Occoquan River Scenic Overlook - Woodbridge Virginia

Retire Overseas:
Appealing and Affordable Choices

Retire overseas?

Retirement should be a time of health, wealth, and love.

You've left the working world behind, and now have the time to pursue the activities and passions you had to put off for years.

But what if you've made it to retirement age, and aren't sure you have the money saved to live well? Or perhaps you've lost your job, and as an older worker, your prospects for finding a job with comparable pay and benefits are dismal.

You might want to consider a new idea: retire overseas. The United States is quite expensive compared to many other areas of the world, so you can live on quite a bit less money in another country if you choose properly. Plus, you'll be in good company, as roughly three million Americans have retired abroad, according to estimates by the United States State Department.

Naturally, if you want to retire to a country that's cheap for Americans, you must recognize that it may not remain cheap forever. If the exchange rate changes and your dollars are worth less of the local currency, the place has become more expensive for you. And if scads of other foreigners discover the place, goods and services may become much more expensive, regardless of the exchange rate. That said, let's have a look at some appealing choices.

Great places to retire abroad: 8 safe, attractive and affordable places around the world where the cost of living and health plans are easy on the pocketbook.

Places to Live the American Dream Abroad by Kathleen Peddicord, Yahoo Finance

From an affordability standpoint, Latin America and Asia are perpetually popular choices, as many countries welcome Americans, and have the infrastructure, such as roads, restaurants, hospitals and clinics, and so on, that retirees require.

I can think of several countries around the Mediterranean Sea which would be right up my retirement alley!

The summers are pleasant, the winters are warm, the food is outstanding and the cost of living is very reasonable.

But back in this part of the world, the U.S. dollar has been historically strong, making those countries a great value. Argentina, Belize, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico all host sizable populations of Americans who retire overseas, and offer well-developed service industries.

In many areas, you will find that many natives speak English, so you probably do not need to learn Spanish, though you would benefit from doing so.

In addition, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Honduras are seeing more and more American retirees as well, as the countries mentioned above become more popular, crowded, and expensive. The Philippines and Thailand also remain popular choices for Americans, as you'll find many English-speaking people and many Americans.

That brings us to making friends. If you don't speak the local language, you may appreciate having other English-speaking retirees around to befriend.

Consider this carefully; do you make friends easily? Are you willing to learn the local language? Are you willing to become friends with local people? You might find your retirement experience enhanced immeasurably by learning the language and befriending locals.

A crucial factor for most retirees is health care. Americans who have not traveled abroad much may be surprised to learn that other areas of the world do have high-quality health care and professional doctors. And that they can pay for most care out-of-pocket easily.

Three million Americans can't be wrong: it's possible to retire overseas and live much better than you could back in the States.

Discover retirement advice by a Frenchman which also links to retire overseas with retirement ideas by celebrities and much more...

Covered in bougainvillea and trimmed in bright colors, this cottage could be your Home Sweet Home in the Canary Islands. The weather is outstanding and the lifestyle as easy as they come. We loved it there!

A bougainvillea covered house in the Canary Islands

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