IL Magazine: Discover the World's Best Retirement Haven for 2021 + 24 more
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For over 30 years, International Living has searched around the world for retirement destinations that are right for you. We have explored all manner of dream locales, assessing how well they can provide for all your retirement needs—including cost of living, retiree benefits, climate, healthcare, and much more. The result is a comprehensive resource of essential information to help you find your dream retirement overseas.
The Best Places to Retire in 2021
Where can you find the best quality of life in the world…the best places to live…the best climate…the healthiest places to live…the cheapest? Which countries make it into the lists as the perfect destinations for your retirement…and why? We have all the answers.
From bustling beach towns to small fishing communities, stunning stretches of sand to lush rainforests teeming with life, there’s a huge variety of choice on offer for expats. In all of the destinations we speak about, you can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, with established expat communities, friendly, welcoming natives, good healthcare, and an ideal climate.
Each destination is desirable in its own way, but they all offer something increasingly hard to come by at home: A good quality of life for a reasonable price.
What are you waiting for? Go ahead and dive into our selection of articles to learn more about the best places in the world to retire.
“My ex-husband told me that my heart was in Italy, and he was right,” says Cecilia Snyder, a former resident of Washington, D.C. and now a five-year resident of Assisi, the gem of Umbria and Italy. Cecilia went to Italy for business for the first time in 2000. “I was blown away...
When he retired from a successful career as a professional photographer, he decided to make Vietnam his home, returning to Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)—the city that had captured his heart and imagination all those years ago...
The island of Crete is one of Greece’s major highlights. It’s the biggest of all the Greek islands and one of the most fascinating, whether you’re inspired by nature, history, Greek food, or the beach-focused Mediterranean lifestyle. While exploring the charms of Crete, most visitors base themselves in one of three small cities along Crete’s northern coast: Chania, Rethymno, or Heraklion...
Mui Ne is a small beach resort village along Vietnam’s south-central coast about halfway between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang. The town consists of one main road lined with resorts, restaurants, bars, and shops that stretches about six miles along the beautiful, palm-lined South China Sea coast...
South America is a mecca for travelers looking to experience different cultures, landscapes, outdoor adventures, and of course a variety of different cuisine. For my friend, Rachel, and I it had long been a dream to explore this land of contrast between ancient pre-Incan civilizations, Incan ruins, and Spanish colonization...
Known as the City of a Thousand Pine Trees, Dalat offers more than enough activities to keep you busy. The town’s 4,921-foot elevation keeps it cool year-round, yet it’s only a six-hour drive or a 50-minute flight to steamy Ho Chi Minh City...
Forty years ago, the island consisted of dirt roads and small beachside warungs, where locals cooked the favorites Nasi Goreng and Babi Guling, but oh-boy, has Bali evolved over the years. Now there are 5-star resorts dotted all over, and amongst the designer stores and local markets, you’ll find upscale restaurants serving the most amazing food.
Waves rolled and crashed along the bay’s rocky slopes. The steady roar would crescendo when the waves hit the breakwater, throwing a fine mist into the air. Despite the thunderous cacophony, the waterfront town of Komiža was peaceful and quiet. It was late January on the Croatian island of Vis, and the tourist season was still a few months away...
Da Nang is modern and clean, safe and friendly, with an ever-expanding population of expats and one of the most majestic beaches you’ll find anywhere. Boldly designed bridges, a riverside promenade, museums, and some of the best (and most affordable) tailor-made clothing you’ll find anywhere add to its charms...
Anybody can do it,” Bonnie Gelley says, gesturing with an outstretched arm toward the expanse of Pacific Ocean that forms the view from her home in Puerto Cayo, Ecuador. A wide, gently curved bay fills the view from the panoramic windows, with tropical vegetation sweeping to the beach in the foreground...