But, in my mind, there is one benefit that—if it's not the top of everyone's list—is at least a major consideration for every person contemplating a move overseas.
Sure, the weather is great in places like Costa Rica, Portugal, and Thailand. The local cultures are fascinating, welcoming, and exotic. The sense of adventure you get as an expat is something you can't find almost any other way.
But underlying everything is one constant fact: Living in the beautiful, exciting places on IL's beat is more affordable than where you are now…especially as a retiree.
It's this affordability that allows you to live a life of adventure and exploration…that frees you up to spend your days on the beach with new friends…that makes your retirement something you can look forward to.
IL Magazine Managing Editor Sean Keenan is the man behind the Index, and I've asked him to break down the top three most affordable countries on our beat for 2018.
Read on…
Declan Aylward
Managing Editor, IL Postcards
P.S. Today is your last chance to claim your free copy of the
2018 Global Retirement Index. We rank, rate, compare, and contrast a full 24 countries worth your consideration today. Our comparisons are based 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. And you can get all this for free…as long as you
claim your free copy of the Index here before midnight tonight.
* * *
These Are the 3 Most Affordable Overseas Retirement Destinations for 2018
By Sean Keenan
All of the countries we cover at International Living are affordable places to live. But, as in every category we look at for our Global Retirement Index, there are those that stick out as particular examples. These are the places where the costs of living are so low that you can live a rich man's lifestyle on a whole lot less than you spend now, just to get by.
Let's take a look at the three countries that stood out as the most affordable overseas retirement destinations in 2018.
Third Place
The third most affordable retirement destination on IL's beat is a relatively undiscovered land of stunning scenery, rich local culture, and excellent value for money.
Its cosmopolitan capital city is one of the Americas' most affordable capitals. The business, culinary, and retail hub of the country, this city with a population approaching 10 million sits at the halfway point along the country's extensive coastline. It offers a great blend of city and coastal living.
Including rent, a couple could live in the center of the city for $2,500 a month or less. Although one-bedroom apartments can be found for $500 a month, you'll be looking at a minimum of $1,000 a month for a larger unit in the city center. Basic utilities, including good internet, cost about $100 a month. Decent cellphone plans start at less than $25 a month. You'll spend less than $400 a month on groceries, especially if you shop at one of the local markets for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Second Place
Our runner up for lowest cost of living is a coffee-loving country with a tropical climate and a high standard of living. Trains run almost the entire length of the country, it has three main international airports, and it boasts the fastest-growing economy in the region.
A couple can live comfortably anywhere in the country on a budget of less than $2,000 per month. Smaller cities are affordable and expat-friendly. A monthly budget of $1,000 or less can be enough to provide a couple with a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle in these areas.
Samantha Cherry and her partner enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in one of these smaller cities for far less than it would cost back home. "We budget about $900 per month," says Samantha. "I'll get facials and massages—we don't think about what we buy. Once a fortnight we'll go to the Amiana (a five-star resort) for their brunch buffet. We are living very well."
The couple's living expenses are also great value. "Our electricity is about $20 per month, our tap water is included in our rent, Pay TV with a satellite dish costs $5 per month and for internet, we have an unlimited 3G mobile data plan which costs $9 per month," says Samantha.
First Place
The most affordable overseas retirement destination in 2018, according to our new Retirement Index, uses the U.S. dollar as the de facto currency, has an expat-friendly population, many of whom speak English as a second language, and offers both lush tropical rainforests and sandy beaches. There is something for every type of budget; you can opt to live like a backpacker in a bamboo hut, or luxuriate in a five-star hotel with its own private beach.
A single person can live comfortably for $1,300 per month even in the capital city, while a couple could spend as little as $2,000.
"The lifestyle I can afford is amazing and I feel a real sense of financial freedom compared to my life back home," says Paul Howard, who lives in the country's bustling capital. "The rent for my apartment is $275 a month, add on utilities like air-conditioning and Pay TV and I still only pay around $360 a month, all in.
"You can't even imagine the difference in my lifestyle nowadays because everything has totally changed for me. Living here means I never have to worry about what things cost as it's all so affordable. You name it and I guarantee you can get it here for a fraction of the price you'd pay at home."
You can learn all about these top three affordable retirement destinations when you claim your free copy of our
2018 Global Retirement Index.
Every year, for the last 27 years, we've ranked and compared the best overseas retirement havens around the world across 12 different categories, from "Cost of Living" to "Entertainment and Amenities" and everything in between.
Whatever you dream about…in the destinations profiled in our
2018 Global Retirement Index…you could find a new reality. A lot sooner—and a lot more affordably—than you may imagine.
And you can get your hands on a copy of the Index for free…all you have to do is tell us you want it before midnight tonight. To have so much information at your fingertips for free—it really is a no-brainer.
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