World's top retirement havens

For those thinking of retiring abroad, these potential destinations are superior in terms of cost of living, a comfortable lifestyle and many other amenities.

By International Living

 of 15
 of 15

RELATED ARTICLES

VIDEO ON MSN MONEY

User Picture
Write a comment...
44Comments
boomboomman
May 8, 2012 3:39AM
avatar
Living in Thailand is great butt... medical care is funky. My US healthcare provider will make a payement if you provide drs reports. They say "huh", it takes days and many complaints to everyone in the hospital to get a report: then it is unreadable and you're back to start over. One doctor had USA quals on her card; I investigated and the agencies NEVER heard of her. Oh, and they don't understand medical terms here. Don't come here if you don't have medical insurance. You can't get it here if you are over 64. Ah, and the expats club hates Americans. TIT: This Is Thailand
Where oh Where
Apr 9, 2012 8:14PM
avatar
If your going to Panama forget about the $10.00 doctor fee, it's $40 to $60 for a good one. Still cheep though. I'll give you 3 to 6 years before you pack it up and come back to the US. I lasted 4 yrs before they drove me nuts and I'm easy going.
Wellermina DeLong (delong)
Apr 9, 2012 7:47PM
avatar
Love to be able to live in panama or santo domingo or any country like equator done mission work in some of this countries know the peoples. been to all of then work and live with then. I think you have to know the people of any place you want to live
D. Drake
Apr 9, 2012 6:58PM
avatar
I've been sort of retired sense July 2011 at 57 years old.  Home is paid for no debt either, born and raised in the USA.   I'm staying here for better or worse.  Everyday above ground is a good day.
maurice russell
Apr 9, 2012 6:15PM
avatar
Before you make a decision, do your research well. Money isn't everything. Comfort, lifestyle, food, medical care, people you have something in common with, etc. are important.
Willyfork
Apr 9, 2012 6:07PM
avatar
Forget it Obama had srew up our RETIREDMENT and HEALTHCARE .
Denny M. (Deni401)
Apr 9, 2012 6:06PM
avatar
Of course there talking about the top 3 percent of the US population gets to retire. The rest of you get back to work and quit complaining.
6sp
Apr 9, 2012 5:48PM
avatar
Not only is retiring in these great places inexpensive and the weather fantastic, you get the added benefit of getting away from the scumbag politicians, police etc. that is becoming more and more restrictive to the people living in the states. The u.s.a. is well on it's way to a police state
Freevoice595
Apr 9, 2012 5:46PM
avatar

Don't be like the Mexicans...running  to another country in search of a better life....Your young men and women have fought and died for your right to live in this country FREE.... don't be a coward or look for the easy way out when it is already right where you are standing!!!  VOTE, PROTEST, AND FIGHT.

Joe455
Apr 9, 2012 5:42PM
avatar

You can live in many towns in many countries for less than $1.000 per month....Colombia, Ukraine,

Rumania and many other places, it depents where do you want to live....

livin and learnin
Apr 9, 2012 4:59PM
avatar
Anyone w/ experience living in Thailand or Malaysia?  I know the one thing I'd be worried about is that it seems there's a some kind of government overthrow or attempted coup in both of those countries (and several latin american) about every 5-10 years.  Not exactly stable governments.
John6th
Apr 9, 2012 4:56PM
avatar

Scooby,

 

We already have free contraceptives in the U.S.  Go to the government health clinic  and you get free contraceptives.  It's not about free contraceptives, it's about making wise decisions.  (i.e. using contraceptives)

Just One of the Little Guys
Apr 9, 2012 4:45PM
avatar
If you have a strong family unit, living away is going to present problems and make you unhappy.  I'd live in the Middle of Detroit if it kept my family together.  Thankfully I don't have to consider Detroit.  There are some mighty good places here in the U.S. that I would prefer over any of the countries listed in this article.  If we could purge our entire existing government, most of the U.S. would be preferred to any other country.  We only have one real problem and hopefully he will not make it through re-election.  However, if you really like living cheap and own very little, please move to one of those countries and get the heck out of mine.
The Big C
Apr 9, 2012 4:42PM
avatar

I wonder what moon around Pluto is this writer from?  I've been to a number of the places highlighted in this article and know that if anyone is retired in those locations and living on the budget outlined, they must be living in poverty.  Paris---  cheap with lots of free things???? Dream on!

 

Be sure and do the research before you start dreaming!

 

Shame on MSN for accepting this quality of reporting.  this type of article might grab someone's attention, but in the real world, it just illustrates questionable reporting.

Mike Pelayo (miaplastik)
Apr 9, 2012 4:25PM
avatar

I STRONGLY suggest to anybody thinking of retiring in any of these Countries, to do a little background as to the political situation and safety of American Citizens.  I remember that our friends at MSN had a similar article in months past indicating "Nicaragua" , Venezuela and yes even Cuba as a place to retire.  I know our friends at MSN are extremely " socialist"  but most people know that these are Communist/Socialist countries.  I personally would not even travel as a tourist. 

 

My reccomendation is to stay here in the US, which offers safety, laws are followed and there are many places that may no be as cheap as third world countries but at least you have peace of mind.  Hopefully  we will vote out this current resident of the white house in November and the political climate will change for the better

Terdinski Crotchlikmehoff
Apr 9, 2012 4:20PM
avatar
Retirement,hahahahah​, retirement. Thats a good one.
Capt Willy
Apr 9, 2012 4:19PM
avatar
I think it would be tough to get a visa to retire in NZ - very strict immigration requirements.
In Panama
Apr 9, 2012 3:44PM
avatar
I have read so many of these articles about Panama and have responded, but to no avail!  The writers refuse - REFUSE - to go there, check it out, ask people who live there, etc, to determine just what a hype it is.  They ALWAYS use Boquete as an example.  Five hours from the City and the airport, no hospitals of any repute, alone the decrepit Pan American Highway that is FILLED with pot holes and cops waiting to be bribed.  Grocery food is outrageous in Panama.  Medical Care is excellent, but no insurance is accepted by any hospital or doctor, unless you buy from the State, so it is out of pocket. THEN, they hate Americans.  All of their problems are because of us.  THEN, try driving, paying for insurance that is twice what one pays in the States, or having a bank account or trying to sell your home or car.  The Spanish is despicable, the manners are deplorable, and most Americans stay about 2 years and leave, unless they are so poor and can't go back to the States. It is the worst place to live, but better than any other Central American country.  Whoever writes this crap should be sent to his or her room and not allowed out until they can tell the truth!  
jiminak
Apr 9, 2012 3:41PM
avatar
And Yukon 42's comment that "FREEDOM" is not available elsewhere proves that he has never been more than a few miles from his mom's house.  If you think about all of the things you can't do in the US you would have to honestly admit that we are not as free as you first thought.  The Patriot Act allows cops now to bust in your door, haul you off, send you anywhere they like for "questioning" and not tell anyone where you are, why you were taken, and even THAT you WERE taken.  That' ain't freedom, Yukon, and you don't know what you are talking about.
Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

DATA PROVIDERS

Copyright © 2012 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.

Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Telekurs.

Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.

RECENT ARTICLES

SMART SPENDING

Store credit: Not always a bad idea

Used correctly, a really good store credit card can maximize your benefits. Here's how to make one work for you.

MUST-SEE ON MSN