Retiring abroad has become a trend, and it's not likely to go out of style anytime soon. Living costs, climate, quality of life, safety, accessible health care, and the need for adventure are only some of the reasons to retire abroad. Expat.com brings the best places to move and retire in 2017.
Malaysia: Discover the land of many cultures
Malaysia is probably one of the most popular retirement destinations in Southeast Asia. Described as a multicultural melting pot by expatriates from all around the world, the country has a friendly and welcoming population. It's warm climate, tropical islands and picturesque beaches have seduced many expats over the years.
Malaysia is also known to have one of the lowest crime rates in the region. As a developed country, it provides a better standard of living than many other countries in the region, in combination with a low cost of living. If you are looking for a vibrant social life and you value friends, the Malaysian lifestyle won't disappoint you. And we almost forgot (how could we?) the colourful and compelling Malaysian cuisine!
Belize: Benefit from a good retirement plan
Famous for its breathtaking landscapes, beautiful beaches, and ancient ruins, Belize has attracted a big https://www.expat.community over the years. Retirees have had no trouble in merging into the local lifestyle thanks to its friendly, welcoming and helpful population.
As a British Commonwealth country, Belize has a set of laws and regulations that are quite familiar to western expatriates. Belize has one of the best retirement programs in the world — according to the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Program, retirees are exempt from income tax from foreign sources. They are also allowed to import their personal and household goods and their car on duty-free basis during the first year.
Panama: Lower your living costs
Besides its warm climate and friendly nation, Panama has so much more to offer to retirees. With a stable economy and the US dollar as its currency, Panama provides one of the lowest costs of living in the world.
You can find cheap rentals and properties for sale almost everywhere. Panama has a very generous retiree program, which allows to foreign retirees to enjoy benefits, such as discounts on restaurants, entertainment, hotel stays, public transport, domestic airline tickets, medical prescriptions, dental and eye care.
To top it off, Panama is a safe country and provides first class but affordable health care services.
Philippines: Live like a local
The Philippines may sound like a faraway land for many, but adapting to a foreign country has never been so easy as in the Philippines. You will not find it difficult to communicate, as most of the locals speak English. The people are friendly and welcoming and won't hesitate to go out of their way to help you.
Thanks to a low cost of living, you can easily manage your budget between your daily expenses and some extras such as eating out, exploring the region, and other outdoors activities.
Note that you may not even need a car — there are different forms of transportation available in the Philippines. Also, the country secures many financial benefits to foreign retirees, such as discounts, and some tax exemptions.
Spain: Stay under the sun
For those looking for a high standard of living in a sunny and warmer climate, what can be better than retiring in Spain?
Spain offers a higher quality of life and lower living expenses compared to other European countries. Spain's laid-back lifestyle has greatly contributed to its charm over the years, making it an ideal place for its strong https://www.expat.community coming mostly from the neighbouring countries and North America.
Thanks to its excellent infrastructure, Spain provides affordable housing. Many Europeans have chosen to stay near the coastline, especially in Costa del Sol where it is easier to rent or buy a property.
The Caribbean: Start the rest of your life
Lost in the Caribbean Sea, the Caribbean is no doubt a popular destination for millions of international travellers. Over the years, it has also been attracting many foreign retirees especially from the USA, Canada, and Europe.
Besides the dreamy islands surrounded by magnificent coral reefs and its lush green tropical forests, the Carribean offers a range of benefits to retirees. For example, you will have access to government residency programs, you will enjoy a low cost of living, affordable rentals, and additional tax incentives.
I think you are ready to pack, and we haven't even talked to you about the water sports!
Portugal: Own your dream house
Portugal is a very popular destination for foreign retirees, offering a fun lifestyle along sandy beaches with a warm climate.
Did you know that Portugal has one of the lowest costs of living in the whole of Europe? This may be one of the factors that attract many expatriates over the years, especially the French and British.
Affordable property prices have also contributed to making Portugal a top retirement destination. We encourage you to do an in-depth research before making any investments, as some regions are cheaper than others.
Malta: Join a large https://www.expat.community
Despite being the smallest European Union country, Malta has so much to offer to foreign retirees besides the sun and the sea.
With an over 7,000-year-old history, Malta has a significant https://www.expat.community that includes many expat families, retirees, and businessmen. Moreover, English is one of the country's two official languages so you won't have any trouble in communicating with the locals and adjusting to your new environment.
