International Living, Discover your Place in the World

Discover Your Place in the World!

Unlock insider tips and expert advice on the best places to live, retire, and invest overseas

Top Destinations

Whether you’re looking for sand and sea, a skyline full of high-rises, or a secluded retreat deep in the mountains, our top countries can offer you all that and more. Explore the countries below and find the retirement destination that’s right for you.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica #1 Top Countries Graphic

Costa Rica offers a great climate year-round, neighborly atmosphere, no-hassle residence programs, excellent healthcare, a stable democracy, and safety and security. It doesn’t hurt that many retired couples report living well on $2,000 a month—that includes all their costs.

Portugal

Portugal #2  Top Country

When you imagine old Europe—those cobblestone alleys, medieval town walls, crenelated castles on hilltops, all soundtracked by the toll of church bells. Portugal delivers. Not in a touristy, contrived way, but as the standard day-to-day life of the country.

Mexico

Mexico #3 Top Country

As many as 1 million U.S. and Canadian citizens already call Mexico their home, with more joining them all the time. In terms of numbers, Mexico is the most popular expat destination for North Americans in the world. This should come as no surprise, actually. Mexico has a lot to recommend it.

Spotlight Event

Panama City, Panama

In-Person Conference

Feb 7, 2025

Fast Track Panama 2025

Av. Balboa y, Galerías Balboa, C. Aquilino de la Guardia PB, Panamá, Panama

Join us and discover everything you need to know to decide if Panama is your ideal retirement or relocation destination… Come away with the knowledge and expert contacts you need to make your move happen with confidence.

Meet Our Global Network

Jen Stevens Headshot
Jennifer Stevens

Executive Editor, International Living

Travel

Jennifer Stevens has traveled through 27 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa, writing about the best locales for overseas travel, retirement and investment.

Jess Ramesch Headshot
Jessica Ramesch

Editor, Panama

Panama

Jess Ramesch, is constantly on the road, in the air, and on the water—exploring Panama and the wide world beyond. She also hosted and produced IL bestseller Panama 101 and she is the author of Escape to Panama.

Chip Stites Headshot
Chip Stites

Italy Correspondent

Italy

Chip Stites, a retired Certified Financial Planner from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is living la dolce vita near Rieti, Italy since 2015 with his wife, Shonna, and their dog Frankie.

Screenshot 2023-11-02 at 21.54.37
Bel Woodhouse

Mexico Correspondent

Mexico

Belinda Woodhouse is the author of the 21 Reasons to Visit... travel book series. Her love of writing, photography, and videography enables her to live her dream life on the gorgeous Caribbean Island of Cozumel in Mexico.

Meet the Full Team
play iconThe  Best Places to Retire Overseas in 2024

Get The Global Retirement Index

If you’re considering retirement abroad , you need information, and you need lots of it. But more than that, you need guidance on how to interpret that information. That’s what we’re here for, and that’s why we’ve compiled the 2024 Annual Global Retirement Index: to help you with the exciting business of choosing where in the world will best suit your needs.

How to Live Abroad

You can embrace a more international life in so many different ways today—go winter over somewhere warm, travel a few months a year, retire overseas full-time, even take a sabbatical and work remotely for a time. Singles, couples, multi-generational groups... you have so many options today. Here at International Living, our experts will help you explore your options and find your path.  

 Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, Central America.
Best Places to Retire in 2024: The Annual Global Retirement Index

The Retirement Index is the most comprehensive and in-depth survey of its kind.

Read now
How to Move Out of the U.S.
How to Move Out of the U.S.

As another contentious year for politics ramps up in the US, more and more people are researching their options to move far, far away from it all.

Read now
Cheapest Places to Live in 2023
Cheapest Places to Live in the World in 2024 - International Living

Affordability is often the single-most influential factor in choosing a retirement destination.

Read now
Schengen Visa: What Countries Are in the Zone?
Schengen Visa 2023: What Countries are in the Zone and How Long Can You Stay?

Lots of Europhiles dream of taking six months or a year to explore Europe. But doing it—while possible—is not totally straightforward.

Read here

People We've Helped

“Just a note to let you know how much my wife and I have enjoyed the magazine over the past few years. We are most interested in Panama, and appreciate the many informative articles and perspectives of expats who have made the move. Thank you for such great service to your subscribers. We look forward to many more years with IL.”

avatar-10
Mark S

Expat Stories

Real-life stories from people, just like you, who have made the move overseas. Some have retired…others have relocated and started a business in their new country... some are wintering over where it's sunny... and still others are taking their portable incomes with them to a good-value place they'd rather spend time... From Europe to Latin America to Southeast Asia... you'll find some of their stories, below... 

migrated-ne8X1T-From-Disaster-to-a-Dream-Life-in-Portugal
From Disaster to a Dream Life in Portugal

It was love at first sight when Rhonda laid eyes on Tavira, in Portugal's sunny Algarve region.

Read now
An Early Retirement Dream Come True in Spain
An Early Retirement Dream Come True in Spain

Our vision was a sun-drenched tropical paradise with a relaxed vibe and low cost of living.

Read now
migrated-Zhgkjr-Why-Our-Retirement-Journey-Led-Us-to-Italy
Why Our Retirement Journey Led Us to Italy

On that exploratory trip, we fell in love…with the people, food, and wine in every town we visited.

Read now

Unlock a World of Member-Only Advantages

Information and Expertise You Can Trust

Get our monthly digital magazine full of up-to-date news, views, inspiration and essential insights.

Your Personalized Guide to Overseas Opportunity

Access customized, personalized and detailed destinations guides. Unlock expert advice that covers all bases – from property, tax, logistics and so much more.

Become Part of a Global Community

Become part of a unique and energizing global community. Join likeminded individuals, sharing first-hand experiences from all corners of the planet.

Ocean Beach Scene

Start Building Your Dream Life Overseas Today