Have you ever fantasized about quitting your job and moving to a country where it’s so cheap you don’t need to work? International Living advises people on how to do just that in its magazine and website, which shows readers how to find, embrace and celebrate the best the world has to offer—from good-value living to great foods to warm year-round weather to interesting cultural traditions. The company has just announced its Annual Global Retirement Index, listing the 25 cheapest and best places to live around the globe. And this list isn’t just for retirees: It’s a great resource for anyone who has ever thought of moving abroad.
“Americans today are looking long and hard at their own values, and at the way they spend their days and many are coming to the conclusion that they need a change. They want more time with family and friends, more time to pursue their interests, more freedom to arrange their days the way they prefer,” says Jennifer Stevens, International Living’s executive editor. “But it can be hard to know how to afford that life. Overseas, in the right places, it’s easy. It can provide a path to that better-balanced, more affordable life folks are craving.”
Granted, the concept of encouraging Westerners to escape the high cost of living by moving to developing countries has received some backlash, with critics calling this “modern-day colonialism,” but International Living says that living well for less is only one reason a destination finds a place on its Global Retirement Index. “We live in an ever-more-connected, global world. And here at International Living, we celebrate that. We give readers the practical tools they can use to embrace a more international life,” says Dan Prescher, senior editor at International Living. “Being an expat isn’t about recreating your U.S. life in a new place. It’s about creating a new life in a place that excites and suits you, where you can expand your horizons and enjoy an adventure that you wouldn’t have back home.”
According to Prescher, International Living points people to communities where they can feel safe and comfortable, where the local culture is inclusive and welcoming. In addition, International Living actively encourages people to learn the local language when they settle in a new country, to become integrated into their communities, to embrace the local traditions and to honor and celebrate the cultural habits and holidays there. “The most successful—the happiest—expat retirees we know appreciate that their dollars stretch, sure. But what these expats say they love most about their adopted homes is the excitement that comes with learning a new culture—they celebrate the new experiences they’re having, the new music, the new foods, the new traditions, the new connections,” says Prescher. “They become integral parts of their communities with a network of friendships that includes as many locals as it does fellow expats.”
For instance, one place that has recently started courting expats is Thailand, which helped put the country high on this year’s list, thanks to a new visa program.
So read on to find out about the top 11 places on the list that will make your dreams come true. To see the full list of 25 locations, you can read the Annual Global Retirement Index here.
The mix of old and new in Panama City.
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1. Panama
Why: One of the world’s safest, most affordable and most welcoming countries, Panama tops the Annual Global Retirement Index for 2022. It’s actually the 11th time that Panama has taken the top spot in the 31 years that International Living has been publishing the list. “It’s no surprise to me that this tiny powerhouse has—once again—taken the number one spot in International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index,” says Jessica Ramesch, International Living’s Panama correspondent. “When it comes to overall benefits and value, Panama is very tough to beat.” Some of the advantages: The currency is the U.S. dollar, the medical care is top-notch, the infrastructure is first-rate, internet access is good and the country is easily accessible from the U.S.
Over the past couple years, there have been some ups and downs in Panama (and all over the world), but the country has rebounded. “These days it’s back to business here. The country is busy welcoming tourists, new residents and new investment, too,” says Ramesch. Panama actively woos foreigners: You won’t pay income tax on funds earned outside Panama, there are several easy options for getting a visa or residency and real estate taxes are really low.
Where to Move: Panama City is Central America’s most modern metropolis, but that’s not all the country has to offer. “The cool mountain towns of Cerro Azul, Sorá and El Valle are a one- to two-hour drive from the city. The unspoiled Caribbean beaches of Portobelo are about two hours away by car. Or I can fly to my favorite Caribbean archipelago in an hour,” says Ramesch. Two other places to note: the lush highland haven of Boquete and Coronado, a beach town just an hour’s drive from the capital. “I like [Coronado] so much I bought an apartment there, and am packing up to move as we speak” says Ramesch. “Coronado is home to one of Panama’s most active and welcoming expat communities. I’m not even there yet, and I’m already getting invites to potlucks and happy hours.”
The Cost: More and more retirees from the U.S. and Canada are looking to Panama, where even foreign pensioners with legal residence get 15% off hospital bills, 20% off prescription medication, 15% off dental and eye exams and 20% off medical consultations. Panama’s famed Pensionado program makes it easy for you to become a legal resident if you have a social security or corporate pension of at least $1,000 a month. A couple can live well, depending on their lifestyle, starting at $1,753 a month in Panama City.
2. Costa Rica
Why: Coming in second on the list for 2022 is Costa Rica, where the national motto is "Pura Vida" (pure life). “Sure, the secret has long been out about Costa Rica’s popularity. But that does not stop millions of visitors and new foreign residents from discovering its special brand of enchantment, lured by the country’s tropical climate; lower cost of living; friendly locals; affordable medical care; vast real estate options; and, of course, its natural beauty for which the country is famous,” says Kathleen Evans, International Living’s Costa Rica correspondent.
In a region that can have political and civil unrest, Costa Rica is safe and stable, with a progressive government. “For example, LGBTQ same-sex marriage is legal and women’s rights are mandated,” says Evans. And while the pandemic has been challenging, it has resulted in positive initiatives like a new digital nomad visa and an updated law to attract retirees that includes perks like a lower threshold for investors and the ability to import two cars and a shipping container of home goods tax-free.
Where to Move: There’s something for everyone, thanks to a dozen climate zones and hundreds of microclimates, but one of the most appealing is the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. In this “Blue Zone,” there’s a high population of centenarians (100+ year-olds), thanks to healthy diets, natural water, sunshine, active lifestyles and strong familial and friendship ties. Other popular areas include the capital of San José, the temperate Central Valley, the jungle landscapes in the south and the Caribbean coast.
The Cost: “A couple can live comfortably, but not necessarily extravagantly, here for around $2,000 to $2,500 a month,” says Evans. “This includes renting a two-bedroom home/condo with North American amenities, air conditioning, plus groceries, entertainment, transportation and healthcare.” A single person can live on between $1,600 and $2,000 a month.
3. Mexico
Why: Third on the 2022 list is Mexico, which has been a popular expat spot for at least 50 years. “Mexico is close—it’s the United States’ neighbor, after all—and easy to get to by either driving or taking a direct flight into one of the country’s many international airports,” says International Living correspondent Jason Holland. “There’s low-cost, top-notch healthcare, including a well-regarded government system. The weather is great from coast to coast. It’s a modern country with high-speed internet, good highways, reliable electric and water and good cellphone service.” Another bonus: It’s easy to become a resident, thanks to reasonable income requirements. To get temporary residence in Mexico, you must have a monthly income of around $2,100 a month or $36,000 in the bank. Permanent residence requires around $2,700 a month or $149,000 in the bank.
Where to Move: Three times the size of Texas, Mexico has a lot to offer. “There really is a place for everybody in Mexico, from bustling beach resorts to quiet country villages to picturesque colonial towns to major metropolitan areas,” says Holland, who recommends the Pacific, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coasts. “The beaches in places like Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen are beautiful and the weather is warm and humid, cut by sea breezes year-round.” Or you can head inland to the Colonial Highlands and cities like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, which have temperate year-round weather.
The Cost: Cost of living is tied into lifestyle, but most couples can live well in Mexico for around $2,000 a month, which covers everything, including housing, transportation, healthcare, utilities and food. “Some people get by on much less because they live very much like locals, others spend a whole lot more—if you want luxury and high-end, Mexico certainly has it,” says Holland. “The popularity of a place, whether it has a big expat group or is a tourist destination, can also impact prices.”
4. Portugal
Why: “This tiny country in the southwest corner of Europe has something for everyone,” says Terry Coles, International Living’s Portugal correspondent. “Vibrant cities full of Old World charm, miles of golden sandy beaches, green, rolling hills, some of the best healthcare in the world, low cost of living and safety.” Plus, since English is taught in schools starting at the sixth-grade level, many locals speak some English, which makes moving here a little easier.
Where to Move: Just an hour north of Lisbon, Caldas da Rainha is a mid-sized city with a cobbled downtown and a sizeable expat population. Want something a bit more rural? Check out the Alentejo region, which includes the cities of Beja and Évora. Don’t want to have a car? “Then city life in either Lisbon or Porto might be for you,” says Coles.
The Cost: Although it depends on many factors, you can estimate that you can live on about one-third less here. A couple can live comfortably, but not lavishly, in Portugal on $2,500 per month. If you want to live in Lisbon, Porto, Cascais or the Algarve, you should bump that number up to $3,000 or more.
5. Colombia
Why: “Colombia checks many of the boxes for those wanting to live in a place with a lower cost of living, excellent healthcare, close proximity to the U.S. and Canada and climate options to suit practically every taste,” says International Living correspondent Nancy Kiernan. It’s also the second most biodiverse country in the world, which adds to the appeal. And Colombia is more developed than many other countries in Latin America, with major cities offering modern products and services.
Where to Move: Expats are attracted to Medellín, thanks to its near-perfect climate (its nickname is “The City of Eternal Spring”). The mountain areas of Bucaramanga, Pereira and the Coffee Triangle also have a more temperate climate and no humidity. Bogotá is much cooler. Looking for a tropical escape? Think about the coastal areas of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta.
The Cost: Your dollars go far here. A single person can live on as little as $1,030 a month, while a couple can live for less than $2,000 per month. “Of course, your cost of living will depend on your lifestyle and where you choose to live,” says Kiernan. “I can tell you that my living expenses are 60% less than they were back in Maine. Just the fact that I don’t have to pay heating or cooling costs has saved me about $3,400 per year alone.”
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