10 Best Places to Retire in 2024 (Visas, Residency, Healthcare, Taxes)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ค. 2024
- Learn a new language this year with Rosetta Stone. Use this link to get LIFETIME access to 25 languages for only $179 - that's more than 50% off the regular price! partners.rosettastone.com/tra...
What are the best places to retire in the world? International Living released its annual retirement index for 2024 with the top 10 best places to live abroad as a retiree. But nowhere is "perfect" so in this video I share with you the pros and cons to each destination. Plus, info about healthcare, taxes, cost of living, residency, visas, and more. Have questions? Comment below this video.
🌍 Are you thinking of retiring abroad? Get support for an overseas move by applying at www.travelingwithkristin.com/...
My Favorite Travel Gear: ✈️
Merino Wool Clothing: bit.ly/unboundmerino_twk
Online Money Transfer Account: bit.ly/travel_wise
Travel Insurance: bit.ly/SafetyWingIns
Amazon Travel Store: bit.ly/Amazon_TravelingWithKr...
Digital Nomads For Dummies Book: amzn.to/3JLLx5c
Stay in touch with my weekly travel newsletter: bit.ly/twktravel
Watch next: 👀
1 The Top 10 Best Places to Retire in the World
• The Top 10 Best Places...
2 Cost of Living in Costa Rica
• Costa Rica Cost of Liv...
3 Why Expats Leave Costa Rica
• 8 Reasons Why American...
4 Moving from the USA to Europe
• House Hunting in Europ...
5 The Best Countries for Americans to Live Abroad
• The Easiest Places for...
6 The Best Places to Live on $1,000 per Month
• Top 10 Best Places To ...
🎙 Subscribe to my weekly travel and living abroad podcast: bit.ly/BADNplaylist
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:49 10 - Colombia Pros & Cons
2:06 Colombia Retirement Visa & Taxes
2:54 9 - France Pros, Cons, & Healthcare
5:54 France Residence Permit & Taxes
6:22 Learn a Language with Rosetta Stone (Ad)
7:54 8 - Malaysia Pros, Cons, Costs, & Healthcare
9:36 Malaysia My 2nd Home Program
10:30 7 - Greece Pros, Cons & Healthcare
12:51 Greek Residency & Golden Visa
13:57 6 - Ecuador Pros, Cons, & Costs
16:16 Ecuador Retiree Visa & Taxes
16:56 5 - Spain Pros & Cons
20:08 Spain Non-Lucrative & Golden Visas
20:53 4 - Panama Pros & Cons
22:57 Panama Pensionado Visa & Healthcare
23:38 3 - Mexico Pros, Cons, & Healthcare
27:37 Mexico Permanent Residency & Taxes
28:48 2 - Living in Portugal Benefits
29:53 Portugal Challenges & Controversy
32:20 Portugal D7 Visa & Taxes
33:50 1 - Costa Rica Benefits & Healthcare
36:52 Costs & Crime in Costa Rica
38:30 Costa Rica Visa Options
39:06 Additional Countries (Underrated)
Source - International Living's Annual Global Retirement Index: internationalliving.com/the-b...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
👱🏻♀️ About: Kristin Wilson is the author of Digital Nomads For Dummies, the host of Badass Digital Nomads Podcast, and known as Traveling with Kristin on TH-cam. She's traveled to more than 60 countries and has been helping people move overseas since 2005.
❤️ Subscribe on TH-cam: / travelingwithkristin
📸 Follow on Instagram: bit.ly/TWKinstagram
Disclaimer: This video was produced in partnership with @RosettaStone This video is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered travel, tax, financial, investment, or any kind of professional advice. Video descriptions may contain affiliate or refer-a-friend links for products I use and recommend. Thanks for supporting the channel!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#bestplacestoretire #bestplacestolive #retirement #rosettastone #rosettastonepartner
![8 Reasons Why Americans LEAVE Costa Rica [Why I Left]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cbGMngGx2xk/mqdefault.jpg)
![คณะขวัญใจ - นางสาวขวัญใจ [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/a8zn5pGlRUY/mqdefault.jpg)
Learn a new language this year with Rosetta Stone. Use this link to get LIFETIME access to 25 languages for only $179 - that's more than 50% off the regular price! partners.rosettastone.com/travelingwithkristin
This is a great deal😮
They don't do Malaysian, only Indonesian. You know, Malaysia, the country that came right after the RS advert? I've lived here for 20 years now and love it, but yeah it's awkward to find good languages courses for it.
I agree!@@ReallyStrongGuy
Yes that's a tough one! Many languages are available but not all of them.@@bigglyguy8429
@@TravelingwithKristin Thought I had to pick a single language... Watching the video again. Just saw that it covers EVERY language. Even better deal than I originally thought.
Great video, Another factor to add is Do they spend a lot of time planning their financial future? The majority of people do not engage in planing for their future
I am considering retiring next year but the thought of retirement gets me anxious. I feel for everyone who have retired and filing social security during this time after putting in all those years of work . It’s so difficult for people who are retired and have no savings or loved ones to fall back on.
True, It has never been harder to understand how to build your money after retirement than it is right now with the inflation. The impacts of the U.S. dollar's gain or fall on investments, in my opinion are complex
Opting for an investment advisor is currently the optimal approach for navigating the stock market, particularly for those nearing retirement. I've been consulting with a coach for a while, and my portfolio has surged by 45% since Q1
wow that’s stirring! Do you mind connecting me to your advisor please.
Amber Angelyn O’ Malley is the licensed advisor I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment.
No matter where we live, there are always pros and cons as life is short to do the things you don't love doing. I've been hopping between Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam for ten years now since my early retirement from the States. Be mindful, be kind whenever possible, and be happy of what we have. We came to this world barehanded and we're going back with nothing. Sharing is caring. Peace from a genocide survivor under the Khner Rouge killing madness from 1975 to 1979✌️
Indeed, Thank you for sharing your journey and wisdom with us. Wishing you continued peace and happiness wherever your travels take you. ✌️😊
Colombia is so fucking dangerous you get kill over an stupid cell phone not worth it
Have fun. Enjoy life.🌏
@@TravelingwithKristin
very deep and so true
Kristen I so agree how you ended your video by showing that There are lots of great countries out there to retire in. I have been retired for ten years now. And one thing that I notice is. These countries rise and fall on the best place to retire list constantly. I'd like to propose an idea to you and your listeners. Instead of retiring to one country, Pick two or three countries that you would like to live in. Buy a primary residency in one of the countries, where you can store your stuff .Slow travel between countries. You will avoid being taxed.If you stay in one country, they will eventually TAX YOU. Most travel so this way you don't need a visa and avoid taxes 😊 you also avoid these SCAMS where you are required to deposit money, buy inflated property ,or have to show income. PROBLEMS SOLVED. You also have a permanent home to feel stable free of tax and visa problems, which change constantly.
My plan is 90 days in Italy, 90 days in DaNang Vietnam 🇻🇳, and one day less than 6 months in my house in Chiang Mai Thailand 🇹🇭
Then one week in USA for family and friends. 90+90+179+6= 365 days 😊
Nailed it David! I too have settled on slow travel. I can get bored with a place anyway. So it's perfect!
That's a fantastic idea David! It's a creative way to enjoy the best of multiple worlds without some of the common challenges. Slow traveling between countries sounds like an enriching adventure. Thanks for sharing your plan, and happy travels! 😊🌍✈️
That’s my current plan as well. 2 months in Europe to visit family and friends, and then 2.5 months each in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. November and December in California to see family and friends. Just bought our backpacks and getting house ready to rent out.
How about health insurance
AMERICANS HAVE TO PAY TAXES TO AMERICA NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE.
I am from Colombia and if possible I will not retire here. This country is not made for old people, transportation infraestructure is bad, traffic is one of the worst in the world, and security has become a real problem in big cities. Infletion is the highest in the region. Crime has gotten out of hand
Thank you - this gringo don't speak Spanish well either & it's frustrating ! -- I'm going to the PHILIPPINES -- BECAUSE -- THEY SPEAK ENGLISH and love Americans too ! -- Cost of living is very low as well - up to 70% less than the US average - depending on location. Their culture respects the elderly allowing them to the front of all lines for example. For me - I will feel much safer. > Thanks for your honesty ! 🤗
@@frankkluz9787 , Check the Canaries in Spain. I moved from florida to Fuerventura Spain. Cost of living is like 60% of florida ,safe, beautiful and climate amazing.
@@judymckee5992 - sorry but me & Spanish just don't get along very well & I DETEST being frustrated from that. -- Only a fool fails to recognise his own weakness. (?) I see mine very clearly ! -- Philippines it is w/super friendly English speakers !!! Also that isolation from quality specialty medical is an issue for my old decrepit body. -?-
@@frankkluz9787 , FYI, there are many expats who are English speaking here ( can join expats group ), I am now in the canaries and there are communities of English speaking. The sun and climate here is lovely, don't need acc nor heater.
I am Colombian living in Switzerland . God save me from retiring in Switzerland ! Everytime I go to Colombia I feel alife !
I have checked out Spain as a possible retirement destination. I spent time primarily in Valencia last summer. I was very impressed with the people there. It is a very communal country. Families go to outdoor restaurants and spend hours there without everyone's heads buried in their phones. They are very friendly, very helpful and seldomly rude. When I was there, I felt so calm because no one was annoying me or asking me for money. I rented a scooter for a week. People drove respectfully and the roads were by far the nicest, most well kept of any place I've been. It's a beautiful European country with amazing architecture and Mediterranean beaches, but it's not expensive at all. If you go to a bar and order a nice glass of wine, it's generally 3 euros or less. My favorite thing...the price you see is the price you pay!! If you go to a restaurant, if the menu says 10 euros for a dish...that's what it costs. Thanks for a VERY imformative video, Kristin. Keep up the great work!
Good info. Been contemplating Alicante / Valencia area. How much are the rents for 2 br apts. Spent a week @ the Roda Golf Resort, near Murcia and loved it but the place was a sleepy town. Prefer Alicante / Valencia and even Torre Vieja,
You should visit also Portugal, the most western country in Europe, in the west side of Spain. Even cheaper than Spain, with many different kinds of landscapes from North to South and wonderful coasts and beaches with good climate during almost all the year. The people are very friendly and truly do their best to receive tourists and people arriving to live there, from all over the world. Try to have a close look at Lisboa ("Lisbon", the capital), Sintra, Cascais, Porto ("Oporto") and Douro vineyards, Trás-os-Montes, Serra da Estrela (the highest mountains in Portugal, with nearly 2,000 m altitude), Alentejo region and Costa Vicentina (with wonderful beaches and landscapes) and the Algarve (the most southern region with amazing beaches). This country also has insular territory, with the beautiful islands of Madeira and Açores ("Azores"). The food is amazing in all the territory and very affordable. The wines are splendid. This is a great country for a living after retirement. Give it a try! 😄
@@conceicaocosta2515 Agree Portugal is a great country. Visited Lisbon, Madeira, Porto, Douro valley area and spent a month as scoping out visit planning for s D7 visa. Great country. lately the Real estate prices have gone through the roof and as expensive or more than America. Also the changes to the NHR rules has made it uneconomical with a high tax impact. On the contrary Spain real estate wise along teh costa Del sol is far less and very affordable.
Funny, U mention the fact that around here everyone asks 4 money, we just have to remember the USA is "Propaganda, world, since 1871
Too bad Spain taxes are insane
I’m an Air Force Brat. We moved a lot. One thing my dad taught me was don’t live in big cities. Pick a smaller city with a good Hospital, a university and access to a major highway. They will have good options for health care, eateries and entertainment and food.
I retired in 2008 at 60 with an IRA from a 28 yr job and Social Security. My first move was Eastern Tennessee. When I say live out of cities, Tennessee is a poster child for retired danger. Chatanooga, Knoxville and Memphis are just dangerous. I lived in a village called Coker Creek for seven years. Great people, climate, roads(I ride a motorcycle) and cost of living. I moved in 2022 when someone offered me twice what I paid for my cabin.
Now I’m living a bit north of Russellville, Arkansas. Cost of living is great. I can get to Little Rock’s airport in less than 2 hours. Great riding, wonderful people and a nice college(Arkansas A&M). Life is good.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice @kimhorton6109! It sounds like you've found some wonderful places to call home. Enjoy your retirement in Arkansas! 😊🏡
Although it is getting more expensive daily in Arkansas with housing almost doubling again this year
@@janb6065 I was very lucky to buy a home at the tail end of the low interest rates. Covid was why the economy took such a hit. Now it looks more like corporate greed is what’s carrying inflation now.
Retire in Bali-Indonesia, Bangkok or Chiang Mai-Thailand, Antalya-Turkey, Hoi An or Da Nang-Vietnam. All beautiful places, people are nice, and very affordable to live. The food is amazing.
I have a friend who lived in Costa Rica for 20 years. He left the country recently because of the-out of-contol crime. One of his expat neighbors was murdered in his home. This crime wave can be explained by the drug trafficking that has taken over the country in the last 10 years. So Kristin is absolutely right when warning us about the safety issues in this otherwise very attractive retirement country. As far as I am concerned safety is the #1 dealbreaker for a retirement place. So Costa Rica is out of the picture for now and it is a shame because the country had so much to offer and the language barrier is a lot less than in most other countries.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend's experience. Safety is indeed a top priority when considering a place to retire. It's important to weigh all factors carefully. Thanks for sharing your insights @thierrysf!
I left Costa Rica after 4 months, it is expensive and not safe.
I was in CR 10 years ago and it felt like it would have a lot of crime.
Security at retail stores and banks were robust.
Where in c.r. are you living. Stay out of the ghettos. I'm in Osa Peninsula. Very safe. No issues 10 years in c.r.
Costa Rica is far too expensive, roads are quite bad and there is no reliable public transport & healthcare. You need to pay top bucks for private healthcare. Its simply not worth it.
Two corrections regarding Greece: Compared to most places in the world, there is actually no language barrier as the vast majority of Greeks can communicate in English to different extents. Also, medical care is top notch in the sense that you can find any private-sector doctor of your choosing at any given time and the appointment will only cost you a fraction of the cost of most of the western world. Good luck getting this level of service in the UK or in France for example.
Awesome video. I moved to Mexico from Florida 3 years ago.Best move ever. I live in Queretaro. It's safer here than anywhere in the U.S. this is coming from a retired NYC police officer.
How did you pick it of all places?
That's great to hear @Rbhawk3rd! Queretaro sounds like a wonderful place to live. It's always encouraging to hear about positive experiences in new locations. Thanks for sharing!👍
😵💫😳👀
How you do for health insurance with pre existen conditions.
Thanks for sharing. Good to know
The top place to retire is Malaysia. English is widely spoken, warm all year round, good foods, mountains, beaches, rainforest. Malaysian are known for friendly and hospitable. The health system is excellent. You can buy property and start a business there. There are 3-tier of visa options besides retirement visa for retirees from all over the world. They are offering for 5, 10, 15, 20 yrs and can be renewable. As a retiree from America, you can live a comfortable life with your monthly social security benefits. The cost of living in Malaysia is 70 % cheaper than the USA. The currency exchange rate is impressive.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful insights @DorieKong!
Also, Malaysia doesn’t tax on income derives from sources outside of Malaysia and no capital gain taxes(except on property sales).
Thank you for the tip .. where in Malaysia?
DorieKong - You didn't mention anything about taxes & Safety!
@@lees7340 How is the safety climate?
I retired to Thailand from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2017. I lived 6 years in central Bangkok and now 1 year in the Isaan countryside. It has all the usual pros - low cost of living, great food, excellent health care, interesting culture, great infrastructure, beautiful parks and beaches. It has all the usual cons - language barrier (less so in cities), hot climate, driving on the left side of the road, challenging driving with a plethora of motorbikes, some low level corruption. We don't get cyclones or earthquakes. There is also strong expat community throughout Thailand. There was a military coup in 2014 but has been remarkably stable since then.
Retirement visas and extensions for those over 50 generally require a deposit of 800,000 baht ($23,000) or an income of 65,000 baht/month ($1,850). In 2022 Thailand introduced the 10 year long term resident visa (LTR). There are several categories of LTR. For retiree there is the pensioner LTR which costs 50,000 baht ($1,400) for 10 years but requires health insurance and a passive income of $80,000/yr. I have had the pensioner LTR for 1 year now.
Martypoll, what made you move to countryside after year in Bkk?
@@jnsa9454 6 years in Bangkok. We built a house in my wife’s village. After Covid I was ready for a change. I’m quite happy in the new house.
@jnsa9454 typically, a woman, Bangkok, is quite expensive compared to the rest of Thailand. Also, Bangkok traffic 😑 is insufferable. And throughout the year Bangkok Air is consistently poor quality 😢 you can avoid the country side farm burning (bad air ) by traveling for the 2 months of the worst of the season 😑
@@DavidWilliams-qr5yj Bangkok traffic is bad but they have an excellent extensive affordable public transportation system. I went 5 years without a car in Bangkok. Throughout most of the year Bangkok air quality is typical of any large city with traffic. In the winter months the AQI deteriorates due to agricultural burning and seasonal weather patterns. It never bothered me but I can understand those that are bothered during those months.
Visas r got changed this year…
I am SOOOOOO biased to SE Asia…I’ve traveled there extensively 30 times the last 15 years. I love tropical climates and hot weather. It’s super inexpensive and most major cities have incredible health care at a price that makes me so ANGRY at the prices in the West. A friend’s wife had a c-section in Da Nang, Vietnam and stayed in hospital 5 days. Total cost $500. I was hospitalized in Chiang Mai, Thailand after contracting an amoeba in a mountain village. A 3 day 2 night stay in a private room with a mountain view including labs, doctor fee, nursing cost $658. The quality of care was superior to USA experiences. For the most part, Asian people are so kind and peaceful and I have NEVER, EVER felt unsafe. I was kidnapped at gunpoint by two men in downtown Atlanta, Georgia when I was 19 y/o. Needless to say my, “Danger Will Robinson” senses are always sky high. (NOTE: “Danger Will Robinson” is from the Lost In Space TV show from the 60s where a family’s space adventure went bad and they hopped from planet to planet….totally cheezy)
It's incredible how the region offers not just tropical beauty but also affordable and high-quality healthcare. And it's heartening to hear that you've always felt safe and welcomed there. Thanks for sharing your adventures and insights @WilliamFluery! 😊🌴
I really appreciate the information, and the points you make in each video. Pros and Cons, laying out the options for each place. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support Komm Sofort! I'm glad you find the information helpful. 😊
Awesome! Kristin always has thorough and intelligent High Effort videos.
Thank you!
@@TravelingwithKristin You Very Welcome ..
Great stuff, Kristin! Thanks for sharing. ❤
You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed it! ❤️😊
Like always. Great information Kristin!
Thank you Ricardo! I'm glad you found the information helpful! 😊👍
Thank you! This was very thorough and well done!
Thank you! Glad all the hard work paid off :)
This was a excellent video with relevant information 🎉Thank you for posting
Well thought out and presented. Great stuff Kristin
Thank you so much @DarthFurball! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊👍
Great video, thanks. Over the years, I’ve been to most of the places that you mentioned in the video, so I’m grateful for that. I’m from Canada and now that I’m ‘retired’, I enjoy going to Mexico. No jet lag, it’s an easy flight, my dollar goes farther than in the US or Europre, it’s nice cultural change from where I live and I find the Mexican people to be very polite and I’ve never had a safety issue. I like the geographical variety in Mexico too. It is noisy at times, but I use ear plugs during the holidays. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Glad you enjoyed it, Martin, and that you’ve been able to travel so extensively. I’ve had a similar experience re: safety in Mexico and I always travel with multiple pairs of earplugs just in case of noise.
Where in Mexico do you travel or hang out??
@@samlopez1013 For the last few years, I’ve been going to Ajijic by Lake Chapala. It’s a small town and it’s easy to meet people and lots to do. There’s a lot of retired people here, so not really a party town.
We're heading back to Ecuador in September. We'll begin splitting our time between holidays in the States and the rest of the time in the south of Ecuador. Thanks for always providing great content! Keep on keepin' on!
That sounds like an exciting plan @2ndSprings! Enjoy your time there and safe travels! Thank you for your kind words and support! 🌎😊👍
Great video packed with lots of information! Thanks Kristin.
Great information as always. Thank you!
Our pleasure, Ron!
The time stamp was perfect. Thank you
You're welcome Paul!
Super informative video on retiring abroad! It covers everything - visas, healthcare, taxes. Makes planning so much easier
Thank you! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the video helpful. 😊🌍
Love your show Kristin! ❤
Thanks Rico!
This is such a fantastic rundown of the best retirement countries
Thank you Ian! I'm thrilled you found it helpful. 😊🌟
I’m so glad I found your channel. So informative.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you're finding the content informative. Happy to have you here! 😊👍
Good informative video, thank you. God bless you.❤️
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 💛
Those are some great destinations to retire in! I can agree that there are other destinations like the ones you listed at the very end which could easily go in the top 10 as well. I feel that each country will appeal to different people based on what they want. Awesome video!
Thank you, Scott! I'll make another video to cover the places that were left off the list
Thank you for sharing this interesting video
thanks Kristin, very informative!
You're so welcome Manotick Girl!
Great video and so informative. Thank you!
I'm glad you found the video informative @Hello_Pri! You're welcome!😊👍
Thanks for sharing Kristin. I definitely want to retire somewhere and I am still trying to decide where to go. I've been to 5 counties on this list.
Always well done. I've been taking a good long look at Greece, where I lived for a couple of years growing up, but Madeira/the Algarve are on my list.
Thanks Doug; Greece and Portugal are both good options
I am currently traveling along the French Riviera on a long stay visitor visa (non-renewable). My first time in France and I am blown away. It's the beauty and just the whole vibe. But I find it is quite expensive to eat out so I don't do it much. The grocery shopping is amazing and very reasonable. I agree with learning French making things much easier. I know very little, but I think it will be less of an issue while I'm in the Nice/Antibes area. Definitely under-rated for retirement.
I love the French Riviera - enjoy!
French people don’t use deodorants!😷
Kristin, thank you. You are so well traveled! I wish I knew you.
thanks Kent!
Saving for future me. Thanks, Kristin!
You're welcome @AThirstyPhilosopher! 😊
kristen great video I am glad you tell both sides pros and cons thanks I am off this spring to portugul and going to stay for 30 days then spain love the channel keep up the good work jeff future digital nomad in training lol
Thanks Jeff! Sounds like a great way to kick of your digital nomad lifestyle:)
Great information Kristin, thank you. That was the first time I had heard of France being a good place to retire.
Glad it was helpful, Cindy. France is a great option for retirement as well as for remote work. Their temporary stay visa also works for digital nomads.
Great presentation, you covered the big issues where other sites miss important points
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you found the presentation helpful!
Great Videa Kristin
Thank you Kristina for sharing this information
You're welcome @ninalangaroudy9844!
Agree that Costa Rica is very expensive, especially compared to neighboring Colombia - which I vastly prefer
Colombia is WAY BETTER! In CR nature is beautiful the volcanos, beaches, and tropical forests and that's it. A friend from the Netherlands asked me to show her San Jose, I did and at the end she said and I quote: San Jose is UGLY! 🤣
And healthcare is much better in Colombia.
Thank you for you detailed information especially the 1 page at the end of each country.
You're welcome! I'm glad you found the information helpful! 😊🌟
It is not 'almost' a requirement anymore to learn to speak French if you want to live in France long term. It is an actual requirement now. (If you want a carte de séjour pluriannuelle, which you now must apply for after a few years of renewing short-term visas, you'll need to pass a French DELF test at A2 or above. And long-term 10-year EU resident cards will now require passing a DELF B1 test, rather than A2.) Fortunately, most people wanting to retire in France won't have to worry about their French level, as most retirees are on carte de séjour visiteur visas, which don't have a language requirement - and for the other types of visas, those over 65 are exempt. But anyone who has tried to live here without being able to speak French adequately can tell you, it is not so comfortable to get by without it, and everyday politeness absolutely requires at least the basics: bonjour, merci, bon journée, etc.
You seem to know a lot specifically about retiring in France. I had a carte de séjour, passed my medical, in 2012, owned a home, and long story short I came back to the states and plan to start over at some point. I’m 61 I want to retire in France….can you help?
I learned French in the UK , where I went to high school, tho I’m an American. I also spent a year abroad in my Jr Year in Paris and took advantage of that golden opportunity to get a bit more fluent. It also helps that I majored in French in college! 😮 So I will probably retire there. But what about Italy??? That too seems like a decent retirement option, especially if you aim for Sicily or southern Italy in Salento or Calabria. 😊
Who would want to live in France nowaday if he is not poor and /or on " social" assistance??
Tax is theft and France is the boss in the business of it.
@@pawlieblog7967 I just read an article this morning about Calabria offering money for people to move there, if under 40. ☕
I had Frenchman tell me never go to Paris.
Nice to see you smiling again. All the stuff you've been posting lately, you've been looking all pensive.
Thanks for the concern, J Leffel! I appreciate it 😊🙏
Thank you Kristin! ❤
You are so welcome @LifeinGlow!
great video. as always. thanks 💜
Thanks for watching! 😊
A lot of work to do this video. Thank you
You are welcome! 😊
Thank you for taking the time to put this video together and post it here. I have some comments that are based on the research my wife and I have done over the past two years or so, and from people I still refer to as my in-laws from a previous marriage.
First, Central America was a top choice for us to become Expats in, specifically in Panama (our #1 choice). My wife and I had a tour of Panama planned last year, unfortunately, due to an unforeseen medical issue, we had to cancel our trip at the last minute so as not to lose our deposits or airfare costs.
As far as Panama goes, there is a lot going on there over the past year that has us second guessing this choice. It isn't just the crime we hear about in Central America that has us worried. We currently live on the West Coast of the US, and this isn't the only place dealing with drought conditions.
The Panama Canal has been operating at reduced capacity due to the drought conditions there increasing. The water used to operate the locks of the canal is fresh water that is pumped in to get the ships through the canal. This water level has been greatly reduced by the drought conditions, and the traffic through the canal was reduced by 36% last year. There are ships sitting in the ocean for weeks at a time waiting to get through the canal, causing delivery backlogs of many types of goods.
With the water levels being so low, this will affect drinking water available for the public, not just the shipping lanes. So, we don't plan on trading the same problem we have on the West Coast for a move to Central America. You can tie Costa Rica in with this, as the water shortage on top of the crime levels from drug cartels has steered us off of moving to that area.
As far as Ecuador goes, I was married to an Ecuadorian woman for 20 years and spent a lot of time in the country. It is a beautiful country, and I had plans many years ago to retire there. Unfortunately, the drug cartels and gangs have been taking over, especially at the ports, where they force people into paying for protection, or they simply shoot them on the spot. You can look this up, how many fisherman were murdered just last year by drug / gang members looking for their "protection money".
When my in-laws are telling me it is a scary time there in Ecuador, I tend to listen to them over someone that has not even visited the country. It is really a shame, because affordability and medical care are two big pluses in Ecuador, but it simply is not worth it to retire there in the near future.
I gave up on Mexico many years ago when people that had been retired there for 20+ years were forced to leave after the Mexican government decided they wanted the property back where the retirement community was located. There was nothing they could do, the property was simply taken back and that was it. There many articles saying this is not possible, or is not being done in Mexico, but please read through this article from the Los Angeles Times about several instances where this is very true.
www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-27-mn-42784-story.html
The only other place on this list we might consider is Greece. We have a friend who is currently in the process of getting his Greek citizenship, and we will see how that goes for him, and what it would involve for us. I've heard good things about Portugal and Malaysia, but due to some other issues that we discovered after looking into those countries, they are not at the top of our list.
Excellent informational video . Thank u so much
You're welcome! I'm glad you found the video helpful. 😊👍
Thank you for your expertise on the top 10 best to live as a retiree
You're welcome! I'm glad you found the information helpful, @celiamirabal8678! 💛
I liked how you took a 'mainstream' list of options but, rather than rehashing its proposed rankings, you took the trouble to 'react' to it, as proposed: Giving the pros and and cons for each option, based upon your personal experience and knowledge on the subject. That way, 'the list' makes more sense, and the info in it is more meaningful to one looking for retirement alternatives.
Thanks so much for the feedback - so glad you enjoyed the format
Kristin's experience makes her interpretation and information invaluable!
I agree. This was well put together!!
investing requires good experience and knowledge to carry out a good and successful trade, I have lost a lot trying to trade all by myself May I ask which investments are good?......
Considering that I am only three years away from retirement, it becomes challenging for me to solely concentrate on the long-term perspective. Despite having invested in reputable companies and having a significant amount of funds allocated, my profits have been stagnant. This situation raises the question: Does the current recession and unstable market offer any calculated risk opportunities for generating profits?
how do I get in touch with this consultant that assist?
Thanks for the info . Found her website and it really impressive
Index funds. Warren Buffett said so. (And did an experiment to show it.)
Very informative and well done video! I’ve been to many of these countries and have lived in a few others as well. Ecuador is one of my favorites. SE Asia is very nice also! I’ve lived in the Philippines and love it there!
I am British and have had a property in Portugal for the past 20-years and I have permanent residency. I am now retired and spend 6/7 m0nths here from October thru to May. I am living in the Algarve area. The climate is the best in Europe with no real extremes. Winters are warm an comfortable, though can be cool at night and climate control systems are advisable. Its probably the safest I have felt in any country, outside of Singapore.
There is really nothing that I find offensive about the country. Mostly its a more elderly ex-pat community, though many younger remote worker types are here too. Many Americans I now see relocating to Portugal too. Its far cheaper to live here than in the UK, and certainly far more pleasant than UK, which is going down the pan very rapidly indeed. Portugal I highly rate.
It sounds like you've found a wonderful place to call home in Portugal, Rich C! It's great to hear about your positive experiences and how welcoming the community is to expats of all ages. Thanks for sharing your perspective! 😊🇵🇹
14 years in Mexico. Still happy. No matter where you live, there are plusses and minuses. I speak rudimentary Spanish. When my Spanish fails me I have a translation APP on my phone. Also, I note that many people speak English, and schools I am told are encouraging kids to learn English. I live in a comfortable home near the beach on the Yucatan side. Merida, a large city, is about half an hour from home. We have Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Dairy Queen, Wendy's, Burger King and even McDonald's. So if you need a bit of home stores, they are around. Purchase prices on homes, with my family home here only costing around $40,000 USD, but that was 14 years ago! There are tons of people from the US, Canada, France, Spain, England, and on and on. It is a melting pot of expats. Mayan Culture, pyramids, and artifacts abound. Crime hasn't been an issue and I hope it stays that way. We also are near a cruise ship port ... lots of tourists and the beach is near ... the electricity is on most of the time, but when it is off you want to shout! lol. Solar assists are great and even a generator is a decent back up. We have neither ... so after 14 years I am not really complaining. I will say, Mexican people are friendly and kind for the most part. And, they are the most hard working and industrious people I have ever met. And it is rather nice to be able to hop on a flight to the USA and be back is a very short time, if you want to! Cheers! Viva La Mexico!
Nice Video Kristen! I definately interested in cheap places but i would also be willing to consider some places that dont make the super cheap list. How about a video on some not so cheap places but places that make it easy regarding bureaucracy, language(english por favor) etc. Thanks!
That's coming up in an upcoming video. Stay tuned!
Singapore,New Zeeland,Norway,Denmark,Austria,Antiqua and Barbuda,Dominica,
Saint Kitts and Nevis,Barbados,USA!
Thanks Kristin for your great ideas! How about a Tranquility Index? Peace and quietude are important to me. Would be curious to hear what you think. Thanks !
Interesting! I know there's a happiness index but will look into that. Sounds peaceful!
Much of Asia and LATAM is quite noisy...fyi.
@@TravelingwithKristinsomething that I worry about and my friends as well is the treatment of animals and livestock in foreign countries. I literally will not live in the south of the United States due to neglect and abuse of pets and slaughterhouses.
What's a vegan pet lover to do?
verry helpful !
Great job as usual, Kristin! I'm looking really hard at Boquete in Panama, and also Bulgaria/Romania, but I don't think either one of those countries has good quality healthcare do they? I know you lived in that beautiful mountain town in Bulgaria for awhile and I really liked that place!
Nice informative
Thanks DK
Interesting and valuable info.
Glad you found it helpful! 😊
Thank you so much for this video! I'm pretty sure I'll be needing you in my life. Joking/Not-joking...
I'm glad you enjoyed the video Celtic! 😄👍
Thank you Kristin, one of the best retirement video's I've found!
Wow, thank you, Greg!
How can you forget Brazil? It is one of the cheapest countries in the world, especially down south. In 2015, bought a very nice house in the German style touristic town of Nova Petrópolis in the mountains near the coast for the equivalent of 70 thousand US dollars. Food is incredibly cheap and there are many excellent restaurants. Where I live you can walk on the streets with no fear of being assaulted and the local population are very tourist friendly.
Small cities in Brasil are cheaper and safe, other different story are Rio or Sao Paulo, expensive and not very safe
Great and informative video, Kristin!
One additional item I would have featured on the stats page is whether there is a Wealth Tax (yearly tax on an individual's net worth) for each country. Spain does, Portugal doesn't. for instance, and so it is another important consideration for retirees.
Good idea, Devin! Will add to. the next video
Portugal taxes your US pensions and income....
Hi Kristin. So valuable and genuine informations. Though it's difficult to focus on any particular country since each one has pros and cons, it's upto the person to decide which one. By the way..I wanna know more about other places to final my decision. Though I still have years to decide on my retirement, it's good to know in advance.😊. Thanks for this and I'm sure you're doing fine 👍
Thanks Jay; I hope this helps you and others watching who are trying to decide on a destination. It’s a tough decision but I’m happy to help
great video !!
I live in Spain and have been here for a bit over 3 years. It is possible to study for your driving test and exam in English. That option was given to me.
Excellent video. Thank you very much/
Great info, thanks!
You're welcome! 😊
I'm not going to tell you where I live but will tell you it's not the US. IF you plan on living in an expat area don't expect lower costs. First rule of success is avoiding purchasing property until you have lived there for 2 years. And don't trust real estate agents.
Depend on where in the world u are going to live. In rich industrial country you cannot buy anything as long you have stay- workpermission
Thank you for the valuable information. I'm surprised Vietnam isn't included on your list. I've heard it's a fantastic city for retirement, boasting low costs and good healthcare, among other benefits.
Such great info, thanks!! Do wish the summary screens stayed up just a bit longer - kept having to rewind to pause, often because commercials cut them off the moment they appeared.
Thank you for the feedback! We were debating how long to leave them up as some people would read them but others would skip them or potentially click off if up too long. But I'll make a note to extend them a bit for next time.
@@TravelingwithKristin Hard to please everyone 😆 I actually got on my laptop to screen-shot the summaries - such a concise pic of each country!
I have been 3 times in Costa Rica. The first time was in 2002 and I lived there for 3 months I was robbed when I was leaving the bank. After that in 2013 they opened my rental car and stole all our bags. In 2014 they stole my surfboard at a hotel. Mexico is more safe for sure. I have been traveling to Mexico probably 20 times. ❤️Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca, los cabos are may favorites places. Btw I surf
Wow, you've had quite the adventure Lucia! It's unfortunate to hear about those incidents in Costa Rica, but it sounds like you've found some amazing spots in Mexico.🏄♂️ Thanks for sharing your experiences! 🌊🇲🇽
I’m going to a café and this video is gonna be my entertainment after I saw it was 40 minutes, because I like these long videos. I’ll comment later.
Great to hear; enjoy!
I am originally from Greece. Came to the states as a child. I plan to retire there in my early fifties. I am 38 now so quite a ways to go. The good thing is I am a citizen there , I speak the language good enough to live there and my parents do have a house there so if I am still single in my fifties I will definitely be moving. I personally love America but it is too expensive for me to retire here plus the weather can be brutal in the winter months as I live in the east coast of America.
It is a "gift" if people can learn about cultures to be tolerant about melding in new environments - to be able to share experiences. You can learn to enjoy the experience of blending in with other cultures, because you can experience a better quality of life and benefit from the savings from living better in other countries. Quality of life can be so much better abroad.
So where do you want to move?
Come to Florida
one can very good get by with English in Greece (in all relevant regions actually). In difference to the French, many other traditional bad foreign language speaker countries have in the last 10 years changed a lot. Portugal is now within the best 10 countries in the English proficiency ranking (which are usually mostly and in the past only Western-Central and Northern European countries like the Northern, Germany, Dutch, Austria etc.). Also Poland, many other Central- and Eastern European countries evolve fast. French and Spain are still significant behind. And every multiuser online gamer knows such things: France, Russia, Turkey are the typical bad English speaker countries (among the ones who are with some numbers in online games. Its not the entire world - most of Africa is usually not present).
Having studied Portuguese for many years with Brazilians, when I went to Portugal I was totally shocked and practically unable to communicate. lol
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Thank you very much for your time and posting. Not quite sure where I want to go. Ecuador did not work for me.
You're welcome, David
Why Ecuador did not work for you?Which country are you coming from.?
@@yvesderival634 Coming from America. Too much graffiti (everywhere), petty crime (every building has barbwire, glass on time of fences, etc.), a lot of smog, and TBO, food was just okay. Now I am thinking of Malaysia. :)
Great video,
Glad you enjoyed it @davesites! 😊
Finally you hit the nail P. O R. T. U. G. A. L I can retired there Thank you very much.
My experience with speaking French is that the younger people don't mind as much as the older people If you have limited French or no French language skills. For taxi's in a big city like Paris it really helps to speak some but you'll find most taxi drivers are not natives they're from places like Morroco and elsewhere.
Interesting insights from your travels - thanks for sharing!
I lived and worked in Mexico for many years. I witnessed increasingly levels of crime mostly driven by ever increasing cartel activities. Desperate people do desperate things. The tourist areas provide a very thin vale to the high levels of murder, mutilated bodies, and significantly high levels of femicide which, for strange cultural reasons, appears to be endemic in Latin American countries. I was especially exposed to all of this working in mostly rural areas (utility/water resource consulting work) while passing through small to medium size towns and cities. Broke my heart to leave Mexico and all the wonderful professional and personal relationships behind. It was a visceral feeling driving my decision after spending 20+ years in a place, emersed in a culture, that I will miss indefinitely. I now visit through literary works of some of the literary greats this fabulous country produced. Siempre estás en mis pensamientos mi corazón Mexico.
It's clear that your time there was filled with rich experiences and meaningful connections T W. While leaving must have been difficult, it's heartening to hear that you still hold Mexico close to your heart. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Hey, great video thanks. Do you have a digital nomad visa vid?
Hi @telandjen! Yes, I do have a digital nomad visa video here: th-cam.com/video/FH_f7MBCh9Y/w-d-xo.html and you can also check out the database: www.digitalnomadbootcamp.com/digital-nomad-visa-database
Ive been to many of these places many times. One thing I'm struck by with your videos is your attention to the minute details that may figure big to a visitor or prospective expat.👍 And Dang! Panama is soooo hot!!! Otherwise perfect for expats.
Just left Sesimbra yesterday. I find that Portugueses people are not particularly friendly. My Spanish is passable, but the Portuguese language is very difficult.
Thank you for the compliment Michael! I'm glad you appreciate the attention to detail in my videos. Sorry to hear about the heat in Panama, but it's great to hear it's otherwise expat-friendly. Enjoy your travels, and thanks for sharing your experiences! 😊👍
V.ery good info
Thank you, Ann. So glad it was helpful.
I'm interested in Cyprus and Malta but it was great to get some insights about other countries ;)
Glad you found the insights helpful! 😊🌍
I’m heading to Cyprus. I visited back in November where temps were still at 75F and their amazing beaches were full. Low taxation and healthcare is very good. Most Drs are educated in USA, Germany, UK and Greece. Modern as well as historic. Friendly people. Not for everyone but in my opinion, for most! A little bit more expensive than Portugal and Spain. Amazing food and some excellent wines too
Very informative! Thank you! 🙏🏽
Glad it was helpful!😊
Thanks Kristin. I remember requesting this video a few months ago and you have delivered! I've been to 9 countries in Asia and I can understand how Malaysia is on the list. There is a very friendly vibe there despite the religious climate. Thailand is one of my favorites too. But that would be too far for me personally to go for retirement. I just joined Alliance Francaise to get more practice speaking French. Never been to France but well, just have to check it out since I speak pretty decent French. I'm a bit concerned about the war in Ukraine and how that will affect all of Europe in the coming years though. Oh well, I guess we will see, right? Thanks again.
You're welcome Michelle! I'm glad I could fulfill your request. Concerns about global events are understandable, but let's hope for the best and keep exploring new possibilities. 😊🌍✈️
Malaysia, which is located in the center of Southeast Asia, can reach Bangkok, Bali, and Ho Chi Minh City in approximately three hours or less.
Thanks!
Welcome! Thanks @yasmeenhydari7070! 🙏😊
Your reporting on Spain (and also on Greece and Malaysia) are complete misleading. spain e.g. is not the 2nd cheapest country in europe. I am European and Spain has 2 options. The trashy coast of Costa del sol where you get drunk kids all season like Spring Break in the US. you dont want to live there. And any European would avoid it (apart from impoverished British retirees). The 2nd option are the cities Madrid and Barcelona which indeed are somoe of the best places in Europe BUT they are also some of the most expensive places in Europe. Barcelona is like New York but with more sunshine. You have Super yachts from American families like the Waltons, Bill Gates and Russian Oligarchs parked in the marina so you know that cost of living is not cheap. Food is very nice but again tapaz are horrendously expensive in the cities. There is no cheap street food version of the food.
With regards to Malaysia, you cannot seriously recommend to a westerner to live there. The locals are extremely racist and exclusive towards other nationalities even towards other Asians. The entire administration is rigged towards the local (lowly skilled) population. Most young people try to get jobs in Singapore and even commute for 1 or 2h per day because Malaysia is poor and religion rules the country. I lived in Singpaore for many years and visited Malaysia often. Its a nice weekend trip or good for a week of holiday but noone in their right miind would retire there.
Kudos Kristin for catching the foreign pension tax exemption in Colombia which was just made effective as part of the tax legislation which passed at the end of 2023. In fact, I don't think a lot of retirees here are even aware of this exemption yet, but it sure is a relief for those of us who retired here solely on Social Security or other pension income.
Thanks for the kudos Juan! It's great to hear that the new tax exemption is providing relief for retirees in Colombia. Spread the word so others can benefit too! 😊👍
I live in Ecuador (it's quiet and peaceful, even now) and I would like it if you could do a best english speaking countries to retire in. Great video, thanks!
Thanks for your suggestion, Neil! I appreciate your input. I'll definitely consider your idea. Stay safe! 🌟
Duolingo is fabulous and free.