If you’re looking to retire overseas, the time you take to explore some of the great places to retire around the world will pay off for decades to come. While Latin America offers some real gems, there are wonderful retirement spots elsewhere, too.
Panama
For American retirees, Panama presents some excellent benefits. It’s not only close to the U.S., so trips back to visit family won’t be a problem, but many Panamanian in urban centers like Panama city are conversant in English, too. The country provides top-notch health care facilities and a variety of services for retirees. Temperatures average around 80 degrees F year round, but the dry season can become uncomfortably hot for some.
Costa Rica
Just to the north of Panama, you’ll find Costa Rica, with much the same geography and climate as its southern neighbor. While this developing country still faces some problems with infrastructure, it offers relative economic and political stability, making it a safe locale for retirees. Another plus is that most locals speak at least one European language besides Spanish. The locals are known for their laid back ways, although this may be difficult to cope with if you’re a stickler for efficiency.
Malta
If you’ve looked into settling in Europe, but found the residency permit requirements too stringent or the winters too harsh, that may be because you overlooked the little island of Malta. Located near Greece, Malta comes complete with pleasant Mediterranean weather, sociable locals, and a standard of living on par with that of Western Europe. Even better, the government actively works to attract retirees and offers a variety of perks for settling here. The only drawback is the relative isolation of island living. Another of the great places to retire on the Mediterranean is Cyprus, which offers similar advantages to Malta.
Thailand
The word "Thailand" conjures up images of exotic architecture, fashion, and food, but make no mistake, Bangkok and other urban centers provide every modern convenience you could want along with a well developed infrastructure. Costs and crime rate, however, remain relatively low. Thailand also offers mild weather and plenty of places for outdoor activities. On the downside, the differences between Thai and North American culture, as well as the language, may take some getting used to.
While South America is home to a number of great places to retire, there are hidden gems tucked away in Europe and Asia, too. If you’re serious about finding your ideal retirement home away from home, consider a good number of places before you short-list your favorites.
