Where Are The 2020 Best Places To Retire In The US And Around The World?

Ever dreamed of retiring young enough to enjoy yourself doing the things that you want to do? Ever thought about retiring on a white sand beach with your loved one but thought it was never in the realm of possibility? Believe it or not, you can actually retire sooner or even with less savings than you would have ever thought. As long as you are willing to significantly cut your expenses, it is very likely that you are already in a position to either fully or semi-retired using location arbitrage. In this article, we will be going over some of the best places to retire in 2020. We will be going over a variety of different places in the United States and all over the world that can provide you the same or better quality of life that you already enjoy.

Best Places To Retire In The United States For 2020:

1. Mesa, Arizona.

This is one of the best places to retire in 2020 in the United States. While Arizona’s blazing temperatures and bright skies have long attracted all kinds of retirees to the region, its mild winters and dry climate are one of the main selling points for those considering it. One of the best things that Mesa has going for it is the fact that is offers an extremely high quality of life at a very low cost. In fact, the cost of living in this city is relatively low and because Arizona has one of the lower overall tax burdens in the country, it is easily one of the cheapest and most affordable places to live and retire. While Scottsdale and Phoenix offer much of the same benefits as Mesa, Arizona, Mesa beats both in terms of overall value for your money. With that being said, all three cities offer incredible value and they are all home to a variety of cultural attractions, golf courses, and parks. A lot of retirees would view this kind of place as a sort of paradise given that it offers such desirable climate conditions.

2. Arlington, Virginia.

While this city is not one of the cheapest on this list, it does offer one of the highest quality of life and it tops in at #1 in terms of overall health care options. Because Virginia is home to a couple of the best hospitals in the entire country, it is a very popular pick among retirees whom place this kind of a benefit higher than others. While it is not the most affordable place to live on the list, it does (in comparison with other states) offer a much more favorable tax rate/structure than the national average and much lower in comparison with its higher taxing neighbor’s Washington D.C and Maryland. Because it is located in such close proximity to Washington D.C and Maryland, there are endless things to do and see living in this area. Also, Arlington features one of the lowest crime rates in the country and locals can easily get by without having to own or utilize a car in any fashion. Pretty much the entire city is walker friendly which makes it obvious why most residents living here embrace healthy lifestyles and the reason why they constantly rank as one of the highest on the health and wellness index. You will never have trouble getting around where you need to go via walking or by Metro transport which features multiple stops conveniently located throughout the city/area.

Best International Retirement Locations for 2020:

1. Panama.

If you are into living and retiring overseas, you will be able to stretch your dollar even further than you would back in the States. Panama easily tops in at number 1 on the list of best places to retire outside of the United States for a variety of reasons. For one, it is definitely cheaper than the United States. While food prices at the super market can typically reflect that of food prices in the United States, you can save a lot of money on your rent, utilities, and other incremental expenses. Also, if you are willing and able to shop like a local and purchase your fruits and vegetables from local farmers and such, you should be able to significantly reduce your food costs as well.

Cost Of Living:

Realistically, a couple would be able to get by with as little as $750 per month if you own your own home and/or apartment. Because Utilities are so low, you will not really be adding a whole lot to your living expenses. Even if you are renting, you can expect to be able to live comfortably off of $1,500 per month. The good thing about Panama is that you can choose literally whatever lifestyle it is that you desire. Whether you want to live on the hillside/mountains with plenty of green areas or if you want to live directly on a beach, you will be able to choose an area that suits you just right.

Health Care:

For those that are worried about health care, it is a complete non-issue in Panama. Because Panama’s cities are home to some of the top world class hospitals with experienced professionals trained in the United States, you can expect equivalent (if not better) health care than you would get in the United States. Also, health care is much more affordable than it is in the United States. In fact, it is so affordable that a lot of people utilize Panama for their medical tourism where they fly into Panama in order to save money on a particular medical procedure or surgery.

Currency:

One of the other things that sets Panama apart from a lot of the other International options is its proximity and accessibility to the United States and the fact that it Panama utilizes the Dollar as its currency. Because of this, you will have no problems with exchange rates or getting and using cash.

Retirement Visa:

Not to mention, Panama offers retirees somewhat of a retirement visa which means that they are effectively entitled to a number of benefits including 50% of entertainment anywhere in the country, 30% off of (bus, boat, and train) fares, 25% off airline tickets, 25% off monthly energy bills, 30-50% off hotel stays, and even 15% off of hospital bills. Along with this, it comes with numerous other benefits that can make your life even more affordable and convenient.

2. Mexico.

While this might surprise a lot of people, Mexico is easily one of the best places to retire in 2020. Mexico is unique in that it has a lot of different things to offer retirees. Like Panama, Mexico is certainly a lot cheaper to live in than the United States. In Mexico, you are going to be able to get by with much less than it would cost you to live in virtually any U.S city. With that being said, there are some differences to living in Mexico than living in the U.S.A. For one, Spanish is the primary language that is spoken in Mexico. With that being said, a lot of people actually speak a good amount of English due to it’s close proximity. As long as you can live with that difference, you will be able to enjoy a lot of benefits retiring in this country. Because of its close proximity to the U.S, it is quickly becoming one of the favorite retirement destinations for a lot of retirees.

Cost Of Living:

The cost of living in Mexico is superb. The value that you can get for your dollar is typically beneficial for yourself. The Mexican Peso is usually undervalued in terms of its relation to the U.S dollar which helps anyone that is traveling to it with U.S dollars. Also, you are going to find that renting prices and even ownership prices are much lower than what you would typically find in the U.S.A. Realistically, you could get by with $800 per month if you own your own place. If you are renting, it might take as much as $1,800 to live in Mexico – depending on which city/area you choose to live. Like Panama, they have a lot of different places and areas you could choose from. Some are more touristy than others.

Health Care:

When it comes to health care, you are going to find that the drop off from the United States is not much at all. The fact is, most of the health care employees at local hospitals have been U.S trained. Not to mention, they have state of the art hospitals and offices in virtually every city that you would consider living. For this reason, a lot of U.S residents/citizens actively travel to Mexico for extended medical tourism related travel. This is especially true when it comes to dental procedures and surgeries as Mexico is known for having some of the best dentists in North America and you can save up to 60-70% off of your procedures by getting them done in Mexico. Not to mention, if you are weary about getting any kind of health related issues handled in Mexico, you are literally hours away from the United States border which gives you limitless options to consider.

Currency:

Mexico utilizes the Mexican Peso which is a currency that typically offers U.S dollar earning citizens a significant currency arbitrage advantage. You can definitely make your U.S dollars travel further in Mexico than you would be able to at home.

3. Ecuador.

Ecuador is a country that has been gaining recognition from retirees for quite a while. It has become one of the most popular countries to retire because it offers pretty much everything that you could ask for in a retirement destination. For one, it is absolutely beautiful and you would be hard pressed to find a country with better climate options available. Also, it happens to offer significant value in terms of buying and renting options on the marketplace.

Cost Of Living:

The cost of living in Ecuador is better than both Panama and Mexico. It is currently offering much more value for your dollar than both of them and this is one of the top reasons as to why it is quickly gaining ranks as a top retirement destination. If cost of living being low is one of your top priorities, this is going to be a country that you should absolutely consider retiring in. While it is going to be much further away than both Mexico and Panama, it easily offers the lowest cost of living. In fact, you can probably get away with as little as $700 per month if you already own a place to live. Whereas, if you are renting, you should be able to get away with spending around $1,200 per month for a couple.

Health Care:

While the health care is not going to be as good as Mexico and/or Panama, it is top notch. You will find that the health care system is very easily to figure out and everything is comparable to most major U.S cities in terms of quality. A lot of the health care professionals are also U.S trained so you will not find the health care quality lacking too much. If having the top health care options available to you at all times, you might be better off going with Mexico or Panama if you are looking to move outside the United States.

Currency:

Ecuador utilizes the U.S dollar as their national currency. For this reason, a lot of retirees have found Ecuador to be a very convenient destination to retire. Because there is no currency risk or devaluation to worry about, you are going to be able to utilize your money just as you would at home. Except in Ecuador, your dollar is going to end up going much further than it would in the United States because everything is going to be much cheaper than it is back home. This is a significant advantage that Ecuador has over a lot of the other popular retirement destinations that you might consider.

Retirement (Pensioner) Visa:

This particular visa is intended for retired persons that receive pensions from their native countries. Ecuador offers a retirement visa for those that wish to retire in the country and they require documents showing a stable income of at least $800 monthly.

The bottom line is there are plenty of different places that you can retire in 2020. We have only listed some of the best above. The best retirement location for you is going to depend on several factors. What do you care about the most? How important is proximity to your home country? Are you willing to move to and live in a country with a primary language different from your own? These are the questions you need to ask yourself in order to find the right country/place for you and your family.

Where would you like to retire? Where are the cheap and best places to retire in the US and around the world? What countries have a low cost of living compared to the United States? Where can my Social Security benefits and retirement savings go furthest?

These are just some of the questions you will have to face as you approach retirement with millions of other baby boomers. You can find plenty of lists of the 10 best places to retire, 100 best places to retire in America and so on.

You also have to decide if you can afford to buy an apartment or condo or if you must reside in a retirement village or retirement community. You also must decide if your retirement savings allow you to find the “best place” or a “cheap place” to retire.

There is no one perfect retirement location that will work for everyone. You may want to stay close to the grandkids and move closer to where they live.

You may want to move from the cold snowy winters to the pleasant seasons in Florida, Texas, Arizona or Mexico. These are always going to be high on the list of best places to retire.

Some of the things you have to keep in mind when searching out your ideal retirement destination include cost of living comparisons, taxes, health care, weather and job opportunities.

If you have a reduced retirement account due to the fluctuations in the stock market you may want to look for the cheapest places to retire instead of the “best places to retire.”

There are plenty of cheap places to retire in the US and around the world. Some cheap countries abroad allow you to retire for less than $1,000 a month. You won’t find too many retirement places like that in the United States.

Places in South and Central America like Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador may appeal to you if you find yourself in this situation. Travel to Central America is shorter than flying half way across the world far away from friends and family. And the cost of living is lower compared to the US.

But if you do want to fly half way across the world you could check out Australia and New Zealand as possible retirement locations. One big thing you have to think about is housing. Do you want to buy a condo by the beach in Florida, or do you want to rent a villa in the south of Spain or Portugal?

Do you want to live in an retirement community that offers independent senior living? The search for affordable housing may be one of the biggest decisions you make as you find your ideal retirement spot.

Now let’s take a look at some of the best places to retire in the US then head around the world for some best places around the world.

Best places to retire in the US

Let us take a tour of various retirement locations in different parts of the United States which should help you to make the best possible decision about where you should ultimately retire.

Of course, you have quite a number of attractive locations to think about – so the choice could be a difficult one.

Let’s try to take stock. For starters, there’s St. George in Utah, with its picturesque setting, close to the Snow Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon. An attractive place, with its own novel features of cultural life such as the Shakespearean Festival, the Tuacahn Theatre and highlights such as the Huntsman Senior Games, to name just a few.

Then there’s Bellingham, offering you the unique charm of scenic beauty coupled with urban convenience. Among the highlights here, you’ll find the Interurban Trail System and ski slopes of Mount Whistler and Mount Baker nearby, which will surely beckon if you are fond of skiing.

The richness of Portsmouth comes mainly from the historical atmosphere of the place. There are so many old and unique properties here. And then of course there’s the Music Hall for concerts and the Strawberry Banke historical Museum.

Savannah has an old world charm about it with plenty of mansions, old oak trees and walking trails. And don’t forget the Telfair Art Museum and Coastal Senior, the magazine that makes Savannah unique.

Largo in Florida has plenty going for it, as it is practically a vacation spot in itself. Apart from the low crime rate and the variety of people living here, which has resulted in a diverse range of cuisine, you really must visit the Largo Cultural Centre, where music festivals are often held.

And what about Franklin Tennessee, with its small town charm – a charm so powerful that it brought in senior citizens who had already settled elsewhere? Franklin will give you your fill of scenic beauty with its rolling hills. The pace of life is slow here and may be just what you want. The cost of living is also fairly low.

In Ann Arbor, you’d have the scenic beauty of parks and beaches combining with the intellectual atmosphere of the University of Michigan. Another highlight of this town is the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Not far away in Detroit, you can also visit the Fisher Theatre and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Fort Collins in Colorado offers you yet another combination of scenic beauty and an atmosphere somewhere midway between a city and a town. The Rocky Mountain National Park is a major attraction here. For shopping dining and theatre, you could visit Denver, which is fairly close.

In Portland, once again you have that attractive blend of life in a big city and a small town, along with more than 240 parks that provide you with a refreshing abundance of greenery. You will enjoy visiting the Waterfront Park and the Saturday Market. If you are keen on skiing, you could also go to the Timberline Lodge. You’ll find sports and nightlife in Portland too, along with a well-developed transport system.

McCormick will offer you plenty of scope for recreation at the Hickory Knob State Resort Park. You could also visit the McCormick Arts Council. Greenwood nearby will interest you if you are fond of shopping. There are medical facilities here too. As a retired person, the Savannah Lakes Village is a vast settlement that could interest you as a good place to look for housing. You will find several retired people here.

Then again, there’s Seneca, where you’ll find the unique feature of a naturally formed recreational area. A few miles away are the South Carolina Botanical Gardens at Clemson. From Seneca, you’ll have access to the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor and the Foothills Parkway. You also have the choice of a host of outdoor activities, a lively downtown area and a variety of homes from which to choose, including old properties, lakeside retreats and villas.

Sumter is another delightful place, where you’ll find a combination of scenic beauty, a pleasant climate and educational facilities, along with a number of star attractions. These include the Swan Lake Iris Garden, the Sumter Gallery of Art, the Sumter County Museum and the Sumter County Public Library, to name just a few. The Newcomers’ Club should help you get acquainted and settle in.

So, now that you have quite a comprehensive picture, you should be in a fairly good position to decide where you want to live when you retire in the United States. On the other hand, given the number of attractive locations, it wouldn’t be surprising if your choice turned out to be a difficult one!

Best Places To Retire In The World

If you could retire anywhere in the world, where would it be? Just forget those nagging little issues like cost of living, taxes, health care, Social Security, low crime rates, etc., sit back and dream. Anywhere in the world? Well, we did just that. We dreamed. And here’s our list of best places to retire.

Tahiti

We are constantly flummoxed that Tahiti never seems to appear on a list of 10 best places to retire. It is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia. The country’s capital is Papeete, which is located on the northwest coast of the island and has the only international airport in the region. Its official language is French although many people speak Tahitian.

The islands wet season is November to April and January is its wettest month with an average of 13.2 inches of rain. Tahiti’s average temperature ranges between 70°F and 88°F with little seasonal variation. In other words, the temperature is almost always nice.

The nation is part of French Polynesia and Tahitians are French citizens. As you might guess, it’s most significant industry is tourism though black pearl farming also produces a substantial amount of revenue.

Tahiti boasts some wonderful beaches and its citizens tend to be open and friendly. The living there is mostly easy and laid back. The island’s one drawback is its cost of living. French Polynesia is the second most expensive place in the world after Japan. If you want to live within your means, you need to do some planning and exercise real self-discipline. But remember? We said money was no object. We said best places to retire in the world, not cheap places to retire in the world.

Belize

We forgot about money when we chose Tahiti as one of the best places to retire in the world and we can forget about it when it comes to Belize. But for the opposite reason. The cost of living in this country is very low. Your retirement investments and savings will go farther here. You don’t need a million dollars to retire to Belize.

Belize offers miles and miles of beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests and even mountains. Baby boomers who retire there find they can keep themselves occupied with fishing, hiking, biking, trekking, swimming and the dozens of other outdoor activities available in this country.

Just as important, Belize has good health care and is very welcome to retirees. English is the official language, making it very easy for ex-pats to do business, shop or do anything else. The reason that English is its official language is because it is the only nation in the region with a British colonial heritage. Belize’s climate is tropical with wet and dry seasons. Along the coast, temperatures average from 76.2°F in January to 80.6°F in July. In other words, the temperature is always pretty great.

Like Tahiti and many other best places retire, there is a downside to Belize and that is hurricanes, which have played a devastating role in the country’s history. However, even with that, Belize remains a great place to retire with its climate, beaches, friendly citizens and low cost of living. Of course this is not an all inclusive list and you may not agree with these selections. There is no one size fits all best place to retire that will accommodate everyone. It is all based on what you want the most as a baby boomer getting ready to retire. We have plenty more locations you can learn about. Continue your search now for the best places to retire in the world.

3 More Best Places To Retire In The World

If you are looking to get away from the contiguous United States and want to find somewhere more tropical. You could find one of the best places to retire in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Sea east of the Dominican Republic. You will find a mostly white population with a Spanish origin among the estimated 4,000,000 people in Puerto Rico.

You will find beautiful weather all year round from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The easiest way to travel to Puerto Rico is by plane. It’s only a 4 hour 15 minute flight from Dallas Fort Worth.

If you love the tourism industry you will have plenty of work here as tourism is one of the top industries.

You can enjoy all the modern day conveniences of the United States on a beautiful tropical island of Puerto Rico – one of the best places to retire around the world.

And the housing is affordable. You can find a 4 bedroom, 3 bath 1200 square foot house for under $120,000 in the capital San Juan.

Two more best places to retire in the world are Portugal and Spain. Especially if you love to be near the beach. Portugal and Spain feature nearly 6800 km or 4230 miles of coastline. There are plenty of beaches, fishing spots, and wonderful seafood to be enjoyed in Portugal and Spain.

The cost of living is more affordable than other parts of Europe. You can find a 2 bedroom, 1 bath villa in Portugal for 115,000 Euros or $160,000 US.

You can enjoy beautiful weather, gorgeous people, and delicious cuisine.

There is so much more to learn about all the best places to retire around the world. There are so many opportunities, so many places you could travel to, so many new people you could meet, enjoy your journey with your fellow Baby Boomers and good luck finding your best place to retire.

Cost Of Living Around The World: