Looking for help finding your personal paradise? International Living has 30 years of on-the-ground experience in the countries that we think are the best spots under the sun for retiring, investing, and reinventing yourself right now. We've done the research...you've done the dreaming. With IL correspondents around the globe, we'll help you make those dreams a reality.
We have some especially bright lights on the International Living horizon to tell you about. Some of the places where the good life is calling at rock-bottom rates are Yucatan, Mexico; Panama; coastal Ecuador; Brazil's north coast; Uruguay; and southern Italy. Watch your daily IL Postcards and monthly IL magazine for more information on these, and other hotspots.
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Recent Articles
Life in Loja, EcuadorPosted on May 24, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Everything is old in Loja. Of course, that’s not literally true…but stroll through the historic colonial heart of this city in southern Ecuador and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. If you wish away the cars and buses and try not to see the youngsters with their stylish hair-dos and piercings (this is a university town, after all), you can sense what this city must have been like, oh…nearly 500 years ago.
Loja, Ecuador: Where You’ll Enjoy the Best Climate in the WorldPosted on May 22, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
This place boasts the world’s best climate…averaging daytime temperatures in the mid-70s every day of the year. So where am I? In Loja, a manageable city of about 180,000 people in southern Ecuador. At 6,750 feet above sea level, Loja is at a lower elevation than many of the country’s other major cities perched along the spine of the Andes mountain range.
Rent for $100 a Month in EcuadorPosted on May 17, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Rent overseas before you buy. That’s good advice for anyone looking to try a new country on for size. Despite its incredibly low real estate costs, Ecuador is no exception. Fortunately, rental costs in Ecuador are very affordable, too.
Five Reasons to Move to Roatan, HondurasPosted on May 16, 2012 by Joel and Anna Moskowitz
Honduras wasn’t on our list of retirement destinations until International Living introduced us to the Bay Islands of Honduras in 2003. After checking out the islands, we knew this was the place for us and have since moved to Roatan (the largest of the Bay Islands). Below are just some of the reasons we love living here.
Your Best Chance to Visit EcuadorPosted on May 16, 2012 by Len Galvin
Ecuador is a retirement paradise. Yes, it is the winner of IL’s Global Retirement Index 2012. But you don’t need an index to tell you that the climate is incredible…and varied—lush mountains, dense Amazon jungle, sun-drenched Pacific beaches…
Beach Life in EcuadorPosted on May 14, 2012 by Chuck Stanley
“We’re right on the beach and we love that,” says expat Cynthia Kelley. “We can hear the ocean at night and we love to watch the sunset over the water in the evenings.” It’s easy to get the feeling that you’re a million miles away from the rest of the world in Canoa, on Ecuador’s northern coast.
“Why We Moved to Belize”Posted on May 12, 2012 by Domini Hedderman
Ever since settling in the Toledo district of the country in 2005, Chris and his wife Sue have been surrounded by a tropical wonderland of flowers, trees and animals. Life is simpler in Belize. Unobtrusive government, healthy food, a friendly, laid-back population, and a cheap standard of living make life easier all-around, says Chris.
Panama’s Most Beautiful TownPosted on May 8, 2012 by Jessica Ramesch
Santa Fe de Veraguas in Panama is a tiny mountain hideaway with lots of natural bounty. About 200 miles west of Panama City, it’s the kind of place where expat couples are able to live on small pensions (as small as $1,000 a month). And I mean live comfortably. It’s easy to grow heirloom vegetables or rare orchids, should you desire.
Rent on the Coast in Spain from $508 a MonthPosted on May 8, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
A blue sky, blue-water scene is unremarkable in the tropics. But this is Europe. I’m in southern Spain, on Murcia’s Costa Cálida—the “warm coast.” Whoever thought up the name wasn’t exaggerating. Summer temperatures soar above 90 F, and there’s an annual dose of at least 320 days of sunshine. On the coast, spacious furnished rentals are $508 to $635 monthly.
Belize: Happy Locals and Diverse CulturesPosted on May 3, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Walk down any street or narrow village lane in tiny Belize (only about the size of the U.S. state of Rhode Island) and you’ll hear any one of a half dozen or more languages—pretty remarkable in a country that’s less-populated than many U.S. cities (320,000 inhabitants).
Your May Issue of International Living—Five Top StoriesPosted on May 3, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
“This is frontier country… You won’t find much here. Starbucks hasn’t made it, and there’s no Home Depot. But you will find an open door to immediate residency in Panama,” writes IL Offshore expert, Bob Bauman, in your May issue of International Living magazine. Bob explores an opportunity in Panama’s Darien province and reveals the ideal visa if you want to live in Panama, but don’t qualify as a retiree, or you want to avoid the process needed for an investor’s visa.
Granada, Nicaragua: Live Well on $700 a MonthPosted on May 2, 2012 by Rebecca Teeters
Nicaragua’s best-preserved colonial city, Granada is a popular tourist attraction with a thriving expat community. My husband Shylow and I came here in May 2010 and fell in love with the beautiful architecture, friendly locals, and seriously low cost. After leaving the U.S. and all that we were used to, we found a place where our hard-earned money could stretch past the house mortgage.
Move to Uruguay for the Best Quality of Life in Latin AmericaPosted on May 1, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
As in European cities or neighborhoods of Manhattan or Chicago, whatever I need or want can be had within these 10 square blocks of Montevideo. I was just getting started on my expedition to Uruguay’s coastal cities and towns, but already I could understand why so many expats living in this country say it offers the best quality of life in Latin America.
What We Want is a Better Quality of Life OverseasPosted on May 1, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
Thinking about retirement, we usually focus on money. Are we saving enough? With the cost of living ticking up and interest rates near zero, it’s a reasonable question. But preoccupied with funds, we often forget to reflect on why we save to begin with. What we’re really after, I’d venture, is an enjoyable, meaningful, comfortable lifestyle. We save, ultimately, so we have greater control over how we live. But at home today, it often feels like we have less control…and fewer options.
Settling in to a New Life in ItalyPosted on April 29, 2012 by Valerie Fortney Schneider
Making the decision to transplant ourselves to Italy was easy. Making the move to Italy itself was painless. Making ourselves at home was smooth and immediate. Making a living…well, that’s another beast. I’m not going to lie to you—working in Italy can be difficult. But it’s more than worth it.
Placencia, Belize: The Beach Town That’s Easier Than Ever To Get ToPosted on April 27, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
On this, my second trip to Belize, in 1980, I’d come to dive the world’s second largest barrier reef, just offshore the small towns of Seine Bight and Placencia in southern Belize. Flying by tiny sea plane was the easiest and fastest way to get here…as the dirt road from Belize City was perilously rutted and would take an entire day (if you were lucky and popped only one tire).
Belize Video Reveals AllPosted on April 27, 2012 by Len Galvin
Whatever you’re looking for in a tropical paradise: diving…real estate…connecting with top attorneys…Caribbean beaches…the retiree program that sweetens the deal for anyone over 45-years-old…rich mountain pastures…offshore wealth protection strategies…and much, much more…this video has it all.
“Why I Love Tulúm”Posted on April 25, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
I’m not usually a big fan of popular “resort” destinations. But I make an exception for Tulúm, in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. This little beach town is very easy to like. In fact, if I had to recommend just one destination in Mexico for beach lovers today, it would be Tulúm.
Coastal Uruguay: Latin America’s Best Quality of LifePosted on April 25, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Sipping a cappuccino at a small table in a shady plaza outside my hotel, I’m reminded of days and evenings spent in similar sidewalk cafés in Europe. Stately 19th-century neo-classical and baroque-style buildings with wrought-iron balconies line the square. Curtains wave gaily through massive wood-framed windows.
Road Testing Retirement: From Beaches to the Highlands in MexicoPosted on April 25, 2012 by Jonathan Look, Jr.
The clouds are sliding off the mountaintops and the sun is warming the pine-scented air. I’m in tropical latitudes but the locals here go about their daily routines swaddled in multi-colored, locally-loomed woolens, just as they have for centuries. It can get chilly at night. Though during the day it’s usually mild enough to relax outdoors.
Five Places to Live in Belize; Two to AvoidPosted on April 25, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Belize has a lot going for it. For a tiny country, it packs a big wallop when it comes to charm and scenery. For the would-be expat—especially if you’re looking for real value—there are many places deserving of your attention. Places where you can live the laid-back, Caribbean lifestyle of your dreams.
Everything You Need to Know About BelizePosted on April 24, 2012 by Len Galvin
Of course, cost of living alone does not make a well-rounded retirement. In fact, affordable beach is only a small part of the real Belize story. It’s easy to fit in…everyone speaks English…they don’t levy taxes…and consistently defend their asset protection laws in international courts.
Video: Living in Grecia, Costa RicaPosted on April 20, 2012 by Jason Holland
In this video, IL Costa Rica correspondent, Jason Holland shows footage of his beautiful rental home in Grecia, Costa Rica. Just like any desirable retirement destination, you can find luxury in Costa Rica when it comes to where you live. But there is plenty of opportunity for regular folks to find their own slice of heaven.
Panama: One of the Easiest Places in the World to RetirePosted on April 20, 2012 by Dan Prescher
Sometimes the best way to see something is through someone else’s eyes. For example, I know Panama. My wife, Suzan Haskins, and I lived in Panama City several years ago, and we’ve traveled nearly the entire country. We’ve also attended dozens of International Living events in Panama.
Pulling the Plug on PanamaPosted on April 19, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
There’s a little mountain town in the interior of Panama where you can still buy a home or a large parcel of land next to a gurgling river. It’s likely this land will have waterfalls and hiking trails on it…you’ll see wild parrots and toucans and flowers of every tropical variety and color. The tall grass waving in the breeze will be so green, it would make even the Irish envious…
Baring All in PanamaPosted on April 18, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
Today Al took us on a virtual tour of Panama City—his typical day. Paying his housekeeper, going to the bank, out to lunch, paying bills, to the movies… Al and Carmen own a three-bedroom, three-bath condo on the 14th floor with a bay and city view. This area is now the “Beverly Hills of Panama City,” Al said.
Panama: Don’t Believe Everything You Read on the InternetPosted on April 17, 2012 by Suzan Haskins
It’s good to be back in Panama, the tiny country on the southern edge of the northern hemisphere, one of the only countries to bridge two continents… and the only country in the world where you can see the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean and set on the Atlantic. Did you know that? If not, don’t worry…there are so many things unique to Panama that it’s hard to track them all. For instance… Panama is the only country in Central America with no hurricanes and no destructive earthquakes.
Retire to Panama’s Highlands from $800 a MonthPosted on April 15, 2012 by Jessica Ramesch
In the distance I can see the national park, where hiking trails crisscross hills lush with rainforest. In the treetops above me, I’ve seen monkeys and toucans and several species of birds I can’t name. This is Santa Fe de Veraguas, a tiny mountain hideaway about 200 miles west of Panama City.
Mid-Life Adventure in IrelandPosted on April 12, 2012 by Gary Hetzler
A typical day for us starts with the braying of our pet donkeys Molly and Malone. Getting up to feed them and our goats is never a chore. We left Massachusetts for Ireland to live in exactly this kind of quiet, rural oasis.
The Cheapest Places to Retire: Five Towns Where You Can Live Better for LessPosted on April 11, 2012 by International Living
If you’re looking overseas for a low-cost alternative to an uncertain retirement at home, there’s good news. You can find it in places that offer not just “cheap” living, but a whole basketful of benefits, too—places where a mild spring-like climate is yours all year round…beaches are of powder-white sand…snow-capped mountains soar above colonial towns…and your costs could be as low as $600 a month.
Europe’s Best-Value HavenPosted on April 4, 2012 by Steenie Harvey
Steeped in history, culture, and year-round sunshine, one European country tops many expats’ wish lists. A big draw is the low cost of living. Markets are laden with inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetables—even vegans would be hard-pressed to get through $15 worth of produce a week. Staples like olive oil are cheap—$3 will get you a liter.
The Difference Between “Cheap” and “Good Value”Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
“Where’s the cheapest place to retire?” Readers always ask. In the upcoming April issue of International Living magazine, we deliver the nuanced answers. Because no one-size-fits-all retirement destination exists.
Where to Retire on the CheapPosted on April 1, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
At home, prices are rising. It costs more to put gas in the car, buy groceries, and pay for health insurance. At the same time, retirement savings eroded in the market downturn. And with interest rates at near-zero today, it’s difficult to rebuild. More than ever, retirees need to stretch their dollars.
Retire Cheap: Great-Value Towns Where You Can Live Better for LessPosted on March 27, 2012 by International Living
At home, prices are rising. It costs more to put gas in the car, buy groceries, and pay for health insurance. At the same time, retirement savings eroded in the market downturn. And with interest rates at near-zero today, it’s difficult to rebuild.
Great Health Care at a Low Cost in MalaysiaPosted on March 26, 2012 by Keith Hockton
One of the things we are most grateful for living in Malaysia is the health care, which is among the world’s best—and cheapest. It’s rare we need to use it, but when we do, it’s good to know we’re dealing with the very best doctors and at very low prices. There’s a reason four plane-loads of medical tourists land in Penang every day.
Living Well in Lisbon, PortugalPosted on March 24, 2012 by Suchi Rudra
There is a wonderful rhythm to life in Alfama. It’s all about romantic views, secret neighborhoods, and faded grandeur. The houses here are clad in intricate tiles to reflect the sun’s heat, and it seems as if the city here wears its beauty inside out. Alfama is reminiscent of the North African heritage of southern Spanish cities like Seville and Granada.
Top Secret Property Deal in “Beach City”Posted on March 23, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
Today Brazil is a global power broker…the world’s sixth biggest economy…host country for the 2014 soccer world cup and 2016 Olympic Games…the world’s biggest food exporter…a world leader in renewable energy, while also awash with oil…and a strong manufacturer of planes, trains and automobiles.
Find Bargains at Irish Property AuctionsPosted on March 23, 2012 by Eoin Bassett
Whether you’re looking for a country cottage for $150,000, a downtown pad for $130,000, or a place in small-town Ireland for $80,000…for the moment, these “fire sale” auctions are where to go. On the shores of Lough Sillan in County Cavan, there’s a four-bedroom pinewood lodge with an open-plan living area, a kitchen, sitting room, and bathroom.
Belize: Like Florida in the 1940′sPosted on March 21, 2012 by Chuck Bilbe
Times were good until the economy began its downturn, crashing the real estate market. We were concerned that our retirement savings wouldn’t see us through, so we began looking overseas for a place where our ever-shrinking nest egg might last longer.
A True Story About PanamaPosted on March 20, 2012 by Jessica Ramesch
“I want it all,” he said. I was at International Living’s recent Ultimate Event. This attendee had come to us seeking information about Belize and Costa Rica. But my presentation—particularly the part about Panama City—got him thinking. Suddenly, Panama was at the top of his list of countries to check out.
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