Best places to retire in the world

Playa Del Carmen in Mexico is one of the best places to retire in the world ... photo by CC user Brad Nelson on wikimedia

Ready to opt out of the corporate machine for good, but think that you lack the funds to do so? Have you considered relocating overseas for your golden years? This post profiles the best places to retire in the world, as they do a stunning job on delivering a quality of life superior to what you have at home right now – and often for less money than you are paying now.

Let’s get right into it…

1) Mexico

Looking for world class cuisine, a vibrant culture, and a variety of environments and climates? You’ll find them in Mexico, a massive nation that experiences winter snows atop its highest peaks in Northern Mexico, but also has plenty of tropical beach resorts on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

With a culture that melds the traditions of the Aztecs, Mayans, and other indigenous cultures with the influence that the colonial Spanish brought in over 500 years ago, as well as a cuisine that boasts spicy and tasty dishes that will have you exploring new ones for years on end, you will surely find what you are looking for in Mexico.

2) Panama

Want to retire to a country that places you within one flight of most destinations in the Americas? If so, the highly cosmopolitan and shockingly cheap nation of Panama should make it to the top of your list.

You’ll struggle to pay more than $30 for fine dining, or $1 for a can of beer, and when the heat of Panama City becomes too much for you, the Pacific coast of Coronado is little more than an hour’s drive from downtown.

Most of all, come for the Pensionado visa, which gets you a bunch of significant discounts off the already cheaply priced goods that you’ll find everywhere in this amazing country.

3) Colombia

Don’t let its violent past put you off one of the biggest retirement secrets in the world – Colombia is a modern nation with excellent infrastructure that is getting even better with every passing year, and its tourist sights will only serve to seal the deal.

As far as the cost of living goes, a couple can lead a very comfortable life on as little as $1,200 per month, a figure which includes delicious set lunches that seldom cost over $5 per plate, as well as activities that can include beach bumming in Santa Marta, learning to dance the salsa in Cali, or indulging in a movie in a state of the art theatre in Medellin.

4) Thailand

A list like this wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Thailand. Long known for delivering unbelievable value for money, and possessing some of the world’s best beaches, cuisine, and its most congenial people, it has many people entertaining the thought of coming back to retire when they are able to quit the rat race.

While foreign ownership of homes is restricted to a 49% stake, condos can be bought free and clear, so if you have your eye on that unit with a killer view of the ocean in Hua Hin, go ahead and make it happen!