A retirement for Christmas

Give yourself the gift of a dream retirement this Christmas. Whether you are on the verge of retirement or still several years away, now is the time to visualise the kind of retirement you want and where it will be. 

Will it be on a tropical beach or a rural village where you can buy fresh vegetables at the market every day, or will it be an apartment in a European city?

You might have visualised a retirement abroad, but have you decided where or if you can afford it?

Your retirement destination should be a significant part of your retirement planning. You could lead an average retirement where you currently live or live like a king in a country with a lower cost of living.

Below are examples of the world’s best retirement destinations that could help you decide where you want to retire and the kind of lifestyle you want to lead. *

 

Europe 

These include Portugal, Spain, Malta, France, and Italy

Portugal has been on the top ten places to retire list for many years and has even been top several times, and it’s easy to see why. With one of the lowest costs of living in Europe and a mild sunny climate, it is a retirement dream. No wonder the Algarve region in the south is a retirement favourite of Brits and Europeans. 

It has some of the best healthcare in the world, English is widely spoken, and don’t forget the friendly people and tasty food. It is also one of the safest countries in Europe. The golden visa programme allows for easier citizenship, and you need not wait till retirement to start the process.

Malta’s hot Mediterranean climate and low cost of living make it another favourite. Also, the fact that English is one of the national languages. This tiny rock island is steeped in ancient history and culture and has sunshine most days of the year. With a population of around half a million and a large expat contingency, it might just be the place for you.

 

Latin America includes Panama, Uruguay, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Colombia.

Panama has been top for two years running now. Its people are warm and caring; it has a warm tropical climate outside the dangerous hurricane belt, a low cost of living, modern infrastructure and is only three hours from Miami. It is considered the hub of Central America. Its healthcare is second to none, and it has subsidiaries linked to Miami hospitals.

One of only three carbon-negative countries in the world, it is serious about the environment.

Ecuador is the perfect retirement place for expat Americans looking to get more for their dollar at retirement as they use the US dollar as currency. The cost of living is low, health care is of high quality and cheap, and property prices are rock bottom, not to mention the lovely climate. Choose from the mountainous interior of the Andes, the Amazon rainforest, or the coastal region. 

You have all the modern Western amenities and infrastructure combined with old-world charm.

 

Asia includes Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia

Thailand

With a meagre cost of living and excellent medical care, Thailand is a tourist’s dream destination, not to mention a retirement destination if you can settle into the culture. 

Well-established expat communities live in certain regions, especially around Chiang Mai, which is milder in climate than the coastal regions, and on the island of Phuket, where 20% of residents are expats. English is widely spoken, and medical care is a fraction of the cost of western countries. Several retirement visa options also welcome an influx of pensioners wanting an excellent quality retirement.

 

If you want to retire abroad, then you need to research and chat with your financial advisor to look at adjusting your retirement plans accordingly. 

*www.liveandinvestoverseas.com

 www.international living.com

Please note: the above is for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice. You should always contact your deVere advisor for a personal consultation.

* No liability can be accepted for any actions taken or refrained from being taken as a result of reading the above.