Why You Should Retire In . . .

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

August 2013

Costa Rica

                Excellent and inexpensive health care

                A couple can live comfortably on $2500/month

                Beaches and lush valleys

                Average temperature of 72 degrees

                Modern telecommunications

                San Ramon in the Central Valley region is 45 minutes from the San Juan International Airport

                Politically stable with no armed forces

                Home to 20,000 USA expats

Ecuador

                International Living ranked it in first place for 2013 Retirement

                Mild weather, spring-like in the Central Valley and tropical in the rainforest areas

                Very low cost of living

                A couple can live well on $1500/month

                Dinner runs about $2.50 with beer at 85 cents

                Up to date hospitals with English speaking doctors in the three major cities

                Private insurance plans average $70/month

                Cotacachi is a small community with a laid-back life style

                Salinas is the largest coastal resort town for those wanting a beach lifestyle

Panama

                English is widely spoken

                One of the most friendly countries for ex-pats

                Many places accepts the US dollar

                Coronado on the Pacific coast is a sophisticated city that is home to many Americans

                Retiree discounts on everything from movies to medications

                Climate is hot and dry with average temp of 86 degrees

                A couple can live on $1300/month

                Hospitals in major cities are affiliated with US hospitals

                A visit to the doctor costs about $17.50.  House calls cost $45.

Mexico

                Tlaxcala has old world charm that is far from drug violence.

                Tlaxcala has high elevation with a mild climate, is popular with tourists but is not overrun by expats.

                A larger expat community lives in Baja’s Rosarito Beach which is 30 minutes south of San Diego.

                A retired couple can live very comfortably on $2500/month in Rosarito Beach.

                Mexican hospitals are modern and much less expensive than US hospitals.

France

                Very expensive cost of living, but lower in Provence and Languedoc

                300 days of sunshine each year

                Mild winters, but hot summers

                Aix-En-Provence offers low-cost cultural activities for seniors

                400 Anglo families in Provence

                Health care is outstanding at a fraction of the cost in the USA

Ireland

                Housing crisis has made real estate affordable

                Galway on the west coast is safe and walkable

                A couple can live comfortable on $2500/month

                Those who qualify for residency can get private insurance for about $721/month

                Beautiful beaches, verdant countryside, festivals celebrating everything

                Expect rain year round with temps from mid-40s to high 60s

Which country are you moving to?