There are risks, as well as rewards, for U.S. retirees who look to other countries when seeking new places to call home.
The website Live and Invest Overseas has narrowed the search for retirees or retirees-in-the-making to find their retirement home abroad.
For this year’s results, the website compared each destination across 15 categories: cost of living; health care; residency options; entertainment; recreation; whether English is spoken; the expat community; taxes; real estate affordability; real estate restrictions; infrastructure; environmental factors; crime and safety; access to North America; and climate.
In ascending order, here are the website's top 10 retirement destinations for 2019:
10. George Town, Malaysia
George Town is the colorful capital of the Malaysian island of Penang. It is a modern city with skyscrapers, shopping malls and a diverse population. The city is affordable, English is widely spoken and there are many entertainment and recreational options. However, crime remains a problem, there is no easy access to North America off the island, environmental issues could become health issues, and it is both difficult and expensive to buy real estate there.
9. Città Sant'Angelo, Italy
Città Sant'Angelo is an affordable town in the province of Pescara, located in the southern Italian region of Abruzzo. This little town just may be the ideal retirement destination for retirees who want to live well without having to spend a lot. The town is safe, clean and there is plenty to do there, but taxes are high and few of the locals speak English, the website said.
8. Annecy, France
Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France. This picturesque town, with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-colored houses, even has a medieval castle that was once home to the counts of Geneva. It is relatively safe and clean, and there is a wide range of entertainment and recreational options, but it is expensive to live, work or buy a home there.
7. San Ignacio, Belize
San Ignacio, a town in the Cayo District of western Belize, allows adventurous explorers to walk the Rainforest Medicine Trail or visit the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech, abandoned in the 9th Century. Retirement dollars will go far here and real estate is affordable and easy to buy. Taxes are low and the town is relatively safe. However, there is a lack of entertainment options and a serious illness will likely require treatment elsewhere, Live and Invest Overseas said.
6. Occitanie, France
Avoid the more expensive Provence region of southern France and instead opt to retire in the more affordable and just as picturesque Occitanie. Property prices are half of those Provence and the Côte d'Azur, and you won’t need a car with the many available transportation options. The area is safe and clean, but you will probably need to learn French to converse with friendly locals, and the taxes are high, Live and Invest Overseas said.
5. Valletta, Malta
Valletta is the tiny capital of the Mediterranean island nation of Malta. Rich in history and scenic beauty, Malta is an EU member nation and English is universally spoken by a multilingual populace, Live and Invest Overseas said. While Malta does not offer a retiree visa, American retirees can qualify for its Global Residence Program for non-EU citizens simply by renting a place to live for as little as 800 euros per month, or about S$900.
4. Cuenca, Ecuador
Known officially as Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, this walkable city in southern Ecuador’s Andes Mountains is a retiree’s dream destination. With a mild climate that does not require high heating or air conditioning costs, a couple could comfortably live here on a budget of $1,000 per month or less, according to Live and Invest Overseas. Health care is first rate and inexpensive. Cuenca is home to one of the world’s biggest expat retiree communities.
3. Mazatlán, Mexico
Mazatlán, a Mexican resort town located along the Pacific shoreline in the state of Sinaloa, is the comeback kid of retirement destinations. After being out of favor with expats and retirees for decades, the historic city center is undergoing a renaissance, following an impressive facelift of the historic city center, according to Live and Invest Overseas. Sandy beaches line a 13-mile-long boardwalk and the town is renowned for big-game fishing. Mexico’s primary attraction for American retirees is its accessibility; just pack up your possessions and drive there.
2. Cascais, Portugal
Just a 40-minute ride from the Lisbon city center, Cascais is a safe and relatively clean seaside town offering a cosmopolitan lifestyle, numerous entertainment and recreational choices, and a superb infrastructure, whether or not you choose to drive, according to Live and Invest Overseas. On the other hand, bring plenty of American dollars with you if you retire here: the cost of living is expensive and so is buying your own home.
1. Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region, known for its Atlantic beaches and golf resorts. Its central coast is lined with villas, hotels, bars and restaurants. It is beautiful, affordable, friendly and safe. As a resident, rather than a citizen, your retirement income is not taxed. Establishing residency in the Algarve is easy and cheap for anyone of any age, according to Live and Invest Overseas.
The full report can be viewed here.
