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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.
@@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.
I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for.
I feel your pain mate, as a fellow retiree, I’d suggest you look into passive index fund investing and learn some more. For me, I had my share of ups and downs when I first started looking for a consistent passive income so I hired an expert advisor for aid, and following her advice, I poured $30k in value stocks and digital assets, Up to 200k so far and pretty sure I'm ready for whatever comes.
@@Elliot-Ivan The crazy part is that those advisors are probably outperforming the market and raising good returns but some are charging fees over fees that drain your portfolio. Is this the case with yours too?
I moved to Mexico 20 years ago and have never doubted that decision. I moved as a single woman, bought a place at the beach, and met lovely neighbors and friends. Honestly, it’s pretty easy.
3 Months TO THE DAY after having stumbled across this video, I got a passport, sold my house, sold and gave away all my worldly possessions, and tomorrow, 3 weeks to the day, I'm retired and on a flight to Europe. Thanks, Kristen
@@lauragraham1122 I'm in Schonwald Im Schwarzwald - A small village in the Black Forest in the SW corner of Germany. It is stunningly beautiful here. I love it! And I'm so glad I came across this video. I'll be here for 2 months. Then I have to do the Schengen shuffle. Haven't decided where I'm going next. Possibly Albania & Montenegro for 3 months. Then possibly Romania.
Biggest lesson i learnt in 2023 in the stock market is that nobody knows what is going to happen next, so practice some humility and low a strategy with a long term edge.
Nobody knows anything; You need to create your own process, manage risk, and stick to the plan, through thick or thin, While also continuously learning from mistakes and improving.
Uncertainty... it took me 5 years to stop trying to predict what bout to happen in market based on charts studying, cause you never know. not having a mentor cost me 5 years of pain I learn to go we’re the market is wanting to go and keep it simple with discipline.
“NICOLE ANASTASIA PLUMLEE’’ is the licensed fiduciary 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✌️
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 😊
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!👍
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! 😊🏡
@@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.
@@janb6065 But double nothing is still nothing as is the case in all of America where homes are next to free. The people who live in America just don't seem to realize that fact unless they lived outside of America where home prices are 10 times higher in price or more.
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 live in Turkey, Healthcare is all out of pocket and isanely expensive, plus they dont want foreginers anymore and many people get denied residency, even if they own property. Turkey is not foreigner-friendly anymore
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!
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.
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!
Yes unless your maid you hired here in your computer when you get cancer and steals your life time savings and assets and kids inheritance ! True and Recent story and Mexico govt covered her so they get away will exploiting Americans and crime !
@@CarmenMartinez-lm7dz Interest rates are double digits so you earn $100,000 on every million. In Canada you don't make half that and in a falling currency.
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! 😊🌴
In these uncertain times, it's more important than ever to have a solid understanding of how to manage your finances, invest wisely and navigate economic downturns. But my primary concern is how to grow my reserve of $240k which has been sitting duck since forever with zero to no gains, sure I'm all in on the long term game, but with my savings are lying waste to inflation and my portfolio losing gains everyday, I need a remedy.
Inflation has not always been around there was a 15 year period of deflation. Yes as prices went down income went up. Once you go to Fiat currencies with no tangible backing then inflation is an intentional factor. Patience, Cash on hand & Short Term Investments are key
True. I first came across investing in the market in 2019. Already stashed about $480k in savings then, and the free money from the Government was pouring in, increasing inflation rate. I just got an advisor and kept the money there, just because I didn't want to keep the value of the money depreciating in the bank. Tbh, it's the best investment decision I've made since then.
I think this is something I should do, but I've been stalling for a long time now. Mind if I ask you to recommend this particular coach you using their service?
Finding financial advisors like "Rebecca Nassar Dunne who can assist you shape your portfolio would be a very creative option. There will be difficult times ahead, and prudent personal money management will be essential to navigating them.
Thanks for sharing. I searched for her full name, found her website immediately, reviewed her credentials, and did my due diligence before reaching out to her.
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.
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.
Very helpful video. A lot to consider. I’m also interested in learning more about countries that are friendly and welcoming to African Americans. I’m 68, my SSA benefits are much lower than I originally anticipated. I worked all of my life, since I was 13, doing my creative hustles, owned my own company when I was 24, and waited patiently for my full retirement benefits. I get less than $1400.00 a month to live on. Some real health challenges, arthritis and sciatica, and can barely survive on this, let alone live on it. Thank God, I did not do early retirement. My mother passed away in 2016 and all she received for her monthly SSA benefits were $801.00, per month!!! People need to wake up and pay attention. I love America, but the cost is living is crazy. No one ever said that life is fair. They didn’t lie.
Btw, I also worked for many different great employers after my business shut down years ago. I earned good money and loved most of my jobs and career choices. Sometimes, no matter what you do, it’s not enough. Just trying to decide if living overseas is really worth the effort?
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 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.
This channel is always well researched and Kirstin has travelled to more that 60 counties since leaving Costa Rica where I think she spent the better part of a decade. I think she may be taking a hiatus in Miami, but after twenty years on the road, she deserves some time to reflect. I can't imaging what someone who has traveled so much will do now, but I imagine she is taking some time to figure that out between now and 2025. Good luck, Kristin.
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.
@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.
I’m 67 and my wife and I moved to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 six years ago . We considered Florida, but looking at what’s going on there , we are blessed to live in Paradise on the West Coast of P. R. We started an Air B&B and it’s great. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 is tax friendly. We will never hopefully move . We enjoy your videos, very informative. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 may not be for everyone, but being fully multi lingual has been a plus . Every day is a beach day 😎🦜🦎🏝️.
Not much for chiles, the residents couldn't speak Spanish or English correctly. Been there too, no thanks, there were three or four people on the same block with mental disabilities. That means people are shacking up with people with their same genetics.
@@samlopez1013Puerto Rico is a dependent territory of the USA and Puerto Ricans are US citizens who can vote in US presidential elections; but, since they’re not a state, they don’t have senators or representatives in Congress. There is no state-like income tax so it’s like living in Washington state, Texas, New Hampshire, Florida, Tennessee, etc., where you only pay Federal Income tax, (which you have to pay anywhere you live in the world), sales tax of 11.5%, which is very high, and property tax if you own a home or condo there. If you have a high income what you save in not paying state income tax might offset the high sales tax. If you’re not an American citizen you would have to go through US Customs to enter Puerto Rico the same way you would to enter any US state.
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.
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! 🤣
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.
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.
@@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.
Merida Mexico has been rated a top place to retire worldwide, It has been named the safest city in Mexico and South America. A laid back, safe area and growing. You can find real estate with Builder financing at Zero % interest with new construction. Usually have to be paid in 2-3 years. It is hot and humid just like Florida or the Caribbean. Great medical and dental services
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.
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).
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.
Some misstated information regarding Mexico's retirement requirements. It is not necessary to acquire a temporary residency visa prior to the permanent residency visa. The financial requirements are lower for the temporary residency visa so many do that first. After 4 years on the temporary residency visa you can qualify, (without additional verification of income) to convert to a permanent residency visa.
The life path of many Westerns: Earn a Northern European/North American/Australian (ie. Germanic lanaguage country)-salary, then retire in a sunny & relaxed Latin American/Southern European country. Don't increase our costs too much guys!! 🥴🥴🥴🥺 Look for something sunny in your Germanic countries 🥺🥺
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.
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.
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!
😂 Brazilian Portuguese is very different than the Portugal one. The slangs, fast pace and accent differentiates quite a lot. Just speak slowly and learn how some of the words have different meaning. But overall, it should not be an issue.
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!
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!
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.
The best strategy is to start planning long before retirement. Go on vacation to some of these countries, or others. Former "eastern" Europe countries can be an excellent value and encourage residency, have good housing, will speak English, etc. Too many US retirees in a country push cost of housing and living up. Pick one and get residency going while you still work in US or Canada. This allows you get visas and set up income and banking requirements in advance to support the financial footprint needed to get integrated and for long-term residence, even buy or rent a place now and go there yearly. On retirement day, you are just traveling to your second "home". Helps avoid a mistake on choosing a country when you can no longer change your mind easily, are living on pension funds and SS alone and may have difficulty selling/demobilizing a property you just bought.
This video is fantastic for anyone considering retirement in 2024! 🏝 The list of top retirement destinations is incredibly insightful, covering everything from cost of living to healthcare access and lifestyle options. The detailed comparisons and beautiful visuals make it easy to picture myself in each location. Thanks for the thorough research and helpful tips!
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.
Kristin, what an amalgamation of FABULOUS FACTURAL INFORMATION! KUDOS! y gracias! I learned more from you in 20 minutes than I have listening to many others. Thanks!
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 !
@@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?
@tammypelletier3195 Since I've lived in the South my entire life, I'm curious as to what you've seen or heard that makes the South so different than anywhere else in the U.S.?
As an American retiree I have travelled all over the world for the last twenty years or so. I speak only English and have gotten along fine. It is sometimes inconvenient but not a big deal. Many people overseas speak English especially in cities or where money is involved. I seldom travel to rural areas or poverty areas. I never drive in foreign countries but always walk 90% of the time or use public transportation like buses or metro subway lines. Many places overseas are cheaper than the US. I use Airbnb often so I can buy from grocery stores and prepare my own food in a kitchen. This saves quite a bit of money and gives me greater selection of food.
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.
I wish IL would include more on Safety in their ratings. I can't wrap my head around Costa Rica considering the warnings from the US Embassy about all the crime including throwing tire poppers on the road in front of rental cars and then robbing all your stuff when the tire goes flat. Everything I had was stolen in broad daylight after parking directly in front of a bustling grocery store. They know which cars are the rental cars!
What about Thailand and Vietnam? Both of these countries are less expensive to live than any of the countries you mentioned along with Thailand having one of the best and most affordable healthcare systems in the world.
@@anitamendez116 i have been in hua hin which was ok. Now in Phuket which has better beaches. Ex pat community not as easy to connect with so far As soon as my retirement visa comes thru which should be in a week or two, i am heading to koh sumai. Check in with me before you come and i will have more info. Regardless of the beach community i live in, i love it here.
The Philippines is a better option regarding long term visas, Thailand has too many terms and conditions attached to long term settlement. Air quality in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya is, for long periods, Toxic. Outside of these cities you are likely to to hit the language barrier as not many Thais speak English at all. The only pluses I would give Thailand over the Philippines are Health care, internet connection and transport. The Philippines has 7000 Islands, all beautiful, the people are friendly and English is widely spoken as their second language making it easy to integrate into a local community. My choice, from my own experience of both Thailand and the Philippines, ? Thailand, IF you are happy to stay in the confines of an expat enclave in the City. The Philippines for the genuinely friendly People, ease of application for long term visas, English language spoken even in remote islands and provinces.
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!
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.
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!
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 just watched another video of an expat that lives and specializes in Mexico. He stated that the residence visa now requires a $4500 monthly income to qualify.
Hi there, it’s from $4,000-4,500 but not exact. As I mentioned in the video it depends where you apply from as each embassy has a different amount for both the temporary and permanent residency permit.
FATCA has nothing to do with living abroad permanently. It has to do with having a foreign bank account whether you live there, for any amount of time or not.
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?
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
I do not think international living does a good job of pros and cons. They do not put much emphasis on how easy it is to get a visa and taxes. It would be nice if a lot of us looking to 39:53 live overseas have so much money taxes do not matter. However, I think cost-of-living is extremely high on the list for most of us and having to pay taxes on top of everything else has put Portugal and Spain off my list. I just moved to thailand and i love it here
It's great to hear that you're enjoying Thailand! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on international living @CyndieGawain. Taxes and visa requirements are definitely important factors to consider. Wishing you all the best in your new adventure! 🌴😊🇹🇭
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.
France (along with the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the UK) have overseas territories. While the UK territories have complicated relationships with the mother country, all of the EU territories are co-equal with their mother countries which means that the rules for residency and citizenship are the same in the French Caribbean as they are in Metropolitan France.
The other thing to keep in mind is that circumstances in any given place is always in motion; don't just pay attention to a snapshot, but trajectories over time- and stay away from those on a downward trend.
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.
This seems to be largely from the perspective of US/Canadian Citizens, but as a EEA/EU (Norwegian) citizen (dual citizenship with UK, my home country) I am considering Portugal as a retirement option. Something that non EU citizens are probably unaware of, is the European health care agreement, under which, as a non citizen, you are entitled to the same healthcare/emergency treatment as a citizen of which ever country you happen to be in, and it is covered by your country of residence. So for example, if I get sick in France, it is covered by the healthcare system in Norway, where I have lived and paid taxes for 18 years. This essentially negates the need for expense private medical insurance. Staying within Europe also alleviates many of the complications around pensions/ taxes too, because you´re entitled to stay in any other EU country for a year without visas. And with the wide range of diversity of cultures, foods, climates, history etc, it makes more sense. Also, you can get by with English in most European countries, esp. Greece, Portugal and Spain as it is widely spoken everywhere except France and Italy, although the Italians are very welcoming if you just speak a little Italian, it´s only really France where English is not spoken so much.
India is the most amazing country for living in Retirement. Cheaper by 5 times than all the countries mentioned. Healthcare index ? Modern Hospitals and for 2 times less. No crime, no violence and Yoga & nature, Ayurveda. Warmest people in the world. Ask who has visited India. All the best !
Renewing my retirement visa today for the 8th year here in Chiang Mai Thailand 🇹🇭 😍 don't see me living anywhere else. But because the cost of living is soooo low, I travel 10 to 12 weeks a year. The cost of my visa is $52 per year. But you need to keep a $22,000 emergency fund in a thai bank. Which earns 2% interest. Better medical system than usa and pennies on the dollar. Omg the food and coffee shops are amazing. People are very friendly. The new tax law is way over hiped. It's really not going to effect very many people. HAPPY IN CHIANGMAI
What about the air pollution during the burning season, from January to April, is it true that is an issue especially for people with fragile respiratory system?
Nice to see so many spanish-speaking countries on that list but surprised Spain itself is only half way down the rankings. I guess it may have a lot to do with the very wide diversity across the whole country that already has a very well-established tourism industry. This is particularly true here in the Canary Islands which make a significant contribution to the Spanish economy. Like Portugal, the local island councils are now debating controls on foreigners buying and renting out property, as it is pushing up house and rental prices beyond what local Canarios can afford. However, the Golden Visa is still available if you can invest at least €500,000 in property and you do not have to become a tax-resudent ie. stay more than 183 days/year in the country. Hola Kristin from sunny Fuerteventura❤
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.
I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for.
I feel your pain mate, as a fellow retiree, I’d suggest you look into passive index fund investing and learn some more. For me, I had my share of ups and downs when I first started looking for a consistent passive income so I hired an expert advisor for aid, and following her advice, I poured $30k in value stocks and digital assets, Up to 200k so far and pretty sure I'm ready for whatever comes.
@@Elliot-Ivan That's actually quite impressive, I could use some Info on your FA, I am looking to make a change on my finances this year as well
@@YinusaSaheed My advisor is VICTORIA CARMEN SANTAELLA;
You can look her up online
@@Elliot-Ivan The crazy part is that those advisors are probably outperforming the market and raising good returns but some are charging fees over fees that drain your portfolio. Is this the case with yours too?
I moved to Mexico 20 years ago and have never doubted that decision. I moved as a single woman, bought a place at the beach, and met lovely neighbors and friends. Honestly, it’s pretty easy.
What part of Mexico? I'd like to do the same, but not sure of living there on my own. Glad to hear you're happy there.
@ hello from Baja California Sur. i live at the pacific Coast
, beautiful beach, 30 miles north of Cabo
@ There are many lovely people here, great place, easy life, no worries, easy peasy, REALLY
3 Months TO THE DAY after having stumbled across this video, I got a passport, sold my house, sold and gave away all my worldly possessions, and tomorrow, 3 weeks to the day, I'm retired and on a flight to Europe. Thanks, Kristen
where did you move to in Europe?
@@lauragraham1122 I'm in Schonwald Im Schwarzwald - A small village in the Black Forest in the SW corner of Germany. It is stunningly beautiful here. I love it! And I'm so glad I came across this video. I'll be here for 2 months. Then I have to do the Schengen shuffle. Haven't decided where I'm going next. Possibly Albania & Montenegro for 3 months. Then possibly Romania.
Biggest lesson i learnt in 2023 in the stock market is that nobody knows what is going to happen next, so practice some humility and low a strategy with a long term edge.
Nobody knows anything; You need to create your own process, manage risk, and stick to the plan, through thick or thin, While also continuously learning from mistakes and improving.
Uncertainty... it took me 5 years to stop trying to predict what bout to happen in market based on charts studying, cause you never know. not having a mentor cost me 5 years of pain I learn to go we’re the market is wanting to go and keep it simple with discipline.
Could you kindly elaborate on the advisor's background and qualifications?
“NICOLE ANASTASIA PLUMLEE’’ is the licensed fiduciary I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment.
Just ran an online search on her name and came across her websiite; pretty well educated. thank you for sharing.
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
Very well said my friend I am from VN live there from 1957 ~1975 retired in US and travel in Asia now God bless:)
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 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...
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
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! 😊🏡
@@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.
@@kimhorton6109
Covid=bioweapon=shift in wealth
@@kimhorton6109Finally someone speaking truth about Corporate GREED. IDK why media doesn't tell the truth about this.
@@janb6065 But double nothing is still nothing as is the case in all of America where homes are next to free. The people who live in America just don't seem to realize that fact unless they lived outside of America where home prices are 10 times higher in price or more.
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.
Yes lovely but it s 1 month visa from Uk. Anything else you have to pay..on 1k a month not feasible
@@lbunnygordon1133 who's going to come and deport you. You know you can live anywhere if you don't make waves (crime)
I live in Turkey, Healthcare is all out of pocket and isanely expensive, plus they dont want foreginers anymore and many people get denied residency, even if they own property. Turkey is not foreigner-friendly anymore
@@1laimmiss They do deport from Bali, Thailand and Turkey, and put you in jail for months...plese dont sugarcoat stuff
And Health care?
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.
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!
You earn megabucks in interest on your money so you live like a king until you die.
I would choose Mexico to retire.
Yes unless your maid you hired here in your computer when you get cancer and steals your life time savings and assets and kids inheritance ! True and
Recent story and Mexico govt covered her so they get away will exploiting Americans and crime !
@@CarmenMartinez-lm7dz Interest rates are double digits so you earn $100,000 on every million. In Canada you don't make half that and in a falling currency.
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! 😊🌴
Is it fosble on a non private pension of around 1000 gbp...
What about the education system, specifically Universities
In these uncertain times, it's more important than ever to have a solid understanding of how to manage your finances, invest wisely and navigate economic downturns. But my primary concern is how to grow my reserve of $240k which has been sitting duck since forever with zero to no gains, sure I'm all in on the long term game, but with my savings are lying waste to inflation and my portfolio losing gains everyday, I need a remedy.
Inflation has not always been around there was a 15 year period of deflation. Yes as prices went down income went up. Once you go to Fiat currencies with no tangible backing then inflation is an intentional factor. Patience, Cash on hand & Short Term Investments are key
True. I first came across investing in the market in 2019. Already stashed about $480k in savings then, and the free money from the Government was pouring in, increasing inflation rate. I just got an advisor and kept the money there, just because I didn't want to keep the value of the money depreciating in the bank. Tbh, it's the best investment decision I've made since then.
I think this is something I should do, but I've been stalling for a long time now. Mind if I ask you to recommend this particular coach you using their service?
Finding financial advisors like "Rebecca Nassar Dunne who can assist you shape your portfolio would be a very creative option. There will be difficult times ahead, and prudent personal money management will be essential to navigating them.
Thanks for sharing. I searched for her full name, found her website immediately, reviewed her credentials, and did my due diligence before reaching out to her.
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 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.
"Bloom where you're planted"!!!
I've been happy EVERYWHERE I've ever lived... 3 countries and 5 states... on LOW income. 😎☮️🖖
Very helpful video. A lot to consider. I’m also interested in learning more about countries that are friendly and welcoming to African Americans. I’m 68, my SSA benefits are much lower than I originally anticipated. I worked all of my life, since I was 13, doing my creative hustles, owned my own company when I was 24, and waited patiently for my full retirement benefits. I get less than $1400.00 a month to live on. Some real health challenges, arthritis and sciatica, and can barely survive on this, let alone live on it. Thank God, I did not do early retirement. My mother passed away in 2016 and all she received for her monthly SSA benefits were $801.00, per month!!! People need to wake up and pay attention. I love America, but the cost is living is crazy. No one ever said that life is fair. They didn’t lie.
Btw, I also worked for many different great employers after my business shut down years ago. I earned good money and loved most of my jobs and career choices. Sometimes, no matter what you do, it’s not enough. Just trying to decide if living overseas is really worth the effort?
This was a excellent video with relevant information 🎉Thank you for posting
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 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!😷
This channel is always well researched and Kirstin has travelled to more that 60 counties since leaving Costa Rica where I think she spent the better part of a decade. I think she may be taking a hiatus in Miami, but after twenty years on the road, she deserves some time to reflect. I can't imaging what someone who has traveled so much will do now, but I imagine she is taking some time to figure that out between now and 2025. Good luck, Kristin.
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’m 67 and my wife and I moved to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 six years ago . We considered Florida, but looking at what’s going on there , we are blessed to live in Paradise on the West Coast of P. R. We started an Air B&B and it’s great. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 is tax friendly. We will never hopefully move . We enjoy your videos, very informative. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 may not be for everyone, but being fully multi lingual has been a plus . Every day is a beach day 😎🦜🦎🏝️.
That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing your story, and I'm glad you enjoy the videos! 😊🌴🌊
Hi, did you say tax friendly? Do tell...
Not much for chiles, the residents couldn't speak Spanish or English correctly. Been there too, no thanks, there were three or four people on the same block with mental disabilities. That means people are shacking up with people with their same genetics.
@@samlopez1013Puerto Rico is a dependent territory of the USA and Puerto Ricans are US citizens who can vote in US presidential elections; but, since they’re not a state, they don’t have senators or representatives in Congress. There is no state-like income tax so it’s like living in Washington state, Texas, New Hampshire, Florida, Tennessee, etc., where you only pay Federal Income tax, (which you have to pay anywhere you live in the world), sales tax of 11.5%, which is very high, and property tax if you own a home or condo there. If you have a high income what you save in not paying state income tax might offset the high sales tax.
If you’re not an American citizen you would have to go through US Customs to enter Puerto Rico the same way you would to enter any US state.
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.
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.
@@BneiAnusim San Jose is ugly, but almost everywhere else is stunning!
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.
This is exactly the kind of video expats need before moving to Costa Rica. Thanks from a Tico!
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.
Merida Mexico has been rated a top place to retire worldwide, It has been named the safest city in Mexico and South America. A laid back, safe area and growing. You can find real estate with Builder financing at Zero % interest with new construction. Usually have to be paid in 2-3 years. It is hot and humid just like Florida or the Caribbean. Great medical and dental services
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).
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. 😊🌍
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!!
Some misstated information regarding Mexico's retirement requirements. It is not necessary to acquire a temporary residency visa prior to the permanent residency visa. The financial requirements are lower for the temporary residency visa so many do that first. After 4 years on the temporary residency visa you can qualify, (without additional verification of income) to convert to a permanent residency visa.
The life path of many Westerns: Earn a Northern European/North American/Australian (ie. Germanic lanaguage country)-salary, then retire in a sunny & relaxed Latin American/Southern European country. Don't increase our costs too much guys!! 🥴🥴🥴🥺 Look for something sunny in your Germanic countries 🥺🥺
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!
Excellent information about Portugal. Thank you.
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.
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. 😊
Having studied Portuguese for many years with Brazilians, when I went to Portugal I was totally shocked and practically unable to communicate. lol
I would imagine it’s like Canadian French vs “real” French.
@@kmw4359 Absolutely! I watched some Montreal Canadien videos and needed subtitles to understand the French of the players and coaches
😂 Brazilian Portuguese is very different than the Portugal one. The slangs, fast pace and accent differentiates quite a lot. Just speak slowly and learn how some of the words have different meaning. But overall, it should not be an issue.
Awesome! Kristin always has thorough and intelligent High Effort videos.
Thank you!
@@TravelingwithKristin You Very Welcome ..
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! 🌎😊👍
Thank you for such a thorough explanation of every location. It really gave me food for thought and consideration. Great presentation 😁
Duolingo is fabulous and free.
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!
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.
The best strategy is to start planning long before retirement. Go on vacation to some of these countries, or others. Former "eastern" Europe countries can be an excellent value and encourage residency, have good housing, will speak English, etc. Too many US retirees in a country push cost of housing and living up. Pick one and get residency going while you still work in US or Canada. This allows you get visas and set up income and banking requirements in advance to support the financial footprint needed to get integrated and for long-term residence, even buy or rent a place now and go there yearly. On retirement day, you are just traveling to your second "home". Helps avoid a mistake on choosing a country when you can no longer change your mind easily, are living on pension funds and SS alone and may have difficulty selling/demobilizing a property you just bought.
Nice work and I love your accent, especially when you say mountains: mow-ens.
Great stuff, Kristin! Thanks for sharing. ❤
You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed it! ❤️😊
This video is fantastic for anyone considering retirement in 2024! 🏝 The list of top retirement destinations is incredibly insightful, covering everything from cost of living to healthcare access and lifestyle options. The detailed comparisons and beautiful visuals make it easy to picture myself in each location. Thanks for the thorough research and helpful tips!
Need to do one of these for people that are not retired yet. Canada is becoming unlivable both in terms of cost, and dwindling rights
Retirement , good health care , safety , accessibility to groceries etc and cost of living
I'm seeing many many rich foreigners moving to the rich suburbs in South Africa especially Pretoria and Cape Town. They live like kings here... 🇿🇦
Finally you hit the nail P. O R. T. U. G. A. L I can retired there Thank you very much.
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....
PWC SUMMARIES MOBILE phone website are keeping good enough!🏥
Kristin, what an amalgamation of FABULOUS FACTURAL INFORMATION! KUDOS! y gracias! I learned more from you in 20 minutes than I have listening to many others. Thanks!
This is such a fantastic rundown of the best retirement countries
Thank you Ian! I'm thrilled you found it helpful. 😊🌟
I'm surprised Brazil wasn't mentioned. But there are, indeed, plenty of countries to live well and retire.
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?
@tammypelletier3195 Since I've lived in the South my entire life, I'm curious as to what you've seen or heard that makes the South so different than anywhere else in the U.S.?
Thanks for this informative video. I had no idea France has its nice, yet affordable areas. I've only been to Paris and hated it.
Thank you! This was very thorough and well done!
Thank you! Glad all the hard work paid off :)
I absolutely agree with Mexico; it has everything!
Can you do a video JUST ON ITALY?
I was curious why Italy did not make the list.
I’m planning a video about the best places to live in Italy for this year!
I do not think Italy and France are attractive places for retirement for many reasons.
@@yvesderival634 NOt true in face alot of folks are saying southern France is affordable for Americans, as is southern Italy.
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
Portuguese immigration system service process is about more than a year onwards?🏥
France is the most beautiful country in the world & aside from Paris, very affordable.
As an American retiree I have travelled all over the world for the last twenty years or so. I speak only English and have gotten along fine. It is sometimes inconvenient but not a big deal. Many people overseas speak English especially in cities or where money is involved. I seldom travel to rural areas or poverty areas. I never drive in foreign countries but always walk 90% of the time or use public transportation like buses or metro subway lines. Many places overseas are cheaper than the US. I use Airbnb often so I can buy from grocery stores and prepare my own food in a kitchen. This saves quite a bit of money and gives me greater selection of food.
A lot of work to do this video. Thank you
You are welcome! 😊
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.
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 wish IL would include more on Safety in their ratings. I can't wrap my head around Costa Rica considering the warnings from the US Embassy about all the crime including throwing tire poppers on the road in front of rental cars and then robbing all your stuff when the tire goes flat. Everything I had was stolen in broad daylight after parking directly in front of a bustling grocery store. They know which cars are the rental cars!
What about Thailand and Vietnam? Both of these countries are less expensive to live than any of the countries you mentioned along with Thailand having one of the best and most affordable healthcare systems in the world.
Yes will cover Thailand in the next video :)
Yes. I am living in Thailand now and it is fantastic. After looking at pros and cons if all the countries listed and picked thailand.
@@CyndieGawain
I’m in Mexico now, but thinking of going to Thailand later this year for about 6 months.
@@anitamendez116 i have been in hua hin which was ok. Now in Phuket which has better beaches. Ex pat community not as easy to connect with so far
As soon as my retirement visa comes thru which should be in a week or two, i am heading to koh sumai. Check in with me before you come and i will have more info. Regardless of the beach community i live in, i love it here.
The Philippines is a better option regarding long term visas, Thailand has too many terms and conditions attached to long term settlement.
Air quality in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya is, for long periods, Toxic.
Outside of these cities you are likely to to hit the language barrier as not many Thais speak English at all.
The only pluses I would give Thailand over the Philippines are Health care, internet connection and transport.
The Philippines has 7000 Islands, all beautiful, the people are friendly and English is widely spoken as their second language making it easy to integrate into a local community.
My choice, from my own
experience of both Thailand and the Philippines, ?
Thailand, IF you are happy to stay in the confines of an expat enclave in the City.
The Philippines for the genuinely friendly People, ease of application for long term visas, English language spoken even in remote islands and provinces.
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
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!
My Dutch friends are heading to Paraguay. Very cheap, lots of land and possibilities to start an activity. It's there like in the fifties!
That sounds like an exciting adventure for your Dutch friends! Wishing them all the best on their journey and endeavors there! 🌟🌎
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!
I think New Zealand has a maximum age restriction and you can’t 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 just watched another video of an expat that lives and specializes in Mexico. He stated that the residence visa now requires a $4500 monthly income to qualify.
Hi there, it’s from $4,000-4,500 but not exact. As I mentioned in the video it depends where you apply from as each embassy has a different amount for both the temporary and permanent residency permit.
Yup, they pulled a "Malaysia". Now to expensive for retirement.
Besides the countries above, I think there are many other countries that are worth trying. Thank you for your suggestion
Foreign pension and other retirement income (IRA, 401k, etc) from the USA is not taxed in France per the tax treaty.
All Americans wishing to live abroad permanently need to learn all about Fatca/Fincen !!!
FATCA has nothing to do with living abroad permanently. It has to do with having a foreign bank account whether you live there, for any amount of time or not.
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.)
In mexico in expats areas you will pay US prices on alot of things meals and so forth
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:)
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.
I do not think international
living does a good job of pros and cons. They do not put much emphasis on how easy it is to get a visa and taxes. It would be nice if a lot of us looking to 39:53 live overseas have so much money taxes do not matter. However, I think cost-of-living is extremely high on the list for most of us and having to pay taxes on top of everything else has put Portugal and Spain off my list.
I just moved to thailand and i love it here
It's great to hear that you're enjoying Thailand! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on international living @CyndieGawain. Taxes and visa requirements are definitely important factors to consider. Wishing you all the best in your new adventure! 🌴😊🇹🇭
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.
France (along with the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the UK) have overseas territories. While the UK territories have complicated relationships with the mother country, all of the EU territories are co-equal with their mother countries which means that the rules for residency and citizenship are the same in the French Caribbean as they are in Metropolitan France.
The other thing to keep in mind is that circumstances in any given place is always in motion; don't just pay attention to a snapshot, but trajectories over time- and stay away from those on a downward trend.
I am an expat retired in japan. Great for everything.
That's fantastic to hear! Enjoy every moment of your expat life there! 🇯🇵😊
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
Colombia also has Hippopotamuses. That's a big win.
This seems to be largely from the perspective of US/Canadian Citizens, but as a EEA/EU (Norwegian) citizen (dual citizenship with UK, my home country) I am considering Portugal as a retirement option. Something that non EU citizens are probably unaware of, is the European health care agreement, under which, as a non citizen, you are entitled to the same healthcare/emergency treatment as a citizen of which ever country you happen to be in, and it is covered by your country of residence. So for example, if I get sick in France, it is covered by the healthcare system in Norway, where I have lived and paid taxes for 18 years. This essentially negates the need for expense private medical insurance. Staying within Europe also alleviates many of the complications around pensions/ taxes too, because you´re entitled to stay in any other EU country for a year without visas. And with the wide range of diversity of cultures, foods, climates, history etc, it makes more sense. Also, you can get by with English in most European countries, esp. Greece, Portugal and Spain as it is widely spoken everywhere except France and Italy, although the Italians are very welcoming if you just speak a little Italian, it´s only really France where English is not spoken so much.
Thanks for sharing your perspective Alan! Wishing you all the best in your retirement plans! 😊🌍
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.
India is the most amazing country for living in Retirement. Cheaper by 5 times than all the countries mentioned. Healthcare index ? Modern Hospitals and for 2 times less. No crime, no violence and Yoga & nature, Ayurveda. Warmest people in the world. Ask who has visited India. All the best !
Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's great to hear about your positive experiences there.🙌
Renewing my retirement visa today for the 8th year here in Chiang Mai Thailand 🇹🇭 😍 don't see me living anywhere else. But because the cost of living is soooo low, I travel 10 to 12 weeks a year. The cost of my visa is $52 per year. But you need to keep a $22,000 emergency fund in a thai bank. Which earns 2% interest. Better medical system than usa and pennies on the dollar. Omg the food and coffee shops are amazing. People are very friendly. The new tax law is way over hiped. It's really not going to effect very many people. HAPPY IN CHIANGMAI
What about the air pollution during the burning season, from January to April, is it true that is an issue especially for people with fragile respiratory system?
Thank you Kristin, one of the best retirement video's I've found!
Wow, thank you, Greg!
Nice to see so many spanish-speaking countries on that list but surprised Spain itself is only half way down the rankings. I guess it may have a lot to do with the very wide diversity across the whole country that already has a very well-established tourism industry. This is particularly true here in the Canary Islands which make a significant contribution to the Spanish economy. Like Portugal, the local island councils are now debating controls on foreigners buying and renting out property, as it is pushing up house and rental prices beyond what local Canarios can afford. However, the Golden Visa is still available if you can invest at least €500,000 in property and you do not have to become a tax-resudent ie. stay more than 183 days/year in the country. Hola Kristin from sunny Fuerteventura❤
I didn't get the impression that she ranked this list of 10 countries, but that they were in no particular order.
Hi Steve! ☀️ Thanks for sharing your insights. Enjoy that sunshine for me! 🏝️❤️
always great information thanks
You're welcome!