Patagonia’s remote beauty draws in travellers and permanent residents alike. It is celebrated for its breathtaking landscape, from rugged mountains and glaciers to striking, deep azure, skies. The cost of living is relatively inexpensive, with reasonable healthcare and housing costs adding to Patagonia’s appeal. Retirees can also take advantage of an impressively wide selection of outdoor activities, good food and an active social scene to keep them content.
Belize is a natural paradise, with striking inland and coastal scenery to admire. As an established retirement destination, where the English-speaking locals are more than welcoming, it is an easy place to settle as a newcomer. With various social gatherings set up for expats and access to outdoor activities, retirees won’t be short of things to do. Just be prepared to encounter a medical system that is still very much a work in progress.
As one of the greenest islands in the Aegean Sea with a diverse wildlife and mild climate year-round, it is easy to see why Skopelos is so attractive to retirees looking for a blissful hideaway. The white stone houses overlooking sapphire waters and golden beaches, radiate the holiday feel that many seek. Living and housing costs are affordable, even more so as Greek’s financial crisis unfolds, and this can only make the Greek idyll a more realistic dream.
A life of luxury on a budget is realistic in Malaysia, especially in places such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, where high-quality rentals are affordable. The delicious local food is cheap, internet and transport are efficient and health care is high-quality and affordable. The diverse and underrated landscape is also an asset, with lovely beaches, jungles and hill side retreats at one’s doorstep.
Sweden is a top-ranking place to grow old. For many, its charm lies in the lack of traffic and pollution, replaced by a wealth of lakes and lush open spaces. In summer the country’s outdoor lifestyle is unbeatable, but the contrasting winter season has its benefits for those who enjoy skiing and photography. Living costs are not as expensive as one would expect, and the health-care is first class.
New Zealand, though somewhat isolated, holds its own when it comes to being a great place to retire. Whether one prefers to live in a humble Kiwi ‘bach’ by a lonely beach or in a modern city apartment, it caters to all types. New Zealand is known for its hospitable people and outdoor lifestyle, as well as being nicely isolated from the world’s trouble spots and likely areas of international tension.
Vietnam has become a retirement hot spot in recent years. People are drawn to the pleasant weather, low cost of living and the lively culture, not to mention the beautiful beaches and countryside. Modern health care facilities are also accessible in the big cities. Despite the many positives, there can be some complications with retirees meeting official visa requirements, although these constraints can often be worked around.
