Countries

For more than 30 years, International Living‘s editors and writers have been scouring the world to find the best places to live and retire to. Imagine lounging on your deck, a cocktail in hand, the quiet turquoise waters of the Caribbean spread out before you… Or picture yourself relaxing in a flower-filled courtyard where lavender bougainvillea tumbles over stucco walls, while the sweet perfume of frangipani fills the air at dusk. Maybe you dream, instead, of a mountain retreat where the air is crisp and you live amidst expansive, snow-capped peaks. Or perhaps it’s an elegant pied-à-terre in a cosmopolitan city you envision.

 

Europe’s Top 5 Affordable Retirement Havens

Imagine the smell of freshly-baked croissants wafting through the air, or the satisfying swallow of wine made from grapes grown just down the road. Perhaps you muse about living on a sun-drenched Mediterranean beach or tucked down a cobbled lane savoring the cosmopolitan delights of a history-rich city…

A retirement in Europe is a dream for many folks. And it can easily be a reality. If it’s culture, history, and variety you’re after, Europe has it all, and at a cost much lower than you may think… Here we explore the five best low-cost options for enjoying your perfect European retirement.

Here you’ll find properties to rent for less than $600 a month or to buy for under $110,000. A filling three-course meal in a local restaurant can be had for $10, while a bag of fresh produce grown locally can be got for under $6.

In all these countries you’ll find fabulous beaches, idyllic rural retreats, and cities where history is thickly layered with stunning architecture and grand museums. Our experts have nominated an area they think is particularly worthy of your interest, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide what type of lifestyle you’re after.

Editor’s note: Parts of Europe can be over-priced and over-crowded. The thing is, everybody wants to be in Europe. It’s no wonder people see Europe as expensive and crowded. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find that slow-paced European lifestyle you dream of at a cost that you can afford. We dig deep on the best alternatives to Europe’s over-priced, over-crowded hotspots and give you the real inside scoop that locals use to keep living that romantic European lifestyle. These kinds of places don’t stay secret forever. But, right now, we’re in the know ahead of the crowd… And you could be too! Simply subscribe to International Living today!

Not surprisingly, Europe delivers strongly on healthcare; in each of our picks, you’ll find healthcare professionals and facilities of a world-class standard. But perhaps more surprisingly, the care on offer in these countries won’t leave you counting pennies. Many of these nations benefit from universal coverage and strong public healthcare systems, and even their private healthcare can be accessed for a sliver of the cost in the U.S. Doctors’ visits, for instance, can run well under $100, and other services are similarly reasonable.

You’re guaranteed to find an ideal place for yourself in Europe. Though a small continent, it packs in so much diversity that the perfect retirement for you is bound to be hiding somewhere. Read on to find it…

Italy

©iStock/Flavio Vallenari

Whether it is golden light diffused on the undulating hills, crystal alpine lakes, or dramatic seacoast with towns improbably perched on the steep hills above the water, Italy’s scenery inspires a desire to stay and enjoy the dolce vita full-time. A relaxed pace with an emphasis on good food and human interaction, with excellent wines, cultural riches, and a lyrical language—there’s a lot to love about Italy.

The appealing lifestyle and gorgeous scenery draw many expats to the peninsula, and offers each their own tailor-made dream because Italy has it all, from art cities to ancient hill towns to modern suburbs, in any geographic preference you desire. The plentiful seacoasts appeal to beach lovers while the many mountains satisfy outdoorsy types and those who love to live all four seasons in their turn. The Mediterranean climate is fairly mild, but don’t expect endless summer here; there is a cooler winter, though just how cool depends on your desire. Want snow? The Alps. Want it milder? Sicily. And Italy offers everything in between.

Many people have the impression that it is expensive to live here. It’s understandable why; a cultural and historical powerhouse that draws millions of tourists each year seems like it would have a hefty cost of living. But tourist prices are one thing; living costs are another. You can easily find a place that will fit your budget; the key is to look outside the primary tourist destinations

The appealing lifestyle and gorgeous scenery of Italy draw many expats to the peninsula and offers each their own tailor-made dream.

IL Italy Correspondent Valerie Fortney Schneider says, “Italy really offers so much and has something for everyone. It satisfies every geographic preference—from hills to mountains to seaside; and any urban preference, from welcoming small towns to medium cities with lots of life, to bigger city action.

“Best of all, Italy can fit any budget, too. There are habitable homes for sale in many places for less than the average cost of a new car. The beauty and laid-back lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive here; in fact, our living expenses are lower in Italy than they were in the U.S.”

Expat Theresa Conti moved to Trieste, Italy, at age 64, solo.

Editor’s note: Its time to embrace that European lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. Where day-to-day life hasn’t been diluted by over-tourism. We’re here to tell you about the hidden towns, villages, and countryside where you can live the European lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. These are places far from the crowds of tourists and high prices that Europe’s famous cities and regions are filled with today. We dig deep on the best alternatives to Europe’s over-priced, over-crowded hotspots and give you the real inside scoop that locals use to keep living that romantic European lifestyle! Simply subscribe to International Living today!

“My vision was to live close to both the sea and mountains, in a walkable city that was safe, clean, and quiet with outdoor activities and an active life, and Trieste has it all. It’s a city with beautiful parks and beaches, good bus transportation, and a fantastic seafront promenade. I’m not saying it’s right for everyone, but it fits my needs and lifestyle. It’s peaceful and quiet, the way I like it, but has a lot to offer.

“My rent is $831 a month, all-inclusive. Try finding a roomy two-bedroom in Brooklyn for that!” she said.

Aside from housing costs, the living expenses in Italy are fairly consistent around the country. In the right spot, a couple can live well for as little as $1,830 per month.

Portugal

©iStock/Jui-Chi Chan

Castles, cathedrals, and cobblestones. White stucco houses laced with bougainvillea, crowned with terracotta tiles. Grilled fish glistening with olive oil. Ruby red, award-winning wines. Calm, turquoise waters lapping golden sands in a secluded bay, and a coastline coaxing an 80-foot wave from an underwater cave.

This is Portugal.

Each year more visitors are coming to take a bite of the feast offered by this small Iberian country. For many years it has been a vacation destination for the British, French, Dutch, and others—even the Spanish—who came to love it so much, many became expats.

IL Portugal Correspondent Terry Coles and her husband moved abroad ten years ago, first settling in Panama. There they enjoyed life for five years before taking their first-ever trip to Europe and fell in love with it.

“Europe has so much history and culture and we wanted to be part of it. We sold all except what would fit into two small suitcases and traveled full-time for the next two years looking for our next home. Portugal captured our hearts and minds and we knew that we had found the perfect fit. And since Portugal is one of the easiest countries in Europe for North Americans to obtain residency it made perfect sense.”

Terry and her husband, Clyde, are one example of the many U.S. expats that visit Portugal and fall in love with the Portuguese people, the lifestyle, and the stunning vistas of golden sandy beaches.

“Every time I look out the window I smile,” said Diedre Miller. “I always dreamed of having a house with a sea view, but it was never affordable back in California.”

“We bought our house in Portugal sight unseen,” Diedre explained. “My husband, Bart, came to Portugal alone at first with a job offer that didn’t work out.” On his flight back to California, Diedre was online looking at property. She spotted the perfect house and made an offer that was accepted.

Both Diedre and Bart were able to walk away from the working world at age 51 and begin their new lives in Portugal. They found the perfect spot for a guest house in Old Town Albufeira, in the central Algarve region. They bought a six-bedroom, three-bathroom, furnished townhouse for $333,000. The spacious house has two kitchens, two terraces and sits just a few blocks from the beach. “We never thought we could have this much house for this little money,” Diedre said. The house is close to shops, restaurants and more importantly, the beach.

“Here I have a reason to smile,” she says. “Back in California all we did was work to pay the bills. There is no comparison to our lives here and there, it’s like night and day.”

Including rent, a couple can live comfortably in Portugal’s interior, or in small cities, from about $1,700 a month. A couple’s budget in Lisbon starts at about $2,100 or $2,200 a month. Singles should plan on a budget of about two-thirds that of a couple.

France

©iStock/RossHelen

You didn’t expect France to be on this list, did you? Many people can never believe the land that gave the world the likes of Versailles, Chanel, and the term haute cuisine could be anything other than prohibitively expensive.

“Certainly, living in Cannes along the French Riviera won’t be the best budget option in France, but it’s incredibly surprising how much you can save if you stay away from the splashy resort areas and head to “authentic France”—sometimes referred to as France profonde, or “deep France,” says Tuula Rampont, IL France Correspondent.

“These are decentralized areas of the country with deeply rich French traditions and culture, and where real estate prices come in at, on average, 34% less than in the United States.”

“Areas like Brittany, Normandy, and the sunflower-filled region of the Dordogne provide excellent value-for-money. With homes, move-in-ready homes, available for purchase for $200,000 or less. Rents for a two-bedroom, furnished village house come in at around $700 a month.”

Editor’s note: You could enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year and some of the most diverse and intense landscapes you’ll see in France. A place where French village life is still unspoiled. Unlike other parts of the south, most villages here haven’t given up their authenticity to mass tourism or surrendered to the super-rich. This region isn’t just more authentic than the touristy parts of France… It’s more affordable too
Not only does this secret part of France offer better, more authentic living than its over-touristed neighbor…it offers it for less! And remember, it’s not just in France that I know of secret hidden regions where you can live better for less! To find out more simply subscribe to International Living today!

“Other pockets of the country with attractive prices include Alsace, the Loire Valley, and Montpellier —the fastest growing metropolitan area in France.”

“While some of the daily costs of living in France are comparable to those in North America (although electricity rates are among the lowest in Western Europe), retirees can expect to save considerably on certain foodstuffs like cheese, wine, and bread. By cutting out the middleman, and skirting import taxes, you’ll spend around $3-$4 on a fine slab of goat cheese or camembert, and $7.00 on a very enjoyable bottle of wine – table wines can be found for as little as $4.00. Picture yourself sipping French espressos ($1.50) and savoring flaky croissants ($1.20) in a lost-in-time village in southern France or an eclectic beach community in the Basque country. France has options for every retirement budget.”

A couple can enjoy all France has to offer for $2,200 per month including rent.

Spain

©iStock/holgs

Warm, sunny days by the glittering Mediterranean, cool nights at an outdoor café, lingering over dinner until the wee hours, mouthwatering paella, mounds of fresh seafood, succulent roast lamb (and flavorful wines to accompany them), rich, ancient culture, hilltop castles, and vast stretches of countryside just made for hiking and cycling. Spain invites you to wax lyrical over its many charms and its laidback lifestyle. Here, having fun is expected and hanging out is an art.

And these days, that appealing lifestyle is very affordable. Spain has long been one of the least-expensive countries in Europe. Of course, the cost of living varies by location and lifestyle. Barcelona and Madrid are the most expensive cities. Prices are also high in San Sebastian, the north coast of Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands. Malaga, Alicante, and the Canary Islands are among the most affordable areas. Valencia, Granada, and Seville fall in the mid-range.

Food prices are reasonable. Spain’s warm climate means lots of locally-grown fruits and vegetables are available. Olive oil and wine are plentiful and inexpensive. Near the coasts, seafood is fresh and affordably priced. $100 a week would provide ample groceries for a healthy Mediterranean diet.

But, ultimately, Spain’s appeal is not its low cost. It’s the friendly, helpful, and life-loving people that are its most seductive asset. Although speaking Spanish makes life easier, most Spaniards speak some English and are delighted to practice. You can easily get by with only English, and since most expats in Spain are from the UK or Germany, North Americans have the advantage of being a bit exotic.

IL Spain Correspondent Marsha Scarbrough moved to Spain in 2017, at the age of 70. She had visited the country for the first time the year before and spent six weeks traveling around on her own. She had been searching for the perfect, affordable retirement destination for some time.

Marsha says, “My life in Spain has been more fun than I ever could have imagined. My social life is on fire. As a single woman, the friendliness, welcoming warmth, and helpfulness of the local people in Madrid made all the difference. The friends I have made here are an amazing blessing. ”

Madrid may be a bit more expensive than other places in Spain, but it still offers a lot of bang for the buck. Wine and beer are about $2.50 per glass. A generous gin and tonic will be about $8 to $10.50. Three-course menu del dia lunches run from $12 to $17 including wine or beer. In Chamberi, a hearty menu is $12 to $15. Most restaurants also offer a single plate at around $8. Prescriptions and medications are a fraction of U.S. prices.

“For me, the greatest savings come from not needing to own a car. As a senior resident, I have unlimited access to the efficient metro and bus system for $7.50 per month. If I splurge for a taxi, it’s usually around $13.”

The best place to retire in Spain depends on what you like and how you want to live. You may want to settle in an expat beach community on the Costa del Sol, or integrate into Spanish culture in a major city, or find bucolic isolation in the countryside.

A couple could live in a mid-sized city like Alicante for $2,650 per month. So if you’ve ever dreamed of living affordably in Europe—whether it’s for a few months at a time or for the rest of your life—take a look at Spain now.

Greece

©iStock/Ihor_Tailwind

Large, diverse, and visually stunning, Greece is an enthralling mixture of sun-drenched islands, towering mountains, buzzing cities, and timeless traditions. Wrapped in the warm embrace of the Aegean Sea, it’s vibrant, welcoming, and full of surprises.

“Greece is a great choice for expats because of its amazing weather, hospitable people, its relatively low cost of living, and its location, giving visitors easy access to travel to a wide range of other countries,” says IL contributor Lynn Roulo.

“I moved without a local job or a significant relationship waiting for me in Athens, so it was a big step into the unknown,” she says. “But it didn’t feel scary or anxiety-provoking. The idea of moving and starting a fresh new life energized me. That was in 2012, and I still feel a sense of excitement that I get to live here.

“The cost of housing in Athens is significantly less than what it is in the U.S. You can rent a comfortable, one-bedroom apartment in the city center for under $650 per month. A nice taverna meal for two with wine is under $30 and you can stock up on your fruits and vegetables at the open-air markets for about $30 for the week. Taxis charge a standard rate of $1.30 per mile so most of the time, you can get around town for under $10.”

A budget-conscious expat can live comfortably in Greece for $1,830 a month or less.

Bonus: Malta

©iStock/helovi

Ask any expat why they upped sticks to relocate to the tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta (all 122 square miles of it—not a whole lot bigger than Nantucket) and the same three reasons keep cropping up: sea, sunshine, and the friendly and welcoming population of English-speaking locals.

In Malta, you’ll find abundant sunshine even at the height of winter. Valletta, the nation’s scenic capital and adorned with historic buildings, is renowned as the warmest capital in Europe—and with less than 7,000 inhabitants, a highly manageable one, at that. Even in January, you’ll still find temperatures in the 60s F, rising to the 80s F during the glorious summer months.

And even on islands as small as these, you’ll have no shortage of ways to enjoy this magnificent climate. Towns like Valletta and Sliema remain lively throughout the year and boast some of the best restaurants in the Mediterranean. And you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy everything Malta can provide.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment—even those just a short walk to the seaside—averages around $750 to $800 per month. Groceries are inexpensive, with basic items such as bread costing around 35 cents. Dinner out for two at a nice mid-range restaurant, including a glass of wine, can cost about $50.

The country itself comprises a number of different islands, only three of which are actually inhabited. The second-largest of the three inhabited islands, Gozo is known for its quiet, idyllic, country lifestyle, which has already seen it become a favored destination among expat retirees in Malta.

“The reasons so many retired couples choose Gozo are multiple: everyone speaks English, prices for food and accommodation are reasonable, medical facilities are excellent, and the weather is superb all year round,” says IL contributor Kevin Flanagan.

“There is also easy access to Malta, just half an hour away on the ferry, if you want the bustle of a major European hub. But when I do visit the main island, I find that I always look forward to getting back to Gozo and the easy-going island vibe.”

Milk, bread, and other groceries can be got for $1 apiece, while a bottle of quality wine can be had for $6. Victoria, Gozo’s largest town, is the place to go for a bit of shopping. It’s also where you can sample some high culture in the town’s two opera houses or savor local organic produce in one of its excellent restaurants.

Malta has something for everyone— from ancient walled cities and breathtaking coastal trails to countryside farmhouses and delightful restaurants.

Cost of living will vary depending on where you want to live and your lifestyle, but a couple could live in a one-bedroom apartment in the small seaside village of Marsaxlokk for $2,331 per month.

Bonus: Croatia

Image: ©iStock.com/xbrchx

The art of European living can be mastered in the Mediterranean country of Croatia. Sip coffee next to the ruins of an ancient Roman temple in the morning, swim in the royal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea in the afternoon, and explore the once gas-lit cobblestone streets of a hilltop town in the evening.

Every day in Croatia is to be savored. From nibbling on jade-colored olives and tasting ruby-red zinfandel, to inhaling the fresh sea air and laughing around an open fire, life on the western coast of the Balkan Peninsula is invigorating. And, it can be enjoyed part-time.

Croatia has long been a favorite destination for European vacationers. For decades they flocked to its beaches and walled towns when it was a part of the former country of Yugoslavia. In recent years, Croatia has become increasingly popular, thanks to many of its landscapes being featured in the HBO series Game of Thrones.

Split is Croatia’s second-largest city and home to the 1,700-year-old palace built by Roman Emperor Diocletian. Unlike ruins elsewhere in Europe, Diocletian’s Palace is still home to many locals—a legacy of the security the palace walls offered after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Split also boasts a sizeable university, a large hospital, and a thriving expat community. These characteristics have made the city increasingly popular with foreigners, meaning that rental costs have risen in recent years. For this reason, you might want to base yourself in a community just outside of Split, something that part-time expat Beth Hoke has done three times.

“I stayed in Podstrana once (just south of Split) and Okrug Gornji (just north of Split) twice. Split was easily accessible from both locations via public transportation, but the housing costs were a bit lower [outside of Split],” Beth says. “In Podstrana, I was right on the beach and in Okrug Gornji, I was within a 10- to 15-minute walk from the beach. I stayed in Okrug Gornji in late spring/early summer and Podstrana in late autumn/early winter. I paid the same for both two-bedroom apartments— between $475 and $500 per month.”

A couple can live well here for between $2,050 and $2,840 per month.

Editor’s note: . Discover hidden gems nestled away in Europe. Where day-to-day life hasn’t been diluted by over-tourism. Where there are still quaint cottages and cozy pied-à-terres that haven’t been turned into Airbnbs for the gathering throngs. These are places far from the crowds of tourists and high prices that Europe’s famous cities and regions are filled with today.
When you know where to go, you can live a jet-set life… but without the jet-set budget. Discover plenty of secret hidden regions where you can live better for less today by simply subscribe to International Living today!

A Second Passport Without Having to Buy or Inherit It

 

Second passports and residence in other countries have long been appealing to Americans for any number of reasons. These days, that interest is clearly rising—sharply.

All over the internet you’ll find resources to help you with this process, whether that means buying a passport or tracing your genealogy in hopes that a relative’s original citizenship will magically descend upon you, too. Those are tried and true paths, for sure. But one—buying a passport—requires a minimum of $100,000. And the genealogy route is hit or miss, depending on country.

There is, however, a less-costly, more-organic, nearly assured path: Move somewhere and gain citizenship—and a passport—via the naturalization process.

That’s not as difficult as it might sound.

While lots of countries require that you live within their borders for a decade or longer before you can apply for citizenship, several impose a much-shorter timeline of between two and five years. And as a U.S. expat who’s lived in Prague now for nearly two years, I can tell you those years fly by quickly.

So, if you’ve ever given consideration to securing citizenship and a second passport, here are several countries where the process of citizenship-by-naturalization is relatively quick.

Editor’s note: If you don’t already have a second passport, why not? It may be the most essential tool available to you in today’s world—because it gives you options. It opens doors that might otherwise be closed to you. All you need to do is take the first step. Subscribe to International Living today.

Argentina: 2 years

You will find lots of misinformation on the internet regarding Argentina. These are the definitive requirements:

  • Proof that you’ve lived continuously in Argentina for two years.
    • Be over 18 years old.
    • Proof of adequate income or employment.
    • Passport.
    • A DNI card—an Argentine residence permit.
    • Proof of no serious criminal record.

And that’s it. Two short years in one of the world’s truly beautiful countries and you can apply for citizenship and, thus, an Argentine passport—the 19th most-powerful passport on the planet in that it gives you access to 170 countries without needing a visa.

Yes, Argentina seemingly has a financial crisis du jour. Still, if your life is denominated in dollars, your lifestyle in the land of tango will be pretty sweet. Argentina allows you to hold dual nationality as an American.

Peru: 2 years*

The asterisk here ties to Peru’s requirement that a non-Peruvian can apply for citizenship two years after acquiring residence in the country. That’s not hard; with the correct documents you can apply for Peruvian residence while you’re visiting on a tourist visa. But it could take several months to complete the residence process.

Once you’ve been a resident for two years, you can apply for citizenship. The necessary documents are similar to those in Argentina, but there are also requirements that you:

  • Write an application to the president of Peru.
    • Prove you’re healthy.
    • Can communicate in Spanish, and pass an exam about Peruvian history, culture, and geography.

Ecuador, Honduras, Poland, Paraguay: 3 years

Ecuador demands three continuous years, and if there is an interruption of more than 90 days, you have to start over.

Editor’s note:If we have learned anything, it’s that anything can happen. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared. There has never been a more important time to have a second passport. A second passport is the ultimate insurance policy that guarantees protection, privacy, freedom and more. All you need to do is take the first step. Subscribe to International Living today.

Honduras shortens the requirement to two years if you are Ibero-American (from a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking country).

Poland is interesting because it’s a European Union member, meaning this is the quickest path to an EU passport. You’ll also need proof of a stable source of income, such as Social Security or a pension. Perhaps the hardest requirement: proof—by way of official certificate—that you can speak Polish, not one of the world’s easiest languages for native English speakers.

Paraguay is straightforward: Live there for three years as an upstanding citizen.

Brazil: 4 years

Very much like Paraguay in how easy it is. Four years of continuous residence in the country, command of Portuguese, and no criminal record.

Australia, Barbados, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Jamaica, Latvia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom,

 

 Uruguay: 5 years

This is not a complete list of the five-year countries. Quite a few others impose requirements that make them less appealing (Indonesia and Japan require that you relinquish your U.S. nationality), or they’re countries most of us won’t rush to, such as Iran, Congo, or Afghanistan.

Most of these countries are straightforward: five years of continuous residence.

Finland requires you speak Finnish or Swedish, the Netherlands requires you’re conversant in Dutch, and Thailand demands you speak Thai (again, quite the challenging language).

Panama wants to know you can speak Spanish and have a basic understanding of Panamanian history, geography, and politics.

Editor’s note:A second passport offers many benefits. Best of all, you may be able to pass on any citizenship rights you have to your children and grandchildren. Having a second passport is your right and it is completely legal. To find out how to claim yours, simply subscribe to International Living today.

The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2022

If you’re considering retirement abroad, you need information, and you need lots of it. But more than that, you need guidance on how to interpret that information. That’s what we’re here for, and that’s why we’ve compiled the 2022 Annual Global Retirement Index: to help you with the exciting business of choosing where in the world will best suit your needs.

When it was first conceived, our Retirement Index was our special way of coping with an embarrassment of riches. At that stage, IL had already spent over a decade exploring all manner of dream locales. The result was a huge and exciting variety of choice and opportunity. Fast-forward to 2022.

More than three decades have gone by, during which our scouts have scoured every corner of the globe many times over. The result is a much bigger and ever-growing selection of outstanding destinations where you can live a healthier and happier life, spend a lot less money, and get a whole lot more.

Editor’s note: Naturally, we’re really excited about our #1, #2, and #3 picks this year.
But, in fact, they are just three of the 25 top overseas retirement havens we compare, contrast, rank, and rate in our 2022 Global Retirement Index—our 31st annual index.
“Spend less, live better” is a philosophy you can embrace all around the globe—when you know where to go. And our Index will show you. Claim your free report to find out more.

But how do you choose?

What is the Annual Global Retirement Index?

 

The Retirement Index is the most comprehensive and in-depth survey of its kind. It’s the best way we know of to sift through the wealth of opportunity the world offers, bring some order, and help you pinpoint the best destination for you.

Our index is informed by hundreds of opinions and real-life experiences—information—compiled by our trusted sources in the best retirement destinations across the globe. We think of it as a tool for you, our reader. A way for you to quickly compare and contrast your best options and begin to narrow down your choices.

We have our people out there pounding the pavement in attractive overseas communities we know you should consider. They’re reporting back to us with insights, and information about what’s really going on. They’re not beholden to relocation service providers or real estate agents or tourism boards or economic development organizations. They work for you.

In no way is our Global Retirement Index meant to be a scientific output. It’s designed to be a useful tool for people, constructed out of real-world, on-the-ground information interpreted through a lens of well-informed experience and opinion.

Our sources are living in the places where they’re gathering their intelligence. And we trust their judgment. If they say the healthcare is good, or that a meal for two in a nice restaurant costs $20, then we believe them.

Our intention with this index is that it be genuinely useful. We’re not looking for random input from random people around the world—you can get that with a simple internet search. Instead, we’re in the business of providing sound recommendations about a refreshingly limited number of options.

Beyond data—it offers, more importantly, information, opinions, perspective, and guidance.

What has their research revealed about the best retirement havens in 2022? Read on…

Editor’s note: You simply get more bang for your buck in the right spots overseas. And that means you could afford to live a richer, more interesting life. You could afford to relax and enjoy yourself. Our Global Retirement Index points you to the best places in the world to do it in 2022.
You deserve a better, earlier retirement we’ll show you how to get It, right here.

10. Uruguay

Number-10-Uruguay

By David Hammond

Uruguay is a small country with a small population (3.5 million) between Brazil and Argentina. Its interior is a native grassland used for ranching and farming. Its natural harbor, the Bay of Montevideo, is a bustling container port. And its southern coast, which fronts the Río de la Plata (a sea-like estuary) and the Atlantic Ocean, is dotted with beach towns popular with summer vacationers.

People in Uruguay enjoy four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. In its capital, Montevideo, the average summer high is 82 F, cooling down to 63 F at night. The average winter high is 57 F, cooling down to 43 F at night. And because it’s in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite.

I moved to Uruguay 15 years ago. Among things I appreciate is its egalitarian culture. Uruguay is the most democratic country in Latin America. And in relative terms, it brags the largest middle class in the Western Hemisphere.

All workers get Social Security, paid vacations, and comprehensive healthcare. Anyone who can pass the entrance exams can attend the state university at almost no cost. And the principle of treating others with respect is alive and well.

It’s also a land with few natural threats. It’s not in a hurricane path. It doesn’t get destructive earthquakes. And thanks to effective public health policies, mosquito-borne illness is not an issue.

Uruguay is a country where things work. Its public utility companies are among the best in Latin America for both quality and reach.

And even though Uruguay is a small country, it offers a variety of attractive lifestyles to choose from.

Forty percent of Uruguay’s population lives in the capital, Montevideo. It’s a city known for its tree-lined streets, large, green parks, and coastal promenade, which fronts the Río de la Plata.

Popular foods include barbecued beef, Italian dishes, and Mediterranean cuisine. (In Montevideo, around 65% of the population is of Italian descent.) You also find many types of ethnic foods, as well as coffee places and craft beer bars. And if you like wine, you can visit the world-class wineries on the city’s outskirts.

Entertainment options include street tango, Carnival parades, a local symphony, and ballet productions. For recreation, you find sandy beaches, an 18-hole golf course, gyms, and tennis clubs.

Popular areas of Montevideo include: Ciudad Vieja and Centro, where you find original plazas and period architecture; Cordón, an up-and-coming neighborhood of unique cafés, shops, and nightspots; the Pocitos area, with modern apartments and shopping malls; Carrasco, a low-density suburban neighborhood of single-family homes; and La Tahona, a private golf community just east of Montevideo.

Eighty miles east of Montevideo is Punta del Este, the most renowned beach resort in South America. It’s also a university town, with a growing full-time population. Housing in and near Punta del Este includes suburban homes, luxury condos, and country estates.

For recreation, you find a wide range of water sports, golf, tennis, and bowling. Food options range from sandwich places to landmark restaurants. If you like nightlife, there’s bars and casinos. And like Montevideo, you find impressive wineries in the nearby countryside.

While you can live in Punta del Este for less than you might think, it is the most expensive city in Uruguay. So, it’s not for everyone. However, in the adjoining middle-class city of Maldonado, you can live in a nice apartment just four miles from Punta del Este’s beaches, for a lot less money.

Do you like the idea of a small, laid-back coastal town but you still want to be close to city shopping, dining, and services? If so, consider Atlántida or Piriápolis. Atlántida is known for its many trees and large beaches. And it’s just 28 miles east of Montevideo’s Centro. Piriápolis, known for its hills and coastal centro, is 23 miles west of Maldonado and Punta del Este.

Seventy miles east of Punta del Este is La Paloma. Set in a mostly rural region called Rocha, it’s where you find long, sandy Atlantic beaches, a large natural bay, a boat harbor, and a 40-square-mile freshwater lagoon. Surfing, kayaking, kite surfing, and fishing are all popular here.

For country life, you find small farms on the outskirts of most cities and towns. Another option is to settle in a small interior city, where you can live close to the rural life without the cost of owning your own farm.

Renting long term in Uruguay can be a good option. In Montevideo’s fashionable Cordón neighborhood, you can rent a two-bedroom apartment for $700 per month. In Maldonado, you can rent a modern apartment for around $500 per month.

If you’d rather buy a place than rent, that’s no problem. In Uruguay, you can own any type of real estate in your own name. (You don’t need a partner, a trust, or any special permissions.) In Cordón, you can buy a newer two-bedroom apartment for $150,000. In Maldonado, you can buy a nice apartment for $125,000.

For healthcare, most expats enroll in a private plan called a mutualista. A mutualista covers everything from routine checkups to major surgery and emergency care. The cost is just $50 to $60 per month, plus a small copay when you receive care. With a mutualista, you can say goodbye to big deductibles and complicated bills.

Most expat couples in Uruguay live well on a budget of between $2,500 and $3,500 per month including rent. In Punta del Este and the Montevideo communities of Carrasco and La Tahona, the cost of living is higher. In La Paloma and many interior cities, the cost of living is lower.

To become a legal resident of Uruguay, you need to both pass a criminal background check and prove a recurring monthly income source to support yourself in Uruguay (this is often around $1,500 for a single person).

To apply, you enter Uruguay on a tourist visa and make your application to become a resident in person. Opening a bank account is also accomplished in person at a bank. You find several reputable residential specialists in Uruguay. They can help assure you bring the correct documents from home and then guide you step-by-step through the processes once you’re in Uruguay.

A married couple can apply for citizenship three years after applying for residency. Single people can apply for citizenship five years after applying for residency. There is no big fee or investment required to become a citizen.

Uruguay is a Spanish-speaking country. You find the most English speakers (including bilingual residency specialists and real estate agents) in Montevideo and Punta del Este. You also find Spanish language schools in these cities, which can be a good way to socialize, as well as learn.

While Uruguay is precious, it’s not close. A non-stop flight from Miami to Montevideo is nine-and-a-half hours. But to me and many others, it’s well worth it.

Editor’s note: What if I told you that you could own a condo on a beach or in a historic city that you could visit a few weeks or months a year (and that it could generate income when you’re not using it and pay for itself).

In the right spots abroad—the places we point you to in our 2022 Global Retirement Index—you can secure your own getaway like that for as little as $140,000. Claim your free report to find out more.

9. Spain

Number-9-Spain

By Marsha Scarbrough

Spain seduces retirees with 300-plus days of sunshine and 3,000 miles of coastline. The low cost of living, excellent healthcare, first-world infrastructure, and superb personal safety seal the deal. Spain has long been a favorite retirement destination for the Brits, Germans, Dutch, and other Northern Europeans. Now more North Americans are discovering its allure.

Spain’s sun-drenched Mediterranean coast assures retirees that they will never need to shovel snow again. The Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca promise 300 to 320 sunny days a year. Even Madrid, on the central plateau, boasts sizzling summers and winters where the temperature rarely dips below freezing. Green Spain, along the northern coast, offers a climate similar to Oregon or Seattle…or England which is just across the channel.

Spain also offers life beyond the beach and the golf course. Its geography runs the gamut from golden shores to snow-capped peaks, from dramatic deserts to lush forests. Its cities throb with commerce and culture. Madrid and Barcelona host dozens of world-class museums as well as opera, theatre, and music festivals. Valencia blends medieval and post-modern architecture. Andalusia captivates with the passion of flamenco. Granada crowns its glory with the incomparable Alhambra. Every night is alive with music, conversation and conviviality.

This good life comes with an affordable price tag. Spain’s cost of living is surprisingly low. A couple can live in the Mediterranean coastal towns for about $2,600 a month, without a car. Rents are highest in Madrid and Barcelona, so you will need a bigger budget to live there, but as a single woman living in Madrid, I get by on about $2,000 a month. Public transportation in Spain is some of the most efficient and least expensive in the world.

The fruits and vegetables at the heart of the healthy Mediterranean diet are available all year for a fraction of the cost in North America. Fish is ubiquitous on the Spanish table. The cost of eating in restaurants is surprisingly cheap. A three-course, fixed-price lunch including wine or beer can be found all over Spain for $12 to $16. A glass of wine or a beer is about $2.50, and the fact that there is no tipping makes eating out an even better bargain.

Spain’s healthcare is among the best in the world. In fact, it is the best in the world according to the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Competitiveness Report, and it placed second in International Living’s 2022 Global Retirement Index. Bloomberg’s recent post-pandemic “efficiency listing” for healthcare puts Spain’s single-payer public health system in 16th place. In the same study, the USA came in 55th place out of 57 countries. Canada came in 27th place. In Spain, you will likely get better healthcare than you’re getting now. Spain has 22 hospitals and healthcare facilities that are accredited by the Joint Commission International, the gold standard of hospital care. In general, costs run significantly less than in the U.S.

Spain has both public and private healthcare systems. As an expat on the non-lucrative visa or the golden visa, you are required to carry private Spanish health insurance for five years. You can choose from several providers. I have Sanitas, the largest private healthcare provider in Spain, which is an HMO, similar to Kaiser, with English-speaking doctors. The cost increases as you age, but it is about equivalent to paying for Medicare, Medigap, and Plan D. At 74, I’m paying about $266 a month, which covers everything with no deductible or copays, including lab work, tests, and basic dental. This Sanitas policy for a healthy 64-year-old couple would be $324 per month. Prescription costs are not covered, but medications are astoundingly cheap by U.S. standards.

After five years, you become a permanent resident and automatically enter the public system. In many communities, but not all, it is possible to buy into the public healthcare system after one year of residency. If you are under 65, it costs about $70 a month, and $187 a month if you are 65 or over. The public system pays 40% of most prescriptions. A new feature being introduced into the public system is the availability of interpreters to translate for patients who don’t speak fluent Spanish. Now you can book your interpreter at the time you book your appointment.

Spain’s First-World infrastructure puts the icing on this tempting retirement cake. You can drink the tap water. The electricity is on 24 hours a day. Trash is picked up every night. Super-fast Wi-Fi is available nearly everywhere. Public transportation is convenient, quick, and cheap. Clean, comfortable, high-speed trains whisk you across the country in a couple of hours. And you don’t need a car, except for in the most remote locations.

On top of all that, Spain is safe. Aside from a few pickpockets, crime is nearly non-existent. Homelessness is quite rare. It’s almost impossible to own a gun. You can feel at ease walking anywhere in the middle of the night. The police are efficient and polite. The government is a stable, modern democracy.

The best benefit of all is the Spanish people who are friendly, helpful, curious, and sincerely interested in North Americans and our culture. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among young people, but everyone is learning and wants to practice. Spanish culture effervesces with the joy of being alive, and it’s one of the most open-minded and LGBTQ-friendly societies in the world. Within Madrid, you’ll find Chueca, an LGBTQ neighborhood with its own rainbow-striped Metro station. Sitges, on the Costa Brava, has been known as “the Fire Island of Europe” for more than 50 years. Torremolinos, near Málaga on the Costa del Sol, is a gloriously gay beach town.

Did I mention the spectacular food and outstanding wines?

For North American retirees, the most viable visa options are the non-lucrative visa and the golden visa. For a non-lucrative visa, you must have the equivalent of €30,000/$35,000 in a bank account or documented income from pensions or investments of €2,130 a month ($29,644 a year at the current exchange rate) plus €532 a month ($7,404 a year) for your spouse and each dependent child. Income from rental properties or salaries is not accepted. You also have to provide proof of private health insurance in Spain, a clean criminal record from the FBI with fingerprints, and a letter from a doctor stating that you have no infectious diseases. Consulates can add other requirements. You must apply at your home consulate in the U.S.

To get the golden visa, you must buy property in Spain valued at $580,181 (€500,000) or more. Then you get a visa and residency for yourself, your spouse, and your dependent children, as well as permits to work in Spain. Financial documentation, an FBI report, and private health insurance are required. It’s good for one year but can be renewed even if you’ve been out of Spain for more than six months. The purchase must be made within 90 days prior to the application, and the $580,181 must be unencumbered. You can make the application from your home consulate, but applying while in Spain on a tourist visa gives you more advantages. Applications are processed within 10 days.

Rumor has it that Spain will also have a digital nomad visa available in 2022.

8. France

Number-8-France

By Tuula Rampont

France is an incredibly beautiful country that leaves few visitors indifferent to its many charms. As the largest and most diverse country (sharing borders with 11 neighbors) in Western Europe, it’s no wonder that la belle France has gained increasing popularity as a top spot to retire on the continent. With a captivating culture, stunning natural landscapes, and a cost of living that is surprisingly accessible, this storied land of fine wine and sumptuous cuisine is an excellent choice for retiring abroad.

Housing prices are, on average, 34% less than those in the United States—with property taxes coming in at one-tenth of what you’d expect to pay back home. Of course, if you’d like to set up shop in a swanky Parisian apartment or a chalet in the middle of the Alpes, you’ll be faced with a hefty price tag. Outside of those glamorous zip codes, many regions offer very affordable housing options.

In the sun-washed region of the Dordogne, known for its bucolic vistas of sunflower fields, rolling haystacks, and chateaux (castles) which seem to top every bend along the Dordogne River, two-bedroom homes are available for $250,000 or less. Once a well-kept secret among our British friends across the pond, more and more American expats are making the move to this gorgeous region in southern-central France.

The medieval town of Sarlat-la-Caneda, with its vibrant farmers’ market and active social calendar, has become a popular hub for North American retirees.

While the glitzy beach towns of the Côte d’Azur may be a strain on the pocketbook, by going a little further inland retirees can find significant savings on real estate. The Var department, just adjacent to the Alpes-Maritimes region (home to Nice and Cannes), is full of cost-friendly destinations. Picture-postcard villages like Cotignac, Correns, and Pierrefeu offer an authentic French-country lifestyle tucked away among the grapevines of Provence. Maisons de village (village-style houses) can be found for $200,000 or less—with a larger budget allowing for an ample garden and swimming pool.

Fans of city-living can head to the fastest-growing metropolitan area in France: Montpellier. A historically influential center of studies, and one of France’s most important university towns, Montpellier is an open, multicultural city with an emphasis on the arts and gourmet living. Among the top five sunniest cities in France (Marseille and Toulon often grab the top spot), life in this gem of the Occitanie region is meant to be lived out-of-doors. Retirees can look forward to long lunches on the city’s dazzling main square, Place de la Comédie, and early-evening apéros (aperitifs) listening to live music, or preparing to watch a performance at one of the city’s many theater venues.

In the summer, a shuttle bus takes residents to the Mediterranean beaches of seaside towns like La Grande Motte and Le Grau du Roi—around a 30-minute journey.

To take advantage of this idyllic southern-France lifestyle, potential investors can access Montpellier’s abundant housing market which includes a large selection of affordable, modern apartments. One- and two-bedroom offerings start at $160,000 and $215,000, respectively.

Although enticing, there’s more to France than the sunny south, and practically every corner of the country seems to have something special and unique to offer. Known for their friendly attitudes and community spirit, Lorraine and Alsace in northeastern France shine with elegant and cosmopolitan cities like Nancy and Strasbourg. Colmar and Riquewihr, two small towns in Alsace, are fairy tale-like destinations with colorful, half-timbered houses and flower-lined canals. With proximity to Germany and a host of international airports, these regions have all of the fine-living attributes (excellent wine, world-class dining, and a rich artistic scene) associated with France, while keeping housing costs low.

The windswept, seaside regions of Brittany and Normandy are two other northern treasures, and certainly France wouldn’t be France without its spectacular wine-growing regions. While retirees can choose to settle in wine-producing areas around the country, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Loire Valley are particularly nice spots to enjoy life among the vines.

With talk of fine wine, incredible food, and lower housing costs, it’s easy to overlook one of the top reasons to consider a move to France: the healthcare system. Available to anyone after three months of residence, the system has no pre-existing condition limitations, age restrictions, or entry fees. Rated as one of the top healthcare systems in the world (ranked number one by the World Health Organization), costs are incredibly low, and care is modern and reliable. Charges are fixed by the government and cannot be increased by any single provider—you’ll be asked to pay the same fee at the top teaching university in Paris as with the local village doctor.

A standard doctor’s visit costs $29, and a visit to a specialist is $58, without signing up for French healthcare. Once in the system, after the three-month mark of residing in France, 70% of that cost is refunded to you—meaning you’ll pay approximately $9 out of pocket for a standard doctor’s visit. At $69 to $173 a day, hospital stays are covered at 80% during the first month, and at 100% each subsequent month. Prescription drugs, already a fraction of the price of their U.S. counterparts, are covered at 65% to 100%.

Retirees pay a very low percentage of their annual income into the universal healthcare system, and, thanks to a tax treaty with the United States, cannot be taxed on income received from Social Security benefits or pensions.

Good food, excellent wine, and a relaxed, gourmet culture make France a very attractive option for retirement. By bypassing the popular metropolitan areas and expensive Riviera resort towns, retirees can take advantage of lower housing costs while maintaining the same standard of living enjoyed across the country. With one of the top healthcare systems in the world, residents enjoy huge cuts in medical costs, and a system that prioritizes individual patient care. A retirement in France provides the ability to experience the best that Europe has to offer, while still keeping a keen eye on your nest egg.

Editor’s note: At the beach—less than an hour from the capital—you could own a 1-bedroom condo on the 30th floor of a luxury tower on a golf resort for $179,000.
The views are splashy—from the mountains to the ocean—and a generous balcony lets you enjoy the fresh ocean air. Claim your free report to find out more.

7. Malta

Number-7-Malta

By Jeff D. Opdyke

If someone were to take Southern California and mix it together with a blend of Tuscany, Spain, and more than a sprinkling of the Greek island of Crete … that person will have created a pretty good analog for Malta, a tiny little speck of rock in the southern Mediterranean, just a geologic stone’s throw from Sicily.

And “tiny little speck” is not an understatement. The entire country of five islands—only three of which are inhabited—is basically the size of Lubbock, Texas. Yet it’s packed with more than 500,000 people, nearly 15% of whom are expats. Most of those people are sardined into the metropolitan area that stretches, unending, along the east coast—the cities of Valletta (the capital), St. Julian’s, Sliema, and the so-called “Three Fingers” of Kalkara, Birgu, and Senglea.

Here, you’ll find a Western European lifestyle, spiced with hints of Arabia, which explains the Maltese language—the only Arabic language reliant on a Western alphabet, albeit one with some funky letters. But no fears: Malta was part of the British Empire for 150 years, so English is a national language, too. That history also means you’re going to find the locals driving on the wrong side of the road, and encounter traditional British cuisine. You’re also going to find an abundance of excellent Italian cuisine, given the islands proximity to Sicily, just 90 minutes away by high-speed ferry.

Everywhere you go in Malta, you get a sense of the age of this place. It’s been around for 5 million years or so, and it has been overrun at one time or another by numerous civilizations, from Phoenicians to Romans, Arabs to Normans. All have left their mark in some fashion on the culture, the food, and even on how the place looks.

Once you venture away from the metro area, the country opens up into panoramic, hilly vistas of low-rise plants and trees across a rocky, semi-arid landscape, with unending views out over the Mediterranean. Out here, you’ll find ancient megaliths older than Stonehenge, wonderfully quaint fishing villages, and the medieval fortress city of Mdina, which once served as home not only to the Knights of Malta but as a set for Game of Thrones (yes, it looks that authentic).

Just 20 minutes north of the main island of Malta by ferry is the much smaller island of Gozo. It is to metro area what Upstate New York is to Manhattan—a slower-paced getaway. The population here is just over 32,000, so it’s very quiet and seemingly years behind the big city, a facet of Gozo that the Maltese and many expats treasure.

The country is also overrun with more churches than seems possible for such a small place: more than 360, or a church for every day of the year. The good news: All those churches mean there are street fairs and festivals—known as “festas”—just about weekly. Aside from that, there’s a lot to do in Malta, despite its Lilliputian dimensions. Hiking trails. Some of the best scuba diving in the Mediterranean. All manner of water activities including yachting, sailing, swimming, fishing, and water polo for all ages (seriously, you will find water polo courts right on the sea all over the metro area).

The weather here is about what you might expect for an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, between Italy and North Africa … only in an unexpected way. Lots and lots of sun, for sure; about 300 days per year. But despite being a rocky, dusty outcropping, Malta dishes up swamp-like heat and humidity across the summer. Winters are short and mild, at least in terms of temperature, rarely dipping below the 50s F. But even in winter, humidity is high, which means the cool air permeates to the bone, according to expats who live here. Making that slightly worse is that the homes are designed to say cool in summer, not warm in winter, so walls and floors are all stone, amplifying the chill. The trick—throw rugs all over the place, according to all the expats.

Speaking of housing: Maltese houses and apartments are not cheap. That’s a function of a few things. The country sees incessant demand from the rest of Europe, since it’s a warm, beachy destination for an often-cold continent. Plus, the country imposes no property taxes, which has created a situation in which scads of homes, passed down through generations to multiple heirs, sit in disrepair because the heirs can’t agree on its disposition, yet have no incentive to sell because there’s zero carrying cost. That forces builders to build new, which jacks up prices.

Modern, one-bedroom apartments in the metro area that most Americans would find comfortable are in the $900 to $1,600 range, depending on location. In Gozo, expect to pay about 30% less—but also expect fewer amenities and services on the smaller island. If you want to buy, expect to spend north of $300,000, or, again, about 20% to 30% less on Gozo.

Meals in cafés and restaurants cost less than in the U.S., but, again, they’re not cheap. Street food is good value. A sandwich and a local Cisk Beer (pronounced: Chisk) will set you back about $3 to $7. But a nice sit-down meal of pasta and a salad, with a glass of wine, is about $30 a person. And any kind of imported, packaged food at a local supermarket can be downright expensive. Expats have learned that the best option is to shop the local veggie trucks that shop up in every neighborhood, hawking fruits and vegetables. Prices are easily 30% to 50% cheaper.

What you pay for in food you save on transportation. The country is so small you don’t need a car (and, frankly, you don’t want one). Traffic is a nightmare, and parking is the demon inside that nightmare terrorizing you. Luckily, the country has an excelling, efficient, and inexpensive public transportation network. It also has a few local versions of Uber, such as one called Bolt. Download the app to a smartphone, connect to your credit card, and you can get anywhere you want to go, quickly and affordably. Seriously, the place is so small, it’s basically a 30-minute drive from the east side of the island to the west.

As for healthcare, Malta’s is high quality, ranking fifth in the world. That makes it a popular medical tourism destination. There are just two hospitals in the country, though numerous medical clinics. As an expat resident, you don’t have access to national health insurance, so you will need a travel-medical insurance plan. Those typically cost about $2,000 to $2,500 per year from any of several, well-known providers.

The country offers a couple of paths for permanent residency. The quickest is the Permanent Residence Program. It takes several weeks. But it requires €500,000 in assets, financial contributions to the government and a local NGO, as well as certain real estate/rental obligations.

The less costly option is the “self-sufficiency” visa. Its biggest hurdles are €50,000 per year in income (can partly be Social Security), as well as proof of medical insurance, and a 15% tax payment annually (minimum payment: €5,000) based on the money you remit into the country.

For a Western European lifestyle with a beachy afterglow, Malta’s hard to beat.

6. Ecuador

Number-6-Ecuador

By Donna Stiteler

If you’ve been dreaming of retiring in a place where you can easily live off $1,500 to $1,825 a month, depending on location and lifestyle, in a culture which hasn’t been gentrified but has all of the accoutrements of modern living, then Ecuador should top your list. Don’t be misled by its obscurity. Ecuador’s tourism has grown by 30% over the past five years and the country attracts North Americans, Europeans, gap year backpackers, explorers, and expats from around the world, all who come to enjoy its perfect combination of climate, culture, and affordability.

Anthony Bourdain once said about the country: “It is a republic on the equator lying on the west coast of South America and is the second smallest country on the continent. With 1,200 miles of coastline, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, and the Galápagos Islands, it is one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet.”

Ecuador is a largely undiscovered country not yet homogenized but still offering the conveniences of modern living, including high-speed fiber-optic internet, American dollar currency, temperate weather, good public transportation, and affordable healthcare and housing. It has a tranquilo culture where manana means sometime in the future, and people welcome each other with cheek kisses and hugs. It’s often described as a trip back to the 1950s, only now the Indigenous men in tribal dress (often seen pulling donkeys along on long ropes) are talking on iPhones. Walk down any major city street and you will see the population is a mix of Indigenous, Spanish descendants, North Americans, Europeans, and mixed ethnicities.

Ecuadorians know how to enjoy life. It’s a very family-oriented, mostly Catholic, country where the locals attend services in massive, gold-embossed cathedrals, gather for Sunday dinners, close down their shops to go watch their kids play soccer, and frequently invite expats over for dinner—but be prepared that dinner starts at 8 p.m. with dancing until 2 a.m. (which is most likely why they don’t start their days until 10 a.m.) There is an abundance of colorful parades with dancers swirling in fedoras and velvet skirts, fireworks that rival Disneyworld, street performers lining downtown town squares, international cuisine, and an abundance of chic bars where musicians pump out everything from salsa, classical, and rock music. Saying it’s a happy place is an understatement.

Weather is near-perfect anywhere you live in Ecuador. You can sit on the beach and enjoy cool sea breezes with temperatures in the 70s F and mid-80s F. Or settle in the Andes, where the equator places the mountains closer to the sun, making even locations at 8,000 feet altitudes produce weather in the 60s F to 70s F.

If you’re dreaming of a coastal destination, visit the beaches and you can sit on the shores of Puerto Lopez and whale watch while you enjoy a pilsner and eat freshly made ceviche in beachside canopies. Venture north and you’ll encounter small, sleepy, coastal towns that attract expats wanting to escape the rat race, surfers, and hippies riding bicycles in towns like Montañita. Further north is the launching point to explore the Galápagos Islands and its famous blue-footed boobies and giant green tortoises. On the southern coastal tip of Ecuador is Salinas, a modern oceanside town known for its party bars, seafood, and year-round fiestas.

Head inland and you’re in the Andes, where you can zipline over mountain valleys, white water raft, get purified by Shamans, and shop for colorful textiles loomed by the Indigenous. Many expats settle in Quito or Cuenca to enjoy the 16th-century Spanish colonial and 18th-century French Republican architecture which earned these cities UNESCO Heritage Site designations. Both these colonial towns offer modern conveniences and their streets are lined with shops, chic bars, and restaurants tucked into scenic, historic, Spanish colonial haciendas.

Go east into the Amazon rainforests and you can white water raft down the Puyo river where you’ll see the Indigenous tribes who live on the river with their children, who hoist blow dart guns to test their aim.

Expats are scattered all over Ecuador depending on their lifestyle choices. Larger expat communities are in Salinas, with its beaches lined with modern condos; Cotacachi, a small, sleepy village where craftsman make everything from leather goods to alpaca ponchos; Cuenca, the modern Andean resort town which is the cultural center of Ecuador, where music, art, and New Orleans-style architecture attracts visitors from around the world; and Vilcabamba, the home of the “Valley of Longevity” known for its Indigenous centurions and laidback expats who sit outside at cafés trading philosophies.

There are few places where living is as affordable as in Ecuador. There is something for everyone, regardless of your budget. Consider that you can own a home on a Pacific Coast beach or a condo with great views in the Andes for around $150,000. Rentals are plentiful and affordable too, with a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo available in downtown Cuenca for $500.

Since the land produces excellent food, mostly with year-round growing seasons, prices at local mercados are so low that it is difficult to buy more than $15 worth of fruits and vegetables. Household help is available for $20 for four hours of cleaning, gardeners run $20, and a deep tissue massage will run between $30 to $40 for a 90-minute massage. No need for heating and air-conditioning bills in most of the country because of the temperate weather, and you can live most places without a car, paying 30 cents for trams, and $2 to $5 for cab rides to get you almost anywhere in town.

Cuenca boasts the largest expat communities and many activities to get involved in—day trips to nearby towns, card games, dinner clubs, trivia, art classes, hikes in the Cajas, and long lunches with friends.

Living in Ecuador can give you a retirement you could only have dreamed about if you had stayed in the U.S. Instead of living paycheck to paycheck or having to work well into your retirement, Ecuador will provide a safe, joyful, tranquilo lifestyle, with money left over to travel the world.

It’s no wonder that Ecuador has consistently placed in the top ten retirement locations in the world. It’s not just an ecological paradise, it’s a place where you can make friends, stop worrying about money, and enjoy the diversity of a country that is only a four-hour flight from the U.S. Not that you will want to go back.

At this stage of life, we can either sit back in our recliners and watch television all day, or we can realize that life isn’t over and the adventure is just starting. Perhaps Bourdain said it best, when he said: “Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”

Editor’s note: In the 2022 Global Retirement Index, we consider each of the top 25 retirement destinations in a series of categories: housing, benefits, visas and residence, fitting in and entertainment, climate, healthcare, cost of living, and more. And we include a full report on the top picks
If you’re ready to know the shortcuts and make the connections that can help you enjoy a richer, fuller life…while you spend less—we’re here to show you exactly how it’s done. Claim your free report to find out more.

5. Colombia

Number-5-Colombia

By Nancy Kiernan

Looking for that perfect spot on the earth for retirement? You are not alone. Lots of people are searching for their little slice of heaven where they can spend their “best are yet to come” years. Colombia checks many of the boxes for those wanting to live in a place with a lower cost of living, excellent healthcare, close proximity to the U.S. and Canada, and climate options to suit practically every taste.

Looking for that perfect spot on the earth for retirement? You are not alone. Lots of people are searching for their little slice of heaven where they can spend their “best are yet to come” years. Colombia checks many of the boxes for those wanting to live in a place with a lower cost of living, excellent healthcare, close proximity to the U.S. and Canada, and climate options to suit practically every taste.

As the gateway to South America, Colombia sits at the northern tip of the continent and covers 440,831 square miles, approximately the combined size of the states of Texas and California. For comparison, Colombia is geographically four times larger than Ecuador, 15 times larger than Panama, and 23 times larger than Costa Rica. Colombia has coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It has the three ranges of the Andes Mountains running down its spine in the western half of the country, as well as the Amazon rainforest in the southeast.

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, so what you pack will depend on where you are planning to live. The coastal areas of Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta are hot and humid, with daytime temperatures in the upper 80s F to low or mid-90s F. The mountain areas of Medellín, Bucaramanga, Pereira, and the Coffee Triangle have a more temperate climate. Temperatures range from the mid-70s F to low 80s F with no humidity. Bogotá will be much cooler, with temperatures in the mid-60s F to low 70s F.

This country offers colonial towns and thriving cosmopolitan cities; places to enjoy the mountains and Caribbean beach towns to soak up the sun. Just three hours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Colombia welcomes non-stop flights into its major cities of Bogotá, Medellín, Armenia, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cartagena, and Cali.

You will find that Colombia is a more developed country than many other countries in Latin America, with the infrastructure, modern products, and services you’d expect in the major cities of a country on the move. Colombia is no longer Latin America’s best-kept secret because more and more expats are moving here to start a new life in this beautiful country…either retiring or continuing to generate an income.

Medellín is one of the fastest-growing expat havens in Colombia. Due to the near-perfect climate, flowers are constantly in bloom and dot the streets with color year-round. Spend just a few hours walking around the city and you will see why it is nicknamed “The City of Eternal Spring.” This perfect weather is what first drew me to the city. I lived in Maine for 27 years before I moved to Medellín in 2012, and I am ecstatic to announce that I have not had to deal with snow since my move.

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Colombia´s healthcare system as number 22 out of the 191 countries they review. That is better than Canada which ranks number 30 and the U.S. which ranks number 37. On top of this, when financial publication América Economía put together their latest annual list of Latin America’s top 63 hospitals, 26 of those hospitals were based in Colombia. That means that 41% of the top Latin American hospitals are in Colombia. The larger cities of Bogotá, Medellín, and Bucaramanga have hospitals which have received the Joint Commission International accreditation, the gold standard for international healthcare.

Visiting Colombia is simple. You can come for 90 days with just your U.S., EU, Canadian, or Australian passport, and then extend for another 90 days. If you want to stay in Colombia for more than 180 days in a calendar year you will need a visa. Retirement visas are relatively easy to get, require proof of at least $750 monthly Social Security income, or $2,500 from a private pension or 401K (based on current exchange rates), and are issued for up to three years.

The real estate owner´s visa applies to people who purchase real estate in their own name for at least $83,000 (based on current exchange rates), a very low threshold compared to many other countries. This visa is also issued for up to three years at the discretion of the officer processing your application.

Your dependents, which could include a spouse, partner, minor children, or someone who is economically dependent on you do not need to apply for a visa too. You can add them to your visa as beneficiaries. Colombia legalized same-sex marriage in 2016, so spouses are covered as beneficiaries.

Retirement dollars go much further in Colombia. A couple can live in many cities around Colombia for $2,000 per month or less. Of course, your cost of living will depend on your lifestyle and where you choose to live. Nancy says, “I can tell you that my living expenses are 60% less than they were back in Maine. Just the fact that I don’t have to pay heating or cooling costs has saved me about $3,400 per year alone.”

“I’m living a lifestyle I couldn’t come close to in the U.S.,” Robert Venhuizen, 68, says. “I have enough money to do what I want.” Life in the pueblo (small town) of San Antonio de Pereira, 45 minutes outside of Medellín, has a slower lifestyle, less traffic, and a low cost of living for Robert. “Since my only income is from Social Security, I could not approach this lifestyle back home. Financial freedom is definitely the greatest benefit to living in the smaller community.”

Colombia is probably one of the most misunderstood countries in the world. Most likely the only exposure you’ve had to this country were the Juan Valdez coffee commercials and the seemingly nightly news stories about Pablo Escobar and the drug cartels. Well, that was then and this is now. Colombia is still world-renowned for its coffee, however the shadow that Pablo Escobar cast over the country has been lifted to reveal the true Colombia: warm, welcoming people, stunning scenery, a contender in world economics, and an exporter of oil, flowers, minerals, and emeralds.

4. Portugal

Number-4-Portugal
                                                                                                                                                                 

By Terry Coles

It’s no wonder that Portugal has topped the charts for the best places to retire through the years. This tiny country in the southwest corner of Europe has something for everyone. Vibrant cities full of Old World charm, miles of golden sandy beaches, green, rolling hills, some of the best healthcare in the world, low cost of living, and safety.

But for me, the best part about living in Portugal is the people. The Portuguese people are warm, friendly, and greet everyone with double-cheeked kisses. On the Silver Coast we rented our first apartment from a sweet, Portuguese woman that spoke no English but always filled our arms with fresh fruits and vegetables from her garden. Despite the language barrier, she became like a sister to us, and we just loved her. At our current rental in the central Algarve, our landlady has shown us around the area, helped us to navigate government offices and even dropped off a gift basket at our door on my birthday. She too is like one of the family, speaks fluent English, and is a person we truly adore.

Since English is taught in schools here starting at the sixth-grade level, many Portuguese do speak some English, which makes retiring here a little easier. Cinemas throughout Portugal offer first-run movies in their original language, which is often English, with Portuguese subtitles.

As a way to encourage foreigners to move to Portugal, the government even offers free Portuguese language classes at schools throughout the country. These run in conjunction with the school year and provide immigrants with an elementary level of understanding and communication skills in the local language, to facilitate and enrich their daily lives.

Perhaps the hardest decision about moving to Portugal is where to live, so let’s have a look at a few options.

My husband Clyde and I began our lives on Portugal’s beautiful Silver Coast in the historic city of Caldas da Rainha. The name literally translates to the “Queen’s Baths, since the city was constructed around a thermal spring that now boasts the oldest thermal hospital in Europe. Just one hour north of Lisbon, this mid-sized city has a cobbled downtown, daily produce and fish market, weekly flea market, modern shopping mall, scenic park with a lake, and a sizeable expat population.

If you are looking to retire in a city full of Old World charm, check out Lisbon. The city comes alive with colorful tiles, museums, palaces, nightlife, and a tram system that navigates the steep, cobbled roads. Take a deep breath and inhale the sweetness of the pastries that are all around. Sample an original custard tart in the famous bakery of Belem that has been baking these delectable treats since 1837.

Head north to visit Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto. Famous for its production of port wine, stately bridges, a colorful riverfront area, university vibe, and tours along the Douro River, there is much to explore. Porto also has an international airport, one of three in the entire country, which makes it easy to come and go.

Looking to retire and live without a car? Then city life in either Lisbon or Porto might be for you. Portugal has an excellent long-distance bus and train system, also making it easy to visit other areas of the country. Both cities have plenty of expats and, because of tourism, English speakers are easy to find.

South of Lisbon is the Alentejo region that includes the cities of Beja and Évora. The largest and most rural region of the country, it is famous for the fields of wildflowers, stately cork oaks, historic towns, and a sparse population. Life here is slow, winters are cool, and summers are hot and dry.

The southernmost region of Portugal is the Algarve. Known for its Atlantic beaches, fishing villages, golf resorts, waterparks, hot, dry summers, and tourists. Due to its long history of British tourists coming here on holiday, English is widely spoken.

So, how much do you need to retire to Portugal? Although it depends on many factors, you can estimate that you can live on about one-third less here. A couple can live comfortably, but not lavishly, in Portugal on $2,500 per month. If you want to live in Lisbon, Porto, Cascais, or the Algarve, you should bump that number up to $3,000 or more.

My husband Clyde and I have called Portugal home for over three years now. Our first rental in Caldas da Rainha was a three-bedroom, fully furnished, private home where we paid just $404 per month. The house offered views of lush, rolling hills and fertile farmland that we loved. But the winters were too cold and wet for us, so we moved further south.

Now we live in Vilamoura, an unincorporated area near the city of Quarteira. Here we rent a two-bedroom condominium in a gated complex with a pool and garage for $981 per month at the current exchange rate. We love Portugal and have never regretted our decision to move here.

3. Mexico

Number-3-Mexico
                                                                                                                                                                 ©iStock/Ignativss

By Jason Holland

In many ways, Mexico is the original retirement haven for Americans and Canadians, with expats coming here for going on 50, 60 years. It’s popular for many reasons:

Mexico is close—it’s the United States’ neighbor, after all—and easy to get to by either driving or taking a direct flight into one of the country’s many international airports. There’s low-cost, top-notch healthcare, including a well-regarded government system. The weather is great from coast to coast. It’s a modern country with high-speed internet, good highways, reliable electric and water, good cellphone service, and stores and brands you’re used to.

And being such a large country, about three times the size of Texas, means there is a wide variety of climates, cultures, landscapes, and lifestyles—there really is a place for everybody in Mexico, from bustling beach resorts to quiet country villages to picturesque colonial towns to major metropolitan areas.

And that’s just the start of why more than 1 million Americans and about a half-million Canadians live in Mexico either full time or part of the year (there are a lot of snowbirds in the country in winter, especially from the northern U.S. and Canada).

That likely makes Mexico the number one expat destination in terms of sheer numbers. And for many who come, that large expat population is a big benefit in itself. When you first move to Mexico, you don’t have to be a pioneer. You don’t have to figure everything out. And, although it is a great idea learn Spanish, you don’t have to be fluent or even speak much at all to get around comfortably.

Things are “set up” in a way. Locals are used to having foreigners around. And that expat community is very welcoming, which makes the transition much easier. People can help you find a rental home or a specialist doctor…recommend restaurants, a lawyer to help you secure residence, and just about anything you can think of. And, of course, there are all sorts of fun things to do like clubs, volunteer work, live music, theater, happy hours, parties… Many expats in Mexico say they’ve never had as many friends or such a full schedule.

Importantly, Mexico still retains its distinct culture. Yes, tourism and expats have changed some communities. But the holidays, the celebrations, and the festivals still go on. And as a foreigner, it’s quite a lot of fun to learn about these traditions and even sometimes take part. It’s part of that transition process as a new expat, and you’ll find that Mexicans are very welcoming to newcomers and proud to teach them about their country’s history and what makes it special.

As far as practical matters, Mexico has it covered.

Cost of living is, of course, tied into lifestyle and habits. But on average, a retired couple could live well in Mexico for right around $2,000 a month. That covers housing, transportation, healthcare, utilities, food…everything. Some people get by on much less because they live very much like locals, others spend a whole lot more—if you want luxury and high-end, Mexico certainly has it. The popularity of a place, whether it has a big expat group or is a tourist destination, can also impact prices.

But in general, Mexico is a very affordable country, with good value real estate (whether you rent or own), good food at cheap prices, whether you’re shopping in the market or going out to eat, low-cost medical care, cheap or even free entertainment, and other ways to save. Those over 60 get a special discount card to save on travel, prescriptions, and much more.

Another big bonus: it’s easy to become a resident. The income requirements are quite reasonable for the two categories most apply for: monthly income of around $2,100 a month or $36,000 in the bank for temporary residence, or $2,700 a month or $149,000 in the bank for permanent residence. Those amounts are approximates because of fluctuations in exchange rates which can change from year to year.

Temporary residence can last for up to four years at a time. At that point, you can re-apply and stay a temporary resident or convert to permanent. You can also apply for permanent residence from the start, if you meet the requirements.

Unlike some other countries, once you have your residence card, there is no requirement to stay a certain number of days out of each year in Mexico. You can come and go as you please without watching the calendar.

The only other things you need to apply for residence are proof of your home country citizenship (your passport) and marriage certificate if you’re applying with your spouse. The application process is smooth, with much of it done online. And even though the process must start at a consulate outside of Mexico, that’s no big deal because there are dozens in the U.S. After that initial approval, you finish at the nearest immigration office to your new home in Mexico. The whole thing takes a matter of a few months, sometimes less.

A big part of the lower cost of living in Mexico is the healthcare. There are two government-run programs, including one (INSABI) that is basically free to Mexican citizens and foreigners with residence (there can sometimes be some small out-of-pocket expenses). This system is designed for those without the means to pay for any other healthcare and has facilities all around the country. Another government option is called IMSS, which costs about $500 per year per person. However, with IMSS pre-existing conditions are not covered.

There is also private healthcare, with clinics and hospitals with all the modern equipment and technology, and doctors of every specialty trained in the latest techniques and procedures. In fact, Mexico is a major medical and dental tourism destination for that reason. You can pay cash at a private facility (costs are a fraction of the U.S.—try $50 to $70 for a specialist visit, $300 for an MRI) or use local or international insurance.

As I mentioned, Mexico enjoys great weather. But it’s quite varied depending on where you are.

There’s the dry heat in the desert in and around Los Cabos at the tip of Baja California, contrasting with the perpetually sunny and warm days and slightly cool nights of the northern part of the peninsula, which is just over the border with Southern California.

On the Pacific, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico coasts, the beaches in places like Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen are beautiful and the weather is warm and humid, cut by sea breezes, year-round. Head to the center of the country, to the Colonial Highlands and cities like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato are temperate pretty much year-round, with some cold days in winter.

Mexico certainly has a lot to recommend it. And it’s destined to be an expat favorite for years to come.

2. Costa Rica

Number-2-Costa-Rics

By Kathleen Evans

Sure, the secret has long been out about Costa Rica’s popularity. But that does not stop millions of visitors and new foreign residents from discovering its special brand of enchantment, lured by the country’s tropical climate; lower cost of living; friendly locals; affordable medical care; vast real estate options; and, of course, its natural beauty for which the country is famous. Located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama, a region often plagued by political and civil unrest, it is nice to know that Costa Rica remains a beacon of stability, democracy, and that sought-after laid-back lifestyle.

When the government abolished their army in 1948 the world took notice, earning Costa Rica the nickname the “Switzerland of Central America.” That military budget was pledged to education and healthcare. Resulting in education for all and a First-World literacy rate. Plus, healthcare access for all citizens and legal residents with one of the top-rated public healthcare models in Latin America.

This republic is internationally known for its tranquility and commitment to the environment—with roughly a quarter of its land protected as national parks and wildlife refuges. The current democratic government, under Carlos Alvarado Quesada*, is considered progressive on most, but not all, political policies. For example, LGBTQ same-sex marriage is legal and women’s rights are mandated. Although readily available, marijuana is not sold legally. Gun laws are also considered strict and possession is only legal for citizens and legal immigrants with permanent residency status. Background and criminal checks, psychological tests, and gun training are mandatory. Hunting is illegal. *Note: the next presidential election takes place February 6, 2022.

There are two healthcare systems within Costa Rica–both public and private. Once you have acquired your residency, you pay approximately 7% to 11% of your reported monthly income into the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social healthcare system (Caja for short) and this national medical program is available to you without copays, pre-existing exclusions, or age disqualifications.

Residents have the option to blend public healthcare with private medical care either through out-of-pocket self-insuring or with the purchase of private insurance policies. You can purchase these through familiar insurance brand names; priced significantly less compared to a similar policy in the U.S. You will find three JCI-accredited private hospitals in the San José area, as well as numerous private clinics throughout the country. The public system has over 29 hospitals and nearly 250 regional clinics, making it easy to find healthcare no matter where you choose to settle.

A couple can live comfortably, but not necessarily extravagantly, here for around $2,000 to $2500 a month. This includes renting a two-bedroom home/condo with North American amenities, air conditioning, plus groceries, entertainment, transportation, and healthcare. If your monthly budget is over $3,000, you will find a relaxed lifestyle with most creature comforts you require.

One of the things you hear often from expats is how warm and welcoming the ticos (Costa Ricans) are. They are wonderful people, eager to share the magic of their culture, food, and traditions with foreigners. You will also find engaging international communities of expats who will help you through the process of acclimation. The vast majority of new arrivals say it is very easy to make friends and fit in here. People of color are also finding a more peaceful existence in Costa Rica away from the systemic racism associated with the U.S. The Costa Rican government’s official proclamation rejects all forms of racism and discrimination.

Pura Vida is a common Costa Rican phrase. Although it translates to “pure life,” this definition merely scratches the surface of a phrase deeply woven into Costa Rican culture, and used to convey anything from “hello” and “goodbye,” to “great news,” “cheers!” and countless declarations in between.

Most expats will confirm they are living a healthier lifestyle once they arrive. Costa Rica is an outdoor playground—with no shortage of physical activities on offer, such as fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hiking, surfing, pickleball, and yoga. Plus, it’s easy to create a healthy diet of less processed food and abundantly healthy choices of locally grown fruits, vegetables, organic eggs, seafood, and grass-fed beef. It is no surprise to hear reports about expats having shed unwanted weight, lowering their blood pressure, taking fewer prescription drugs, and having overall better health of mind, body, and soul.

These statistics should come as little surprise since Costa Rica is home to one of only five “Blue Zones” in the world—located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. These zones were discovered by National Geographic longevity researchers in the early 2000s. They consist of regions that have an unusually high population of centenarians (100+ year-olds). Ten times greater than in the U.S. The research confirms qualities such as healthy diets, natural calcium-enriched water, sunshine, active lifestyles, strong familial and friendship ties, and faith contribute greatly to their longevity.

Costa Rica, like all of Latin America, is predominantly Roman Catholic with approximately 75% identifying as Catholic. Even so, Costa Rica is considered quite secular. The government assures religious freedom for all. You will also find Evangelicals, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and small numbers of Jews, Mormons, and Muslims. Expats who settle in larger international communities will be able to find nearby English-speaking nondenominational churches for worship.

With a dozen official climate zones and hundreds of microclimates, there is someplace for everyone’s personal weather preferences. Many people prefer the temperate “eternal spring” climate of San José, the capital, and the surrounding Central Valley. Other popular choices are the dry, hot beaches of Guanacaste, or the lush, green landscape of the jungles in the south and Caribbean side.

The pandemic turned the world upside down, and Costa Rica felt similar repercussions. The country is now in a slow economic recovery, with initiatives like the new digital nomad visa and an updated law to attract retirees with perks such as a lower threshold for investors (lowered to $150,000 from $200,000), and the ability to import a shipping container of home goods tax-free, as well as two vehicles—sans the steep import costs. The healthcare system has been extremely strained, but not broken. The indicators point toward Costa Rica continuing to be a good long-term relocation contender—given its protected natural beauty and resources, resilient population, and progressive visionaries—as we move toward a better managed COVID world.

Editor’s note: Great values, comfortable climates, plenty to do… these are all part of the reason day-to-day living is remarkably easy and convenient in this country.
Often people assume they’ll have to endure huge tradeoffs when they go overseas. But in the right places—that’s just not the case. Claim your free report to find out more.

1. Panama

Number-1-Panama
                                                                                                                                                                 

By Jessica Ramesch

Some say the only constant in life is change. But after more than 15 years in Panama, I’ve found that some of the best things in life remain the same. It’s no surprise to me that this tiny powerhouse has—once again—taken the number one spot in International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index.

We’ve been here before…and with good reason.

That’s because, when it comes to overall benefits and value, Panama is very tough to beat. It’s what you get when myriad pros come together to create the perfect tropical storm. All any doubter has to do is make a list.

Start with Panama’s geographical position and climate. Just a three-hour flight from Miami, it’s perfectly positioned between North and South America, on a narrow isthmus between the Pacific and the Caribbean.

It’s warm and tropical, but completely outside the treacherous hurricane belt. Though it’s a high-humidity, high-rain destination…especially in the mountains and on its Caribbean coast…it’s also one of the region’s sunniest expat destinations. My days here are balmy and pleasant, characterized by ocean breezes and light, bright mornings.

The cornflower-blue skies and deep-green jungle foliage are the stuff of #nofilter posts. At this latitude both the Pacific and Caribbean defy description, with countless hues from turquoise and pale jade to brilliant, sparkling sapphire. (And as one of only three carbon-negative countries in the world, Panama is serious about protecting this environment.)

The mild climate and incredible biodiversity are just the tip of the iceberg. Panama’s shape and strategic position also made it the obvious choice for its now world-famous canal. That in turn led to major infrastructure works and the development of the region’s busiest flight hub.

People who’ve never been here tend to assume it’s very Third World, but I have reliable power, water that I can drink straight from the tap, high-speed internet, and excellent cell phone service. For 35 cents I can hop on Central America’s only metro line and zip downtown in 10 minutes.

The city center is framed by a gleaming skyline and the sparkling Panama Bay. Residents and tourists come here to work out, skate, ride bikes, have picnics, and so much more. A vast, verdant park and recreation area stretches from here to the romantic historic quarter known as Casco Viejo.

At the other end of the city is Tocumen International Airport, known as the “Hub of the Americas.” Today, Panama is one of the easiest retirement destinations you can travel to from the U.S. or Canada. There are direct flights to Panama from all over the U.S., as well as several cities in Canada and Europe.

Travel within the country is easy, too. I love exploring, and from my home in Panama City I have so many options it’s hard to keep track of them all. In just 20 minutes I can drive to Veracruz for a boozy seafood lunch on the beach. Or I can hop a 30-minute ferry to Taboga Island, also known as the “Island of Flowers.”

The cool mountain towns of Cerro Azul, Sorá, and El Valle are a one- to two-hour drive from the city. The unspoiled Caribbean beaches of Portobelo are about two hours away by car. Or I can fly to my favorite Caribbean archipelago in an hour.

The most popular destination for expat retirees is the lush highland haven of Boquete. It’s almost as far as you can get from the city, about six hours by car. I usually fly, as it’s just an hour to the domestic airport in the city of David. From there, I can rent a car and be in Boquete… sipping award-winning coffee…just 40 minutes later.

My favorite spot right now is Coronado, a happening beach town just an hour’s drive from the capital. In fact, I like it so much I bought an apartment there, and am packing up to move as we speak. Coronado is home to one of Panama’s most active and welcoming expat communities. I’m not even there yet, and I’m already getting invites to potlucks and happy hours.

I also plan to join in on fitness activities like yoga and water aerobics, and who knows what else. There’s tennis, golf, pickleball…you name it, someone’s probably doing it.

No matter where you live in Panama, you’re likely to be no more than an hour away from excellent hospitals. In Coronado I’ll have access to the San Fernando facility. It’s a satellite of the San Fernando in Panama City—a JCI-accredited hospital affiliated with the Miami Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health International of Miami, and Tulane University Health Services Center and Hospital Clinic.

Panamanian doctors make me feel truly cared for. They don’t rush through appointments and they’ll often give you their cell phone number so you have direct access to them while you’re going through treatment or recovery. In fact, I’d say Panamanians in general are the best part of living in Panama. I have made so many wonderful friends here. People who are welcoming and fun and have a wide range of interests, so the conversation is always scintillating.

Panama may not be perfect—no country is—but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. As a single woman I feel safe and free to live my life here, whether I’m going out to dinner and Ubering home late at night or driving cross-country to visit friends. Perhaps that’s because this is truly a land of opportunity, home to thousands of hard-working, upwardly mobile locals and immigrants.

There have been a lot of ups and downs over the past couple years—in Panama and all over the world. But this country has a well-deserved reputation as Central America’s powerhouse. And here’s the thing about living in a powerhouse nation: Panama was perfectly poised to weather the financial and health-related storm, with excellent healthcare and a strong economy that was bound to bounce back.

So, these days it’s “back to business” here. The country is busy welcoming tourists, new residents, and new investment, too. And if you’re on your way down, rest assured that Panama is also ready to welcome you.

Retirement Index 2022 Final Scores

How We Compile the Annual Global Retirement Index

Each year, we use our ever-expanding network of editors, correspondents, and contributors all over the world to give us the on-the-ground information and recommendations we need to put our index together…

All these people were once in your shoes. All of them wondered if they could find a better life abroad. Many of them were former International Living readers who took the plunge, and now want to share their love for their new home with the world. These are the people we draw upon to put together our index each year.

We rank and score each of the 25 countries in the Index across the following 10 categories:

  • Housing. This looks at the value of real estate and how easy it is to buy or rent your dream home overseas. We assess things like the price of houses and condos in areas an expat retiree would like to live in, annual property tax, and if there are any restrictions on expats owning property. We also asked our correspondents whether there are good opportunities to invest in property as a means of earning a rental or capital return.
  • Benefits & Discounts. In some countries, as a retiree you can get discounts on lots of things, from airfare and food to electricity and public transport. All the benefits and discounts retirees can get in the country are factored into this category.
  • Visas & Residence. If you can’t legally and easily call a country home, it won’t be much good as a retirement spot. This category looks at things like how easy it is to get permanent residence, whether the income you make outside of the country will be taxed within it, and if there are any special residence options for retirees.
  • Fitting In/Entertainment. This isn’t just about making friends with locals and expats. It’s also about feeling at home. Can you pick up your favorite North American comforts when you need them? And how easy is it to adapt to the local culture? This category looks at all of these things. Also, what will you do when you’re there? Are there lots of museums, events, and exhibitions? Are there lots of outdoor activities? And can you catch a movie in English when you want to?
  • Development. You wouldn’t want to live anywhere where you couldn’t stream your favorite movies, call home, or access reliable electricity. You’ll also want quality roads and an efficient public transport network. These are just some of the factors that feed into the Development category.
  • Climate. Moving abroad gives you the chance to escape from the extremes of weather back home. You can find places overseas where the weather is just perfect for you. In this category, we rate the climate of each country, factoring in things like rainfall, temperature, and humidity.
  • Healthcare. In this category, we put our experts to the test like never before. How much will you have to pay for things like laser eye surgery, a tooth crown, or a blood transfusion? Can you get common medications for things like asthma and diabetes? And do you need a prescription to get a refill? When it comes to assessing healthcare, we factor in both quality and price to give you a fair and balanced view.
  • Governance. Knowing that your new home respects personal freedom, keeps the bureaucracy to a minimum, and offers a stable and safe environment in which to enjoy retirement is a nice feeling. You’ll also appreciate an efficient banking system. And how well did each country cope with the COVID-19 situation, according to our correspondents? The Governance category examines these factors.
  • Opportunity. Retirement doesn’t need to be a grinding halt. Maybe you have a business project you’d like to try out, or perhaps you’ve thought about supplementing your income with some freelancing work or online employment. We’ve examined how well the local authorities support small business, whether it’s easy to work remotely, and whether there’s a strong economy in each country. You’ll see the answers reflected in the Opportunity score.
  • Cost of Living. A country has to be affordable to be a great retirement spot. It’s that simple. And to assess how affordable each country is, we got our experts on the ground to fill out a comprehensive monthly budget. Everything from the cost of a liter of milk to a bottle of beer to a movie ticket was factored in.

Note: We’ve given Nicaragua and Bolivia low scores in the Opportunity and Governance categories. They’re still viable retirement locations, but because they’ve experienced political instability in recent years, proceed with caution

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  • Recapture the carefree, contented days of time gone by…spend your time playing in the sea, fishing, swimming, sunning…
  • Rent a luxuriously furnished two-bedroom condo just steps from the beach for just $1,200 a month. Or buy one—furnished—for as little as $139,000.
  • Live all in…rent, utilities, groceries, fun and entertainment included…on as little as $1,700 a month—less than $20,000 a year—and vastly reduce your overall tax burden.

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Laura Diffendal

Caribbean Correspondent, International Living

In 2014, Laura and her husband Dave struck out for a life of fun and adventure in the Caribbean. She’ll share her insights and show you exactly how you can do the same. With her tips it can be far easier and more affordable than you think.

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Since 1979, we’ve been helping people uncover opportunities overseas…to play, work, live, retire… Our network of expat correspondents around the world bring their real-world experience to bear and show you exactly what it takes to get from where you are now to the best lifestyle you can imagine.

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Our free daily e-letter brings you the best lifestyle and retirement opportunities available in the world today. We show you where and help you get there, as easily and affordably as possible.

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“Their writers actually live and travel around the country they write about. They report on it all: local customs, cost of living, safety, healthcare, number of expats, use of English, visa and other legal requirements. I have found it to be a complete, accurate and up to date source of information. I highly recommend it for anyone thinking of move or traveling overseas.”

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Five Places to Live in Belize; Two to Avoid

The English-speaking country of Belize has a lot going for it. For a tiny country, it packs a big wallop when it comes to charm and scenery. For the would-be expat—especially if you’re looking for real value—there are many areas deserving of your attention. Places where you can live the laidback, Caribbean lifestyle of your dreams.

So if you’re thinking of moving to Belize, where should be front and center on your expat hit list?

From the many cayes to the Cayo district, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding somewhere to live in Belize. In Belize you’ll find the best, and cheapest Caribbean, beach living around. If lazy rivers and rolling hills are more your scene, don’t fret…you’ll find these as well. The cost of living can vary, depending on which area you decide on. Choosing where to start over in a foreign land can be difficult, but these few areas are a good place to start if you’re looking for a new life in Belize.

In no particular order, check out:

1. Corozal

Corozal—in northern Belize near the border with Mexico—may be your low-cost option if you’re looking for waterfront property. Not technically on the Caribbean, but instead on the pretty Bay of Chetumal, you’ll find that prices for just about everything…from real estate to local grocery items…will be less in Corozal.

Corozal Town was built on the foundations of a Mayan ceremonial center (now called Santa Rita), and many of the town’s old buildings are constructed of stones pillaged from the ruins of Santa Rita, now a popular tourist attraction.

If you’re looking for a less expensive option in Belize, Corozal is perhaps your best choice. Still beautiful and still tropical, Corozal is an exciting prospect for expats and visitors alike.

2. Ambergris Caye

If you’re a diver or fisherman or love to snorkel, you’ve no doubt heard of the Isla Bonita (beautiful island) of Ambergris Caye. (In this case, “caye” is pronounced as “key,” by the way.) If white sands and turquoise waters are your idea of paradise, either one of these will be your dream come true. You’ll find a good number of U.S. and Canadian expats living here…so you’ll have plenty of company at the plentiful and lively beach bars overlooking those warm gin-clear waters. Although you will find things slightly more expensive than other areas in Belize, the scenery alone makes it worth it.

3. Caye Caulker

It takes only 30 minutes by water taxi to reach Caye Caulker from its big sister Ambergris Caye. While it is much smaller, with less than 2,000 residents compared to Ambergris’ 20,000, it’s just as beautiful on this island and the pace is much slower. The streets are still composed of packed sand, and you won’t need to dodge traffic here. You’ll see a few golf carts, but no cars or trucks. The cost of living on Caye Caulker is surprisingly affordable for a popular Caribbean island. Most expats can live comfortably on this island for $1,500 to $2,000 a month.

4. Placencia

This charming little seaside town is found at the tip of a peninsula off the coast of mainland Belize about three hours south of Belize City. Placencia is fast becoming Belize’s most desirable location as it fronts the gorgeous Caribbean Sea to the east and a resplendent freshwater lagoon, full of wildlife and with a view of the gorgeous Maya mountain chain, to the west. There are still real estate bargains to be had here—and the relaxed lifestyle is unsurpassed, although my advice would be to get there soon, the beauty and character of this seaside town won’t stay untouched for long.

5. The Cayo District

The Cayo district. If you love lazy rivers, vast rolling hills, and fertile farmland and rainforests where you can test your gardening skills, Cayo is for you. The heart of this area are the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, which both enjoy an Old West feel…but in a tropical frontiersman kind of way that you’ll find only in Belize. Bargains can be found here, too—not only on real estate but on the huge amount of produce and fresh cheeses grown and produced here by local Mennonites.

There’s more to Belize, of course. There are many other seaside villages…and pine-covered mountains, rainforests, and hundreds of tiny islands that dot the coast. But put these five locales on your list of places to check out and you won’t be disappointed. In fact, you’ll be spoiled for choice and then some…

All this mentioned, there are a couple of places that aren’t worth much attention…

1. Belize City

Belize City is not a place you should consider if thinking about a move to Belize. You won’t find Caribbean beaches here or quaint beachside bars. A move to Belize will inevitably mean that you would have to spend some time in Belize City, the largest city in this Central American country. The international airport is here, so getting to Belize means you will have to pass through. As are other services you may need, such as hospitals, attorneys, and some shopping.

But other than for these relatively uninspiring reasons, you probably won’t find any need to spend time in Belize City. Belize is a splendid country and there are many far more attractive places, like the ones we mentioned above.

2. Belmopan

Belmopan, located in the Cayo district of Belize, is the second place you can cross off your list. While it, too, is a perfectly fine city—and is the capital city and administrative hub of the country’s government—there’s not a lot in Belmopan to write home about.

Claim Your COMPLIMENTARY 176-Page Portugal Manual Today Limited Time Offer

Discover One of the Lowest-Cost Places to Live and Retire in Western Europe—Sophisticated, Historic, Sun-Drenched Portugal

In Portugal, summers are long and costs are low. Café-lined cobblestone streets, ancient Moorish castles and pristine golden-sand beaches beckon. In this sophisticated, low-cost paradise you can enjoy a first-world quality of life…on a budget as low as $2,207 a month

Dear International Living Reader, 

Imagine living in the most relaxed, affordable country in Western Europe…a diverse landscape where local markets thrive next to ultra-modern shopping complexes…where ancient palace fortresses cast shadows across bustling cosmopolitan art centers…and where you can sample some of the best surf in the Atlantic one day and sip cool, pure water from a trickling mountain stream the next.

Here you'll find the best of ALL worlds…

…where terms like 'world-class' and 'ultra-affordable' apply to just about everything: ski resorts, golf courses, wineries, fine dining and infrastructure…

…and where some of the world's most sophisticated cities are just a stone's throw from long, empty stretches of beach, quiet country retreats and spectacular national parks—so it's always easy to find your own private slice of peace…

Just ask Jamie S., who left her home in Santa Monica to make a new life in Europe. She hadn't planned on settling in Portugal when she first arrived, but was soon seduced by the mouth-watering food and wine, palatial architecture and meandering streets of Porto, Portugal's second-largest city…

"There is just something about this place that hooks you and makes it almost impossible not to stay.

Living here, I can afford to enjoy a coffee and a long talk with a friend in the afternoon sunlight at one of Porto's many outdoor cafes. I can walk through old streets without a destination, knowing I will discover a new set of favorite little corners. Life in Porto is full of these kinds of moments."

Jamie was also amazed at how little she was spending to live here:

"If you want a quick breakfast, you can buy a tosta mista (ham-and-cheese melt) and a galao (latte) for less than $3.25. Or, if you want to enjoy a drink with a friend, a glass of Super Bock—the most popular beer—costs a little over a dollar.

For about $5.50, I can walk away from a family-owned produce shop with a bag full of bananas, grapes, pears, apples, kiwis, plums, garlic, spinach, onions, carrots and cabbage. No matter how many times I buy fresh produce from this place, I am still pleasantly shocked every time I get the bill."

Portugal's cost of housing is another bonus that's hard to resist: rent for a charming semi-detached house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a terrace, living room, and fully equipped kitchen…comes to a little over $1,000 a month. And if you only need a single room, Jamie says it's common to be able to find a room for $400 or even less a month."

"For someone who was paying $1,500 per month for a room in a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica, California, this dramatic decrease in living expenses has allowed me to spend less time working just to pay the rent…and more time actually living and experiencing life."

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your FREE Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

And in Portugal, You're Ideally Placed to Explore The Rest of Europe, Including Your Near Neighbors: Spain, France and Britain

But here's the thing…you may want to stay just where you are, since as soon as you step outside Portugal's borders, you'll be spending more money…because this under-the-radar retirement destination is definitely the lowest-cost spot in Western Europe.

Kevin Casey, a globe-trotting writer who regularly travels to Europe for lengthy stays, was pleasantly surprised at the low costs when he first visited Portugal:

"As a digital nomad, I spend months at a time in different parts of Europe and all around the world, but when I made my first trip to Portugal, I was blown away. I'd been to Spain, and found Portugal cheaper—especially in day-to-day things like groceries, getting around, entertainment, meals out and places to stay.

I'd heard that Spain was the most economical place to go in Western Europe, but Portugal beats it hands down, especially when compared to cities like Madrid. There may be parts of Spain that are cheaper than Portugal, but overall, it's no contest: Portugal was definitely more affordable for me—and the Wi-Fi was totally reliable everywhere I went, which is important for a writer. On the Continent, you'd have to travel across to Slovakia, Romania, Poland or other parts of Eastern Europe to find a cost of living that rivals Portugal."

According to long-term Portugal resident and IL correspondent, Tricia Pimental, Portugal's cost of living—as of last year—was calculated at more than a third lower (and up to 50% cheaper to rent in certain areas) than the U.S.

Stacked up against the rest of Western Europe, this expat haven also comes out on top for affordability with a first-world lifestyle…

In France, for instance, you'll expect to pay nearly 50% more for groceries and restaurant meals than in Portugal…

A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant in Portugal will set you back only €30 compared to €50 in France. Or, if want to enjoy a local beer in Portugal, you'll pay only €1.50.

Even Spain—long considered the ultimate bargain destination by European travelers and expats—has a cost of living index and rental prices around 12% higher than those in Portugal. In March 2020, Numbeo figures showed the following rental property price differences between Portugal and Spain:

  • Lisbon—10.26% lower than Madrid
  • Albufeira—18.97% lower than Marbella
  • Faro—12.76% lower than Malaga
  • Porto—20.25% lower than Barcelona

…and if you're after a beach hideaway and are comparing Portugal's Algarve region in the south of the country with Spain's Costa del Sol, the news is just as good: Compared with the Costa del Sol, the average price of a property in the Algarve is more than 50% lower.

Imagine enjoying a leisurely two-course dinner with a glass of wine and dessert for only $13 per person…at these kinds of prices, it's easy to see why Portugal should be one of the first countries on your retirement radar, especially if you're on a fixed income.

Of course, some parts of Portugal will cost more than others. A meal in Lisbon or Porto will cost you more than one in the quieter Alentejo region, for example…that's to be expected…but even in Portugal's main cosmopolitan areas, you'll still pay less than other cities such as London, Paris or even Madrid:

  • A three-course dinner for two in France will run $61.79 (€50), while the same in Portugal is $37.02 (€30).
  • With beverages, the news gets even better: a half-liter draught of domestic beer will set you back $6.18 (€5) in France, while in Portugal you're looking at $1.85 (€1.50).
  • And according to Numbeo, living in New York City will cost you a whopping 96.02% more than living in Lisbon.

And here's the clincher—you don't even need to be based in a large Portuguese city to immerse yourself in enchanting old-world culture, fresh, wholesome food and stunning scenery…because it's absolutely EVERYWHERE.

That’s why you owe it to yourself to see what Portugal offers you.

Tricia says, "After moving to Portugal, we found that a middle class family from the U.S. could see their budget cut by two-thirds. An expat with a source of income from a private enterprise, retirement account or savings will discover that the cost of living is remarkably low. In the palace town of Mafra, a half-hour drive from the capital of Lisbon, a one-bedroom apartment can be had for a few hundred dollars per month.

Need more room, or prefer privacy? A four-bedroom, two-bath home with a terrace, patio and a garden costs approximately $2,036 per month. A house fitting this description would probably sell for less than $317,422. Expect to pay about $165 per month for water, gas, and electricity combined."

Tricia recommends renting in or near a Portuguese beach city if you're looking to 'test the waters' (literally and figuratively!) before committing to a longer stay. For her, rock-bottom prices were only part of Portugal's appeal:

"Fresh seafood is everywhere, and there are organic sections in many supermarkets if you can't make it to the local farmer's market. Wonderful wines abound. A bottle that elsewhere might run $25 in a store and $40 to $50 in a restaurant runs about $8 on a Portuguese store shelf, with a good table wine under $5. As—or more- important—as the affordability factor, though, is the overall quality of life offered by this gem of a nation. Its people are patient yet proud. They understand the meaning of family, tradition and hard work. They love music. They love language."

Here, You'll Enjoy a Similar Level of Amenities To What You're Used To In the US… But At a Fraction Of The Cost… Including Reliable Public Transport, Superb Healthcare, High-speed Internet and Great shopping

What makes Portugal such a desirable destination for investors, travelers, digital nomads, expats and retirees? It's the fact that even though you're paying much less than you may be used to, you're not sacrificing your quality of life. You still have some of the most efficient infrastructure and modern living in Europe…coupled with a slower pace that lets you truly appreciate each day.

What does 'quality of life' really mean in Portugal? It means you can:

  • Rent a comfortable apartment in the most beautiful parts of the country for just a few hundred dollars a month
  • • Enjoy one of the world's lowest crime rates (Portugal was ranked #3 in the world for safety by the Global Peace Index in 2020)
  • • Experience first-rate, affordable medical care (The World Health Organization has ranked Portugal #12 out of 191 countries for its international-quality healthcare in the past)
  • Sun-worship to your heart's content—Portugal boasts 1,115 miles of magnificent coastline and around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year…and the Algarve region, home to more than 100,000 foreign resident retirees, has more sunny days than almost anywhere else in Europe
  • Communicate easily with the locals (many Portuguese speak some English, especially in expat-popular coastal regions)

Living in Portugal gives you an abundance of choices: you can base yourself in a sleepy fishing village, a thriving beach resort, a mountain retreat or in the heart of vibrant Lisbon—where the restaurants, museums and attractions rival anything else in Europe. Whatever private hideaway you choose, you're sure to make new friends quickly…because Portuguese people are some of the most relaxed, family-oriented, helpful and courteous folks you'll meet anywhere.

In this Enchanting Expat Oasis, There's So Much to See and Do…

  • Gaze across the Atlantic from the westernmost point in continental Europe…
  • Walk, jog, bike or drive along Lisbon's 10.5-mile-long Vasco de Gama Bridge—the longest in Europe…
  • Jump on a cable car and wind along Lisbon's cobblestoned streets to reach your favorite restaurant with sweeping bayside views…
  • Spend a lazy day cruising the Douro River on a wine-tasting tour…
  • Stroll through the shelves at Porto's Livrario Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores on earth…
  • Visit the mesmerizing natural sea caves near Carvoeira in the sun-soaked, white-sand bliss of the Algarve…
  • Sample a francesinha, an iconic northern Portugal sandwich that's layered with pork, smoked sausage and bacon, then topped off with medium-rare steak, a fried egg and a thick layer of cheese sauce; you'll need the remainder of the day to digest it…
  • Escape the city and head to the breathtaking Serra da Estrela mountains, where you can hike, canoe, ski in winter or soak your cares away in the thermal hot springs…

So What's The Hardest Part About Living In Portugal? It Could Be Deciding in Which Stunning Part of The Country To Base Yourself…

Whether you're just exploring the possibilities or thinking seriously about moving to Portugal, you'll find no shortage of spectacular locations, lifestyles and options to choose from. Although you can expect to pay more in major cities in general, a couple can live quite comfortably on about $2,207 (€1,917) per month.

Low-key beach and riverside living…

In the wind-surfing hotspot of Esposende (pop. 56,000) on the 'Green Coast' of northern Portugal, you'll discover a laid-back lifestyle along the Rio Cavado with fine dining, a romantic lighthouse and uncrowded beaches, where a 2-bedroom apartment rents for $320-$540 a month… or you can buy a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a balcony, basement, garden, garage and fully equipped kitchen with security system, and central heating for just under $407,000.

If you like to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life and slow your pace right down, Esposende is well worth a look.

Gourmet delight…

Or sample life in Vila Nova de Famalicão, a pleasant inland town of 133,000 people just a half-hour drive northeast of Porto…where you'll have access to two international airports, over a hundred cafes and restaurants and a weekly farmer's market. Slip into Tentacaões Gourmet shop for a chat with Elsa (she speaks excellent English) and grab a homemade pastry, a cup of strong, fresh coffee, a glass of wine or some chocolate fettuccine.

For a 3-bedroom apartment in this part of the country, monthly rent is around $480-$600, with purchase prices around $200,000. Life is good…and good value…in this quiet town 15 miles from the beach.

Porto: Life in this chic, historic city has everything you could ask for.

Porto paradise…

Life in this chic, historic city has everything you could ask for: a vibrant seaside ambience, friendly locals, mild weather and delicious food and wine at appealing prices.

Wind through the maze of medieval alleys in the Ribeira district in your search for a new restaurant…visit a wine bar along the Douro River to sample world-renowned port and then stroll across the famous Dom Luis I bridge. Lose yourself in leafy parks, beautiful churches and elegant public buildings…

Portugal's second-largest city is popular with expats and known for its year-round livability and pleasing blend of cosmopolitan sophistication and old-word ambience.

When International Living's European Expert recently visited, she discovered an exciting range of affordable housing options

" You can find a rental in the most central neighborhoods, right in the heart of the action—for less than $1,000 a month. (Try showing a check that small to an agent in Paris or Rome!)

Prefer to live in central Porto? If you're after a well-located one-bedroom/one bathroom apartment, one was recently on offer close to the cathedral and the historic old town. With a fully-equipped kitchen and A/C, this apartment puts you right in the action in Porto. Its asking price: just $91,000.

Central Porto is home to only about 250,000 people, giving it a small-city, manageable feel (the greater Porto area is home to 1.5 million). You can stroll from the outskirts of the old city down to the waterfront—the Cais da Ribeira—in as little as twenty minutes."

Your own secret mountain hideaway…

Want to start your new life surrounded by mountains, farms and parks? Then take a look at Guarda—the highest city in Portugal at 3,320 feet. Here in the country's interior, you're only a couple of hours from Porto but you'll feel a world away, with 20 frontier castles to explore and all the fresh air you can handle…

There is currently a finely renovated home available there for $161,000 with four bedrooms, an olive grove as well as fruit trees and handy access to river beaches and the Guarda center.

A rich life at low cost in Portugal's largest city…

Portugal's largest city, Lisbon, is one of Western Europe's jewels…where every neighborhood seems to offer stunning views and you can choose between the culture and history of Belem, the sizzling nightlife of Bica and Barrio Alto or the bedroom communities of Oerras or Loures—where daily life is less frenetic but you're still close to everything. In Lisbon you may have to pay a bit more…but you get more convenience, entertainment, infrastructure and nightlife for your money.

Some typical Lisbon real estate options: A one-bedroom apartment in the center of Lisbon in good condition and it's located in a quiet neighborhood, close to transport (metro, train, and bus). There's nice sun exposure and a garden view. This was on offer for $1,400 a month.

One of the best things about Lisbon is how easy it is to get around…whether you own a car or not. If you like, you can forget about driving, live like a local and hop on the trams instead!

Affordable luxury on 'the Portuguese Riviera'… 20 miles west of Lisbon, the popular tourist and expat hub of Cascais has all the grandeur and elegance of the French Riviera…but at much lower prices.

Annette R. moved to the popular beach town with her husband José.

Living in Atlanta, Georgia, they realized that “The economic forecast didn’t look good for a soon-to-be-retired couple in the U.S.” They opted for peaceful Portugal and couldn’t be happier.

“We’re never surprised by costs, other than to realize how richly we can live on our retirement income, beyond all of our expectations,” Annette says

Areas like Cascais and Lisbon require a monthly budget of about $2,500, but move 30 minutes away, and that figure drops to around $2,000.

"A two-bedroom apartment a two minute walk from the beach can be rented for about $1,200 a month, with all the amenities like a private sunny garden , and a patio included. A comparable apartment in Nice, France would easily set you back $3,000 a month."

Other real estate examples from this area include a 5-bedroom, semi-detached house with three floors and a balcony for sale at $550,000.

The Algarve: Sun, Sand and Sparkling Scenery In Southernmost Portugal…

If an average winter temperature of 77°F sounds like your style, then set yourself up in the Algarve. Once just a collection of sleepy fishing villages perched on low cliffs, this region is now a legendary destination for global sun-seekers, golfers and active expats…a place where every beach town is as attractive as the next and bright sunshine is the norm.

Dine with friends on the cliff tops…

Along the numerous sand coves lining the Portimao coastline, you can spend your days beach-hopping and then your nights relaxing at Praia da Rocha's cliff-top promenade, where the restaurants and nightclubs buzz and the views are divine.

Typical rentals in the area run about $477 a month for a studio apartment and twice that for a one-bedroom. A cozy property, five minutes from the beach with a pool, gardens and a garage can be found for just $138,000.

Albufeira is the largest of the Algarve resort towns, but relaxing here is easy too. Rental property prices vary considerably, but recent offerings include two-bedrooms around $1,475.

In Faro, you have access to an international airport but are still smack dab in the middle of some the loveliest beaches on the coast. Faro exudes a less touristy, more local vibe and is worth checking out for real estate bargains. A recent offering, on the popular Avenida 5 de Outobro, boasting a four-bedroom home in excellent condition was selling at $335,000.

For a quieter, more low-key lifestyle, try the charming little town of Tavira, just 16 miles west of the Spanish border; it's the perfect base for exploring the eastern Algarve. Here, a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in a gated community just listed at $409,000 to buy—this could be your own private oasis, away from the bustle of the central Algarve.

So… What's The Best 'First step' Toward Living Your Dream Life In Sophisticated, Low-cost Portugal?

If you've ever thought about making a major, positive change in your life and living in a sun-soaked place that lets you stretch your dollars…while enjoying sophisticated living in the midst of medieval history, natural splendor, a laid-back beach lifestyle and first-world infrastructure…well, that place is Portugal…and the time is now.

As the mainstream media continues to spread the word about the benefits of retiring to Portugal, this country's charms and affordability won't stay under the radar long. It's inevitable…the bargains you can still find in Portugal today WILL NOT last forever. But if you act now, you can still make Portugal your idyllic new home…at prices you never thought possible…provided you don't wait too long.

All you need to make it happen is the insider knowledge that can help you answer all the important questions, like:

  • What does a typical weekly shop at the grocery store cost in Portugal?
  • What types of visas can I get if I choose to stay in the country long-term?
  • As a temporary or permanent resident, how can I access Portugal's premier public and private health care systems?
  • What are the cheapest ways to travel to and from—and around—Portugal?
  • How do I qualify for residence status or arrange an investment visa?
  • What kind of Internet speed and mobile phone coverage can I expect…in and outside of the major cities?
  • Where can I find authentic, high-quality restaurants and modern supermarkets?
  • What do I need to know about taxes if I decide to relocate to Portugal?
  • How do I go about shipping all my belongings across the Atlantic…including my pet…and how much will it cost?
  • What do I need to know to get the very best deal on long-term apartment leases in Portugal?
  • How can I get local professional help to navigate the legal aspects of real estate transactions?
  • Where do I find the best doctors, dentists, pharmacies and hospitals…and what can I expect to pay for routine and emergency medical treatment?

To provide definitive, no-fluff, real-world answers to these questions…and hundreds more…we've created the most comprehensive guide to living, retiring, traveling and investing in Portugal ever…a jam-packed, comprehensive, meticulously researched Portugal resource that leaves no stone unturned in providing you with all the vital information necessary to make this Western European nation your new part-time or full-time home.

This isn't a run-of-the-mill travel guide. It's a whole world away from Lonely Planet, Rough Guides or Fodor's. It's like nothing you've ever seen before…a jam-packed compendium of insider information, boots-on-the-ground details and must-have resources that you simply won't find anywhere else…a fully-loaded manual that takes you by the hand and leads you through every single step you need to take to get your new life in Portugal off to a roaring start…even if you have no experience in living abroad.

The Most Complete Guide to Traveling, Living and Retiring in Portugal We've Ever Published

We've drawn upon the latest resources, compiled the most pertinent first-hand information, gathered the most indispensable contacts and picked the brains of seasoned expats and retirees living in Portugal RIGHT NOW to give you the kind of deep, how-to insights that leave ordinary travel guides in the dust.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your FREE Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

This comprehensive resource is called Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less.

…and it gives you everything you need to start your own Portugal journey, whether your goals are travel, short or long-term living, retirement or investing in this welcoming country. You won't find a more current or comprehensive guide to today's Portugal anywhere…because it doesn't exist.

We've done all the hard work for you, so you don't have to wonder about the steps you need to take to make your Old-World Europe dream a reality.

Meet Your Own Personal Guide to The Wonders Of Life In Portugal

When Tricia Pimental and her husband decided to move overseas in 2012, they looked at a number of options: Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, France…even Malta. They'd vacationed in Portugal and remembered how exciting and different their experiences were.

They sat in rapt attention as a fadista in a rural village near Porto bared her soul, singing of the glory of Portugal. They puzzled at youngsters joining a festival parade at midnight…on a school night! They watched fishermen bringing ashore their catch of sardinhas and carapau.

And they quickly realized something…in the midst all this country's cultural richness, they found that for lodging and meals, they were only spending a slim percentage of what they'd experienced in other European countries…or back home in Utah.

So they decided to return.

"That's when life changed from relishing a few weeks of vacation to living a casual lifestyle in a place more budget-friendly and accommodating than we'd ever imagined", Tricia says.

After moving to Portugal, Tricia discovered they could live on approximately a third of what it had cost them in the U.S. And she believes the situation is even better for aspiring expats now, with the decline of the Euro against the dollar.

When Tricia graduated from Brooklyn College of the City University in New York with a B.A. in French, she began to travel…to France, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Turkey, Israel, Russia, the Baltic states and most of Europe. She's the author of three award-winning books, including A Movable Marriage: A Memoir.

And she is also the author of Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less…your personal resource for starting a new life in Portugal.

Who better to guide you carefully through the adventure of living in Portugal than someone who has made the move herself…and absolutely loves it there?

It's like having your own professional Portugal consultant on hand to answer all the critical questions and provide the latest on-the-ground advice. Except you don't have to pay thousands in consultancy fees to access this once-in-a-lifetime compilation of essential Portugal information…not even close…it's available to you for so much less than that.

The scores of cookie-cutter travel guides on the market…the thousands of online articles about the attractions of Portugal…the barrage of media articles about this increasingly popular country…

None of them compare to our latest and greatest all-in-one resource to breathtaking Portugal.

Not Available Anywhere Else

The latest digital edition of Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life for Less is not available in bookstores, resource libraries, or anywhere else on the internet, apart from International Living's online bookstore. And it's available in an online downloadable form only. That's how we can keep the information as up-to-date and reliable as possible. It also allows us to get this information in your hands as quickly as possible.

Travel to Portugal to obtain all this information yourself and you'd expect to pay $2,000 or more. (The time and efforts of attorneys and other experts who worked to compile this information is worth that much alone.)

It's Yours—On the House!

Escape to Portugal

I'd like to send you—at no charge—a digital copy of this comprehensive 178-page manual Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less. (A $99 value.) All I ask is that you try a subscription to International Living Magazine.

You already know something about International Living since you get our free e-letter. But what you may not know is that these e-mailed dispatches are just the beginning. There's always a lot more to every story.

There's a whole world of information and benefits that we reserve exclusively for subscribers to our magazine—and we like nothing more than identifying exciting opportunities in little-known places for those readers.

Here at International Living, we're all about solutions that really work. Recently we've shared with our readers secrets like…

  • Europe's royal beach escapes…the Golden Age of Europe's royal houses may be long over, but the Old World beach resorts where the continent's aristocracy summered still cling to a fin de siècle grandeur… In these spots, you can enjoy urban luxuries as fine as the enticing, sandy beaches. We'll show you where…
  • Three stylish towns in Spain within easy striking distance of Barcelona—beautiful, intimate, and food-focused—where you can gain a vibrant cultural scene at small-town prices.
  • Four islands within easy access of the States where sugar-sand beaches and warm, clear waters will grab your heart…and the good-values will keep you coming back.
  • Eternal summers…the how-to secrets of a snowbird life, including where to go and how to spend half overseas what you'd pay to stay home.
  • Tax-saving strategies—smart ways to protect your assets and pay less with structures and systems overseas.
  • Social Security loopholes that could hand you tens of thousands in "extra" benefits overseas…but you have to know to ask……(This information is NOT approved, endorsed or authorized by the Social Security Administration. All of the information mentioned here is available for free from the Social Security Administration, but we’ve compiled an easy to read list for you.)
  • How to beat the airline luggage fees…
  • A laid-back Costa Rican beach retreat   where scarlet macaws soar overhead—just 90 minutes from the airport and close to the capital, it’s an escape that feels a world away but is incredibly convenient. And you could live well here on $2,000 a month.
  • An American doctor's frank and forthcoming take on healthcare overseas…
  • How you can travel on somebody else's dime…and then get paid to tell people about your experiences…
  • A quiet Caribbean village where you can rent for less than $350 a month, the sand is light and fine as sugar, the tropical waters host colorful fish and lazy sea turtles, yet you're only 30 miles from an international airport.

… and much, much more.

Your Window into a Whole New World of Possibility and Profit

Here at International Living, we've been covering this beat for nearly four decades. When publications like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and AARP need an expert opinion about alternative retirement solutions and the places where retirees can get the most bang for their buck…they call us.

That's because every month International Living is jam-packed with insider secrets, how-to advice, useful contacts you can call or email, and real-world recommendations for saving money, making money, living better, embracing adventure, and enjoying life more overseas…

Our IL Postcards give you but a tiny taste of what we do, frankly.

International Living magazine is where we share the full story, connect you directly to the people you need to know, and share insights, advice, and guidance from our many contributors in the field.

We're the experts…and there's a whole world of information and benefits that we reserve exclusively for subscribers to our print publication…

Like a way to grow your nest egg outside stocks and outside the dollar.

It's nothing complicated. It's a simple, very accessible investment play. A way to add to your retirement nest egg while you're retired…instead of watching it dwindle.

In 1984, we told readers about an investment on the Samara Bay in Costa Rica. Back then, you could get in for between $2,000 and $4,000. Today, that investment would be worth $139,000.

In the 1990s, we pointed readers to this kind of play again in Belize…and watched as the values soared. A reader who bought on the tropical, palm-lined island of Ambergris for $29,950 back then could sell for $180,000 today.

And we're still delivering deals like that—the places with opportunities you could profit from today…

Like a window of opportunity along a postcard-perfect stretch of Pacific coast we’ve told readers about…where lush, green virgin tropical forest tumbles down to white-sand beaches. The weather and topography here are ideal…and you can grab a lot for less than $40,000 or a condo that looks like it should cost $1 million—for just $195,000.

As an International Living reader, you'll know exactly where the deals like that are. And how—even with very little in the bank—you can take advantage of them.

The Retirement You Always Dreamed of… for 13 Cents a Day

Agree to take a look at International Living today, and not only will you qualify yourself for your complimentary digital copy of the latest digital edition of Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less (value: $99) but I'll ALSO shave more than 60% off the regular price.

So instead of $129 per year for 12 monthly issues delivered to your doorstep, it's yours today for just $129 $49.

All you have to do is give International Living a try. It's guaranteed.

Our Good-Will, Good-Value Guarantee

Once you see our magazine for yourself, I feel confident you'll agree: It delivers you a world you just don't find anywhere else.

But if you decide the good-living, good-value opportunities International Living profiles every month aren't for you after all, just let us know and we'll send you a refund on your un-mailed issues. No questions. No fuss.

Escape to Portugal is yours to keep, with my compliments. With this special deal, you receive…

  • A full year of International Living delivered to your door (value: $129, yours for $49 today)
  • • The latest Digital Edition of the 178-Page Manual, Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less (value: $99 included)

You'll also get immediate access to:

  • Unlimited access to the subscribers-only section of the International Living website. You'll find here more than a decade of archived stories, recommendations, tips, insights and more.
  • IL's annual Global Retirement Index, with a complete snapshot of the best places to retire in the world. Whether you're looking for a palm-lined stretch of sand…a big city retreat…a place where you can pay less taxes…a haven where your dollars stretch beyond belief…a Spring-like climate year-round…it's all in this special subscribers-only issue.

Plus, we'll give you a special Premium Edition of IL Postcards, too—each day you'll learn about the best places to retire, travel, buy real estate, and enjoy life overseas. This complimentary e-mail service is for magazine subscribers only.

All told, this offer hands you $228 worth of live-better, travel-smarter, profit-more, retire-sooner advice and guidance from International Living for just $49.

If you're like many folks these days—not entirely sure your retirement savings will go the distance…or not sure where to put your nest egg so it's safe and growing…

Then I encourage you to give International Living a try right now.

Six Months from Now, You Could Be Living Large in Portugal on a Whole Lot Less than You Spend Now

The truth of the matter is: An international lifestyle isn't just for the rich and famous. It's for anybody willing to take advantage of the best-value opportunities in welcoming communities around the globe.

And it's our mission at International Living to help you do just that!

I hope you'll take me up on this offer to get yourself a copy of the latest digital edition of the one-of-a-kind resource Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less along with full International Living subscriber benefits.

Just try International Living. It's that simple. Like I said, you have our no-hassle guarantee if, for any reason, you are not satisfied. And Escape to Portugal is yours to keep with my compliments, just for giving IL a chance.

Please click below to activate this special Portugal offer.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your FREE Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

Sincerely,

Jackie Flynn

Jackie Flynn,
Publisher, International Living

P.S. Here's an even better deal: Try a two-year subscription to International Living and, in addition to everything I've already explained you'll get, you also get this special bonus video— An Insider's Look at Portugal: Western Europe's Affordable Gem (value $29). In this bonus video, you'll discover how easy your transition to this beautiful country could be. To give you the very best introduction to Portugal, we videotaped a special presentation given by Portugal expat and author of Escape to Portugal Tricia Pimental. She gives you a snapshot to real life in Portugal. She explains what you'll love about living there and what you may find to be somewhat challenging. Tricia's presentation is full of spectacular photos, too—so you can see exactly what she's talking about. From Lisbon to Porto, Cascais, the Algarve, and beyond…

Make sure you choose the two-year option in the secure online order form to receive this complimentary bonus. Just click on the link below now.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your COMPLIMENTARY Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

P.P.S. Here's what International Living subscribers say about the magazine:

"We have been Members of International Living for many years…and are now interested in scouting out Portugal. Thanks to IL we are learning more and more about Portugal and the best places to rent or buy. If you are dreaming of finding your “special place”, IL magazine has done all the legwork for you. Highly recommended. "

– Franceska.

"I have been a subscriber of International Living Magazine for many years. The magazine has helped me understand the world better and travel better. With the help of International Living we are moving to Italy for a one year trial and if we like it we will stay longer. This move will give us an opportunity to see all of Europe"

– Bart P.

"International living is the best out there no question about it. I would and have recommend them to any of my close family and friends."

– Stephen S.

"I am a new subscriber to your magazine and wanted to express how pleased I am with your product. The quality of the magazine and the diversity of information that it provides, greatly exceeds my expectations. So often a purchase online ends up being much less than what you had hoped. International Living is at the other end of the scale…so much more than you were expecting. ."

– David W.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your COMPLIMENTARY Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

Retirement Index 2021

Searching for Your “Just Right” Place Overseas?

We’ll Show You How to Find the World’s Best Retirement Havens for 2021—FREE

25 Countries Compared, Contrasted, Ranked and Rated (Yours FREE With This Special Offer)

Dear International Living Reader,

In the country that takes the #1 spot on our hot-off-the-presses 2021 Global Retirement Index, you could live a lifestyle that would easily cost you six figures at home…only do it comfortably on a retired teacher’s budget.

The country I’m talking about—the world’s best retirement haven for 2021—has broad appeal. It’s a quiet, safe, reliable escape…a place that American retirees have been heading to with enthusiasm and success for more than fifty years now. Here you find long stretches of deserted and undeveloped beaches, dense jungles teeming with exotic wildlife, towering volcanoes, lush green valleys, and crystal-clear rivers and lakes.

It’s a country that “has its act together.” And in this sun-splashed, welcoming haven, a retired couple could live very comfortably on $2,500 a month, or even less.

As expat Paul M. put it, “Our life is much simpler here, and we spend less than at home… It feels good to know that we can live comfortably in this beautiful beach setting… and still have the resources to travel and spend time with family back home.”

You can understand how that’s possible when you see that eggs are $1.63 per dozen, pork or beef costs about $3 per pound, a loaf of whole wheat bread costs $1.80.

You can eat at a little local restaurant for between $5 and $8. A housekeeper will come and clean once a week for $50 a month, and a visit to a physician will set you back $50 or less.

 

Paul reports, “We load up with fresh fruits and vegetables at the Friday morning farmers’ market for less than $20. That includes several large pineapples for $1.63 each.”

He’s not the only happy expat thrilled with the low cost of living and high quality of life it buys.

“We wanted escape from northern winters, a slower-paced lifestyle, good healthcare, a tropical climate, beach access, and a sense of adventure, as well as ways to stretch our retirement dollars,” Mary M. says. “We found it all in [this country].”

Others say the same.

Cheryl P. says, “It’s such fun walking the beach in the evening, before choosing an outdoor restaurant on the sand with live music, where a rock lobster dinner for two comes with a glass of wine or beer for just $25. We enjoy fresh red snapper, jumbo shrimp, and tuna regularly. And my husband, Tim, loves to make smoothies from just-picked mango, pineapple, and passion fruit purchased hours earlier for less than $1.”

Transplants here often say they appreciate the pace—slower than at home—and the fact that it’s possible to simply relax.

As Cathy W. puts it, “Life here is easy. We no longer have the need to fit any particular identity and we’ve been able to shed that guilt we often felt in the States for just enjoying our time, relaxing, and going about each day exactly how we want. And if we need to get something done, we don’t have that sort of ‘stranded on an island’ feeling…we do have access to the conveniences we need.”

A 2-Bedroom Condo Minutes from the Beach for $89,900

Whether you’re renting or buying in this #1 retirement haven, you can find excellent bang for your buck.

For instance, aside a dramatic lake where year-round you can sail, kayak, fish, or simply revel in the vistas, you could own a 3-bedroom, 2-bath lake-view home—fully furnished— for $159,950. Here you’d be in a gated community just a 10-minute drive from town where there are grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and schools. (In a nice lake community in cold Minnesota, you could easily pay twice that—or more.) For $900 a month here you can rent a spacious, three-bed home with pretty lake views. It’s fully furnished and sits on a well-manicured garden with fruit trees and well-maintained jungle foliage—it’s a gardener’s dream!

Just minutes from a Pacific-coast beach, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo lists for just $89,900. On the grounds of a small, lushly landscaped resort, it’s a ground-floor unit with easy access to the shared pool with its swim-up bar. The grounds are beautifully maintained and full of exotic plants and wildlife. And it comes with daily maid service included.

It’s not just lakeside and coastal living this #1 retirement pick for 2021 offers. Up in the hills, there’s one area, in particular, where the temperate climate makes for easy living. Temperatures year-round rarely reach much higher than the low 80s F and they might dip down into the 60s F at night—requiring a light jacket outside or a blanket on the bed. But lots of folks don’ have heat nor a/c in their homes as neither is needed. (And that helps keep costs down.)

Lots of expats make their homes here, and so it’s a place where you could easily make friends and settle in. You’ll find plenty of expat clubs and volunteer opportunities. And there are typically plenty of homes for sale and rent. A typical 2- or 3-bedroom home goes for $150,000-$250,000 (though you can find really high-end places listing for twice that or more). Rents in this area typically range from $700-$1,000 a month.

Good News About Taxes

Plus consider that property taxes in this top-notch haven are notoriously LOW. You pay between 0.25% and 0.55% on the appraised, registered value of a property. Practically speaking, you might pay $375 a year on a home valued at $150,000. But keep in mind that often the registered value is lower than the market value, and so your tax bill might well be lower, too.

Take John M. , for instance. He owns a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom townhouse that he bought for $85,000 and then put in an additional $15,000 in renovations.

He says, “I still own my place in Chicago and rent it out—the property taxes there are about $5,500 per year…my property taxes in [this year’s #1 retirement haven] are $250 a year. That’s just crazy—in the best possible way.”

What’s more, in addition to low property taxes, you’ll pay zero income tax locally on income you earn outside Costa Rica—like your Social Security, investment income, or any funds you might earn working remotely.

This Year’s First-Place Finisher Is Steady, Proven, Easy

Now, it must be said—just because a place is cheap, doesn’t make it a winner. It’s the fact that you could in our #1 pick both put your money worries behind you AND lead the sort of life you always dreamed about—that’s ultimately what makes it worth your attention.

This is a country with quiet character, a low-key, steady sort of locale—long a stable democracy—that provides a steady backdrop for a life that’s easy, low-stress, and thoroughly enjoyable. As expat Bob N. explains, “I moved to [this] paradise because I wanted to get back to a greater sense of natural beauty and wanted to live a simpler, less harried lifestyle as a retiree.”

“Although the beaches where I lived in Sarasota were beautiful, rapid Florida development had led to the beach being completely surrounded by condos and other developments. Here I can hop on a bus and 15 minutes later I’m on one of the most beautiful beaches…and when I look around, all I see is pristine jungle and soft white sand. And the ocean is always warm here, even in December, January, and February when it can be a bit chilly in Florida.”

The excellent healthcare contributes to that high quality of life I mentioned—and the fact that it costs a small fraction of what you pay in the States, that’s a welcome relief as well.

Healthcare costs in this nation can run 30% to 70% less than in the U.S.

Private doctors, for instance, rarely charge more than $50-$60 a visit, even for house calls. Specialists run $80 to $100 a visit.

Expat Lou K. explained, “Here, our monthly premium is $99.85 for both of us, and it covers everything from medical care to dentistry, eyecare, and prescriptions.”

Most expats in the country find their healthcare needs well met. And a big bonus: The quality of care, many report, is much higher than they’re used to and the typical bedside manner is very comforting. Doctors don’t rush you out of their office, they’ll take their time.

Plus, this nation—with its organized national healthcare system and lots of wide-open spaces—has handled the pandemic well. And while, of course, there have been ups and downs, its borders are open to Americans and Canadians at the moment and there’s no required quarantine, although you do have to complete a health form and provide proof of travel insurance to cover healthcare costs.

Accessible, Close-to-Home, and Welcoming

Beyond all that, this country is conveniently close to home, which makes it an ideal retreat for a part-time life overseas as it’s quick, easy, and low-cost to get back to the States or Canada. With modern shopping malls, world-class hospitals, and reliable high-speed internet available just about everywhere, you won’t lack the comforts of home. Plus, you should know: This country has quietly, but systematically, worked toward creating an environment that’s sustainably healthy. With lots of clean water and fresh air, about 28% of this nation’s land mass is protected in national parks and reserves. It’s one of the only countries in the world to reverse deforestation. And today it’s home to a whopping 10,000 species of plants and trees and over 850 types of indigenous and migrant birds.

A staggering 99% of its energy comes from renewable sources (compared to just 15% in the U.S.).

It’s a relatively small country, but it boasts one of the most diverse varieties of landscapes and climate in the world, offering the perfect harmony between the lush, green jungle teeming with wildlife and long, soft, pristine beaches.

Picture thick layers of jungle climbing up into the mountains, dotted with cascading waterfalls, flora every color of the rainbow, and exotic animals like toucans, parrots, monkeys, and sloths.

It offers a wondrous natural environment and, too, the conveniences of home.

One satisfied expat there put it this way: “As U.S. natives who left the hectic, frantic, and often frustrating daily grind in search of more comfort and less pressure, we feel we have found what we’re looking for.”

Of course, it won’t suit everybody—no place will. And that’s ok…you’ve got lots of excellent options to consider in the 2021 Global Retirement Index.

#2 Finisher Offers Great-Value, Warm-Weather, Beachside Living

In the country that takes the #2 spot, for instance, you could live on a palm-fringed coast with a view out over the Pacific.

Or you might choose, instead, a spot tucked into a lush green valley along a stream.

Then again, maybe you’d prefer a fast-paced, eclectic city with all the cosmopolitan offerings of a thriving urban center—jazz festivals, great ethnic restaurants, museums.

Your options are varied—which is one reason we like this country so much—and whatever might appeal to you, rest assured: It’s a place where your dollars will stretch.

“We live a life we couldn’t have had back home,” says Connie L., who has happily settled with her husband into our 2021 #2 pick. “If we were in the U.S., we’d both be working, at least part-time, and constantly worrying.”

Instead, they report, “Our stress level is 10% of what it used to be.” In part that’s because the cost of living is remarkably low. “For trash collection we used to pay $17 a month…here we pay $14 a year…our rent is about half what our house payment was in the U.S….a cleaning woman charges about $15 for a day’s work…”

“We chose [this country] for many reasons, but primarily because we love the ocean. The beaches here tend to be un-crowded—unlike those in Southern California, where I grew up. The water is warm and usually clear. Hearing and seeing the endless ocean always revitalizes me,” Connie says.

In this safe, welcoming, good-value escape, a couple can live very comfortably—even lavishly—on between $1,765 and $2,890 a month, depending on where they’re based.

As expat Roberto G. puts it, “What I pay for taxes in one year [here] is what I paid in one month in Florida. That right there was a good enough reason for me to move.” His tax bill? $1,100 a year. Roberto and his wife retired to this country that takes the #2 spot on our Index this year, and he says their four-bedroom home, with a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen in a quiet, gated community, suits them perfectly.

“We’re 10 minutes by car from the beach,” says Roberto. “There are five grocery stores, there’s a private health clinic, a movie house, banks, good restaurants. We have all the comforts of home.”

But it’s not just the low cost of living that’s attractive. The weather is, too. From the warmth of the coast to the cooler climate in the hills, it’s easy to find a spot that suits you here—unless you like snow. There isn’t any snow.

“I’m a Canadian,” says Larke N. “I’m used to long, cold winters. But a few years back, my husband Gary and I had had enough.”

“I refuse to spend my precious retirement years shoveling snow and huddled in front of my fireplace…not to mention donning layers of clothing from top to toe just to venture outside.”

“And so each and every fall, we say goodbye to block heaters…snow shovels…hats, scarves, and outrageous heating bills…and head to warmer climes. We’re now a ‘perpetual summer’ couple and love it.”

Stretch Your Real Estate Dollars in Our #2 Haven

In our #2 finisher this year, you get a lot of bang for your buck on the real estate front, too.

At the beach—less than an hour from the capital—you could own a 1-bedroom condo on the 30th floor of a luxury tower on a golf resort. The views are splashy—from the mountains to the ocean—and a generous balcony lets you enjoy the fresh ocean are. You’d have use of indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, jacuzzi, game room, and gym. It’s just a few minutes’ walk to the beach, too, and all for just $195,000.

Up in the mountains, the values are just as good. In one spot where expats have been settling comfortably for decades—they call it the Valley of Flowers and Eternal Spring, you’ll find it easy to make friends and enjoy a slow pace of life. The weather averages a comfortable 70 degrees year-round. And this lush, green region is a tourism mecca with lots of hiking, birding, coffee-farm tours, and the like. If you like the idea of a retirement lived outdoors year-round, you’ll like this spot.

Here you can own a furnished, 2-bedroom, 1-bath home for as little as $149,000, nestled into a grove a coconut palms and surrounded by manicured gardens. It has granite countertops and lots of built-in storage. And the outdoor areas are comfortably livable with plenty of covered patio space that functions as additional living area you can use all year.

In the heart of the capital—a vibrant, cosmopolitan urban center, you can own a nice 1-bedroom apartment in a swank neighborhood for just $198,000. This is a truly cosmopolitan city—bustling and booming. But also full of green spaces and built along a coast so you can enjoy water views for miles. There’s a historic center where restored colonial homes are splashed in pastels. And this is a city where you could be out every night if you wanted to be—(once everything is opened up again, of course) eating at excellent restaurants, enjoying concerts, going to the cinema.

The point is: You have options here—great options—and they won’t break the bank. Because this is a small country, even if you live outside the capital, you’re always within easy access of it—which means you can enjoy the best of both worlds…beach or highland living plus the conveniences of an accessible big city, too.

This Nation Wants You to Come

But perhaps the most compelling reason to consider this top-place finisher in the 2021 Global Retirement Index is because this is a nation that’s actively courting folks just like you.

This country wants retirees to come—and they’re making it worth your while. A special incentive program designed to woo retirees offers qualified folks discounts like 50% off on entertainment like movies, concerts, and theater. You get 30% off on bus, boat, and train fares, and 25% off on airfares (including international ones). You save 15% on hospital bills and that much or more on dental and medical visits…and the list goes on.

Plus you’re offered tax incentives as well—yet another way to save on top of the already-low cost of living.

And the bar is pretty low to qualify for all these benefits. You need to show you have at least $1,000 a month to support yourself, but that’s just about it.

“When my wife, Abbe, and I looked to retire overseas a few years ago, I found that [this incentive program] was a great way to stretch my Social Security pension,” says Jim G. “Naturally, the perks sounded like a perfect way to save some money, and they have proven to be just that—providing substantial discounts on many goods and services we regularly use.”

Excellent-Quality, Low-Cost Healthcare

Healthcare  is another place where our #2 finisher shines.

Many doctors speak English and are U.S.-trained. Not only that, but the standards at the top hospitals compare favorably with those in the U.S., Canada and Europe. The large, first-rate hospitals in the capital are affiliated with hospitals in the U.S. In fact, one of them is considered one of the region’s most technologically advanced facilities.

And the low costs—they’ll blow your mind.

“When my husband was being discharged from the hospital after a stay last year, I went to the business office to settle the bill,” Linda C.  explains. “Since we have medical insurance through the hospital, the insurance manager came to the office (even though it was a Saturday), reviewed the bill in detail to verify all the insurance would cover (70%), and I paid the balance of 30%. This came to $3,263, including the doctors, all medications, a CT scan, and an MRI. I expect it would have been 10 times that much in the U.S.”

That assessment is pretty typical. Retirees Bill and Lynn C. tell a similar story. After Bill had heart bypass surgery and was diagnosed with diabetes, retirement was looking grim for him and his wife Lynn in the States.

“Even though Bill was on disability, Medicare, and we had supplement insurance, the medical expenses were outrageous,” says Lynn.

“We could afford our meds but little else. We felt this was no way to spend our final years, as we had both worked all our lives.”

Fortunately, they escaped to this year’s #2 finisher in the Global Retirement Index where they can afford all the medical care they need, and a whole lot more, besides.

“Life is better here, because our money stretches a lot further. Bill’s diabetes pens cost $400 a month in the U.S. (for a package of five). Here, five pens cost us $144.”

“Bill sees the doctor regularly and his visits are only $25. He gets blood work every three months, and that costs $8.60.”

“We have both used the emergency services, and both times the cost was nominal. It was amazing…it would have cost thousands in the States.”

Accessible, Close-to-Home, Easy, Familiar

Fundamentally, this country is a place where it’s easy to retire. Well-established expat communities dot the country, making it cinch to settle in.

No place is just like home, of course, but here you’ll find all sorts of ways that life is familiar. All over you can enjoy high-speed internet, cable television, and reliable electricity. You’ll find grocery stores well-stocked with familiar items. And big box stores where you’ll think you’re back home.

In fact, you’re not actually that far. This sunny escape sits just under three hours by plane from Miami—below the hurricane belt—and you can fly direct from Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, and a host of other destinations.

One happy expat sums up the appeal of our #2 pick this way: “It’s a democracy, the water is drinkable, the locals are used to expats…the electrical systems are the same, the driving is on the same side of the street, many doctors are U.S.-educated.”

Her husband continues, “I can golf with my friends twice a week at the country club and work out in the fitness center. I have time for reading, time for bridge…and time to just sit on my rear end and meditate!”

In other words: This is a great place to just plain trade up in retirement. While lots of folks are looking at working longer, scrimping and saving, and dialing back their expectations for their “golden years,” in the country that comes in at #2 in our Global Retirement Index, you can live way better.

It’s not the only place you can do that, though…

In Our #3 Choice You Have a Colorful, Convenient, Low-Key Escape

The country that takes the #3 spot in our Index this year is a place that offers what is arguably the easiest transition to expat life around: Low-cost, conveniently close, and full of friendly locals and plenty of expats—it hands you an appealing balance of exotic foreign culture and familiar, First World lifestyle.

Expat Louisa R. says, “We love our simple, economical lifestyle, but the low cost wasn’t what motivated us to live here. The vitality and beauty of the streets, the thrill of learning another language and making [local] friends, the challenge of understanding a culture so different from our own…the list of reasons goes on and on. Every time I re-enter after time away, I see the bright colors, and I shiver with anticipation.”

Paula N. says it’s easy, even as a single person, to find friends and have an active social life. There are dinners out, community groups, get-togethers, and parties.

“Almost every time you go out, you meet people,” she says. “It’s really easy. People give out cards with their name, email, and phone number. I spend a lot of time with people born here, and it’s great. They’re wonderful.”

The price tag associated with this easy-going lifestyle is just as compelling. Goods and services cost less…so it’s possible to afford the kinds of luxuries only the wealthy enjoy in the States—like a maid, a cook, and a gardener. Plus here you have the good fortune of giving up very little when you make your move. You can get internet, cable TV, and all the other comforts you’re used to…for a small fraction of what you likely pay now.

In this #3 retirement haven pick for 2021, a couple could live quite comfortably on $1,890 a month. Though certainly some expats live on less.

Take John P., who lives in a beach town with his wife in a home that’s about 800 square feet. It has two bedrooms, a modern bathroom, a sitting area and living room, and a very functional kitchen. It’s furnished and air conditioned and has a small fenced yard. They pay $800 a month, including all their utilities. The rest of their expenses are minimal. As John says, by way of example, “A bottle of local beer is only about $1. And I can buy a whole chicken for about $3.30. A large bottle of coke is 65 cents and a big loaf of bread is 75 cents.”

You could spend more, of course. Marty K. and his wife do. Marty puts it this way, “Our retirement has turned out great. We spend about $3,000 per month and have an amazing life. We have a beautiful condo, two bedrooms and two baths, for $1,000 a month, and it’s only a block from the beach. We eat out about three to four days a week and never worry about healthcare. There are a couple of good hospitals here. Medical care is inexpensive here, but we do have a medical evacuation policy that will fly us back to the States in an emergency. It’s about $600 per year for both of us, and it’s worth it, because we’re both covered by the VA in the States.”

This #3 pick for 2021 provides potential expats with a lot of choice—from vibrant Colonial cites to laid-back beach towns, Pacific-coast resort communities to Caribbean retreats.

No matter which might suit you, part of the reason the cost of living offers such great value is because all over the country, real estate—whether you rent or buy—costs much less than you might expect. This is a country where you really do get bang for your buck.

An Oceanview Apartment for Under $500 a Month

It’s true in a colonial-era town where Americans have been settling since the 1940s. Here you’ll find cobbled streets and tidy, renovated homes—this one painted terra cotta, the next one bronze, its neighbor a lovely mustard yellow. It’s full of art galleries, restaurants, and shops. Here a two-bedroom, fully furnished condo a 10-minute walk from the town’s center square lists for $150,000.

If you prefer an ocean breeze, palm trees, white-sand beaches, and quiet turquoise waters…you can have that, too.

In one town popular with expats, Bob and Nancy C. rent a fully furnished, multi-level, modern townhouse. It has three bedrooms, a maid’s quarters, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and comes complete with beautiful landscaping, three swimming pools, and 24-hour security. Their rent comes to $745 a month.

“We’re about 200 yards from one of the main public beach entries. It’s beautiful,” says Bob. “Rent on a house like this in the States, so close to the beach, would be four times more than what we pay here. Our overall cost of living is about a third of what our cost of living was in the States.”

You could pay even less. In another beachside town well-frequented by tourists and with a well-established expat population (including lots of snow birds), expat Mike H. says he rents a one-bedroom, oceanview apartment for just under $500 a month. And that’s not an exception. All sorts of attractive options exist in that price range, including a light-filled, furnished 1-bedroom place just a block from the beach. It’s got a generously sized balcony so you could dine outside, and you have use of the community’s pool, too. And this place rents for just $460 a month.

If you’re a culture-vulture, you should know: This is a land of riches. Take advantage of the local arts scene, and you could take in a cultural event every night (now, things are—at the moment—locked down for covid, but they’ll open up again). The critical bit to understand is that there’s lots to do—from concerts and gallery exhibits to film series and plays—and they rarely cost more than $4 or $5 each.

Great values, comfortable climates, plenty to do… these are all part of the reason day-to-day living is remarkably easy and convenient in this country.

Often people assume they’ll have to endure huge trade offs when they go overseas. But—as with our #1 and #2 picks—that’s not the case here. Expats agree: This is a remarkably easy place to live…

When you’re out and about in the most tourist-friendly communities, you’ll find many of the same brands you’re used to back home—Applebee’s, TGI Fridays, Ruth’s Chris, Bubba Gump, and others.

If you can’t live without your peanut butter cups or your turkey bacon… don’t worry, you can find them both. You can shop at Costco and you can get U.S. television programs.

Great Healthcare for Half—or Less—Than You Pay Now

Expats report they access excellent medical care here—for half or less what it typically costs in the States. So you can save big across the board—for doctor’s visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medical devices, lab tests, medicine, and more.

As one expat put it, “Most of the doctors have been trained in the U.S. As a patient, when the doctor comes in, you are the priority. They pay attention and they don’t look at their watch or think about the other patients waiting.”

I could go on, but I trust I’ve sufficiently whet your appetite…

Naturally, we’re really excited about our #1, #2, and #3 picks this year. But, in fact, they are just three of the 25 top overseas retirement havens we compare, contrast, rank, and rate in our 2021 Global Retirement Index—our 30th annual index.

You know, “spend less, live better” is a theme the folks who’ve relocated to all our top choices return to again and again. And it’s something you can embrace all around the globe—when you know where to go.

Simplifying, Relaxing…You Can Do It Affordably in Europe

If it’s a European retreat you’ve always dreamed of…you’ve got excellent options on our list of top picks…

Consider, for instance, our top-rated country in Europe this year. Its central coast is one of the continent’s sleeping beauties, with rugged cliffs and coves, and whitewashed windmills, the beaches along here resemble broad golden ribbons.

Slumbering inland are historic castle towns, abbeys, and pilgrim shrines. Small villages come surrounded by terraced olive groves, citrus orchards, and vineyards.

Completing the picture are salt lagoons, gurgling rivers, and pine forests. White storks build straggly nests on top of church towers…springy-turf cliff-tops are scented with wild herbs…stone walls trail clouds of blue-mauve morning glory flowers…village houses are draped in wisteria.

Yet for all its beauty, it’s not uncommon around here to find village properties close to the sea listing from $135,000.

In this European pick—one of seven you might want to consider—cultural offerings are rich and varied, with hilltop castles that date to the 12th century and chapels, cathedrals, and museums chock full of artwork. It’s home to the best-preserved European Knights of the Templar settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Renowned for its inexpensive, high-quality, and fortified wines, this country is a culinary treasure. The locals love their breads and desserts—the custard tarts are unforgettable. And with such a long coastline, fish is ubiquitous. You’ll find wonderful and varied fresh vegetables and a real appreciation for good ingredients prepared simply.

But for all its appeal—the cost of living is quite reasonable. A couple could live comfortably for around $2,200 a month on average—less in a small town, more in the capital.

Asia Offers Hidden Gems Where the Values are Extraordinary

Southeast Asia will make sense for some folks—and you may be pleasantly surprised by your options there today, as well…

In one that makes the Index this year, for instance, a couple could live downright luxuriously on $2,500 a month.

As one expat there puts it, “Our balcony overlooks a crescent-shaped sandy beach where blue and red painted boats bob about in the water and fishermen’s homes line the shore. We look out over the horizon and see spectacular red and orange sunsets and watch cruise ships come and go. Sitting here, it’s hard to believe just how much our lives have changed since we sold up back home and made the move…”

“Our home here is a large two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with sea views. Our complex includes a modern and well-stocked gym, an exercise room where we have yoga three mornings each week, and a small restaurant serving up delights for just a few dollars. Outside, the pool area features a sand beach and a lazy river which connects all the various swimming spots. It’s like having a five-star resort just downstairs.”

“Our rent is $950 a month and that includes Pay TV. Our apartment is fully furnished, right down to the widescreen TV.”

In this special place, the weather averages 82 degrees year-round, and there’s lots to do—from outdoorsy activities like sailing and hiking and golf to cultural offerings like concerts and art shows.

Latin America—Close to Home and Great Value

Latin America is full of great-value locales that are culturally rich and remarkably close to home. With time zones the same or close to where you are now, this can help ease a transition, too. And for part-timers—it’s simply and affordable to get there and back.

But really…it’s often the great value of day-to-day living that bowl over the expats who settle there.

Take one country that scores well in our Index…in a city our correspondent there is particularly fond of, flowers are always in bloom, trees keep their leaves, and there’s no ice or snow to shovel and scrape. Close to the equator, the weather is a comfortably spring-like mid-70s F to low 80s F year round.

She says, One expat reports, “You can spend your days walking around your city, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, playing tennis, and even play a round of golf. Many restaurants and bars offer open-air seating to let you soak up the beautiful environment while enjoying your meal or drink. You can even attend concerts in outside venues.”

It’s sophisticated living, but it’s not expensive. In that city’s most exclusive neighborhood, a couple could live very comfortably for $2,191 a month.

So Many Places—and Ways—to Enjoy a More International Life (Without Breaking the Bank)

This year’s Global Retirement Index reveals a tremendous variety of retirement solutions for somebody looking to live better for less overseas. We rank, rate, compare, and contrast a full 25 countries worth your consideration today.

Maybe you’re in the market for a part-time escape…or maybe you’re looking for a full-time adventure…perhaps you dream about a day when you can see the ocean out your window… or live within sight of the mountains in a place where the sun shines and the weather is cool…

Whatever you dream about…in the destinations profiled in our 2021 Global Retirement Index…you could find a new reality. A lot sooner—and a lot more affordably—than you may imagine.

To that end, let me give you a little assignment…

To be honest, the decision about where you live is not always readily subject to logical analysis. Ultimately, it’s about where you feel good. It’s about finding the place that’s just, well, a good fit.

So here’s a little task for you. You start imagining your ideal retreat.

And while you’re busy musing…we’ll sort out for you the “logical” concerns. Like where your dollars buy you most…where the weather is best…where the locals are friendliest…where it’s most comfortable and safe…where the healthcare is both excellent and affordable…and more.

In fact, we’ve just spent the past few months concentrating on exactly this task.

Our staff has been traveling, crunching statistics, and talking with our contacts and correspondents around the world…all in the interest of compiling our annual picks for the world’s top retirement havens.

It should be said: In an era when most news outlets have slashed their budgets and cut their overseas bureaus…and at a time when it’s harder than ever to ferret out the truth…we put our 2021 Global Retirement Index together “the old fashioned way.”

That is to say: We put boots on the ground…just as we have each of the last 30 years we’ve published this country comparison.

We spend, in fact, more than $1 million a year to keep our people in place overseas, reporting back with real-world, up-to-date recommendations and guidance. In an era when it’s all the rage to wave the “fake news” flag around, I want to assure you: What we do is real. We take it seriously. We don’t make this stuff up.

Is Global Retirement Index subjective? You bet. We rely on the informed judgment and real-world experience of in-country expats…folks just like you who have made the move and learned all their lessons the hard way. They live in the countries they’re an expert in. And they’ve been there long enough to get under the skin of their host nation and provide us with real understanding about what it’s like to live there.

As I said, where you end up is really as much about feeling as it is thought. When it comes right down to it, only you can decide what will make you happy.

But we can point you to the places that are likely to suit you best. (And be easiest on your wallet, too.)

Our annual Global Retirement Index lists the best places in the world to retire overseas today.

It’ll point you to the places most worth your attention…and, most importantly, save you the trouble, time, frustration, and expense of trying to figure that out on your own.

Here at International Living, we’ve been showing readers where to go for 40 years now. So we know the questions to ask, we know the critical issues to consider.

We take the time and invest the funds…so you don’t have to.

And right now, I’d like to make you a special offer that gives you full access to our 2021 Global Retirement Index through the special offer we have on the table today.

I’ll tell you how to get ahold of a copy in just a minute. But first, I want to be clear about one thing. It’s the one, big, fundamental idea that drives this index. It’s our belief that… you don’t need to be rich to enjoy a pampered retirement…you just need to know where to go.

You Don’t Need to Be Rich to Enjoy a Pampered Retirement…You Just Need to Know Where to Go

In one of our top picks—a place of Old World charm—a couple could easily live comfortably for $1,620 a month (including rent). Though, in fact, we know retirees there living simply for half that. With a budget twice as large, you could live like royalty.

(To put this in perspective, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, the average payout for retired workers is $1,522 a month. Stateside, that doesn’t buy you much of a life. But in the right places overseas, those funds easily provide comforts and conveniences that would be well out of your reach at home. Like dinners out, a housekeeper once a week, even vacations…)

One couple living in this haven right now says, “Living in Southern California, we were spoiled by the warm climate and beautiful beaches. Retirement would—or should—have given us time to enjoy all that more fully. And yet we had no realistic chance of retiring anywhere near a beach in California.”

“Looking back now, we’re glad we needed to look elsewhere to fulfill our retirement dreams. Otherwise, the chance of living in one of the most beautiful and exotic retirement havens in the world might have passed us by.”

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance put it this way: “For retirees with a sense of adventure and a taste for the good life—even if they lack a bank account to match—a change in latitude might be the perfect plan.”

USA Today says: “If you’ve been racking your brain about where to retire on a budget, it might be time to think outside the U.S.”

CNBC put it this way: “Your dream of exploring a foreign country doesn’t have to end when your paychecks do. Leaving the U.S. can open the door to a more affordable retirement in an exciting new spot.

I think that’s right… and that’s why we put our 2021 Global Retirement Index together. To give you the specific guidance you need to find the place that’s right for you.

The Best—and Easiest—Way to Target Your Search for the Perfect Paradise

In the 2021 Global Retirement Index, we consider each destination by category: housing, benefits and discounts, visas and residence, fitting in and entertainment, development, climate, healthcare, governance, opportunity, and cost of living. And we include a full report on the top picks.

Point being: This resource gives you a well-rounded view of each place. It’s not just facts. It’s the perspective we bring to them.

And that’s what’s so important. Because everybody is different. And what’s a priority for you might not be for somebody else.

Say you’re of “retirement” age and looking for a place to stretch your savings. The cost of living and the availability of good-quality, affordable healthcare might be your top concerns.

On the other hand, if you’re in your twenties, thirties, or forties with school-aged children, their education and the ease with which you can do business locally might be more important to you.

Or maybe you’re in the market today for a place you could visit regularly for now and perhaps retire to eventually…so you’re looking for a spot that’s easy to get in and out of, where the weather is good…

No matter what your own personal priorities are, you can use our 2021 Global Retirement Index to easily home in on the places that make sense for you and your situation, your priorities.

It is a powerful tool.

Take A Sneak Peek

Inside you’ll find details about all the top picks—and right now, I’d like to give you the opportunity to claim the new 2021 Global Retirement Index—FREE.

All I ask in exchange is that you subscribe to our monthly magazine, International Living, at a 62% discount.

You already know something about International Living since you get our free daily Postcards. But what you may not realize is that these emailed dispatches are just the beginning. There’s always a lot more to every story.

In fact, there’s a whole world of ideas and benefits that we reserve exclusively for readers of our magazine. Our annual Global Retirement Index is just one of them.

I’d like to give you a sneak peek at all of it.

Take me up on the special deal I’ll make you today, and you’ll have unfettered access to the 2021 Global Retirement Index —and all of the extraordinary secrets International Living reveals to subscribers about the good-value ways and places to live, retire, invest, profit, travel and enjoy life for less overseas.

International Living Gives You Access to Opportunities Nobody Else Talks About

You know, in the newspapers and on TV, you get lots of political posturing…and lots of discussion about our nation’s woes…but what you rarely learn is what to do about any of it. I don’t mean “macro” fixes.

I’m talking about what you, personally, can do to improve your life, retire better, save on taxes, gain freedom and control, and travel more…even if you have only a modest nest egg (or no nest egg at all).

Here at International Living, we’re all about solutions that really work. We’ve shared with our readers secrets like…

  • Tax tips for the seasonal U.S. expat… How do U.S. taxes work for people who spend part of the year abroad? We explain what you need to know…
  • How to get settled as a single overseas and why it’s a lot easier than you might think…
  • Where to get a second passport—without needing a pile of money or a parent who can pass citizenship down to you.
  • An easy way to slash your travel costs by half—or even more. One of our writers used this secret to get seven days in Mexico at a swank resort—for $1! YES, a dollar! (And it will work in the future for cruises, airfares, luxury resorts, and more)…
  • Easy places in the world to retire—places where life isn’t just affordable, but also comfortable, and the transition is no sweat…
  • Pocket-money boltholes for troubled times—spots where you can ride out disasters, crises, and pandemics. Places where you can escape, unwind, and tune out the real world for a while. In one, less than $50,000 buys a three-bed house in a village in Portugal. It needs a little sprucing up, but it’s habitable as-is—and you could outfit it to your taste.
  • Want an overseas dream home? Do this. Dollar-stretching real estate plays exist in attractive corners all over the planet—including one where $89,000 buys you a tidy little beach home with all the trimmings (including a lovely shared community pool) a mere ten-minute walk to the sand and surf…
  • Where to find U.S.—standard healthcare for half (or less) than you pay now
  • How to travel internationally with your dog or cat —yes, you can take your furry friend with you and we show you how. Pet shippers, specific country requirements, vet exams and health certificates, restrictions and embargoes, everything you need to know.
  • How one single woman has written her own romantic story as an expat in Paris.
  • Where to winter over in Panama’s flower-filled highland district
  • A home on an island paradise: Rent? $255 a month
  • How the right to bear arms applies in a dozen countries overseas
  • How to navigate the souks of Marrakech with confidence
  • Five old-world beach retreats on Spain’s Costa Blanca…where you could own a condo a few minutes’ walk to the sand for as little as $130,000.
  • How to save up to 60% on dental care when you fix your smile in Costa Rica
  • Affordable Caribbean rentals —boating, snorkeling, relaxing in a hammock, fresh seafood dinners, laidback charm. The Caribbean lifestyle needn’t be out of reach. We point to four spots where as little as $870 a month can have you renting your own 2-bed, 2-bath island escape.
  • An arts-rich colonial town in Ecuador that’s fun, affordable, and where you can grab a furnished 2-bed rental in the old quarter for less than $550 a month…

… and much, much more.

Our Readers Find the Best Places, Ahead of the Crowds

International Living brings the entire world, with all of its rich, rewarding, exciting opportunities, to your door every month. You’ll discover secrets like…

  • Secret retirement retreats still just under the radar where the bang-for-your-buck is unbelievable and the natural beauty, the friendliness of the locals, and the conveniences are hard to beat.
  • Big trends and real estate opportunities for 2021—and exactly how and where you could take advantage of them.
  • Why “remote-working” visas countries like Barbados and Antigua are offering may not be your best bet if you’re looking for a good-value, warm-weather base where you could “work from home,” remotely—we’ll show you where to go, instead.
  • Beyond the “endless summer”— where to find four seasons overseas. Not everybody craves sand and surf all year—and that’s ok. In all sorts of places, you can still enjoy the rhythm of the seasons, and you can’t beat spring in Italy, summer in Ireland, fall in Uruguay, or Winter in Vietnam.
  • Italy on sale: Where (and how) to grab a bargain home from $39,412. Real estate prices there have been falling for nearly two decades. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, that slow decline is set to speed up. But it’s likely to be a good time to find bargains on best-in-class properties like a lake-view mansion, a turnkey castle, or a plush apartment in the city. And on little village homes—the choice is going to be vast.
  • Five steps to a freer and more secure life. All sorts of useful tools and strategies the very wealthy employ all the time are, in fact, available to you, too. And they can provide you a path to a life where you can travel more and better, invest with greater freedom, and enjoy a truly international lifestyle—and do it all for less than it would cost you to stay home.
  • How to stay for free overseas —and live the expat lifestyle without ever buying or even renting a home if you don’t want to. This is a powerful strategy for lowering your costs and a great way to travel for weeks and months at a time on the cheap.
  • Where to find bargain mansions in Europe… Spain, Italy, France, Portugal… we told readers about one seven-bedroom home in a French village, for instance, with a swimming pool and a separate two-bedroom apartment and a gym on offer for $204,944. Now, somebody has likely snatched it up by now, but the point is: There are extraordinary deals to be had.
  • How to get residence (and even a passport) overseas through a real estate purchase. Good news—this classic “millionaire’s tactic” is open to the rest of us, too. In both Portugal and Spain, for instance, buy right—in certain circumstances, that could be a home for less than $300,000—and you could get a visa that allows you to legally stay in Europe full time and put yourself in line for a second passport, too.
  • Vietnam’s most livable city —how you could make a fresh start in this warm-weather escape in southeast Asia with its long, clean golden-sand beach to the east and mountains to the north and west. Here one couple we know rents a 1,200-square-foot, fully-furnished apartment (which includes parking and use of the gym and pool) for $800 a month. “To live a lifestyle comparable to this in the States, we’d have to pay three times that amount,” they say.
  • A less-expensive alternative to Paris, where the wines are world-class, a dozen museums will keep you in culture, and the antique shopping is excellent. You get the grandeur of Paris but with bohemian charm—and rents are about 50% less…

… and lots, lots more only available to International Living subscribers. In truth, we cover the world in a way nobody else does. It’s all doom-and-gloom in the mainstream press.

But we pinpoint opportunity… and bring it to you. Because seeking out better-value living overseas can make very, very good sense.

As the AARP put it: “…at a time when nest eggs are shrinking and Social Security looks less likely to cover basic expenses, living for less in a foreign locale can make good financial sense. There’s also the prospect of adventure in a faraway land, the allure of the unknown, and the joy of serendipitous discoveries.”

The best place to start is with our 2021 Global Retirement Index, and it’s yours—FREE—when you put your name on our subscriber list today.

But you need to act now.

This offer is good only for a limited time.

But once you’ve taken advantage of it, you’ll receive not only the 2021 Global Retirement Index, but also immediate, full online access to the January 2021 issue of International Living. That’s 40 pages chock full of guidance, advice, recommendations, and context in which to put the Index itself.

This is the good stuff… and you can only get your hands on all of it when you sign on as a subscriber.

What’s more, when you take advantage of this offer, your International Living subscriber benefits ALSO grant you full access to the entire International Living archive online.

It’s all yours—more than 200 monthly issues jam-packed with insights, guidance, advice, and recommendations about countries around the world, about how you can travel better and spend less, earn overseas, source good-value real estate in markets about to boom, and more.

Your Window into a Whole New World of Possibility and Profit

Here at International Living, we’ve been covering this beat for four full decades. When publications like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and AARP need an expert opinion about alternative retirement solutions and the places where you can get the most bang for your buck…they call us.

That’s because every month International Living is jam-packed with expert secrets, how-to advice, useful contacts you can call or email, and real-world recommendations for saving money, making money, living better, embracing adventure, and enjoying life more overseas…

Our IL Postcards give you but a tiny taste of what we do, frankly.

International Living magazine is where we share the full story, connect you directly to the people you need to know, and share insights, advice, and guidance from our many contributors in the field.

We’re the experts…and there’s a whole world of information and benefits that we reserve exclusively for subscribers to our print publication…

Like a way to grow your nest egg outside stocks and outside the dollar.

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And we’re still showcasing opportunities like that…

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Springboard to Your Dream Retirement: Tools and Strategies for the Good Life Overseas

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While in the U.S. today a comfortable retirement is rapidly becoming a luxury only the very wealthy can afford…in the best-value spots overseas, it really IS possible to use a modest retirement income to fund a full life rich with adventure and travel.

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  • Enjoy months on end of adventure —traveling where you like, discovering new locales, digging in and getting to know places—and do it all on as little as $1,500 a month for a couple. That’s just $6,000 a year! In other words, when you know the strategies, this could be well cheaper than staying home.
  • Discover three ways you could get a second passport—no massive nest egg required. You could gain the perks that a second passport (which is perfectly legal) can offer, including greater freedom in travel, more flexibility with your investments, and even tax benefits.
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  • Where to go if what you really want is easy, stability, good value, and the prospect of quick citizenship. We’ll show you three smart boltholes to consider.
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Before 2021 Is Out, You Could Be Living Large on a Whole Lot Less than You Spend Now

The truth of the matter is: An international lifestyle isn’t just for the rich and famous. It’s for anybody willing to take advantage of the best-value opportunities in welcoming communities around the globe.

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Jackie Flynn
Publisher, International Living
December 2020

P.S. Seeking out your own dream life overseas in a place where you can live comfortably for little…investing ahead of the crowds and potentially profiting from the upswing…

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How to Move Out of the U.S.

Here are some of the steps you should take as you’re planning on moving out of the U.S. no matter where you’re planning to move.

How to Profile Yourself and Find Your Spot

The first step on your journey to moving abroad is to look within.

What you must do is ruthlessly profile yourself. Think deeply about your needs and wants, in several areas:

  1. What level of spending are you comfortable with…what can you afford to pay for rent, healthcare, and living expenses?
  2. What level of healthcare do you need, and what can you afford to pay? Do you need specialist care due to a chronic condition?
  3. Ease of transition. Remember, you’ll have to learn a new culture when moving abroad. But are you also comfortable with learning a new language? Do you need certain familiar items at supermarkets? Consider how easy it might be to get a residence visa or otherwise navigate the local bureaucracy.
  4. How easy is it to get to and forth from your home country, for visits back home or for visiting family and friends.
  5. Is there a community of expats? Or will you have to integrate more into the local culture? Which option appeals more to you?
  6. Are there homes for sale and rent at reasonable prices? What can you afford—and is it available?
  7. Do you like four seasons…or warm weather year-round? Is the heat and humidity of the tropics 365 days a year—and intense rainy season—too much for you to bear?
  8. Is there enough to do to keep you occupied? Are you content with relaxing on the beach and enjoying seafood meals at simple restaurants? Or do you need a symphony orchestra and fine dining?

Look at all these factors and prioritize them in order of importance. Consider what your must-haves are. There could be other factors too, like the availability of assisted living or the potential to start a business. Then do you research. There is plenty of information available in International Living and other online resources. Join Facebook groups for locations you’re interested in.

Your goal is to find locations that match up with your profile. Places that have all or some of the things you need and want. Your ideal location is out there. You just need to find it.

Editor’s note: International Living magazine is packed full of insider stories and research written by expert expats dotted across the globe. With the powerful insider tips it contains, you could live like a rich man, in the world’s most beautiful and exotic locations, even on a Social Security budget alone. Subscribe now and save 35%.

How to Secure Your Residence Visa

Several countries make it quite easy for retirees to obtain visas. They have dedicated retirement programs. For example, Costa Rica has its pensionado program, which allows a person and their spouse to live there full-time. The main requirement is a guaranteed $1,000 a month in income from Social Security or a retirement fund. Belize’s Qualified Retired Persons program requires you to be over 45 years old; have $2,000+ in income from Social Security, pension, or annuity; stay in Belize 30 consecutive days annually; and pass a criminal background check. As part of the program you can import a car and/or boat tax free, as well as your household goods. You’ll be tax exempt on all income from outside Belize.

In Europe, there are also visa programs. In Portugal, for example, the Type 1 visa is available to those who have private healthcare insurance valid in Europe and sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in the country. You first receive a temporary visa, good for one year. You can renew for two years twice. Then you can convert to a permanent resident.

In Mexico, where there an estimated 1 million retirees and other expats from the United States living full or part-time (as well as a half-million Canadians), there is no designated retirement visa. But it’s quite easy to receive a temporary or permanent residence visa. For temporary residence, you need only about $1,400 a month in income to qualify—and you can bring you U.S. plated car into the country.

In many countries, getting a visa is the first step to eventual citizenship and a second passport; a process that usually takes years and could require you to learn the local language.

How to Make Money While Living Abroad

If you still need to generate an income while living abroad, you’ll have to keep in mind that most countries don’t want you to take a job from a local. And many residence visas for foreigners do not allow you to work. Besides, the salary you might make would no doubt be much lower than the U.S. anyway. That doesn’t mean you can’t make money. There are plenty of options.

1. You could work remotely with your current job.

In many jobs you essentially sit at a desk and interact with colleagues or customers via email, phone, instant message, or other online communication. Face to face time is rare. In that case why not do it from a location overseas? With high-speed internet available just about everywhere, it’s not difficult. What about meetings? You could join in via video conference with software like Skype or through a teleconference line.

2. You could work online as a freelancer.

You could take the skills you have now and start offering your services as a freelancer or consultant. You’ll be working with clients around the world online. You could even take on a new skill.

Some examples of good freelance careers include proofreading and editing, content writing for websites, copywriting (which is advertising writing), graphic design, website design, and many more. You could also be a virtual assistant, which is like being an administrative assistant but remotely—helping someone organize their business and schedule.

You find these jobs through referrals or online job sites like Upwork.

3. You could start an online business.

Again, you could take something you’re an expert on or have an interest in and transform that into a business selling products online. For example, you could sell e-books on Amazon.com, books you write or public domain works you find. You could also sell products as an affiliate, which means you advertise products on behalf of a larger company and when you make a sale you get a commission, which means you never actually have to physically ship the products or handle refunds or customer service—simple. You could also create your own digital products like guides, or videos, or online courses based on an interest expertise. These products you would sell to customers as digital downloads from your website or platforms like this.

4. You could start a brick-and-mortar business.

If you’ve always dreamed of owning a restaurant or beach bar paradise, or a clothing boutique, or an ice cream place… or any of a number of other businesses. In many countries, the cost to start and operate a business is much lower than the U.S. And there is less red tape.

5. Rent out your home.

One easy way to make an extra income, or in some cases cover all your expenses, is by renting out of your home in the U.S. short term through sites like Airbnb or long-term to renters who take out a year or multi-year lease. In this case you would have to own your home, of course. Also, it’s best to have a property manager handle bookings, check-ins, and maintenance on the property. They’ll get a cut of the rental income in exchange for their services.

Editor’s note: There are plenty of outside-the-box ways you can make sure your retirement is as enjoyable as possible without costing a fortune…and we’ve collected them all in How to Retire on Permanent Vacation: Shortcuts for a Jet-Set Retirement on a Modest Budget. This free report is your ticket to living like the upper crust in retirement, even if all you have to finance it is your Social Security checks. You can live a richer, more international, more exciting, more rewarding life…without having to squirrel away another dime before retirement. Become a subscriber to International Living Magazine today and you’ll receive this exclusive research report for free. Claim your free report right here.

How to Plan a Scouting Trip to Find Your Ideal Spot

It might be tempting to simply pick a location you’ve researched or once traveled to…and simply pick up and move there. But before you sell your home or sell most of your possessions, it pays to test the waters so to speak. There have been many people who always dreamed of living at the beach…because that’s where they’ve always vacationed. But once they stayed more than a few weeks, they discovered they didn’t like the heat and humidity…or the sand that always seemed to be getting in the house…or all the tourists.

This means an extended scouting trip to the location you’ve picked out. This is not a two-week vacation. Instead take two months…three months to really get to know a place. You’ll have to rent a home or apartment, which are usually available for affordable rates through a property management company or individual owner. You can even ask Airbnb or VRBO hosts if they’ll cut you a deal for a long-term stay.

Your job on this visit is to feel what it’s like to live in that location. You talk to locals and expats about their lives—the benefits and drawbacks of the place. You can go to expat meetups like Saturday morning breakfasts or sunset happy hours to find expats and get the scoop.

Go grocery shopping in local grocery stores and farmers’ markets—see what’s available and what the prices are. Visit local medical facilities—do they have the specialists and medications you need. You also check out the internet speed and reliability of electricity and water.

Are their local groups catering to a hobby of yours like crafting or poker? Figure out if it’s too noisy—does the local church set off fireworks every morning? Is the beach town too much of party spot? Is the quaint mountain village you dreamed of actually too sleepy? Is there enough of an expat population?

You explore different areas and neighborhoods of that location…and then travel around the region or even country to see if another spot strikes your fancy. The idea is to experience life fully there to see if you could be there full time and be comfortable. Again, this is not a vacation but it’s more like work as you really investigate this location.

If you’re wondering about how to move out of the U.S., you won’t get there overnight but this guide will help you to find the right location and gives you the tools and resources to stay there and enjoy a new life.

Editor’s note: There is a whole 40 years of research, tips from expert expats and stories to be tapped into when you subscribe to International Living magazine. All you have to do is give it a try. Subscribe today and save 35%.

Portugal-Manual

Claim Your COMPLIMENTARY 176-Page Portugal Manual Today Limited Time Offer

Discover One of the Lowest-Cost Places to Live and Retire in Western Europe—Sophisticated, Historic, Sun-Drenched Portugal

In Portugal, summers are long and costs are low. Café-lined cobblestone streets, ancient Moorish castles and pristine golden-sand beaches beckon. In this sophisticated, low-cost paradise you can enjoy a first-world quality of life…on a budget as low as $2,207 a month

Dear International Living Reader, 

Imagine living in the most relaxed, affordable country in Western Europe…a diverse landscape where local markets thrive next to ultra-modern shopping complexes…where ancient palace fortresses cast shadows across bustling cosmopolitan art centers…and where you can sample some of the best surf in the Atlantic one day and sip cool, pure water from a trickling mountain stream the next.

Here you'll find the best of ALL worlds…

…where terms like 'world-class' and 'ultra-affordable' apply to just about everything: ski resorts, golf courses, wineries, fine dining and infrastructure…

…and where some of the world's most sophisticated cities are just a stone's throw from long, empty stretches of beach, quiet country retreats and spectacular national parks—so it's always easy to find your own private slice of peace…

Just ask Jamie S., who left her home in Santa Monica to make a new life in Europe. She hadn't planned on settling in Portugal when she first arrived, but was soon seduced by the mouth-watering food and wine, palatial architecture and meandering streets of Porto, Portugal's second-largest city…

"There is just something about this place that hooks you and makes it almost impossible not to stay.

Living here, I can afford to enjoy a coffee and a long talk with a friend in the afternoon sunlight at one of Porto's many outdoor cafes. I can walk through old streets without a destination, knowing I will discover a new set of favorite little corners. Life in Porto is full of these kinds of moments."

Jamie was also amazed at how little she was spending to live here:

"If you want a quick breakfast, you can buy a tosta mista (ham-and-cheese melt) and a galao (latte) for less than $3.25. Or, if you want to enjoy a drink with a friend, a glass of Super Bock—the most popular beer—costs a little over a dollar.

For about $5.50, I can walk away from a family-owned produce shop with a bag full of bananas, grapes, pears, apples, kiwis, plums, garlic, spinach, onions, carrots and cabbage. No matter how many times I buy fresh produce from this place, I am still pleasantly shocked every time I get the bill."

Portugal's cost of housing is another bonus that's hard to resist: rent for a charming semi-detached house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a terrace, living room, and fully equipped kitchen…comes to a little over $1,000 a month. And if you only need a single room, Jamie says it's common to be able to find a room for $400 or even less a month."

"For someone who was paying $1,500 per month for a room in a 2-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica, California, this dramatic decrease in living expenses has allowed me to spend less time working just to pay the rent…and more time actually living and experiencing life."

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your FREE Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

And in Portugal, You're Ideally Placed to Explore The Rest of Europe, Including Your Near Neighbors: Spain, France and Britain

But here's the thing…you may want to stay just where you are, since as soon as you step outside Portugal's borders, you'll be spending more money…because this under-the-radar retirement destination is definitely the lowest-cost spot in Western Europe.

Kevin Casey, a globe-trotting writer who regularly travels to Europe for lengthy stays, was pleasantly surprised at the low costs when he first visited Portugal:

"As a digital nomad, I spend months at a time in different parts of Europe and all around the world, but when I made my first trip to Portugal, I was blown away. I'd been to Spain, and found Portugal cheaper—especially in day-to-day things like groceries, getting around, entertainment, meals out and places to stay.

I'd heard that Spain was the most economical place to go in Western Europe, but Portugal beats it hands down, especially when compared to cities like Madrid. There may be parts of Spain that are cheaper than Portugal, but overall, it's no contest: Portugal was definitely more affordable for me—and the Wi-Fi was totally reliable everywhere I went, which is important for a writer. On the Continent, you'd have to travel across to Slovakia, Romania, Poland or other parts of Eastern Europe to find a cost of living that rivals Portugal."

According to long-term Portugal resident and IL correspondent, Tricia Pimental, Portugal's cost of living—as of last year—was calculated at more than a third lower (and up to 50% cheaper to rent in certain areas) than the U.S.

Stacked up against the rest of Western Europe, this expat haven also comes out on top for affordability with a first-world lifestyle…

In France, for instance, you'll expect to pay nearly 50% more for groceries and restaurant meals than in Portugal…

A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant in Portugal will set you back only €30 compared to €50 in France. Or, if want to enjoy a local beer in Portugal, you'll pay only €1.50.

Even Spain—long considered the ultimate bargain destination by European travelers and expats—has a cost of living index and rental prices around 12% higher than those in Portugal. In March 2020, Numbeo figures showed the following rental property price differences between Portugal and Spain:

  • Lisbon—10.26% lower than Madrid
  • Albufeira—18.97% lower than Marbella
  • Faro—12.76% lower than Malaga
  • Porto—20.25% lower than Barcelona

…and if you're after a beach hideaway and are comparing Portugal's Algarve region in the south of the country with Spain's Costa del Sol, the news is just as good: Compared with the Costa del Sol, the average price of a property in the Algarve is more than 50% lower.

Imagine enjoying a leisurely two-course dinner with a glass of wine and dessert for only $13 per person…at these kinds of prices, it's easy to see why Portugal should be one of the first countries on your retirement radar, especially if you're on a fixed income.

Of course, some parts of Portugal will cost more than others. A meal in Lisbon or Porto will cost you more than one in the quieter Alentejo region, for example…that's to be expected…but even in Portugal's main cosmopolitan areas, you'll still pay less than other cities such as London, Paris or even Madrid:

  • A three-course dinner for two in France will run $61.79 (€50), while the same in Portugal is $37.02 (€30).
  • With beverages, the news gets even better: a half-liter draught of domestic beer will set you back $6.18 (€5) in France, while in Portugal you're looking at $1.85 (€1.50).
  • And according to Numbeo, living in New York City will cost you a whopping 96.02% more than living in Lisbon.

And here's the clincher—you don't even need to be based in a large Portuguese city to immerse yourself in enchanting old-world culture, fresh, wholesome food and stunning scenery…because it's absolutely EVERYWHERE.

That’s why you owe it to yourself to see what Portugal offers you.

Tricia says, "After moving to Portugal, we found that a middle class family from the U.S. could see their budget cut by two-thirds. An expat with a source of income from a private enterprise, retirement account or savings will discover that the cost of living is remarkably low. In the palace town of Mafra, a half-hour drive from the capital of Lisbon, a one-bedroom apartment can be had for a few hundred dollars per month.

Need more room, or prefer privacy? A four-bedroom, two-bath home with a terrace, patio and a garden costs approximately $2,036 per month. A house fitting this description would probably sell for less than $317,422. Expect to pay about $165 per month for water, gas, and electricity combined."

Tricia recommends renting in or near a Portuguese beach city if you're looking to 'test the waters' (literally and figuratively!) before committing to a longer stay. For her, rock-bottom prices were only part of Portugal's appeal:

"Fresh seafood is everywhere, and there are organic sections in many supermarkets if you can't make it to the local farmer's market. Wonderful wines abound. A bottle that elsewhere might run $25 in a store and $40 to $50 in a restaurant runs about $8 on a Portuguese store shelf, with a good table wine under $5. As—or more- important—as the affordability factor, though, is the overall quality of life offered by this gem of a nation. Its people are patient yet proud. They understand the meaning of family, tradition and hard work. They love music. They love language."

Here, You'll Enjoy a Similar Level of Amenities To What You're Used To In the US… But At a Fraction Of The Cost… Including Reliable Public Transport, Superb Healthcare, High-speed Internet and Great shopping

What makes Portugal such a desirable destination for investors, travelers, digital nomads, expats and retirees? It's the fact that even though you're paying much less than you may be used to, you're not sacrificing your quality of life. You still have some of the most efficient infrastructure and modern living in Europe…coupled with a slower pace that lets you truly appreciate each day.

What does 'quality of life' really mean in Portugal? It means you can:

  • Rent a comfortable apartment in the most beautiful parts of the country for just a few hundred dollars a month
  • • Enjoy one of the world's lowest crime rates (Portugal was ranked #3 in the world for safety by the Global Peace Index in 2020)
  • • Experience first-rate, affordable medical care (The World Health Organization has ranked Portugal #12 out of 191 countries for its international-quality healthcare in the past)
  • Sun-worship to your heart's content—Portugal boasts 1,115 miles of magnificent coastline and around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year…and the Algarve region, home to more than 100,000 foreign resident retirees, has more sunny days than almost anywhere else in Europe
  • Communicate easily with the locals (many Portuguese speak some English, especially in expat-popular coastal regions)

Living in Portugal gives you an abundance of choices: you can base yourself in a sleepy fishing village, a thriving beach resort, a mountain retreat or in the heart of vibrant Lisbon—where the restaurants, museums and attractions rival anything else in Europe. Whatever private hideaway you choose, you're sure to make new friends quickly…because Portuguese people are some of the most relaxed, family-oriented, helpful and courteous folks you'll meet anywhere.

In this Enchanting Expat Oasis, There's So Much to See and Do…

  • Gaze across the Atlantic from the westernmost point in continental Europe…
  • Walk, jog, bike or drive along Lisbon's 10.5-mile-long Vasco de Gama Bridge—the longest in Europe…
  • Jump on a cable car and wind along Lisbon's cobblestoned streets to reach your favorite restaurant with sweeping bayside views…
  • Spend a lazy day cruising the Douro River on a wine-tasting tour…
  • Stroll through the shelves at Porto's Livrario Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores on earth…
  • Visit the mesmerizing natural sea caves near Carvoeira in the sun-soaked, white-sand bliss of the Algarve…
  • Sample a francesinha, an iconic northern Portugal sandwich that's layered with pork, smoked sausage and bacon, then topped off with medium-rare steak, a fried egg and a thick layer of cheese sauce; you'll need the remainder of the day to digest it…
  • Escape the city and head to the breathtaking Serra da Estrela mountains, where you can hike, canoe, ski in winter or soak your cares away in the thermal hot springs…

So What's The Hardest Part About Living In Portugal? It Could Be Deciding in Which Stunning Part of The Country To Base Yourself…

Whether you're just exploring the possibilities or thinking seriously about moving to Portugal, you'll find no shortage of spectacular locations, lifestyles and options to choose from. Although you can expect to pay more in major cities in general, a couple can live quite comfortably on about $2,207 (€1,917) per month.

Low-key beach and riverside living…

In the wind-surfing hotspot of Esposende (pop. 56,000) on the 'Green Coast' of northern Portugal, you'll discover a laid-back lifestyle along the Rio Cavado with fine dining, a romantic lighthouse and uncrowded beaches, where a 2-bedroom apartment rents for $320-$540 a month… or you can buy a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a balcony, basement, garden, garage and fully equipped kitchen with security system, and central heating for just under $407,000.

If you like to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life and slow your pace right down, Esposende is well worth a look.

Gourmet delight…

Or sample life in Vila Nova de Famalicão, a pleasant inland town of 133,000 people just a half-hour drive northeast of Porto…where you'll have access to two international airports, over a hundred cafes and restaurants and a weekly farmer's market. Slip into Tentacaões Gourmet shop for a chat with Elsa (she speaks excellent English) and grab a homemade pastry, a cup of strong, fresh coffee, a glass of wine or some chocolate fettuccine.

For a 3-bedroom apartment in this part of the country, monthly rent is around $480-$600, with purchase prices around $200,000. Life is good…and good value…in this quiet town 15 miles from the beach.

Porto: Life in this chic, historic city has everything you could ask for.

Porto paradise…

Life in this chic, historic city has everything you could ask for: a vibrant seaside ambience, friendly locals, mild weather and delicious food and wine at appealing prices.

Wind through the maze of medieval alleys in the Ribeira district in your search for a new restaurant…visit a wine bar along the Douro River to sample world-renowned port and then stroll across the famous Dom Luis I bridge. Lose yourself in leafy parks, beautiful churches and elegant public buildings…

Portugal's second-largest city is popular with expats and known for its year-round livability and pleasing blend of cosmopolitan sophistication and old-word ambience.

When International Living's European Expert recently visited, she discovered an exciting range of affordable housing options

" You can find a rental in the most central neighborhoods, right in the heart of the action—for less than $1,000 a month. (Try showing a check that small to an agent in Paris or Rome!)

Prefer to live in central Porto? If you're after a well-located one-bedroom/one bathroom apartment, one was recently on offer close to the cathedral and the historic old town. With a fully-equipped kitchen and A/C, this apartment puts you right in the action in Porto. Its asking price: just $91,000.

Central Porto is home to only about 250,000 people, giving it a small-city, manageable feel (the greater Porto area is home to 1.5 million). You can stroll from the outskirts of the old city down to the waterfront—the Cais da Ribeira—in as little as twenty minutes."

Your own secret mountain hideaway…

Want to start your new life surrounded by mountains, farms and parks? Then take a look at Guarda—the highest city in Portugal at 3,320 feet. Here in the country's interior, you're only a couple of hours from Porto but you'll feel a world away, with 20 frontier castles to explore and all the fresh air you can handle…

There is currently a finely renovated home available there for $161,000 with four bedrooms, an olive grove as well as fruit trees and handy access to river beaches and the Guarda center.

A rich life at low cost in Portugal's largest city…

Portugal's largest city, Lisbon, is one of Western Europe's jewels…where every neighborhood seems to offer stunning views and you can choose between the culture and history of Belem, the sizzling nightlife of Bica and Barrio Alto or the bedroom communities of Oerras or Loures—where daily life is less frenetic but you're still close to everything. In Lisbon you may have to pay a bit more…but you get more convenience, entertainment, infrastructure and nightlife for your money.

Some typical Lisbon real estate options: A one-bedroom apartment in the center of Lisbon in good condition and it's located in a quiet neighborhood, close to transport (metro, train, and bus). There's nice sun exposure and a garden view. This was on offer for $1,400 a month.

One of the best things about Lisbon is how easy it is to get around…whether you own a car or not. If you like, you can forget about driving, live like a local and hop on the trams instead!

Affordable luxury on 'the Portuguese Riviera'… 20 miles west of Lisbon, the popular tourist and expat hub of Cascais has all the grandeur and elegance of the French Riviera…but at much lower prices.

Annette R. moved to the popular beach town with her husband José.

Living in Atlanta, Georgia, they realized that “The economic forecast didn’t look good for a soon-to-be-retired couple in the U.S.” They opted for peaceful Portugal and couldn’t be happier.

“We’re never surprised by costs, other than to realize how richly we can live on our retirement income, beyond all of our expectations,” Annette says

Areas like Cascais and Lisbon require a monthly budget of about $2,500, but move 30 minutes away, and that figure drops to around $2,000.

"A two-bedroom apartment a two minute walk from the beach can be rented for about $1,200 a month, with all the amenities like a private sunny garden , and a patio included. A comparable apartment in Nice, France would easily set you back $3,000 a month."

Other real estate examples from this area include a 5-bedroom, semi-detached house with three floors and a balcony for sale at $550,000.

The Algarve: Sun, Sand and Sparkling Scenery In Southernmost Portugal…

If an average winter temperature of 77°F sounds like your style, then set yourself up in the Algarve. Once just a collection of sleepy fishing villages perched on low cliffs, this region is now a legendary destination for global sun-seekers, golfers and active expats…a place where every beach town is as attractive as the next and bright sunshine is the norm.

Dine with friends on the cliff tops…

Along the numerous sand coves lining the Portimao coastline, you can spend your days beach-hopping and then your nights relaxing at Praia da Rocha's cliff-top promenade, where the restaurants and nightclubs buzz and the views are divine.

Typical rentals in the area run about $477 a month for a studio apartment and twice that for a one-bedroom. A cozy property, five minutes from the beach with a pool, gardens and a garage can be found for just $138,000.

Albufeira is the largest of the Algarve resort towns, but relaxing here is easy too. Rental property prices vary considerably, but recent offerings include two-bedrooms around $1,475.

In Faro, you have access to an international airport but are still smack dab in the middle of some the loveliest beaches on the coast. Faro exudes a less touristy, more local vibe and is worth checking out for real estate bargains. A recent offering, on the popular Avenida 5 de Outobro, boasting a four-bedroom home in excellent condition was selling at $335,000.

For a quieter, more low-key lifestyle, try the charming little town of Tavira, just 16 miles west of the Spanish border; it's the perfect base for exploring the eastern Algarve. Here, a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment in a gated community just listed at $409,000 to buy—this could be your own private oasis, away from the bustle of the central Algarve.

So… What's The Best 'First step' Toward Living Your Dream Life In Sophisticated, Low-cost Portugal?

If you've ever thought about making a major, positive change in your life and living in a sun-soaked place that lets you stretch your dollars…while enjoying sophisticated living in the midst of medieval history, natural splendor, a laid-back beach lifestyle and first-world infrastructure…well, that place is Portugal…and the time is now.

As the mainstream media continues to spread the word about the benefits of retiring to Portugal, this country's charms and affordability won't stay under the radar long. It's inevitable…the bargains you can still find in Portugal today WILL NOT last forever. But if you act now, you can still make Portugal your idyllic new home…at prices you never thought possible…provided you don't wait too long.

All you need to make it happen is the insider knowledge that can help you answer all the important questions, like:

  • What does a typical weekly shop at the grocery store cost in Portugal?
  • What types of visas can I get if I choose to stay in the country long-term?
  • As a temporary or permanent resident, how can I access Portugal's premier public and private health care systems?
  • What are the cheapest ways to travel to and from—and around—Portugal?
  • How do I qualify for residence status or arrange an investment visa?
  • What kind of Internet speed and mobile phone coverage can I expect…in and outside of the major cities?
  • Where can I find authentic, high-quality restaurants and modern supermarkets?
  • What do I need to know about taxes if I decide to relocate to Portugal?
  • How do I go about shipping all my belongings across the Atlantic…including my pet…and how much will it cost?
  • What do I need to know to get the very best deal on long-term apartment leases in Portugal?
  • How can I get local professional help to navigate the legal aspects of real estate transactions?
  • Where do I find the best doctors, dentists, pharmacies and hospitals…and what can I expect to pay for routine and emergency medical treatment?

To provide definitive, no-fluff, real-world answers to these questions…and hundreds more…we've created the most comprehensive guide to living, retiring, traveling and investing in Portugal ever…a jam-packed, comprehensive, meticulously researched Portugal resource that leaves no stone unturned in providing you with all the vital information necessary to make this Western European nation your new part-time or full-time home.

This isn't a run-of-the-mill travel guide. It's a whole world away from Lonely Planet, Rough Guides or Fodor's. It's like nothing you've ever seen before…a jam-packed compendium of insider information, boots-on-the-ground details and must-have resources that you simply won't find anywhere else…a fully-loaded manual that takes you by the hand and leads you through every single step you need to take to get your new life in Portugal off to a roaring start…even if you have no experience in living abroad.

The Most Complete Guide to Traveling, Living and Retiring in Portugal We've Ever Published

We've drawn upon the latest resources, compiled the most pertinent first-hand information, gathered the most indispensable contacts and picked the brains of seasoned expats and retirees living in Portugal RIGHT NOW to give you the kind of deep, how-to insights that leave ordinary travel guides in the dust.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your FREE Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

This comprehensive resource is called Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less.

…and it gives you everything you need to start your own Portugal journey, whether your goals are travel, short or long-term living, retirement or investing in this welcoming country. You won't find a more current or comprehensive guide to today's Portugal anywhere…because it doesn't exist.

We've done all the hard work for you, so you don't have to wonder about the steps you need to take to make your Old-World Europe dream a reality.

Meet Your Own Personal Guide to The Wonders Of Life In Portugal

When Tricia Pimental and her husband decided to move overseas in 2012, they looked at a number of options: Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, France…even Malta. They'd vacationed in Portugal and remembered how exciting and different their experiences were.

They sat in rapt attention as a fadista in a rural village near Porto bared her soul, singing of the glory of Portugal. They puzzled at youngsters joining a festival parade at midnight…on a school night! They watched fishermen bringing ashore their catch of sardinhas and carapau.

And they quickly realized something…in the midst all this country's cultural richness, they found that for lodging and meals, they were only spending a slim percentage of what they'd experienced in other European countries…or back home in Utah.

So they decided to return.

"That's when life changed from relishing a few weeks of vacation to living a casual lifestyle in a place more budget-friendly and accommodating than we'd ever imagined", Tricia says.

After moving to Portugal, Tricia discovered they could live on approximately a third of what it had cost them in the U.S. And she believes the situation is even better for aspiring expats now, with the decline of the Euro against the dollar.

When Tricia graduated from Brooklyn College of the City University in New York with a B.A. in French, she began to travel…to France, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Turkey, Israel, Russia, the Baltic states and most of Europe. She's the author of three award-winning books, including A Movable Marriage: A Memoir.

And she is also the author of Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less…your personal resource for starting a new life in Portugal.

Who better to guide you carefully through the adventure of living in Portugal than someone who has made the move herself…and absolutely loves it there?

It's like having your own professional Portugal consultant on hand to answer all the critical questions and provide the latest on-the-ground advice. Except you don't have to pay thousands in consultancy fees to access this once-in-a-lifetime compilation of essential Portugal information…not even close…it's available to you for so much less than that.

The scores of cookie-cutter travel guides on the market…the thousands of online articles about the attractions of Portugal…the barrage of media articles about this increasingly popular country…

None of them compare to our latest and greatest all-in-one resource to breathtaking Portugal.

Not Available Anywhere Else

The latest digital edition of Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life for Less is not available in bookstores, resource libraries, or anywhere else on the internet, apart from International Living's online bookstore. And it's available in an online downloadable form only. That's how we can keep the information as up-to-date and reliable as possible. It also allows us to get this information in your hands as quickly as possible.

Travel to Portugal to obtain all this information yourself and you'd expect to pay $2,000 or more. (The time and efforts of attorneys and other experts who worked to compile this information is worth that much alone.)

It's Yours—On the House!

Escape to Portugal

I'd like to send you—at no charge—a digital copy of this comprehensive 178-page manual Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less. (A $99 value.) All I ask is that you try a subscription to International Living Magazine.

You already know something about International Living since you get our free e-letter. But what you may not know is that these e-mailed dispatches are just the beginning. There's always a lot more to every story.

There's a whole world of information and benefits that we reserve exclusively for subscribers to our magazine—and we like nothing more than identifying exciting opportunities in little-known places for those readers.

Here at International Living, we're all about solutions that really work. Recently we've shared with our readers secrets like…

  • Europe's royal beach escapes…the Golden Age of Europe's royal houses may be long over, but the Old World beach resorts where the continent's aristocracy summered still cling to a fin de siècle grandeur… In these spots, you can enjoy urban luxuries as fine as the enticing, sandy beaches. We'll show you where…
  • Three stylish towns in Spain within easy striking distance of Barcelona—beautiful, intimate, and food-focused—where you can gain a vibrant cultural scene at small-town prices.
  • Four islands within easy access of the States where sugar-sand beaches and warm, clear waters will grab your heart…and the good-values will keep you coming back.
  • Eternal summers…the how-to secrets of a snowbird life, including where to go and how to spend half overseas what you'd pay to stay home.
  • Tax-saving strategies—smart ways to protect your assets and pay less with structures and systems overseas.
  • Social Security loopholes that could hand you tens of thousands in "extra" benefits overseas…but you have to know to ask……(This information is NOT approved, endorsed or authorized by the Social Security Administration. All of the information mentioned here is available for free from the Social Security Administration, but we’ve compiled an easy to read list for you.)
  • How to beat the airline luggage fees…
  • A laid-back Costa Rican beach retreat   where scarlet macaws soar overhead—just 90 minutes from the airport and close to the capital, it’s an escape that feels a world away but is incredibly convenient. And you could live well here on $2,000 a month.
  • An American doctor's frank and forthcoming take on healthcare overseas…
  • How you can travel on somebody else's dime…and then get paid to tell people about your experiences…
  • A quiet Caribbean village where you can rent for less than $350 a month, the sand is light and fine as sugar, the tropical waters host colorful fish and lazy sea turtles, yet you're only 30 miles from an international airport.

… and much, much more.

Your Window into a Whole New World of Possibility and Profit

Here at International Living, we've been covering this beat for nearly four decades. When publications like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and AARP need an expert opinion about alternative retirement solutions and the places where retirees can get the most bang for their buck…they call us.

That's because every month International Living is jam-packed with insider secrets, how-to advice, useful contacts you can call or email, and real-world recommendations for saving money, making money, living better, embracing adventure, and enjoying life more overseas…

Our IL Postcards give you but a tiny taste of what we do, frankly.

International Living magazine is where we share the full story, connect you directly to the people you need to know, and share insights, advice, and guidance from our many contributors in the field.

We're the experts…and there's a whole world of information and benefits that we reserve exclusively for subscribers to our print publication…

Like a way to grow your nest egg outside stocks and outside the dollar.

It's nothing complicated. It's a simple, very accessible investment play. A way to add to your retirement nest egg while you're retired…instead of watching it dwindle.

In 1984, we told readers about an investment on the Samara Bay in Costa Rica. Back then, you could get in for between $2,000 and $4,000. Today, that investment would be worth $139,000.

In the 1990s, we pointed readers to this kind of play again in Belize…and watched as the values soared. A reader who bought on the tropical, palm-lined island of Ambergris for $29,950 back then could sell for $180,000 today.

And we're still delivering deals like that—the places with opportunities you could profit from today…

Like a window of opportunity along a postcard-perfect stretch of Pacific coast we’ve told readers about…where lush, green virgin tropical forest tumbles down to white-sand beaches. The weather and topography here are ideal…and you can grab a lot for less than $40,000 or a condo that looks like it should cost $1 million—for just $195,000.

As an International Living reader, you'll know exactly where the deals like that are. And how—even with very little in the bank—you can take advantage of them.

The Retirement You Always Dreamed of… for 13 Cents a Day

Agree to take a look at International Living today, and not only will you qualify yourself for your complimentary digital copy of the latest digital edition of Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less (value: $99) but I'll ALSO shave more than 60% off the regular price.

So instead of $129 per year for 12 monthly issues delivered to your doorstep, it's yours today for just $129 $49.

All you have to do is give International Living a try. It's guaranteed.

Our Good-Will, Good-Value Guarantee

Once you see our magazine for yourself, I feel confident you'll agree: It delivers you a world you just don't find anywhere else.

But if you decide the good-living, good-value opportunities International Living profiles every month aren't for you after all, just let us know and we'll send you a refund on your un-mailed issues. No questions. No fuss.

Escape to Portugal is yours to keep, with my compliments. With this special deal, you receive…

  • A full year of International Living delivered to your door (value: $129, yours for $49 today)
  • • The latest Digital Edition of the 178-Page Manual, Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less (value: $99 included)

You'll also get immediate access to:

  • Unlimited access to the subscribers-only section of the International Living website. You'll find here more than a decade of archived stories, recommendations, tips, insights and more.
  • IL's annual Global Retirement Index, with a complete snapshot of the best places to retire in the world. Whether you're looking for a palm-lined stretch of sand…a big city retreat…a place where you can pay less taxes…a haven where your dollars stretch beyond belief…a Spring-like climate year-round…it's all in this special subscribers-only issue.

Plus, we'll give you a special Premium Edition of IL Postcards, too—each day you'll learn about the best places to retire, travel, buy real estate, and enjoy life overseas. This complimentary e-mail service is for magazine subscribers only.

All told, this offer hands you $228 worth of live-better, travel-smarter, profit-more, retire-sooner advice and guidance from International Living for just $49.

If you're like many folks these days—not entirely sure your retirement savings will go the distance…or not sure where to put your nest egg so it's safe and growing…

Then I encourage you to give International Living a try right now.

Six Months from Now, You Could Be Living Large in Portugal on a Whole Lot Less than You Spend Now

The truth of the matter is: An international lifestyle isn't just for the rich and famous. It's for anybody willing to take advantage of the best-value opportunities in welcoming communities around the globe.

And it's our mission at International Living to help you do just that!

I hope you'll take me up on this offer to get yourself a copy of the latest digital edition of the one-of-a-kind resource Escape to Portugal: Everything You Need to Know to Retire Better, Invest Well, and Enjoy the Good Life For Less along with full International Living subscriber benefits.

Just try International Living. It's that simple. Like I said, you have our no-hassle guarantee if, for any reason, you are not satisfied. And Escape to Portugal is yours to keep with my compliments, just for giving IL a chance.

Please click below to activate this special Portugal offer.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your FREE Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

Sincerely,

Jackie Flynn

Jackie Flynn,
Publisher, International Living

P.S. Here's an even better deal: Try a two-year subscription to International Living and, in addition to everything I've already explained you'll get, you also get this special bonus video— An Insider's Look at Portugal: Western Europe's Affordable Gem (value $29). In this bonus video, you'll discover how easy your transition to this beautiful country could be. To give you the very best introduction to Portugal, we videotaped a special presentation given by Portugal expat and author of Escape to Portugal Tricia Pimental. She gives you a snapshot to real life in Portugal. She explains what you'll love about living there and what you may find to be somewhat challenging. Tricia's presentation is full of spectacular photos, too—so you can see exactly what she's talking about. From Lisbon to Porto, Cascais, the Algarve, and beyond…

Make sure you choose the two-year option in the secure online order form to receive this complimentary bonus. Just click on the link below now.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your COMPLIMENTARY Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…

P.P.S. Here's what International Living subscribers say about the magazine:

"We have been Members of International Living for many years…and are now interested in scouting out Portugal. Thanks to IL we are learning more and more about Portugal and the best places to rent or buy. If you are dreaming of finding your “special place”, IL magazine has done all the legwork for you. Highly recommended. "

– Franceska.

"I have been a subscriber of International Living Magazine for many years. The magazine has helped me understand the world better and travel better. With the help of International Living we are moving to Italy for a one year trial and if we like it we will stay longer. This move will give us an opportunity to see all of Europe"

– Bart P.

"International living is the best out there no question about it. I would and have recommend them to any of my close family and friends."

– Stephen S.

"I am a new subscriber to your magazine and wanted to express how pleased I am with your product. The quality of the magazine and the diversity of information that it provides, greatly exceeds my expectations. So often a purchase online ends up being much less than what you had hoped. International Living is at the other end of the scale…so much more than you were expecting. ."

– David W.

Subscribe to IL magazine now and get your COMPLIMENTARY Escape to Portugal manual.

You can review your order before it’s final…