Since we published the very first issue of International Living in May 1979, we’ve been extolling the virtues of moving overseas for a better retirement.
For nearly four decades, we’ve scoured the globe in search of the best locations for overseas living. You might think after that long that no more undiscovered retirement destinations exist. But you’d be wrong.
Just take a look at this month’s cover story. IL Roving Latin America Editor Jason Holland recently explored the place he says is “one of the most affordable highland destinations in Latin America.” The cities of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle have a lot to offer: First-World amenities, a spring-like climate year-round, and an incredibly affordable cost of living. “A couple can live comfortably on $1,500 to $2,000, if not less,” Jason says. “Two- and three-bedroom condos in the best neighborhoods start at $60,000.”
As a retirement destination, Portugal’s capital of Lisbon has flown under the radar for years. But its Old World charm, low cost of living, and friendly locals are slowly drawing North American expats. Ed Hooks and his wife Cally moved there last year from LA. While the weather is similar to what they were used to in Southern California, that’s where the comparisons end. Here they don’t need a car, have made friends easily, and their cost of living is “roughly 65% of what we were spending in Los Angeles,” Ed says. Read Ed’s story here.
But it’s not just new destinations you’ll read about in this month’s issue. We’ve got all the old favorites in here too…like Costa Rica, which we first profiled in depth in IL back in 1982. This was around the time New York native Eddie Ryan first visited the country. Thirty four years on, Eddie is living the pura vida life on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast.
Barbara Hoyle has been living on the shores Lake Chapala, one of Mexico’s most popular expat spots, for almost 20 years. She describes her life here as “stress free” and with a large expat population, there’s never a shortage of things to do. Her full story is here. And over in Panama, IL Chiriqui Correspondent Nanette Witmer shares her tips for finding the best-value rentals. She says if you know where to look, rentals can be snapped up for $400 a month.
Hollywood should shoot more films in Lisbon. The city enjoys about 2,800 glorious hours of sunshine a year. Its rolling hills and vintage tram cars could double for San Francisco. Colorful homes line the city’s cobblestone streets, offering an ideal backdrop for any romantic film...
Immense tombs, quaint covered bridges, scenic rivers, and delightful food...History buffs often make a stop in Hue, Vietnam’s old imperial capital. You should too.This small city is on the main route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Most people hit the high spots and move on within a day or two...
Few can resist the charms of Tuscany. Rolling hills with neat rows of vineyards and centuries-old olive groves, medieval towns brimming with history, mouth-watering traditional food, and excellent wines… The number of international visitors to this picturesque Italian region has now surpassed 90 million a year...
From the British Isles to the far reaches of the east, Europe’s long history called for castles, towers, fortifications, and fortresses. So it’s no wonder that there are plenty of these structures dotting the continent. They’re often in pristine rural areas, with villages once populated by loyal subjects close by for shopping and dining...
When my husband Michael and I first began looking overseas, we weren’t sure where to start. People say, “It’s a small world,” but when you start taking a closer look at all your options, it really isn’t that small, at all. Maybe you started by imagining Panama, Costa Rica, or Ecuador...
Maybe you are concerned about your financial future or your health…wondering if you’ll be able to have the kind of life you dream about…or if you can afford to retire at all. What if you could quit working and start living? Or even start a profitable new venture…
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