When considering the best places to retire international, one should take a number of factors into consideration. The language of the country, the infrastructure, price, visas, the quality and price of medical care and the country’s stability all are important factors. While each retirement destination has its pros and cons, there are some places that are definitely better than others are.
Following are the three of the best places you can retire
Panama City, Panama
Panama City is one of the best international places to retire. This city is the capital of Panama and has a great infrastructure, affordable yet high quality medical care and beautiful weather. Panama’s currency is the US dollar, so one would not need to worry about exchanging money.
The country offers retirement visas for those who can prove a stable pension of at least $500 per person (or $600 per couple).
The cost of living is low and most people in the city speak at least some English. The cons to retiring in Panama City are that it is quite hot in the summer. In addition, people outside of Panama City do not speak English, for the most part, so there is a bit of a language barrier.
Malta
Malta is considered by many to be one of the best places to retire international. It is a beautiful island with scenic beaches, mild year round weather and fascinating old world architecture.
English is one of the national languages and the infrastructure is good. The national currency is the Euro, so one will need to exchange money on a regular basis.
In order to qualify for a retirement visa, one would need to prove an annual pension of no less than 23,000 Euros. After receiving the permanent residence visa, a retiree would need to buy a house or apartment in Malta within one year.
While Malta is one of the best places to retire abroad, there are some cons to retiring there. It is far from the U.S and the requirements for obtaining a retirement visa are a bit stringent. In addition, the country does not have all the products and brand choices that the U.S. has.
Ecuador
Ecuador is a small country in South America that has been consistently named as one of the best places to retire overseas. The country has great beaches and gorgeous forests, mountains and parks. Ecuador’s currency is tied to the U.S. Dollar, making it fairly stable. It is easy to obtain permanent residence as long as one has a regular pension or social security.
The infrastructure and quality of medical care is good and the cost of living is very cheap. One can live a comfortable life in Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city, for around $17,000 a year.
While Ecuador is a relatively safe country, there is some crime and political instability. There is also a language barrier as country’s national language is Spanish. One should also note that the quality of medical care outside of Ecuador’s large cities is not high.
The above countries are considered by many to be the best places to retire internationally. While each country has its flaws, many of these are relatively minor and the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. When looking over the best places to retire international, one should consider all angles and choose the place that best suits his or her needs and budget.
Return to the Best Places in the World to Retire Page
or click here to return to Cheapest Places to Retire
