Why Going Under the Radar Might Be the Smartest Retirement Move You Make

Why Going Under the Radar Might Be the Smartest Retirement Move You Make
Explore hidden-gem retirement havens where costs are low, culture is rich, and life moves at a gentler pace.|©iStock/amoklv

Imagine spending your retirement years in a sparkling gem of a place that few have discovered. A spot that offers benefits equal to (and often better than) the most popular expat destinations while spending even less than you expected.

There are countless spectacular but overlooked retirement spots—places that offer a first-class lifestyle at coach prices. All you need to do is put on your explorer’s cap and adjust your focus.

Why Look Beyond the Obvious?

Chetumal’s waterfront charm and low costs attract expats looking to live well on less.
Chetumal’s waterfront charm and low costs attract expats looking to live well on less.|©iStock/Dave Primov

Managing the cost of living in retirement is important for most of us. While popular overseas retirement destinations can provide great value, under-the-radar locations often offer even more—with little, if any, sacrifice.

You’ve done your homework. You’re ready for a bit of adventure. You want to immerse yourself in a new culture and maybe even learn a new language. Sounds good, right?

Your research led you to a handful of the most popular retirement hotspots across the globe, and each looks almost perfect. But you know there will be compromises, regardless of where you live.

By considering only the most popular, best-known retirement destinations, you are missing a huge opportunity… one that could save you thousands of dollars annually, reduce your stress, and add more smiles to your life.

What You Gain Off the Beaten Path

Logic tells you these crown jewel locations, worthy as they may be, are not the only places to consider. Yet, they feel like a safer choice. Less risky. A decision already made by thousands. There will be plenty of expats who speak English… friendly faces who can answer your questions. And you know there will be many, many questions.

These places may have a well-organized network of activities, clubs, and gatherings and, likely, Internet groups devoted to local expats and their interests. It would quickly feel familiar and perhaps even comfortable. These popular locations offer much to like, and their expat residents eagerly share the details of their exciting new lives with friends and relatives back home.

A lesser-known, under-the-radar location, somewhat close to a popular expat magnet, often provides a more authentic cultural experience with nearly the same lifestyle. These overlooked treasures not only exist but are plentiful and even easier on your budget.

That said, if your must-have requirements include rapid Amazon delivery, dozens of restaurant choices with a decent menu of American food, a local big box store, and a supermarket carrying US brands, a lesser-known location may not work for you.

While most well-known destinations provide remarkable value, lesser-known alternatives can stretch your dollars further. With only a little effort, you may find your retirement home in a place offering ample benefits but off the beaten path—an under-the-radar gem not teeming with expats.

One woman I know even started her own farm surrounding a house she had custom-built. She grows flowers and vegetables and tends to over 100 animals, including goats, ducks, rabbits, chickens, cats, dogs, and other critters. She sells homemade food and other items at local markets and has created a life she adores. And she built it economically, only a stone’s throw from one of the most popular expat bastions in Mexico.

Sepúlveda’s medieval streets and mountain backdrop offer a slower, simpler pace of life.
Sepúlveda’s medieval streets and mountain backdrop offer a slower, simpler pace of life.|©iStock/Jose Miguel Sanchez

How to Spot a Hidden Gem

The proximity to a larger expat hub or another city is a key element in locating the exact yet-to-be-discovered location for your adventure. Not all of us are meant to create our own farm. But whatever your dream, there is an undiscovered spot waiting for you to make it happen. Ideally, your discovery will be close enough to allow reasonable shopping opportunities, good medical care, socialization, and recreation, but far enough away to avoid the increased expenses and cultural influences generated by an expat-heavy population. It may be a thriving city or a tiny village. Undiscovered treasures come in all sizes and flavors.

Consider a place where English is rarely spoken, the food is consistent with the existing culture (not Americanized), the supermarkets carry few American brands, and there is a bustling open marketplace supporting the local community. I’d say places that are one or two hours away, perhaps even three to four hours from an expat stronghold, should be considered.

Mexico’s well-known Riviera Maya, a stretch of Caribbean coastline that extends from Cancun south through Playa del Carmen into Tulum, is one example of a booming, super-popular retirement Mecca. It offers all the advantages with the addition of a world-class Caribbean experience. Costs here can easily equal or surpass costs in the U.S. But then, it is a Caribbean hot spot, after all.

Look a bit farther south to Quintana Roo’s capital city, Chetumal, and you will strike gold. Chetumal offers most, if not all, of the favored requisites of expats. And those not available can be accessed by a short drive north, up the coast to Playa del Carmen. This city of 175,000 people sits on the border with Belize and blends a Caribbean culture with its ancient Maya roots.

Like Cancun, Chetumal shares the same gorgeous stretch of Caribbean sand and sea without the throngs of tourists and the impact of an expat-heavy economic and cultural influence. Specifically, Chetumal sits on a beautiful, calm bay that shares its name. Fishing, snorkeling, and diving opportunities are world-class.

Despite feeling like a small town with minimal traffic issues, Chetumal offers a rich culture and history, showcased by ancient ruins and modern museums. Shopping centers, modern hospitals, and ample restaurants offer plenty to appreciate. The small expat presence has not altered the local economy or culture.

Spanish is the language, pesos are the currency, and American food is rare to find. There is an international airport in Chetumal, a new airport has opened in nearby Tulum as well as another, across the border in Belize City, approximately two hours away.

Housing costs are significantly lower in Chetumal than in Playa del Carmen. A one-bedroom apartment in Playa del Carmen will run about $1,000 to $1,500 monthly. A similar apartment in Chetumal costs $500 to $600 per month. Three bedrooms in Playa del Carmen are about $2,500 to $3,500 monthly where you’ll only pay $1,050 to $1,150 in Chetumal.

Underrated Towns Worth a Closer Look

Going off the radar doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort—it means finding value where others aren’t looking.
Going off the radar doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort—it means finding value where others aren’t looking.|©iStock/Mardoz

Spain has been recognized as a fantastic place for expats to retire, and Madrid is a popular choice. Only 75 miles from Madrid, however, is the smaller community of Sepúlveda. This medieval mountain town offers more history than can be fully absorbed, is close enough to Madrid to connect with added resources, if needed, and offers a reduced cost of living. If Spain is calling, also check out Denia and Marbella for your hidden gem explorations.

Costa Rica is another well-known, popular retirement destination. Located in Central America, its Caribbean coast has some of the best beaches anywhere, according to the locals. Tamarindo and Puerto Viejo draw large numbers of expats and are well-established. Consider San Ramon, Quepos and Grecia for less expensive, worthy alternatives.

Each of us has our own priorities, our own tolerances, and desires. We also have areas where we are willing to compromise, or not.

My wife and I left Ecuador to move to Mexico. We started in Cancun, right on the beach. One of the most popular hotspots. But after about four years, we wanted a more tranquil experience and moved to a tiny village in the Yucatan jungle.

We’re still close enough to Cancun for a day trip and have ready access to all that a large, bustling city offers. We also have all the benefits of being close to a medium-sized city (Valladolid). Our cultural immersion and lower cost of living reflect our choices.

A Better Life for Less

Leaving your home country is an enormous undertaking, particularly for mature retirees. Everything that was previously familiar and routine in your life goes away or changes and will take time to normalize. The temptation to minimize those changes, seeking support while easing into this mammoth transition is completely normal and may be a factor in choosing a well-seeded, popular location. Not only are they great destinations, but choosing one is less scary.

There are major benefits, however, to relocating to one of these hidden gems. Learning your new language is accelerated because English is rarely spoken in these places.

Your cultural immersion occurs quickly and more completely. Restaurant menus contain only local/regional food. The bank teller and store clerk speak only their native language, and your retail and grocery purchases consist only of local brands…which you will grow to love.

You have an active social life, making new friends in your new language. Your confidence builds as you figure out the essentials, one by one, and your lower cost of living rewards your choice. You adapt, and you will be better for the effort.

Whether you decide to launch your expat journey in a popular expat stronghold or in one of the hidden gems you found, moving is always an option, and options are good. There are no rules, and one size rarely fits all.

Study a map. Your hidden gem is right there. And another is nearby.

Do not allow fear to be the thief that steals the life you could have. Bueno Suerte!

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