“Choices are the hinges of destiny,” said the poet Edwin Markham. Never a truer word when it comes to deciding where you should retire, and IL’s Annual Global Retirement Index is our way of helping you oil those hinges. Wherever you choose, you’ll benefit from lower costs of living, less stress, and a better all-round quality of life. But we understand that the more idyllic retirement havens we uncover overseas, the tougher it is to make a choice about which one is right for you.
That’s why, every January, we rank and rate the very best. Each year we refine our method and filter ever-more data and expat feedback. That last one—the views of our contacts and contributors on the ground—is the vital ingredient.
Of course, you don’t have to pick just one place. Retiring overseas is not an all or nothing thing. You could pick your favorite beach retreat, colonial town, or mountain escape, and then leverage the lower cost of living there to fund all sorts of fun travels. Spend a few months in Europe or explore Peru…
Tricia A. Mitchell explains how she and her husband Shawn enjoyed Tuscan-style living for just $1,300 a month in a hidden corner of the Adriatic. “You can spend your morning exploring islands or relaxing on the beach, and your evening dining on wild asparagus risotto in a hilltop town,” writes Tricia.
When Michael Sump and his wife, Suzanne retired they wanted to tackle new goals and new activities, and avoid flabby waistlines and flabbier minds. “We decided to explore South America and for the last four years we have been Spanish students on the move,” writes Michael. “Going back to school in your 50s and 60s is an enlivening experience and now we have friends all over the world.”
Or you could join the thousands of savvy retirees who have the best of both worlds as snowbirders, escaping cruel winters for part-time living in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. You’ll hear from travelers who have found lower costs, better weather and lots to do in tropical locales from Mexico to Malaysia.
Eoin Bassett, International Executive Editor
There’s one thing about the concept of living, working, or retiring abroad that I value above all else: It gives me options. Options are good. Having options is much better than not having options, even if you never make a choice. No one likes to be caught in a location...
Subscriber Login - Not A Member Yet? Click Here Email Address Password Remember Me Forgot Your Password?