I've been commenting on these "best place to retire" videos over the past few months because these channels usually only tell you one side of the story. My wife and I have been researching three of these countries, and over this past year many things have changed, and not for the better as far as retiring there. My advice is to research which ever country you are thinking about in more depth than these videos provide. I know people in two of the countries we're looking at, so it made finding out up to date, current living conditions easier. Either touring, or vacationing, in the area(s) you are considering will help a lot. Usually you can meet expats as well as locals when you book a tour, as they are trying to sell real estate in some areas, so they give you access to people and areas you wouldn't have on your own.
I really wish your editors would do more research (current research) on the places you put in your Best Places to Retire lists. What good is a place that has low or relatively low housing costs if you can't meet the financial requirements for getting a visa? I am of Greek ancestry, yet with Greece's current high financial standards for getting a visa, there is absolutely no chance I could live there. You must invest a minimum of between $427,713 to $855,427, depending on which location tier you choose to buy real estate in, in order to obtain a Greek Golden Visa. To qualify for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, you must prove a minimum monthly income of at least $2576 (I have no pension, and won't get $2000/month from social security unless I work until age 70). Portugal still has low income requirements for its D7 visa, but the country has a housing crisis, with costs rapidly rising and locals unable to afford housing and protesting across the country. Like a real estate agent, you like to point out all of the good points about these places, but don't talk about any of the downsides or difficulties one might encounter in trying to move to one of these countries.
These videos are just fun to watch. If you're serious about a move to another country, you have to do plenty of research on your own and visit several times at different seasons.
Ex-pat in Costa Rica. CR's socialized medicine costs me $41/month. Costa Ricans have a greater life expectancy than Americans. Paying less, living longer. Pura vida.
I love Malaysia, but their MM2H program is horrible. You are required to buy a house and not are not allowed to resell the house for 10 years. Spain’s taxes are enough for me to knock them off the list. I spent 6 months in Albania and think it should in the top 5.
Taxes are an issue if you're still working... luckily, Spain and America have an agreement that doesn't allow for double taxation. If you pay income tax in America, you don't pay the same income tax in Spain. If you're retired, taxes really shouldn't be an issue.
@@swtexan6502Anyone considering moving to Spain should talk to tax professionals. Even though both countries have a tax treaty, you are still subject to having your Roth IRA taxed as well as a wealth tax. Spains tax system is very confusing and some people have a rude awakening when filing their first tax return.
@ Panama, the safe zones are visited by gangs which rob and attack frequently or perpetrate scam’s, also it is still the money laundering capital of many, including Israel, it’s where they launder huge sums of USA dollars, it’s very corrupt of a country and designed to be that way.
@@sallylee6934 Different Mexican consulates have different fees. It would make sense to do some consulate shopping. Still, the Mexican fee is the very highest in Latin America. Costa Rica only requires $1,000 (US) a month.
Colombia should be on the list too. In Colombia there is a great choice of climates: 1) eternal summer (tropical), 2) eternal spring (warm days and cool nights) and 3) eternal autumn (not so warm days with cool nights).
Colombia isn't in the top 10 but it is included in our Retirement Index. You can see the full list here: internationalliving.com/the-best-places-to-retire/
I dont understand why videos like this dont have chapter marks to make it easier to search. Its one of the biggest reasons i dont subscribe or keep the videos on my rewatch list.
If ya don't have 14 minutes to view the vid, ya are in no position to retire anyway. Spoiled American wants your life managed for you. You will never survive in any of these places. Stay where you are.
The problem with this list is no one looks at things the same. We all have different priorities and expectations so there is only one way to know for sure. You have to actually go to these countries and see for yourself. Panama and Costa Rica are two of the most expensive Latin countries so if cost of living is a huge factor, they would not make the list.
Hey, You and everyone else say how great Portugal is; but now all I'm getting are posts about why it's bad and Americans are leaving. I was all set to go. Your opinion please.
Google Portugal housing crisis before you do anything else. So many expats have been moving to Portugal over the years that's it's driven up housing costs to the point that locals can't afford housing. Portuguese people are protesting about housing across the country.
Just go and check it out for urself. Only u can decide. I visited before the pandemic and thought it was awesome. I took my teenager. He rolled his eyes a lot but I think he liked it. We visited Porto, Caiscais, and Lisbon. Didn’t make it down south. While wandering thru Porto, I found an artist’s workshop and they invited me in. They were so warm and lovely. I also wandered into a church choir session which was so beautiful. Prob the negatives might have to do with taxes and the changing nhr program. And I believe there may be some backlash against all the foreigners.
@camiller4916 Not helpful. I can't just go. I have to check affordability, cost to ship van from US, healthcare, car registration, insurance, visas, new tax laws for 2024 etc.
You are doing this video in English - so I only see 1 country in these 10 which is suitable and that is # 7 Malaysia. All others will pose difficulty for US expats and render daily living essentials a real challenge for most ! 'Discomfort' isn't exactly desirable in your old age and neither is inconvenient living ? --- Only Malaysia requires English in school for their population and many either speak it - or - desire to learn ! Many coutries on your list have people who are 'indifferent' to it ? Not a good fit in my opinion - feeling like 'a fish out of water' ?
It's living abroad . What do you expect ? Learn the language or stay where you are. The ad says "cheap" places to retire. If ya can't even read that, you in trouble already.
@boink800 Well, actually, I'm there at this very moment (married a gal here in 2021) What would you like to know about it? I can tell you it's not exactly the safest place on the planet! 😆 Like most places, you are likely to find what you're expecting to find.... if you're looking for good things, you can find them. On the other hand, if you're looking for the bad, you won't have any trouble finding that as well!
@boink800 We just drove past Comayagua a little while ago.... we're on our way from Tegucigalpa (near Tatumbla, actually) to Las Vegas where we have some grandkids graduating this evening (Las Vegas, Honduras). We'll soon be going past el Lago Yojoa). Have you had occasion to visit Honduras? Have you picked up some Spanish along the way?
@boink800 Here's a video I captured of the 200th anniversary celebration of Honduras' independence, in Comayagua a couple of years or so ago (from my TH-cam channel) th-cam.com/video/qK8ZPcuYqEE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=UU-X_HXojrjHrYsF
Well I see Ecuador namely Cuenca is not the darling child it was for IL as recently as five years ago. Better for us not to have the hordes descending.
10. Thailand
9. Italy
8. Greece
7. Malaysia
6. Spain
5. France
4. Mexico
3. Costa Rica
2. Portugal
1. Panama
I have been to the 8 countries above
Thanks for all you do to educate others.
Protests in Spain and 6100.00 net income to retire in Mexico where as Thailand you need 2300.00 per month for the retirement visa.
I've been commenting on these "best place to retire" videos over the past few months because these channels usually only tell you one side of the story. My wife and I have been researching three of these countries, and over this past year many things have changed, and not for the better as far as retiring there. My advice is to research which ever country you are thinking about in more depth than these videos provide. I know people in two of the countries we're looking at, so it made finding out up to date, current living conditions easier. Either touring, or vacationing, in the area(s) you are considering will help a lot. Usually you can meet expats as well as locals when you book a tour, as they are trying to sell real estate in some areas, so they give you access to people and areas you wouldn't have on your own.
everyone I watch say visit and stay a while. Yet things are changing and there is upheaval going on.
@@andrejka_talking_out_loud Unfortunately, that is true in many places these days. It is making becoming an Expat much more difficult.
retiring to Italy? You must be joking. Damn expensive and a lot of problems…
Albania , Georgia- Batumi ,Montenegro ,Hungary , Poland : that’s my list for 2025.
I really wish your editors would do more research (current research) on the places you put in your Best Places to Retire lists. What good is a place that has low or relatively low housing costs if you can't meet the financial requirements for getting a visa? I am of Greek ancestry, yet with Greece's current high financial standards for getting a visa, there is absolutely no chance I could live there. You must invest a minimum of between $427,713 to $855,427, depending on which location tier you choose to buy real estate in, in order to obtain a Greek Golden Visa. To qualify for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, you must prove a minimum monthly income of at least $2576 (I have no pension, and won't get $2000/month from social security unless I work until age 70). Portugal still has low income requirements for its D7 visa, but the country has a housing crisis, with costs rapidly rising and locals unable to afford housing and protesting across the country. Like a real estate agent, you like to point out all of the good points about these places, but don't talk about any of the downsides or difficulties one might encounter in trying to move to one of these countries.
These videos are just fun to watch. If you're serious about a move to another country, you have to do plenty of research on your own and visit several times at different seasons.
Surprised Albania didn’t make the list.
US Citizens receive a automatic 365-day visa for Albania. What a great deal.
@ it's in my top 5 for when I retire.
Ex-pat in Costa Rica. CR's socialized medicine costs me $41/month. Costa Ricans have a greater life expectancy than Americans. Paying less, living longer. Pura vida.
I love Malaysia, but their MM2H program is horrible. You are required to buy a house and not are not allowed to resell the house for 10 years.
Spain’s taxes are enough for me to knock them off the list.
I spent 6 months in Albania and think it should in the top 5.
Taxes are an issue if you're still working... luckily, Spain and America have an agreement that doesn't allow for double taxation. If you pay income tax in America, you don't pay the same income tax in Spain. If you're retired, taxes really shouldn't be an issue.
@@swtexan6502Anyone considering moving to Spain should talk to tax professionals. Even though both countries have a tax treaty, you are still subject to having your Roth IRA taxed as well as a wealth tax. Spains tax system is very confusing and some people have a rude awakening when filing their first tax return.
My friend was robbed at gun point in Panama, his home was robbed 3 times in one year, it’s a very dangerous place.
Where at in Panama ? Colon ?
@ Panama, the safe zones are visited by gangs which rob and attack frequently or perpetrate scam’s, also it is still the money laundering capital of many, including Israel, it’s where they launder huge sums of USA dollars, it’s very corrupt of a country and designed to be that way.
I see that Ecuador is not on the list. I am not surprised, given the rise in crime and the lack of electricity.
Cuenca has a very thriving expat community, one of the largest in Latin America.
That's third-world country . Better I stay in the USA 🇺🇸 .
@@clariceJorge-y5r Do we like those mass shootings in the USA?
Ecuador isn't in the top 10 but it is one of the 20 destinations on our full Retirement Index.
@@clariceJorge-y5r Do we like those mass shootings in the US?
Please provide income tax info and visa requirements and costs for each country.
Mexico requires you to show 6100.00 per month Canadian for 6 month to retire there.
You can find all of that information and more on our website.
Cross out europe. Highest taxes in the world.
@@PhoenixwayNet Every country in Europe? Think again.
@@sallylee6934 Different Mexican consulates have different fees. It would make sense to do some consulate shopping. Still, the Mexican fee is the very highest in Latin America. Costa Rica only requires $1,000 (US) a month.
No mention of crime
No mention of mass shootings either.
Colombia should be on the list too. In Colombia there is a great choice of climates: 1) eternal summer (tropical), 2) eternal spring (warm days and cool nights) and 3) eternal autumn (not so warm days with cool nights).
Colombia isn't in the top 10 but it is included in our Retirement Index. You can see the full list here: internationalliving.com/the-best-places-to-retire/
No mention of road death tolls. Thailand might be low on murder rate, but road accidents will get you.
I dont understand why videos like this dont have chapter marks to make it easier to search. Its one of the biggest reasons i dont subscribe or keep the videos on my rewatch list.
Oh, the humanity... it's simply terrible not to have chapter marks!
The list is in the description.
If ya don't have 14 minutes to view the vid, ya are in no position to retire anyway.
Spoiled American wants your life managed for you. You will never survive in any of these places.
Stay where you are.
The problem with this list is no one looks at things the same. We all have different priorities and expectations so there is only one way to know for sure. You have to actually go to these countries and see for yourself. Panama and Costa Rica are two of the most expensive Latin countries so if cost of living is a huge factor, they would not make the list.
Hey,
You and everyone else say how great Portugal is; but now all I'm getting are posts about why it's bad and Americans are leaving. I was all set to go. Your opinion please.
Google Portugal housing crisis before you do anything else. So many expats have been moving to Portugal over the years that's it's driven up housing costs to the point that locals can't afford housing. Portuguese people are protesting about housing across the country.
Just go and check it out for urself. Only u can decide. I visited before the pandemic and thought it was awesome. I took my teenager. He rolled his eyes a lot but I think he liked it. We visited Porto, Caiscais, and Lisbon. Didn’t make it down south. While wandering thru Porto, I found an artist’s workshop and they invited me in. They were so warm and lovely. I also wandered into a church choir session which was so beautiful. Prob the negatives might have to do with taxes and the changing nhr program. And I believe there may be some backlash against all the foreigners.
@camiller4916 Not helpful. I can't just go. I have to check affordability, cost to ship van from US, healthcare, car registration, insurance, visas, new tax laws for 2024 etc.
Thailand should be #1
Maybe Portugal 🇵🇹 🤔
The background music was so annoying and unnecessary.
11:55 that's not the Panama 🇵🇦 flag 😂
Oops! It most definitely isn't. Our bad, thanks for catching that!
You are doing this video in English - so I only see 1 country in these 10 which is suitable and that is # 7 Malaysia. All others will pose difficulty for US expats and render daily living essentials a real challenge for most ! 'Discomfort' isn't exactly desirable in your old age and neither is inconvenient living ? --- Only Malaysia requires English in school for their population and many either speak it - or - desire to learn ! Many coutries on your list have people who are 'indifferent' to it ? Not a good fit in my opinion - feeling like 'a fish out of water' ?
It's living abroad . What do you expect ? Learn the language or stay where you are.
The ad says "cheap" places to retire.
If ya can't even read that, you in trouble already.
No …Vietnam
What about Honduras??? 😂
What about Honduras? Please tell us more.
@boink800 Well, actually, I'm there at this very moment (married a gal here in 2021)
What would you like to know about it? I can tell you it's not exactly the safest place on the planet! 😆
Like most places, you are likely to find what you're expecting to find.... if you're looking for good things, you can find them. On the other hand, if you're looking for the bad, you won't have any trouble finding that as well!
@@wa1den Comayagua is a very beautiful city and it would be a great place to retirees.
@boink800 We just drove past Comayagua a little while ago.... we're on our way from Tegucigalpa (near Tatumbla, actually) to Las Vegas where we have some grandkids graduating this evening (Las Vegas, Honduras). We'll soon be going past el Lago Yojoa). Have you had occasion to visit Honduras? Have you picked up some Spanish along the way?
@boink800 Here's a video I captured of the 200th anniversary celebration of Honduras' independence, in Comayagua a couple of years or so ago (from my TH-cam channel)
th-cam.com/video/qK8ZPcuYqEE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=UU-X_HXojrjHrYsF
Why only Thailand? Also, it's famous with human trafficking. There are other asian countries also great to live better than Thailand
Well I see Ecuador namely Cuenca is not the darling child it was for IL as recently as five years ago. Better for us not to have the hordes descending.
Some of these countries are very dangerous .
😂😮😮😮
Mexico, forgetting, too many drugs and poor country.
It seems you have never been to Mexico.