Where would you like to retire? Try these top retirement destinations..

The world has become so much smaller with cheap and convenient air travel – so if you want the option of retiring overseas, you don’t need to say goodbye to your family forever and you provide a great holiday destination for them.  Retiring overseas part time may also be an option – you can follow the summer or the winter and you don’t need to establish full-time residency anywhere.  Or if one spouse wants to live near a beach and the other wants a city — you can live six months of the year in each! You can have the best of both worlds - retirement is about living your dreams... 
I’ve compared lists from a few different sites to give you the following information. (Factors taken into account included house prices, health care costs, average temperature, rainfall and hours of sunshine – as well as grocery bills, crime rates and taxation).

Ecuador

Ecuador is the best country in the world to retire to, according to International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index 2015. Low cost of living, perfect climate, beautiful and diverse landscapes as well as favorable retiree benefits. International Living calls the South American developing country on the Equator, “the perfect location for someone in search of a happy and fulfilling life overseas.” You can pick your climate and lifestyle — from being a Pacific beach bum to an Andes mountaineer.

What an ADVENTURE!!! 

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Portugal

Portugal has a rich history, good health care and wonderful weather.  It also has the third largest European expat community after Spain and France.

​Residency has been made easier for expats and Portugal now lets those who qualify, receive pension and foreign income in Portugal tax-free for 10 years.  It’s also around three times cheaper to buy property in Portugal than in France.

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Spain

For those seeking sun and affordable living in Europe, Spain is a good option; although not as cheap as in most of Latin America, property in Spain is often of a high standard and far better value than in many other European countries. Spain’s cost of living is lower than what you find in much of Europe.
Spain also has the largest expat community in Europe as well as the lowest crime rate of all countries surveyed. With beautiful cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, the rolling countryside of Catalonia, historic Unesco-protected areas like Toledo and islands including Tenerife, Ibiza and Menorca, there's plenty of choice. 

And Spanish is the third most-spoken language in the world – you’ll have lots of opportunity to practice and make new friends.

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Barbados

This island member of the Commonwealth has all you would expect from the Caribbean: sun, sea, sand and friendliness. The English language is a huge bonus, although its main selling points include virtually free health care, low property tax, an average temperature of 26C and a big expats community.

It looks amazing…

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Thailand

Retirees seeking a new way of life may find it in Thailand, whether it's from the bustling cities, grand temples, stunning cuisine or friendly locals. Cheap property and petrol costs are enjoyed by the 41,000 expats currently living there, which is just one of the bonuses of living in this beautiful, culture-rich nation in south-east Asia.

One advantage is that Asia is closer to Australia but you’ll have to practice your Thai….

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Columbia

Las Lajas Cathedral in Colombia, South America

Given all that this diverse country has to offer, it’s not difficult to see why this country is a great choice. Second only to Ecuador among South American nations in the International Living rankings this year, Colombia has an incredibly low cost of living. According to International Living Colombia correspondent Michael Evans, a couple can live comfortably on just over $1,200-a-month here. Look at all the wonderful countries surrounding it.

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Malaysia

Asia’s highest-ranking country, exotic Malaysia, got high marks as a place for “fitting in” —English is widely spoken. The economy of Malaysia is also one of the most robust in Asia, according to International Living, and the living is pretty cheap (a 1,600-square-foot apartment with a pool rents for roughly $850 a month). But Malaysia scored only 76 for climate in the rankings, due to rain and tropical heat.

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Jamaica

The fifth-largest country in the Caribbean is an island paradise that includes many jaw-dropping landscapes, friendly communities, and stunning flora and fauna. The English-speaking nation is also remarkably warm, averaging 27 degrees Celsius
 a year, while offering some of the lowest property prices out of the countries surveyed. However, poverty and crime in some areas could be a problem. Research your area well before making the move.

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Panama

No other country in the Index does more for retirees, both local and foreign, than Panama offering a host of discounts with its Pensionado visa program, so it’s a great option.

Spanish is the official language spoken here.

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Other countries that may interest you include:

In The Americas: Ambergris Caye, Belize; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cayo, Belize; City Beaches; Granada, Nicaragua; La Serena, Chile; Mendoza, Argentina; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Samana, Dominican Republic

In Europe: Abruzzo, Italy; Barcelona and Istria, Croatia

In Asia: Istanbul, Turkey and Nha Trang, Vietnam
 

More Reading:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2014/10/10/retired-on-30000-a-year-and-loving-it/
http://internationalliving.com/2015/07/the-perfect-retirement-solution/

Jo Ammerlaan is the National Business Manager at Vocational Language Learning Centre. “I’m heading to St Petersburg again this year so I’ll check out some retirement options while I’m there, although I think the weather in winter may be a deterrent…..” In summer however, the white nights are fantastic….

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