Best Places to Retire in 2022

Where to retire is an important decision that needs to be carefully thought of. After a lifetime of working, you want to be able to enjoy your retirement for as long as you can. The weather should be pleasant, and there should be plenty of entertainment options and access to quality healthcare, all at a low or reasonable cost of living. In this article we provide you with our recommendations for the five best places for seniors to retire overseas, based on these factors.

Algarve, Portugal

Portugal tops just about every best place to retire list, including International Living, Forbes and Business Insider. And for good reason. Algarve, the country’s southern coast is particularly attractive. The area boasts around 3,300 hours of sunshine annually, ideal for taking advantage of some of Europe’s best beaches and golf courses.

The region also has a rich history and culture, as well as wonderful food and wine options. The cost of living in Portugal is also reasonable, particularly for the region – it’s about 30% cheaper than most other countries in Western Europe. You can live comfortably on about $3,000 a month. There’s an established expat community in Algarve, and English is widely spoken.

Good healthcare is affordable here – residents have access to public hospitals and those over 65 can receive subsidized prescription medication.

Cuenca, Ecuador

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca is a wonderful city with a lovely historical district and a thriving arts and culture scene. Cuenca is also home to one of the largest retired expat communities in the world.

The cost of living is very affordable here, with rental prices around 70% cheaper than the US and consumer prices around 40% cheaper. A couple can live quite well on less than $2,000 a month. Expats over 65 also enjoy many discounts, as well as minimal or no taxes. The U.S. dollar is also the official currency here, so there are no foreign exchange concerns.

Cuenca also has several good hospitals, and medical services and medicine are cheap. Residents, including expats can join Ecuador’s Social Security healthcare system. Located at elevation, the weather here is mild and spring-like all year round.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

For a lifestyle similar to Southern California at a fraction of the price, look no further than Puerto Vallarta along Mexico’s Pacific coast. As a beach resort town, there are plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment options, as well as water sports and outdoor activities. Several top golf courses are nearby.

There’s an active expat community. Healthcare is top notch and cheap. Once registered as residents, expats can take advantage of Mexico’s good public healthcare system. And while Puerto Vallarta is not the cheapest locale in Mexico, a couple can expect to live well on $3,000 a month. Puerto Vallarta is also one of the safer places in Mexico. Temperatures are balmy and tropical and range from the 60s in the winter to the 90s in the summer. Puerto Vallarta is also easily accessible from the US and other locations.

Abruzzo, Italy

Situated along the Adriatic Coast in central Italy, the region of Abruzzo offers old world charm, a slower pace of life and high quality of life at an affordable price. The cost of living is very reasonable here, and much cheaper than most other areas in Italy. A couple can expect to live well on less than $2,000 a month.

There are many quaint historic towns, beautiful beaches, mountains, plenty of culture, art and excellent food and wine. There are also three national parks here, and plenty of outdoor sports and activities. Rome is only an hour’s drive away, and there’s good access to the rest of Europe and the world.

The weather is mild year round, with minimal need for air conditioning or heating. The healthcare is ranked second in the world and residents, including expats, have access to the Italian National Health Service for a low cost.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

As the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai offers plenty for the retiree. There’s a rich culture, stunning countryside, plentiful outdoor and other activities and an excellent range of international restaurants. It offers the benefits of a large city at budget prices.

The infrastructure is modern, and the atmosphere laid back. You can live well on less than $2,000 a month. There’s a large expat community of more than 30,000 residents. The healthcare is cheap and excellent, and in fact draws many visitors from abroad. A retirement visa is easy to obtain here. Retirees simply have to be over 50 and open a retirement account with more than $25,000.

Chiang Mai has a major airport, offering easy access to the beaches of Thailand, or plenty of cities internationally. The weather is warm and tropical, ideal for those looking to escape the cold.

Conclusion

There are many amazing locations outside the United States that offer great value for your money, along with good health care, entertainment and nice weather to keep you comfortable. The next step is picking a place that works well for your needs, so you can retire without worries. With a simple online search, you can explore some the best and most affordable places where you can retire.