Our 2026 Overseas Retirement Index ranks and rates the world’s best destinations for an overseas move this year. Across 14 key categories we consider a world of options and narrow them down to 12 standout havens.
We look at residency, real estate, the level of English spoken, infrastructure, safety, health care, climate, entertainment, recreation, access to North America, taxes, environmental factors, expat community, and of course, cost of living.
Of our top 12, three havens came out with a monthly cost of living under $2,000. Let’s take a closer look…
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is the heart of Argentine wine country…
Here, you almost feel the hillsides before they appear… then dramatically spread before you are the vineyards that have put Argentine wine on the map… bordered by the formidable Andes. Seeing the scene for the first time makes an impact, and once you’ve seen this landscape you don’t forget it.
Mendoza City, the provincial capital, offers wide, leafy avenues, bustling plazas, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, quality health care, and an international airport.
Outside of the city, Mendoza is an unspoiled nature-lover’s playground where you could fill your days horse riding and biking along forest trails and into the mountains… whitewater rafting and fishing… or skiing in nearby resorts.
Mendoza is one of Argentina’s most affordable cities. You can rent a part-furnished two-bedroom apartment for around $800 a month and getting around is cheap and easy—a bus ride costs less than $1 and the public transport system is fairly well-organized.
Though a car isn’t required here, it’s handy for exploring Mendoza’s stunning landscapes. Eating out won’t break the bank either, a casual meal is about $15 and a mid-range dinner for two runs around $40. Groceries are similarly budget-friendly, with staples like beef, bread, and milk far cheaper than back home.
Great wine, thick steaks, dramatic landscapes, brilliant weather, friendly people who enjoy nothing better than sitting around an open fire drinking the fruit of their vines, sharing their asado, and indulging in the lost art of conversation…
Mendoza is the good life defined and you could enjoy it here on a budget of just $1,990 a month.
Crete, Greece
We think Chania is the best choice for expats on Crete. Besides a charming Venetian port, Chania Old Town is a labyrinth of homes, museums, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and ancient churches, partly encircled by the ancient city walls.
Here, you’re never far from the glistening Mediterranean Sea, and the beaches are the ideal place to cool off on hot summer days.
Crete is an affordable place to live, and because the island is so big, there’s enough room for budget flexibility. Outside of the cities, rent can be as little as $500 per month.
Local produce and olive oil are cheap, and so too is dining out, with the average meal at a taverna costing about $18. A coffee will cost around $4, a beer around $4, and a movie ticket around $6.
Both public (available through the National Health System (ESY)) and private health care facilities are available on Crete. Most are centered around Chania and Heraklion. With a residence permit and an AMKA number (the social security ID) you can gain access to Greek public health care. A GP visit will cost around $35.
All in, a monthly budget of $1,830 will afford you a comfortable life on this island paradise.
Hua Hin, Thailand
The most affordable haven on our 2026 Overseas Retirement Index is the royal resort town of Hua Hin, Thailand.
Located some 140 miles from Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand, this picture-perfect resort town fits the bill of a dream retirement haven. It boasts miles of pristine beaches, excellent recreation opportunities, and a welcoming and well-connected expat community.
True of most Southeast Asia destinations, it’s a great place to base yourself if you’re on a modest budget. Dollar for dollar, you can enjoy a much higher standard of living in Hua Hin than you could afford to have back home…
Studio apartments in well-equipped complexes can be rented for under $400 a month. One-bedroom, furnished apartments can be found for $550 a month. For $700 a month, you could rent a well-located two-bedroom villa or three-bedroom townhouse. You can buy studio condos here for under $50,000.
A couple can dine out for as little as $10. Coffees run from $1 to $2, a beer is around $2, and a glass of wine around $5. Little luxuries like massages can also be a part of your weekly routine here with an hour-long massage costing as little as $10. A round of golf can be played for as little as $45.
Hua Hin is very walkable, keeping transport costs low. A songthaew (local shared minibus) or tuk-tuk trip across town won’t cost more than a couple bucks. A round-trip train ticket to Bangkok starts at just $20.
Health care is high-quality and so affordable that you can pay out of pocket. A GP visit will cost around $30.
A couple can live the good life here on as little as $1,442 a month.
Sincerely,
Victoria Harmer
Editor, Overseas Opportunity Letter
