All of us want to live peaceful and quiet lives, especially when we’ve retired. Many countries allow for such lifestyles with low costs of living. However, affordability is only one of many criteria to consider. You need to take other factors into account when determining where you’d like to retire overseas, and this article will provide you with guidance to make a decision on your own.

We retire for a variety of reasons. Some people retire because they’ve reached the statutory age, but other people retire years earlier. I hope to retire soon, so that I can pursue my other interests while I still have the energy to be active and vigorous as an expatriate. Age is often a major factor in determining where to retire overseas, and several others should also be considered.

First, you have to have the means to maintain such a life. If you’re similar to most folks, you’re not interested in moving somewhere with an unstable government or non-existent infrastructure, or a place with few of the perks you currently enjoy. You might be accustomed to particular amenities and will need them when you are retired as well. You will want to keep costs down but will still want a good living standard. Many folks prefer to retire overseas in areas they can afford so as to lower their expenditures and maybe begin putting money aside for traveling or giving themselves whatever they want.

Let’s say you could live in Latin America for a fraction of what it would cost you to live in the US. I think you would find that the cost of living differential would make the move worthwhile.

You should also seek to move to a nation where it is easy for retirees to come and go. You will want to relax, after all, and you don’t want to spend any more of this time than necessary arguing with immigration authorities or trying to organize your paperwork so that you can go where you want to go.

You should also find out how easy it is to get good health care in the country where you want to retire. You shouldn’t try to move somewhere if health care is extremely expensive or unavailable. This should be a major consideration when you consider where to retire overseas, because it’s hard to be comfortable without having access to high-quality, low-price health care providers.

You should pay particular attention to aspects like the security of a neighborhood; if you don’t, you may end up somewhere where you feel unsafe simply traveling around the area. While nowhere is free of crime and it is important to keep your hopes reasonable, you do not want to move overseas to an area where you have to continually fear for your personal well-being. Retirement should involve relaxation and comfort, and security plays an important roll in those aspects.

If you want to see other people from your home country as an expatriate, you’ll want to consider areas where they’re known to live. You will thus be more likely to meet and become friends with such people, making it much easier to form friendships that will enrich your life in your new land.

What kind of weather do you like? Wintry snowfalls or hot sun showers or somewhere in between? Many people prefer somewhere in the middle with little extreme weather; mild temperatures, lots of sunshine, and an average amount of rain. In my opinion, ice and snow is something I would like to see on vacation while I’d prefer to live every day in beautiful, temperate weather with lots of sun and relaxation.

Retirement should include relaxation, a little adventure, and some excitement. It shouldn’t involve frustration, so be well informed before you leave for your new homeland.

Retire Overseas – Get Excellent Health Care and Save Megabucks While Living Abroad

I adore traveling. My entire family travels, with many of us previously living in other countries. France, Senegal, Morocco, Martinique, China, Brazil, Ghana, Italy, and South Africa are just some of the places we lived that we loved. We are also a healthy family; thanks to healthy living we haven’t had any major health issues. We have been very blessed. With the exception of having my children, I’ve never even been hospitalized overnight.

I meet people who feel that they have to rule out retiring overseas due to health care concerns. Even with our healthy family history, none of us knows what the future will hold; so I absolutely recommend that your future expatriate life should include quality, accessible health care.

Is America Dead Last in Healthcare? [photo of sick person]

What’s interesting is that in a 2009 study (by the United Nations) of 16 industrialized nations, the United States came in last in the health of its population behind Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, France, Finland, Germany, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Denmark.

This brings into question the general quality of US health care to begin with. There is a great disparity throughout the country and so the answer depends on whom you ask. I live in the southwestern United States, and I know that many of my neighbors opt to go to Mexico to get their prescriptions filled as well as medical and dental care.

When they first told me about it, I was stunned at the high-quality medical care they could receive and the low prices they were paying for it, especially since they were receiving the full gamut of care. Plus they didn’t have to worry about not speaking Spanish. Most of the physicians and dentists are trained in the United States. They and their staff speak English fluently. Many of the people I know who do this are private business owners. So, what conclusions can you draw from this?

Medical Tourism

More and more Americans are journeying abroad for complicated surgeries, and they are paying only a fraction of the cost that they would pay in the United States. This practice is becoming so widespread that it is commonly referred to as “Medical Tourism”. According to Time Magazine, May 21, 2006:

“Whiplash was just the first agony that Kevin Miller, 45, suffered in a car accident last July. The second was sticker shock. The self-employed and uninsured chiropractor from Eunice, La., learned that it would cost $90,000 to get the herniated disk in his neck repaired. So, over the objections of his doctors, he turned to the Internet and made an appointment with Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, the marble-floored mecca of the medical trade that–with its liveried bellhops, fountains and restaurants–resembles a grand hotel more than a clinic. There a U.S.-trained surgeon fixed Miller’s injured disk for less than $10,000. “I wouldn’t hesitate to come back for another procedure,” says Miller, who was recovering last week at the Westin Grande in Bangkok.  With this surgical sojourn, his first trip outside the U.S., Miller joined the swelling ranks of medical tourists. As word has spread about the high-quality care and cut-rate surgery available in such countries as India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, a growing stream of uninsured and underinsured Americans are boarding planes not for the typical face-lift or tummy tuck but for discount hip replacements and sophisticated heart surgeries.”

According to ABC News, October 19, 2006, 60-year-old Dodie Gilmore of Caddo, Oklahoma developed arthritis in her hip.  Bone was grating on bone. She needed an operation which her insurance company refused to pay for because they called it a pre-existing condition.  She learned about a procedure – hip resurfacing – that would help her. The surgery would cost $28,000 to $40,000 in the United States, but her costs in India would be only $7,000.

Gilmore decided to take her sister with her to India for her operation.

This was their experience:

“Arriving in India late at night, she was whisked off to Max Hospital in New Delhi, which resembles a fancy hotel, with glass doors, large sky-lit lobbies, and marble floors that seem to be constantly getting mopped and waxed. A cadre of staff was waiting and over the next 24 hours while waiting for the surgery, more than 20 personnel would rotate through her room. There were junior and senior residents and attendings, nurses and their supervisors, internists, orthopedists, a dietitian and psychiatrist. “They get to spend a lot of time with you, and they’re genuinely concerned about your problems. In the states, all I would’ve gotten — speaking from experience of having a broken leg — is they just buzz through your room and it’s just … very quick, very impersonal treatment,” Gilmore said.”

You know that when you retire, you still need to eat right and exercise regularly. When retiring overseas, you should not stress over health care that you may not need during this expatriate chapter of your life. For your comfort and peace of mind, you can always return to the states annually to your regular doctor for an annual physical. But you should not surrender your dream to retire overseas.

Expatriate living can be exciting, full of new things to see and experience. It could be a once in a lifetime experience. Thoroughly research the countries you are considering. If you choose from our listing of the best places to retire, you may find yourself to be in better health and living better than you ever imagined. You can indeed experience the retirement haven of you dreams.

Hi, everyone,

There’s always going to be a lot of discussion about which destination is the best place to retire overseas. Of course, that location will differ for most people. However, I convinced my associate and guest blogger who currently lives in Panama (and has for years) to sit for a no-holds-barred interview of her experiences over there.

Here it is.  Hope you enjoy it.

Retire Overseas to Panama, Interview with Boomer Mary pt 1

Retire Overseas to Panama, Interview with Boomer Mary pt 2

Please leave your comments below. I’d love to know what you think of it.

Thanks a lot.

The financial system. The condition of the country. Criminal Behavior. Societal violence. Every one of the above things contribute to the growing number of Americans retiring overseas every week. Studies done over the last few years show that more baby boomers are considering moving overseas.

In the past decade, the expat lifestyle has had a growing popularity. Researchers predict that this popularity will double over the next ten years. Right now there are roughly over 7 million North Americans (including people from Canada and the United States) who reside around the world in different countries. That is about the size of the population of Chicago. Seven million is larger than the population that is contained in over 30 states.

Many people who retire abroad are searching for better healthcare options. “Modern Healthcare” predicts that the amount of Americans that travel overseas for healthcare will grow by 700%. Almost three quarters of a million Americans in the past two years traveled overseas for different healthcare options, and that could grow to up to 6 million Americans traveling overseas by the year 2010. This fact contributes to the many reasons people find for retiring abroad.

This list of five guidelines to follow for life as an expatriate will be very useful to you if you decide to follow this road someday, for whatever reason. Your plans will go much more smoothly and your decisions should be a bit easier to make.

1. Money is truly of the utmost importance, because without it, you will not have much of a retirement to speak of. Don’t skimp on how much you are going to need, and ask yourself if you are really prepared. If not, then there are several avenues for you to take: a) simply continue to work and work and work.

b) Spend the rest of your years in a place where a little bit of money goes a long way, or c) find a way to earn a passive income so that you can enjoy your retirement years any where that you want to be.

2. Figure out the best place to retire overseas – that fits your needs! But if you desire to investigate expatriate living, you have to begin researching and discovering which country you actually desire to spend your life in.

3. If you’re considering a potential retirement location, especially one outside the country, it’s smart to visit there a lot and if possible live there for six months before your permanent move. You should get as familiar as you can with where you’re hoping to live your expat life. There are things you can’t know about what it’s like there in the winter if you only go there in the summer and vice versa, so make several trips. This is a tried and true way to know if you’ll like the new country in all seasons and what your expenses for such things as heating and air conditioning will be.

4. Get a complete physical before moving overseas. If you know what your overall health status is, you can anticipate what you will need in the future for health care. Though costs may be extremely high in your own birth country, health care costs should be considered in the country you choose to live in. In addition to costs, you should also consider specialized care, such as cardiology. You should be certain that all medical needs will be covered in the country that you choose for retirement. If this happens to be one of your concerns, it is important that you should start setting money aside. Monies set aside for an emergency fund can be used if you happen to be one of those unfortunates that become sick while overseas. Not only will the emergency fund cover your healthcare costs, but it will also give you peace of mind.

5. Be sure to take into account how this will affect your family.  You may lose touch with friends, and you will miss some important years in your family’s lives. After considering these things, if you come to the conclusion that retiring overseas is still an excellent option for you, you must then consider some practical issues. Will you be able to afford to return annually? Will you be able to host your friends and family if they come visit you? It is important to take these questions and issues into account before deciding to move.

Is it too late to learn a different language?

Retire Overseas to Tropical Beaches and Exciting Foreign Languages

You wouldn’t believe how many times people have asked me, “I am considering living overseas after I retire, but my concern is that the only language that I know is English.  Should I give up my dream to retire abroad?” Even though I consider this a hindrance there are many who do not see it as such a handicap. If you go into it with a positive view you will discover that you can use English where ever you are. Most countries consider English to be their second language. Even if you only have an English vocabulary, the local people will be glad to assist you with any barrier languages that may exist.

The French, for instance, have a reputation for being aloof – particularly with those foreigners who refuse to attempt any exchange in their beautiful language. I disagree. I’m sure that, as anywhere, there are those who are friendly and those who aren’t. Back when I was a student, I lived in Paris for a while and found the Parisians I met to be quite warm and welcoming. My kids and their classmates feel the same way. I spoke little French when I arrived, but I used it as much as possible right away. That show of goodwill made all the difference. Naturally, I hesitated and stammered quite a bit as I tried to make myself understood. The shopkeeper grinned at my obviously amusing errors.

I’d only spoken a little, but the man flattered me about my accent, saying he enjoyed my spoken French. Then he told me he could manage English and was glad to be able to practice it on me. I felt relieved that somebody could speak English to me. I then went to this man’s shop often for great talks in French and English, even after I’d gotten better at speaking French.

When tourists try to speak French, the French people find it very entertaining. International travel is a lot of fun. You get to experience new things and try out different cultures. There are even things for you to experience that you might not be comfortable with but that is what makes the adventure truly memorable. Trying new and different things allows for personal growth and an exciting new experience with tons of incredible memories.

When moving to or visiting a new country, it is always beneficial to learn to speak the language. Learning the native tongue shows respect for the locals. It can elicit respect, be deemed friendly, and it will work wonders for your acceptance.

If you’ve thought about retiring overseas, but hesitated because you’re worried about the language barrier, you might want to think again. It isn’t hard to learn another language, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It isn’t absolutely necessary. Retiring overseas doesn’t mean you have to speak another language, though I personally would invest the time it takes to learn the language of the country I chose to live in. That’s just my opinion, however; you might decide differently.

When living as an expatriate, you can gain deeper insight into cultural nuances by becoming fluent in the native language. Becoming immersed in another culture can be a very rewarding experience and learning the language becomes all that much easier.

French was now flowing freely from me, as I was breathing, living, thinking, and even dreaming in the language by the time I left! The flight home provided a memorable experience, as I had to learn to turn off the language I had so recently become engulfed with. When the flight attendant spoke to me in English, I instinctively answered in French. Making the transition back to my native language required me ponder how to translate my thoughts back into English again. This experience still makes me laugh whenever I think of it. I will not soon forget my time in France and becoming fluent in the language only furthered my enjoyment of my time spent abroad.

Retire Early - Retire Now - Retire Overseas

Do you want to retire overseas while you’re still young? You’ll really enjoy retirement if you retire early and live abroad as an expatriate. You can begin a new life in a new country, and learn about the world from a different point of view.

You shouldn’t expect to retire without a steady source of income that you can rely on, and that’s even more important if you’re going to retire overseas. You never want to outlive your money, and your nest egg may grow if you have a portable business that you can operate from wherever you live.

Keep an eye on the total budget that will be available to you in terms of your investments and savings. Never move overseas unless you’ve got a good idea how much money you’ll need to have an acceptable standard of living.

If you’re planning to resettle outside the United States, you have to see if your pension and social security are going to suffice. You can’t settle into expatriate living without enough financial security. How much money you have saved will help you decide where to live once you retire overseas.

With sufficient reliable and solid investments you can even retire early or retire young.  But you might not be able to tell how much you’ll need to retire abroad until you pick a place. One country can be very different from another in terms of how much money is needed to retire abroad.

Surprisingly, you might not save money by retiring overseas. That could depend on where you live and how much you like to be on the go. It’s very tempting to travel around the world from your base in another area of the globe, and this can exhaust your savings pretty quickly.

People like to visit those who’ve retired abroad, and showing them around is pretty expensive, too. Therefore, be realistic about what you’re hoping for when you’re writing your retirement budget.

What is the first important thing for boomers, and other folks who want to retire early or retire young, including those who just want to live abroad?  Well, you’ve got to create a budget for the country in which you want to live.

You can greatly decrease your costs by selecting a destination that has a comparable standard of living to which you have become accustomed, while having much lower prices.  You can even live in less urbanized areas where expatriate living will be cheaper and you will have calmer, more relaxing environment.

If you’re thinking about retiring abroad, you need to understand the rules regarding savings accounts and investment strategies in the country you’re heading for. This place will probably be where you live out your years, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with its policies.

Americans who live abroad sometimes have to follow a different set of laws from folks who were born there. Find out ahead of time what kind of benefits you’ll be entitled to as a retiree. You don’t want to find out that there’s no good medical care available, for instance. If you don’t factor in the amount you’ll need for doctors and medications, you could be downplaying the amount of money you’ll need to live.

You must consider property values when you decide to retire overseas.  Everyone should adhere to a budget, especially boomer, and other folks who want to retire early, retire young, including those who simply like living abroad. It’s crucial to know the housing market in your retirement country, whether you plan on renting or buying.

You must also budget airfare for the occasional trip back and forth to your home country.  That trip may be sooner than you expect.  Unexpected family matters and planned friendly visits can have a drastic effect on your budget when you live abroad.

Once you determine how much money you will need to retire abroad, you may begin planning your new life. You will be on the path of making your expatriate retirement a good one!

Retire Overseas to Beautiful Brazil

Because it can be less expensive to live in other countries, more and more Americans are choosing to retire overseas. These people don’t go to live in Paris, Vienna, or Monaco, but in locations closer to home such as Mexico, Ecuador, and Panama. These locations have low costs of living for retired people. But are these American retirees actually wanted in these countries?

I enjoy traveling and have lived in many other countries. So have members of my immediate family. Our favorite places to go include France, Senegal, China, Morocco, Italy, Ghana, Brazil, South Africa, and Martinique. We really can’t say that we’ve ever had a bad overseas living experience, and we’ve felt welcome everywhere we’ve been. We have often stayed in the homes of local citizens.

My two youngest children and I have all taken part in fantastic study abroad programs. My children have gone back to their host countries a few times and visited their overseas “homes.” They have always been welcomed as family members.  This is something you, too, can expect when you learn to speak a new language and embrace the life and culture of the locals – as opposed to simply remaining a tourist.

Truthfully, we can always spot the “ugly Americans”. They’re the people that refuse to take in the culture of a new place. It’s as if they’re afraid to speak even one word outside of their English language. They can be ill-mannered, loud, and impatient. To them, it would be great if everything were just exactly like inside the states. You get the picture.

Living as an expatriate can be a wonderful way to live abroad or retire overseas, but it isn’t the same as living here in the U.S., and if you expect it to be the same, the experience may not be a happy one for you, and you might be better not to leave home at all. But if you are the kind of person who loves to explore new ways of doing things, have different experiences, meet new people and learn about other cultures, expatriate living may well be for you.

It’s like anything else in life, if you live by the golden rule and treat others as you would like to be treated, and use common sense, you’ll find all the places mentioned above, both welcoming and somewhere where you’ll find “a home” wherever you reside.

If you’re considering retiring in another country, remember that every country has its own history and culture. If you believe that the United States is superior to your new home, it’s likely to show in your attitude. Locals are not fools, and if you act as if you are superior to them, they will notice and they will not appreciate it. There’s no need to grovel or beg, but simply deal with the locals as equals; they will appreciate it.

If the only appeal of a retirement location is that you won’t need to spend more than 2,000 dollars a month to live there, then you should do yourself a favor and stay in the U.S. If you want to move to Mexico, or any other country, simply because of the low cost of living, then you will not be happy. If you want to move to Mexico to enjoy the culture and the cheap price of living, then it may be the right place for you.

I often think to myself, “I am a student of life.” I adore learning, and enjoy meeting people. The world around me is a boundless encyclopedia. I wish to learn about exotic people, far off places, and foreign cultures. The opportunity to retire abroad as an expatriate would be a dream fulfilled. So, retire overseas, and fulfill your dreams. You, too, can live comfortably and develop new and exciting relationships with people from all over the world.

Retire Overseas to a Safe, Beautiful Environment

Retire Overseas? These days, many Americans are reluctant to travel to foreign countries, much less consider retiring abroad. The war on terror has clearly raised the level of fear about venturing outside the United States.

However, I know many people who have lived abroad and not one has ever been a victim of crime. As long as you stay aware of your surroundings, secure your belongings and avoid potentially unsafe situations (just as you would in the United States), you are unlikely to find yourself in harm’s way. That said, here are my common-sense tips for anyone thinking about retiring overseas.

Other expatriates should be able to tell you where high-crime areas are so that you can avoid them. Locals can also tell you about places where you shouldn’t go. We generally develop an instinct that tells us when we are in neighborhoods that are dangerous. Don’t wear flashy clothes or costly jewelry when you’re on public transportation. A cheap plastic watch will work well enough to help you know the time.

Don’t take too many things with you when you travel, but carry a travel wallet that fits inconspicuously under your clothes. Don’t wear a big fanny pack or purse, and don’t flash lots of money because that will make you a target for pickpockets anywhere that you go. Entire busloads of foreigners can be attacked when on public transportation in some countries. Stay alert and vigilant.

The CDC and the State Department will be able to tell you if there are health or safety problems in places where you’re thinking about retiring overseas. However, as usual, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

You should not participate in high-risk activities. When you’re alone, don’t be out in public too long. Travel with other people whenever possible, and don’t get drunk on your social forays because that can cause all kinds of problems. Don’t travel on public transportation unless you know that it’s trustworthy or if you know the driver.

You need to be prepared if an emergency comes.  So you should know who to call if something goes wrong and where the nearest hospital is. You should buy a health insurance policy that will cover you wherever you live; additionally, make sure you have 24-hour emergency assistance that will take you back to the USA in the case of a severe problem. Before you leave America, get a complete physical and dental exam so that you’re less likely to need medical assistance right after you’ve retired.

You should get a cell phone that works in your new home city, and know how to get around the city on your own. Always carry your cell phone because you may need it at any time. Also, you should try to fit in, as it’s easy to spot tourists.

You’ll become especially adept at tourist-spotting once you have lived outside the country for some time. Know how to dress so that you match the locals because you need to be able to blend in with the people in your new home.  That’s all part of acclimating to the culture.

These suggestions might seem extreme. On the other hand, contrast the previous points to the consequences of continuing to live in the US. You might find it preferable to work harder and for longer to compensate for the events of the last 18 months.

However, I would find it preferable to retire to Mexico. Mexico has statistically lower crime than the US, and I do not relish the thought of continuing to work (and commute for two hours a day) at the age of 65.

There’s nothing you can do to recover the losses in your pension or retirement fund over the last few years. But, if you are willing to relocate, you would still be able to retire early. Consider our neighbor to the south, Mexico. You can retain your US citizenship while becoming one of the million or so other Americans and Canadians who have already moved there.

Why would you want to retire in another country? Because you’ll be able to live well on $2000 or less each month. That includes a cook or maid to help with housework. You can really benefit from lower costs of living when you retire overseas.

Retire Early - When you plan well, time is your friend.

Do you want to retire overseas while you’re still young?

You’ll really enjoy retirement if you retire early and live abroad as an expatriate.

You can begin a new life in a new country, and learn about the world from a different point of view.

You shouldn’t expect to retire without a steady source of income that you can rely on, and that’s even more important if you’re going to retire overseas.

You never want to outlive your money, and your nest egg may grow if you have a portable business that you can operate from wherever you live.

Keep an eye on the total budget that will be available to you in terms of your investments and savings. Never move overseas unless you’ve got a good idea how much money you’ll need to have an acceptable standard of living.

If you’re planning to resettle outside the United States, you have to see if your pension and social security are going to suffice. You can’t settle into expatriate living without enough financial security. How much money you have saved will help you decide where to live once you retire overseas.

With sufficient reliable and solid investments you can even retire early or retire young.  But you might not be able to tell how much you’ll need to retire abroad until you pick a place. One country can be very different from another in terms of how much money is needed to retire abroad.

Surprisingly, you might not save money by retiring overseas. That could depend on where you live and how much you like to be on the go. It’s very tempting to travel around the world from your base in another area of the globe, and this can exhaust your savings pretty quickly.

People like to visit those who’ve retired abroad, and showing them around is pretty expensive, too. Therefore, be realistic about what you’re hoping for when you’re writing your retirement budget.

What is the first important thing for boomers, and other folks who want to retire early or retire young, including those who just want to live abroad?  Well, you’ve got to create a budget for the country in which you want to live.

You can greatly decrease your costs by selecting a destination that has a comparable standard of living to which you have become accustomed, while having much lower prices.  You can even live in less urbanized areas where expatriate living will be cheaper and you will have calmer, more relaxing environment.

If you’re thinking about retiring abroad, you need to understand the rules regarding savings accounts and investment strategies in the country you’re heading for. This place will probably be where you live out your years, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with its policies.

Americans who live abroad sometimes have to follow a different set of laws from folks who were born there. Find out ahead of time what kind of benefits you’ll be entitled to as a retiree. You don’t want to find out that there’s no good medical care available, for instance. If you don’t factor in the amount you’ll need for doctors and medications, you could be downplaying the amount of money you’ll need to live.

You must consider property values when you decide to retire overseas.  Everyone should adhere to a budget, especially boomer, and other folks who want to retire early, retire young, including those who simply like living abroad.

It’s crucial to know the housing market in your retirement country, whether you plan on renting or buying.  You must also budget airfare for the occasional trip back and forth to your home country.  That trip may be sooner than you expect.  Unexpected family matters and planned friendly visits can have a drastic effect on your budget when you live abroad.

Once you determine how much money you will need to retire abroad, you may begin planning your new life. You will be on the path of making your expatriate retirement a good one!

Retire Overseas - Is It Safe for Americans?

Where to retire?  It can be difficult to determine  the best places to retire. Before you leave the country, try living in your would-be retirement country, so that you can be sure if you will be comfortable in your new home.

You should spend no less than six straight months outside of the country. You will need at least that long to get a real feel for your new country.

These are three locations to consider if you want to retire overseas because they combine low costs of living, rich culture, good infrastructure, inexpensive real estate, reasonable safety, clement climate, and discounts for retired people.

Retire Abroad to Panama City

Retirees – boomers, those folks who want to retire early or retire young, and those who simply want to live abroad – looking for a great place to live should give serious thought to Panama City.

You get the advantages of living in a big city yet none of the disadvantages. Compared to similar housing in the U.S., property prices are a bargain. You can also shop in a variety of stores while enjoying pleasant winters, beautiful beaches, and low costs.

Are you ready to retire overseas?

Best of all, retirees with a monthly income of $500 of greater ($600 for couples) need only receive this money from a private pension program or a government program such as Social Security to qualify for a wide array of benefits.

Some additional perks can apply to you. You can import a new car without paying an import duty every two years. Many excellent discounts can be found for movie tickets, concerts, sporting events, restaurants, hotels, and transportation.

If you want to buy land here, your closing costs will be 25 percent lower and your interest rate on the mortgage will be one percentage point lower.

Panama is extremely hot during the summer, so you may want to leave the country during the summer months. You may have problems communicating if you don’t speak Spanish, even though a lot of people do speak English.

Although you may be able to get away with not knowing the language of your new country, it’s not a good idea. Learning your new country’s language will make it much easier to adjust, and will generally help you learn more about the culture. You’ll feel more like a native and less like a permanent tourist. Panama is known for extremely hot weather and this may be a good time to plan to visit your children in the states to avoid the summer months.

Want to Retire Overseas to New Zealand -  Our “Greenest” Country?

Retire overseas to New Zealand

New Zealand, a land of naturalistic beauty and mountains that seem to soar into the sky, appeals to many individuals from all parts of the globe. This attraction becomes all the more enticing when you consider the great real estate bargains and opportunities to be had, with an average home price of $190,000 and no capital gains taxes!

Auckland, the New Zealand capital, offers all of the amenities of a major city, such as shopping, entertainment, and a host of other activities to enjoy while experiencing a low cost of living. Unfortunately for older retirees and seniors, the New Zealand immigration policy favors younger immigrants to the island. As a result of this difficult process, some seniors may opt to reside part time in New Zealand and part time at another location.

Young people and early retirees can bypass these issues based on the aforementioned immigration process. Fortunately for U. S. retirees, New Zealand summers and winters fall at opposite points of the calendar from those in the U.S. and other locations in the northern hemisphere.

Retire Overseas to Mexico

Known to a large number of Americans as a retirement paradise, Mexico is a prime choice for expats. Some of the attractions of Mexico to retirees include location; it is within driving distance of the U.S. and fairly simple to get there. Also, the economical cost of living allows your money to buy more for you and your family in Mexico.

If you are interested in history or cultural traditions, you will find the Spanish culture is very prevalent. The Spanish colonization of Mexico continued on for more than 300 years, so the area has much to offer.

Finally, Mexico is widely recognized for the great food that is readily available. Mexican food is well known for its spices and intense and unique flavors, Mexican cooks are very talented and know just the right amount of spice to add to a dish to make it mouthwatering. Not to mention the beautiful colors of the food in Mexico, no only does the food taste delicious but it also looks very vibrant and colorful.