The 4 Safest Places To Retire In 2023

Free Report: Where To Live Like It's 1953 Again...


In this free report you'll discover the best-value destinations in the world for ... Imagine that... affordable living, somewhere safe, where you know your neighbots, everyone forming part of a tightly knit community. Simply sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll immediately email you our editors' latest research reports... absolutely FREE!

Reviewed by Kathleen Peddicord

Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.


Where's The World's Safest Retirement Destination?

Bolonia beach close to Tarifa in Costa de la Luz, Andalusia, Southern Spain.

Your motivations for an overseas move are likely as individual as you are but one universal desire shared by all want-to-be expats is to enjoy life in a true safe haven.

One look at the nightly news is enough to make even the bravest soul fearful. And while crime rates are sadly spiraling in North America, happily that’s not the case everywhere.

When it came to compiling our Overseas Retirement Index for 2023, we knew the category of crime was essential to include.

Of course, we don’t recommend any destination that’s dangerous and we know that no place in the world is completely safe…but there are a few that come pretty close…

Our Overseas Retirement Index uses a grading system and, in the crime category, four destinations secured an A grade.

In these locales, day-to-day crime is simply not a concern.

Sure, like anywhere these days, you lock your doors at night, but in these spots you can be as near to certain as can be that violent crime is not going to affect you.

So, if having zero concerns about safety is high on your list of criteria, and the freedom that comes with knowing you can walk around day or night without worrying appeals to you, then these A-grade destinations should be on your retirement radar.

Tavira, Portugal: A+

Colorful boats on Gilao river in picturesque Tavira, Portugal

Portugal is one of the world’s most peaceful countries.

Violent crime in Portugal is rare, petty crime is limited to the busy tourist season, and there’s little social unrest.

Within this already safe country, Tavira remains one of the safest cities. And, as such, we added it to our safest places to retire.

Long-time Tavira expat Marie Moore says, “In my three years here, I’ve known of very few crime-related incidents. For example, my neighbors leave their bikes on the sidewalk all night, and they’re still there when they wake up in the morning.”

Start Your New Life Today, Overseas

A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas In

Costa De La Luz, Spain: A

Beach in Costa de la Luz, Spain

Although crime rates are higher in Spain than neighboring Portugal, crime here is typically concentrated in urban zones, like Madrid and Barcelona.

Our number one recommendation in Spain, Costa de la Luz, is a very safe area.

Even in Cádiz, the most city-like environment along the coast, you can feel completely safe walking around at any time of the day or night.

In fact, you’ll even see kids playing in the town squares, unaccompanied, well after dark. That should be a good indicator of the level of concern locals have about safety.

As one expat, Stephanie, puts it, “For the most part, I feel comfortable in Rota. People stay out so late here, so there are always people on the streets, and I never feel unsafe at night.”

Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus: A

Kyrenia Castle view in Northern Cyprus

Cyprus on the whole is extremely safe, and crime rates are statistically lower in Northern Cyprus than they are in the Republic of Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus’ relatively small population creates the sense that everyone kind of knows everyone…

It’s extremely unlikely that you’d become a victim of crime while living here.

Expats report feeling more at ease in Northern Cyprus than in their home countries. In short, another great addition to our safest places to retire.

Start Your New Life Today, Overseas

A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas In

Chitré, Panama: A-

Parque Union in Chitre, Panama

Certain types of crime are standard in Panama. Corruption is one example. Bribing police officers to avoid a ticket is commonplace (not something we recommend).

Issues with gringo pricing, petty theft, and burglary of homes left unattended for long periods are possible across Panama…But Chitré stands out as an exception to this rule.

Here, neighbors know one another and look out for one another. Everyone describes it as safe and calm.

The crime rate is very low and limited mostly to petty theft and low-level street crime.

To avoid issues, always lock your house and car, don’t leave valuables in sight, and don’t carry your wallet or phone in your back pocket…

Exercise the same precautions as you would in your home country, and you’ll be fine.

Sincerely,
Sophia Titley signature
Sophia Titley
Editor, Overseas Living Letter

Free Report: Where To Live Like It's 1953 Again...


In this free report you'll discover the best-value destinations in the world for ... Imagine that... affordable living, somewhere safe, where you know your neighbots, everyone forming part of a tightly knit community. Simply sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll immediately email you our editors' latest research reports... absolutely FREE!

Sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report…

RETIRE OVERSEAS AND LIVE LIKE ROYALTY