Not everyone retires rich and famous. If you're taking early retirement, and you need your dollars to stretch, here are the eight best countries to do that in. We based our criteria on cost of living, ease of living, language, transportation, health care and visa issues (how hard is it to stay long-term in the country).
1 - Malaysia, specifically the capital city of Kuala Lumper or the coastal island city of Penang thrust this locale to the top of our list. Both are inexpensive. KL has excellent monorails and subways, good health care, excellent weather all year round, and the average 2-bedroom apartment in the city is under $600 a month. Best of all, they have a 10-years visa program that is easy for most foreigners to get. Lovely. Penang will be slightly less expensive but less central. Most people will speak English in the two main cities. Don't stray far from those two big cities, though, as there will be less and less English. Internet connection is excellent in Malaysia.
2 - Costa Rica has good health care, nice weather, nice people and a good visa entry program. English and Spanish are ubiquitous. Cost of an apartment can be well under $600, even near the beach.
3 - Peru. The average flat in Lima is under $700 a month. It's a strong democracy with good benefits.
4 - Portugal, a peaceful nation with no income tax for foreigners.
5 - Taiwan has it all: good weather, great health care, magnificent food and nice coastal towns. The one downside is the language. Mandarin is spoke and written, but English does exist in Taipei. A nice one-bedroom apartment will average $500.
6 - Mexico is close to the US, easy to travel to and from, has generous visa options, and is inexpensive. A good apartment with a view in Merida or San Miguel will cost about $600 a month or less.
7 - Panama offers easy visas if you are collecting a pension. The weather is nice, and good housing falls well below $800 a month.
8 - The Czech Republic. Resembling much of Western Europe, it's easy to feel comfortable. Expend to spend about 800 Euros a month for good housing, well below the rest of Europe.
Australia get honorable mention. They speak English and it's not quite as expensive as other western countries within the G20.
The Philipines also get good grades for an easy visa and low cost of living.
Thailand and Myanmar were removed from the list due to their political instability, human rights violations, and difficult visa requirements. Thailand even makes it's expats report their address every 90 days! Like you're on parole or worse. No thank you!
Finding a good spot to retire is easy with a little effort. Remember to always check updated visa requirements, health insurance options, and best housing districts. Also don't forget, if you're retired, you can easily move after six months. Try one, then try another. These best countries to retire in on a budget are a good starting point.
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