Veterans face after service aren’t a secret. It’s difficult to transition into civilian life, it’s a challenge to battle PTSD, and the military leaves a mark on everyone who serves. A fresh start offers a fresh chance for a lot of Veterans who need a change in environment to change themselves.
For many Veterans, a change in scenery isn’t only refreshing, it’s transformative. Many countries offer a laidback, slower paced lifestyle. Urban life in the United States can be fast paced, triggering, and overwhelming. In contrast, life abroad can be unhurried and have more balance between work, recreation, and leisure time.
There’s a deep sense of shared purpose in the military; everyone’s on the same team and sets aside personal differences. In the military, cohesiveness is a necessity and in contrast, American society feels increasingly fragmented. Daily life in other countries is less politicized and relocating overseas can rekindle the communal spirit Veterans miss from the military.
The Top 5 Countries For American Veterans
Making an informed choice about where to live is a blend of a few different considerations. It’s taking into account practical needs and personal preferences. When thinking about the most ideal countries for American Veterans, a few places stand out.
Countries with an already existing Veteran expat population go to the top of the list, because Veterans often want to be around other Veterans. A Veteran population will also equate to healthcare options geared towards Veterans, Veteran programs, and organizations as well as a place where one can live well on a military pension.
The Dominican Republic: Caribbean Vibes
The Dominican Republic offers a mix of a tropical life, vibrant culture, and affordability for Veterans. There are Veteran healthcare centers around the island, catering specifically to American Veterans who accept the Foreign Medical Program of the Veterans Administration.
The Dominican people are very welcoming, friendly and love to have a good time. It’s the birthplace of Bachata, baseball is king, and it’s the only country in the world with the bible on its flag. The national motto is “Dios, Patria y Libertad” which translates to God, homeland, and liberty and the Dominican people are very patriotic.
The proximity to the United States, beautiful beaches, a thriving Veteran community, and easy immigration requirements make the Dominican Republic an attractive option. Foreigners have full property rights with taxes a fraction of the cost of the United States.
Dominican Republic Resources
- Veterans in Paradise
- Veterans Community Care Abroad (Punta Cana)
- USA DR Veteran Healthcare (Puerto Plata)
The Philippines: Stretching Every Dollar In An English-Speaking Haven
During WW2, over 260,000 Filipinos enlisted to fight for the United States and the Veterans Administration operates the Manila VA Outpatient Clinic. This is the only VA clinic outside the United States and provides treatment for service-connected Veterans. America no longer operates military bases in the Philippines but has access to them for rotational deployments, joint training, repairs, and resupply.
The Philippines has a big Veteran population because first off, English is widely spoken. This makes relocation and integration far simpler and day-to-day life easier. Not to mention the paperwork involved in expat life. The Filipino people also have a familiarity and comfortableness with U.S. service members due to shared history and there’s mutual respect.
The cost of living is a huge draw and there’s many services for expats, from health care centers to entire expat communities.
The entire country, with over 7,000 islands is an adventure lover’s paradise and an ideal place to rest, reflect, and heal. The people value family and community—something Veterans deeply connect with. With the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion operating posts in the country, the Philippines isn’t just a good option for a Veteran retirement, it’s a great one.
Philippines Resources
Panama: Home Away From Home
Veterans have a long history with Panama and many Veterans that served there, stayed. Panama has a slower pace of life than the United States but still has modern comforts and luxuries. The country has a strong connection to the American military since the Panama Canal era and a high percentage of English speakers.
Panama is a one of the few foreign countries that Veterans can go and still feel at home.
The cost of living is significantly less than the United States, especially outside of Panama City. A military pension and benefits will provide any Veteran or even family with a comfortable life in a beautiful place.
Panama also uses the U.S. dollar which gives Veterans a familiar feel. Panama also has one of the best visa programs for retirees, the Pensionado. This is hands down one of the best options for Veterans anywhere in the world.
“The residency process (Pensionado) is very simple and can be completed in a short time period. The requirements are simple. A clean background check and $1,000 a month lifetime income from a military retirement or disabled Veterans at 100% Permanent and Total.” –Jay Schurz of Pana-Jungla Advisory.
Panama delivers a balance unmatched by other countries. It’s affordable, accessible, and comfortable.
Boquete offer spring-like weather year-round and mountain views. Coronado is a beach town just an hour from Panama City with a strong expat population and plenty of Veterans. For Veterans used to city living, Panama City has a cosmopolitan feel, world class hospitals and a great restaurant scene. There’s easy access to the United States, a high-quality life, and great people in Panama.
Panama Resources
- Pana- Jungla Advisory – A Veteran Helping Vets Relocate to Panama
- Panama American Legion Facebook Group
- Information For Veterans by Panama Relocation Tours
Thailand: Low-Stress, Low-Cost, And Welcoming
Thailand stands out for Veterans keen to prioritize mental and physical health. There is abundant natural beauty, friendly people, and Buddhist culture. It’s called the Land of Smiles for a reason. The entire country creates a healing environment and promotes recovery. Many Veterans report lessened PTSD, anxiety, and depression simply from being immersed in Thai culture.
Veterans feel welcomed and respected in Thailand, it’s a nation that deeply reveres its elders. The country is, in a word, polite. Thai culture encourages patience and compassion which can be great for Veterans coming from the high stress environment of military culture.
Thailand is also a fitness and wellness lover’s paradise, with retreats, spas, world-class gyms, and one of the best martial arts communities in the world. Another bonus of life in Thailand is the affordability and availability of great food at a low cost. The markets across the nation are a wonderful community hang out and Thailand offers arguably the best cuisine in the world.
Many Veterans wait until they are fifty and can quality for the Retirement Visa before their move to Thailand.
An attractive feature is that the country boasts many different Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and American Legions. The posts there give back to the local community and help Veterans with specific health care, billing, and the foreign medical program of the VA.
If you’re looking to escape to the other side of the world and thrive after service, Thailand might be your spot.
Thailand Resources
- The Joint United States Military Advisory Group, Thailand
- Fred J Estes VFW Post Pattaya, Thailand
- US Veterans in Thailand Facebook Group
Costa Rica: The Good Life In A Peaceful Haven
For Veterans who want to get away from the military, Costa Rica is an interesting option because it’s one of the few nations without a standing military. Costa Rica made a unique decision to abolish it’s military and redirect those funds to health care, education, and infrastructure. This has greatly shaped the national identity and it’s one of the most peaceful and stable nations in Latin America.
Costa Rica, like Panama, has a solid Pensionado visa ideal for retired Veterans. You’re also eligible for Costa Rica’s public health care program when approved, can import household goods tax-free, and can buy a vehicle without import taxes.
For Veterans who might not qualify for the Pensionado, if you’re working remotely and earning $2,500 a month or deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank you can qualify for the Rentista visa which offers similar benefits.
When you touch down in Costa Rica, you’ll hear “Pura Vida” constantly which translates to pure life but it’s really a mindset. It emphasizes enjoying the present moment and gratitude. For Veterans seeking to make the most of their time in nature, enjoying adventure activities, and living the good life Costa Rica is a great option.
Over a quarter of the country is designated as national park land or reserves so you can really dive deep into the natural world. For Veterans looking for harmony and peace, Costa Rica is a solid option but it is a lot pricier than its central American neighbors.
Costa Rica Resources
After years of following orders, serving and sacrificing Veterans deserve a life that offers peace, comfort, and maybe even a little fun. We didn’t serve our country to come home and sit in a cubicle, traffic, or hear our neighbors argue about politics. We served for freedom and maybe that freedom exists beyond America’s borders.
For me, moving abroad wasn’t just a financial decision, it was a life upgrade.
When I moved to the Dominican Republic, everything about my life improved—my mental health got better, I stopped having nightmares, I was eating healthier food, and I felt something you don’t feel in the military, relaxed.
I started writing and talking on social media about Veterans living abroad and I was shocked at the result, a whole hell of a lot of Veterans were interested. But I didn’t want this article to be about my story, I wanted to write something to help Veterans tell their story in their next chapter. A chapter of their own design where life abroad can be peaceful, free, and lived on their terms.
So, if you want to dance Bachata in the Dominican Republic, island hop in the Philippines, live the dream in Panama, embrace Buddhist vibes in Thailand, explore nature in Costa Rica, or go somewhere entirely different then you should. You deserve to live your life on your terms, you earned your military benefits, and you should use them where you can get the most out of them.
