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10 Best Countries to Retire Where $150K Is More Than Enough

What are the best countries to retire to? 

For most of us, thinking of retirement seems intimidating and expensively daunting. In spite of having saved up for your retirement for many years, you may not have saved a sufficient amount to retire well. A relaxed and contented retirement life is measured in millions nowadays.

We all want to be pensioned off to a place commendable for all those years of hard work and stress. A place with pleasant lapping waves, natives, and palm trees. What if you moved to another country, nonetheless? You’d instantaneously cut down on day-to-day expenditures, health care, and housing costs. We have listed 10 countries where you could retire on $150k or less in savings and still live contentedly and comfortably.

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1. Czech Republic

Living in the Czech Republic bids many benefits, from accessible healthcare to its rich cultural history, Czechia serves as a home to many diverse communities.

The Czech Republic’s authorized language is Czech which ties roots with other various Baltic and Slavic languages. English is the common language spoken in bigger centers and foreign areas. Whereas the cost of living in the Czech Republic is within your means, ranking 42% more affordable than the US. Due to its low cost of living and expanding emigrant population, the country is an all the time more prevalent retirement last stop.

The Czech Republic government doesn’t offer or deal with an explicit retirement visa. If the idea is to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days, then one needs to apply for a long-term visa, which is issued for approximately a year.

2. Bolivia

Bolivia, one of South America’s most diverse countries, has been attracting expatriates for years with its lovely weather, exclusive geographical landscapes, and enormously low cost of living.

Bolivia is known for its spectacular tourist attractions spots and experiences. With more than 11 million people, Bolivia is a country where you will find stunning crystal lagoons, lavish tropical rain forests and mirror-like salt lakes, and most of all the vast native cultures which bring Bolivia to life.

Community health care in Bolivia is yet under development, so one needs to find better care in private clinics and expenses can be enclosed with health insurance. Several foreign retirees and emigrants can spend a comfortable and stress-free life for around $1,000 a month in reasonably priced Tarija, Santa Cruz, and La Paz. Spanish is commonly spoken in larger centers and tourist areas.

3. Belize

Belize, with its Caribbean sensations, gorgeous nature sanctuaries and beaches, and affordable, slower pace of life has led to a growth in popularity with international retirees.

Having one of the world’s finest retiree curricula, the government of Belize provides qualified retirees an immunity from taxes on all income resulting from sources outside Belize, through the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Program, whether such revenue is earned or passive, and whether or not it is submitted to Belize.

It is fairly simple to become a resident of Belize if one is in good health and would like to move to the country for a few years.

4. Vietnam

Culturally rich in music, art, and literature, Vietnam is rapidly becoming a widely held retirement last stop, position among the top 10 cities with low living costs. With a sound retirement saving in the bank, a retiree can comfortably revel in delicious meals, take long and exotic trips and rent good accommodation.

Having a good basic health care system, Vietnam does lack the specialized medical services of surgeries and etc. The country does not bid for a retirement visa, even so, citizens of the USA can benefit from a one-year multiple-entry visa that can be renewed. The only prerequisite is to exit the country once every 90 days.

The best thing about living in Vietnam is that the majority of the population speaks the English language.

5. Ecuador

If you want to live large on a small budget, then Ecuador is the place to settle in for all retirees. With its instinctive natural vicinities, eventful cities, charming ancient towns, and low cost of living, there’s something for everyone in Ecuador.

With prices competitive with North America and Europe, Ecuador has something to offer to all retirees. It’s a land of prospect, where a middle class is established. Ecuador is on its way to joining the global economy, after suffering from a long economic stagnation.

With the option for visitors to stay in the country for only 90 days, retirees should contemplate applying for a pensioner residency visa at an Ecuadorean consulate in the U.S.

6. Ireland

Ireland offers the best of traditional country living. While housing prices in major cities like Dublin are very high, there are still plenty of seamless places for a lower-cost and low-key retirement on the Emerald Isle. Whereas, in communities such as MO Hill, Edgeworth town, and Ballymore, accommodation can be as low as $100,000.

Ireland is a great option for part-time retirement days. For instance, it is a perfect country to spend the beautiful spring and summer months on the Emerald Isle, but its best to escape during the harsh winter months.

Unlike many countries on this list, Ireland does not have a retirement visa option if you are not an EU national. Visitors need to apply for a “D” visa that would permit them to stay in Ireland for three months.

7. Chile

Chile is a first-world country with Latin America’s peak standard of living. The water is safe to drink, phone and Internet services are fast and consistent, the public transport system is up-to-date and well-organized, and the highways are modern, fast, and well-maintained.

Popular for its stunning beaches, regal mountains, busy cities, and warm and welcoming people, Chile offers the chance to enjoy a safe, comfortable, middle-class lifestyle for a fraction of the cost of retiring in the U.S. If you want to enter Chile bent on retiring there, you’ll need a regular tourist visa and then apply to change it to a retirement or income visa. Those are good for one year.

8. Uruguay

Uruguay is a country that enjoys all four beautiful seasons, due to its prime location below the tropical zone in the Southern Hemisphere. Summers are contentedly warm, with a usual high temperature of 82 F. Whereas, in the winters the average high is expected at 58 F, cooling down to 43 F at night. Bitter cold temperatures are occasional and rare.

Uruguay is the country best fit for the adventurous type. If you are someone looking for a retirement life that’s off the beaten path and every day calls for something new and something crazy, then this is the country to move to.

The average standard and cost of living are greater than in other Latin American nations — but even then, food, housing, and clothing are still far less expensive compared to the U.S. Uruguay offers numerous visas that might work for retirees. The first is the rentista visa, which involves evidence of a monthly income of $1,500 for a solo candidate.

9. France

France offers an outstanding quality of life along with all the modern comforts a retiree can enjoy at home. It has a generally moderate climate, nevertheless, there are several provincial deviations. France isn’t the first starting point you’d think of for a cheap retirement — but several of its smaller towns are known for their affordable housing.

This country has a well-mannered, welcoming population with a good sense of humor. The French are hospitable, and if you learn a few words and phrases, they will go out of their way to help you. France doesn’t have a distinct visa for retirees, so you’d have to apply for a long-term visa at a French consulate in the U.S., reports International Living.

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Photo by lemaret pierrick from Shutterstock

10. Thailand

Thailand is an enchanted home for travelers. And, if one thinks of retiring to a place like Thailand, then one can certainly do so in bravura in the Land of Smiles. If you have retirement funds or will get a pension, this tropical country is certainly something to contemplate for living out the rest of your time on Earth.

While the cost of living is low in Thailand, it is still imperative to have savings of at least 26,500USD, perhaps more, depending on if you’re getting anything paid to you from outside the U.S. This can aid in the occurrence of unanticipated expenditures, such as health insurance payments, procuring a car, or home maintenance.

With the offer of a one-year retirement visa, your stay can be extended in Thailand upon showing the exact requirement of income.

Conclusion

If retiring at ease seems like a stretch, consider going abroad where your savings do the widening. The generation of the baby boomers is heading into retirement with a smaller-than-hoped-for nest egg. Some are managing this shortfall by moving to a country where the cost of living is much lower than in the U.S.

But before you move to any other country, it is best to do your research. Cautiously explore the local real estate market, laws, and taxes. The final decision of where to spend your retirement life totally depends on your requirements, finances, and tolerance for adventure.

So, if you’re ready, just pack your things — the adventure awaits you! And if you don’t have a spacious troller check out this one from Samsonite. Top-notch quality at a very reasonable price!

If traveling is your hobby, check out this article that might be helpful when you’re planning a trip in retirement! 9 Ways to Save Money on Road Trips

3 Responses

  1. What about health care? Your insurance wouldn’t cover you abroad, and you couldn’t expect to latch on to their system since you wouldn’t have paid into it. Dealing with red tape in a foreign language – not easy even for a foreigner who speaks it fluently.

  2. Even though living in any of these countries would be cheaper than the US, you would still need to be a “well to do” couple to be able to pick up and move to another country. And a big expense would still be health care. The USA needs to treat its retirees better. There is so many of us that have to live on a lowly pension. More affordable housing should be built for empty nesters on Social Security only retirees, and of course more affordable health care. So many retirees did not have the luxury of retiring with the salaries of doctors and lawyers.

    1. While I do agree the US should take better care of its seniors and military vets, folks need to learn to save for retirement beyond a pension and social security benefits. Start saving in your early years and utilize the compound affect. Had I taken the advice of a financial advisor when I was 21 I would have a million dollars at age 60.

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