London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 31, 2025

These are the top 10 countries to retire in, according to US expats who made the move well before the coronavirus pandemic

International Living's Retirement Index, an annual comprehensive guide to global retirement destinations curated by US expats, was released. The ranking takes several factors into consideration, including the cost of healthcare, the cost of living, the process of obtaining a visa and owning property, the access to entertainment, and the ease of assimilation. Five Latin American countries made the list, followed by three European countries and two Asian countries.
The ranking was determined ahead of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the US, unprecedented numbers of seniors are pushing past the once typical retirement age of 65 and working until about 72. Simultaneously, millennials are hustling to amass income-generating assets and living off rice and beans to retire early.

While there's no one way to approach retirement, many are getting creative in stretching their money for a comfortable - and even luxurious - third act of life. One strategy? Retiring abroad.

"International Living," a magazine focused on Americans living overseas, released its annual Retirement Index in January, before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

The index, which ranks countries "where you can live a healthier and happier life, spend a lot less money, and get a whole lot more" in retirement, was created through extensive surveys of US expats, the magazine said.

Retirees living overseas ranked their experience across 10 categories: housing; benefits and discounts for seniors; visas and residence; cost of living; assimilation and entertainment; quality and accessibility of healthcare; development; climate; government stability; and opportunity for semi-retirement.

Each category was then given a score out of 100, combining several nitty-gritty details. For example, the housing category encompassed the value of real estate, the cost of building, property taxes, and even whether there is opportunity to earn money renting. The cost-of-living category addressed minutiae like the cost of a liter of milk and a movie ticket, while the healthcare category covered the costs of medical procedures, common medications, and ease of access, as well as quality.

After balancing all 10 categories, the magazine ascribed a final overall score, also out of 100, to each country.

All of the countries on the list were selected before the global spread of the coronavirus. Travel is still restricted in many of these locations.

Here are the top countries for retirement, ranked in ascending order of final score, according to expats who have already made the move.


10. Vietnam

Overall score: 76

Housing: 77

Healthcare: 84

Cost of living: 92

John Powell, once a purchasing agent in New York, moved to Hanoi in 2014. He told International Living that he budgeted $2,700 a month and liked the city because of its low cost of living comfortably and its location. "It's a good base for travel," he said.


9. France

Overall score: 76.4

Housing: 68

Healthcare: 85

Cost of living: 66

Carol and Scott Lonsdale moved to Brittany in 2016. They told International Living that they liked the slower pace of life and the access to the European culture France provides.

"In France there's such a great amount of care taken with how well things are managed, maintained, and appreciated," Carol said, adding, "And did we mention the wine?"


8. Spain

Overall score: 76.8

Housing: 72

Healthcare: 97

Cost of living: 81

Michele and Stanton Cohen moved to Girona in 2017 from Yuma, Arizona. They told International Living their favorite aspect of life abroad was affordable dining and entertainment, saying that they not only can go out for three-course meals under $30 but "often go out for breakfast and meet friends for coffee or drinks at least twice a week."

The medical and dental care also helps. "The prices are about one-third of US medical costs," Michele said.


7. Malaysia

Overall score: 81.9

Housing: 77

Healthcare: 93

Cost of living: 85

Keith and Lisa Hockton retired in Penang in 2010. In addition to the low cost of living, they appreciate the temperate weather, noting that the average year-round temperature is 82 degrees Fahrenheit and that it's close to over 878 islands with "white-sand beaches."


6. Ecuador

Overall score: 82

Housing: 84

Healthcare: 84

Cost of living: 90

Mary and Wayne Bustle relocated to Quito, Ecuador's capital, in early 2015. The climate - which Wayne told International Living "hardly varies," with "no snow or extreme heat nor humidity" - drew the couple to Ecuador after they had considered 13 countries.

There are also attractive senior discounts, like half-price airline tickets.


5. Colombia

Overall score: 83.4

Housing: 80

Healthcare: 94

Cost of living: 88

Nancy Kiernan was initially drawn to Colombia because it is so biodiverse. She chose to retire in Medellín. She found she could obtain a renewable three-year Colombian retirement visa by providing proof of $750 in annual income from US Social Security.

She also said that though Medellín is a bigger city, with a population of nearly 4 million, it had "the vibe of a smaller, friendly town, that makes you feel part of a community."


4. Mexico

Overall score: 83.8

Housing: 91

Healthcare: 88

Cost of living: 86

Don Murray, who retired in Mexico in 2014, found that the country had several expat enclaves, making it easy to assimilate.

"What I and most other expats love most about Mexico is the vibrant life and culture," Murray told International Living. "And it's quite easy to fit in."

Popular spots include villages near the beaches of Cancún or the mountains of San Miguel de Allende.


3. Costa Rica

Overall score: 85.3

Housing: 85

Healthcare: 96

Cost of living: 82

"Here, there's more time to actually stop and smell the roses," Graham Swindell told International Living. "Combine that with great waves, an amazing climate, and a culture that places family, friends, and a relaxed quality of life above all, then it's easy to see why so many people come here for a week and end up staying for a decade or even a lifetime."

Kathleen Evans, another Costa Rica retiree, said: "Once you have acquired your residency, you pay between 7% and 11% of your reported monthly income, and the socialized medicine program is available to you."


2. Panama

Overall score: 85.8

Housing: 88

Healthcare: 94

Cost of living: 89

Jessica Ramesch retired in Panama City and lives there alone for "about $2,600 a month, including rent, groceries, utilities, and entertainment," she said.

She also celebrated the quality and price of healthcare, estimating that doctor visits cost "a nominal fee of between $20 and $60."

Easy access to the US is also a selling point - it is about three hours from Miami by plane.


1. Portugal

Overall score: 86

Housing: 93

Healthcare: 98

Cost of living: 85

Portugal has several expat enclaves, including cities like Porto and Lisbon or "beach havens" like Cascais or the Algarve.

In addition to having an affordable lifestyle with quality healthcare, a temperate climate, and "excellent food and wine," Tricia Pimental, who has lived in Portugal for seven years, said she and her husband moved there for a more "ephemeral" reason: "the overarching sense of well-being we experience here."

Pimental recently told International Living that coronavirus restrictions in the country are "in a state of flux; in some areas increased, in some areas relaxed."

Comments

David 5 year ago
Seriously Panamá?? When was their review dated....street violence! Loose your life for a cell phone!! Gov’t corruption!! Needs an updated review..
HAROLD Gale 5 year ago
Panama is 3 hours to Miami ? Should read 3 months.
Captain 5 year ago
Be careful about Portugal. A young couple had their daughter kidnapped and murdered there and it became a very very high profile case. The police response was abysmal. It has probably one of the worst police services in Europe. Not recommended.
Oh ya 5 year ago
Just remember that international living also has the name international lying among many in the expat community. Go to visit the country you are interested in many times before you decide. Rent do not buy at first so you can test drive the area and country. And no its not.. Just like home but cheaper... And remember the saying if you get screwed over buying real estate it will most likely be by someone who speaks the same language as you

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×