If you are looking for beauty, history or adventure in retirement, there are areas of the world where these ideals can be achieved affordably, according to Live and Invest Overseas, an information resource for consumers.
Live and Invest Overseas has compiled a list of the top places a person should consider to spend his or her retirement years if it were not in the United States. Some of the perennial favorites have been rearranged from last year in terms of their desirability, and three new hot spots have been added to the list.
The following are the top 10 spots in reverse order, and a few of the reasons they are attractive retirement destinations.
No. 10 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is a well-developed resort city on the Pacific Ocean coast, where luxury living can be found even on a modest retirement budget.
No. 9 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand has beautiful beaches, lush jungles and a laid-back lifestyle combined with one of the lowest costs of living in the world.
No. 8 Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca also boasts a low cost of living and rock bottom real estate costs. It is a beautiful colonial city in a fascinating and diverse country.
No. 7 Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
New to the list this year, this affordable island beach resort with year-round sunshine also has jungles and mountain hideaways, many with ocean views. One of the most affordable spots in the Caribbean, it has a diverse history and culture.
No. 6 George Town, Malaysia
Also new on the list, historic George Town offers museums and a philharmonic concert hall. Malaysian immigration policies are inviting and health care and transportation are first rate.
No. 5 Abruzzo, Italy
An old favorite, Abruzzo combines golden beaches with mountains for skiing. With no overcrowding and no heavy industry, Abruzzo is considered one of Italy’s hidden treasures.
No. 4 Pau, France
In the Basque region of France, Pau has spectacular surf as well as tall mountains and meandering rivers. A couple can retire here on as little as $2,000 a month. Pau also is a new listing among the best places to retire.
No. 3 Medellin, Colombia
Formerly riddled with drugs and violence, Medellin is cleaned up and progressive. It is sprinkled with flower parks surrounded by attractive red brick, tile roofed buildings.
No. 2 Cayo, Belize
Belize is a mix of Central American, Caribbean and English cultures where everyone speaks English. It is easily accessible from the United States and is one of the easiest places to establish residency.
No. 1 Algarve, Portugal
For the third year in a row, Algarve comes in first for the best places to retire overseas. It has a low cost of living and low-cost real estate, and residents can get by with speaking only English. The large expat community has access to medieval towns, sunny days and sandy beaches.