Best Country to Retire

Whether it’s adventure, sand, sun and sea or maximizing your retirement’s worth that you’re after, it’s good to consider living abroad for the rest of your golden years.  One of the top destinations for retirees is Panama, mainly because of the perks that it offers to its pensioner population, tropical climate and value for money.

For single retirees, all you need is US$500 a month to get the special pensionado (pensioner) privileges in this country. Panama City was built by Americans while they were running the Panama Canal so it is a cosmopolitan city much like Miami. If you can’t afford Miami, then this is the place to go.

So what are the perks for retirees?

•    50% discounts on movies, theater, sporting events and concert tickets.
•    25% discounts on restaurants.
•    at least 30% discounts on hotel stays; 50% from Monday to Thursday.
•    import duty exemption for a new car every two years.
•    great health care system.
•    modern buildings, shopping centers, city convenience.

Panama’s weather can get so hot during summers and you may find it intolerable. You can choose to time your vacations during this time and head to colder places, like the mountainous regions of the country, if you can’t take the heat. But remember to learn Spanish first. While city dwellers can readily converse in English, that’s not the case in other parts of the country. To fully enjoy the countryside and explore more, you need to overcome the language barrier first.

-Stephanie

Technorati Tags: best countries for singles, best countries to retire, best country for singles, best country to retire, move to Panama, moving to Panama, Panama, Panama retirement, retire to Panama

Hello-

Last time we talked about why Thailand is one of the best countries to live and retire, this time, I wanted to share why Thailand is also one of the best countries to retire for singles as well.

Southeast Asia offers many conveniences to foreign retirees for a fraction of a cost. In fact, foreign retirees have become a common fixture in Asia countries for the last few years—Americans, British, Chinese—name it.

One of the most popular destinations for single retirees is Thailand. There are many places to explore here aside from the capital and largest city of Bangkok which is a real tourism magnet. Hosting 14 million international guests in 2007, Thailand is enjoying booming economy partly through tourism. This country has strong exports mainly rice, textiles and footwear, fishery products, rubber, jewelry items, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances.

The culture is the main attraction of Thailand. It is the only country in Southeast that has never been colonized by a European power so expect to be treated with the warmest Asian hospitality here. Known as the land of smiles, any foreign retiree can easily merge into its calm and laidback culture.

If you’re a single retiree living on a US$2,000 a month pension, you’ll live like a king in Thailand. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, you have many options to choose from. Chiang Mai, Pattaya-Chonburi, Greater Hatyai-Songkhla, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phuket are all metropolitan areas as well.

Thai food is enjoyed by most of its foreign retirees which is world famous for being spicy. There are many types of restaurants here as well if you miss the food back home. Going around Thailand is no problem at all. You can shuttle from one place to the next through trains, planes, buses and in Bangkok, you can even make the most of their river and canals network.

Thailand has world class health care facilities and is a safe place even for foreign retirees.

Check out more best places to retire and cheap places to retire

Thanks,

-Stephanie

Technorati Tags: best country to retire, best country to retire for singles, move to Thailand, moving to Thailand, retire in Thailand, retire to Thailand, where is the best country to retire

Hello-

They say that when you reach the age of 60 or 70, your bones would be frail and that you would need to extend your sleeping hours and take naps in the afternoon, thus would not be able to keep up with the night life.

Well, I say you’re wrong and these stereotyped and preconceived notions about senior citizens should be thrown and placed inside a trash bin. Many people who would have hit retirement age are more than capable of staying up late at night and enjoy late evenings.

So where do adventurous, nocturnal people retire to? Where else but in the Kingdom of Thailand, a country that knows how to celebrate and always give its visitors and foreign retirees a rousing good time.

Various night bars, disco clubs, karaoke abound in this Southeast Asian country to cater to the different tastes and budgets of its patrons. Bright lights from these establishments beckon to its prospective clients to enter.

And if you grow tired of the nightlife and would like to slow down, in this Kingdom there are a lot picturesque sandy beaches to choose such as the Phuket Island, Krabi Phi Phi Island, Koh Lanta, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, and Koh Samet.

Enjoy the solitude as you walk barefoot along the white sandy beaches while sipping your favorite glass of pina colada or you could laze around on your beach chair or lie on your towel. It is not too late to get a tanned skin you know.

But the you ask yourself this would be a dream come true, but can a pensioner really afford this kind of retirement lifestyle. The answer is a definite yes. The cost of living is much more affordable in Thailand than in some other countries especially if you came from a European country or from the United States.

Since Thailand is a favorite place of tourists, the locals have had a lot of time to brush up on their English, so communication with them would not be a problem. You could even have enough money to hire the services of a housekeeper to help you with your daily chores.

You can rent a room and eat 3 meals a day for around $24 USD!  Talk about affordable retirement living.

The Thai government is so accommodating that it would not give interested foreign retirees a hard time to settle down. In order to get a retirement visa in Thailand, it requires the basic such as the applicant has to submit the documents such as a health certificate from a hospital within a three month period, no criminal record certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate, a certificate of income or pension, and a photocopy of the passport showing that he or she has been going back and forth to Thailand for the past three years.

This is just a small sample of what makes Thailand one of the best countries to live and retire.

-Stephanie

Technorati Tags: best countries to live, best countries to live and retire, best countries to retire, best country to retire, best places to retire, live in Thailand, move to Thailand, moving to Thailand, retire in Thailand, retire to Thailand

The annual increases in the cost of living in most parts of the United States and Canada paved the way for an alternative plan to retire overseas. More often than not, most people, while on the peak of their career, devoted most of their time in earning more money for them to afford these increases and enjoy their retirement years.

The usual concerns of many retirees when looking at overseas retirement are, what does retiring and living overseas involve in terms of separation from the family, learning a new language, selecting an appropriate climate, affordability, safety, and medical needs.

There are of course several countries that fit one or more of these requirements, but the challenge lies on the selection of a country that fits the most of these requirements.

The following factors should be considered before deciding to retire overseas:

1. Proximity to the U.S. and Canada in order to be able to visit or have family and friends visit occasionally without so much expenses or travel time;

2. Sufficient health care at less expensive costs compared to your home country;

3. A suitable climate that is not too cold or warm so that it will not require heat or air conditioning;

4. Comparison of costs of homes and property as well as prices of groceries, utilities, bus and taxi fares, and other major expenses; and

5. Safety and accessibility to recreational activities and places.

Once a particular country has been found to fit most of the requirements mentioned above, and the decision has been made to explore these possibilities, then, and only then, should you move forward and arrange an ocular visit to the country selected for your potential retirement.

After visiting and choosing a country as being the most suitable for your retirement needs, the decision then must be made whether you wish to preserve your current residence in your home country if it is affordable and live there part time, or totally give up your residence and live in your chosen retirement country full time.

Some decide to retain their current residence if they can afford to, and live in their chosen country only part time during the coldest or warmest portion of the year, while others choose the least expensive way and live in their retirement country full time and preferred to become residents of that country.

-Stephanie

Technorati Tags: best country, best country to retire, retire overseas, where in the world to retire, where to retire

Panama is a privileged country within Latin America. It is fast becoming a preferred location for a second or retirement home for many North Americans.  It is quickly becoming one of the hottest real estate and retirement locations in the world. Many retirees are finding out about “the new Costa Rica”.  There are many reasons why Panama is growing in popularity with foreign retirees, businesspeople and investors.  Many already call it home and consider it the best country to retire.  Let’s learn more about retiring to Panama.

For one, even nature has blessed Panama. Due to a unique geographical position, there are no natural disasters, no hurricanes or destructive earthquakes which plague its Central American neighbours.

It is in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica.

Residential environments drastically range from city, mountain, beach and island communities.

Panama is convenient, low-cost, and easy living. Panama’s cost of living ranks among the lowest in Central America.

We would know that we have everything God needed to make paradise. Great farming, beaches, mountains, wildlife you wouldn’t believe…people so beautiful you could cry.

The number one country outside the United States for a second home- based on Panama’s outstanding safety, infrastructure, climate and beauty.

The Panamanian “Balboa” is actually the U.S. Dollar. Retirees love that they don’t have to calculate conversions or learn a new currency.

Panama’s climate is as varied as any nation.  From hot, sunny lowlands to the dry, windy beaches all the way up to the cooler mountain climates of Chiriqui…there’s something for every retiree.

Panamanians are accustomed to foreigners.  The U.S. military had a major presence in Panama until the handover of the Canal and thus, the locals are quite accustomed to foreign ways and dealing with outsiders.

The quality of life in Panama is very good for the value.  Thanks to the Panama Canal, most products available anywhere can be found in Panama City and at real market prices.

Panama’s highways, telephones, shopping, hospitals and banks are incredibly modern.  Most foreigners are pleasantly surprised at how advanced Panama is, even in remote areas.

Panama is a country forged by various cultures and traditions that come together to create a unique complexity and exotic environment. The country’s ethnic diversity is reflected in the traditional products, such as woodcarvings, ceremonial masks and pottery, as well as in its architecture, cuisine and festivals.

Panama offers good-quality medical care and modern hospitals in its metropolitan areas. There is a great medical center with modern facilities in the city of David in the Chiriqui Province in the western region of Panama. Many Panamanian doctors are U.S.-trained, and the standards at the top hospitals compare favorably to those in the United States.

Private health insurance is available and much less expensive than insurance in the United States. Prices for prescription drugs are low as well, because manufacturers price them for the market. Plus, many drugs that require a prescription in the States are available over the counter in Panama.

Panama has the best incentive program in the world for foreign retirees or Pensionados.

Some of the benefits are:

Importation of all your personal and household goods up to US$10,000 free of taxes.

Right to import a car every two years free of taxes.

It is easy to see why Panama is the best country to retire in Latin America.  Many consider it one of the best places to retire in the world.

Technorati Tags: best country in Central America, best country in Latin America, best country to retire, best places to retire, Panama, retire to Panama

Asia is a great retirement option for those seeking affordable yet comfortable living, without compromising on natural beauty, entertainment and great food.  One specific country in Asia has been touted as one of the best countries to retire - Malaysia.

Malaysia could be the place you’ve been dreaming about.  If you’re not familiar with it, Malaysia is situated on the lower part of the Malay peninsula, just north of Singapore.

East Malaysia is situated on the northern third or so of Borneo – about 400 miles east of the mainland.  Peninsular Malaysia is more developed, with all of the major cities, and East Malaysia is where you will find large expanses of jungle, many rivers, and some of the best diving in Southeast Asia.

Most retirees would probably find Peninsular Malaysia more convenient for living, and East Malaysia good for occasional visits.

Malaysia was a British colony until 1957, and has existed in its present form since 1963.  English is spoken widely, although many other languages are spoken as well – various dialects of Chinese, Tamil (a south Indian language), Malayalam (another South Indian Language) and the national language, Bahasa Malaysia.

Malaysia is blessed with a pleasant, warm climate, inviting shorelines of white sands skirted by crystal clear waters. Lots of public and private hospitals, recreational/entertainment facilities and developed and quality education system are also available.

Malaysia is a tropical country, with high humidity year round.  The monsoon season generally runs from December to March, and hits the East Coast hardest- although rain is year round.  It can be very hot in northern Malaysia in the summer, and temperatures in the low-lying areas generally reach into the low 90s F at their hottest.

Crime is very low in Malaysia, few areas could be considered unsafe, even in the larger cities.  Drugs are best avoided completely, since the penalties for possession are severe. The people are very friendly.

You may think a US citizen visiting a Muslim country might experience some ill will, but if you show respect for the local cultures and religions it should rarely be a problem.  The main everyday sign that this is an Islamic country is the head scarf that observant Muslim women wear, and the sound of the call to prayer from the Mosques.

People who want a little adventure in their retirement years, while still enjoying a decent standard of living would like living here.  People who enjoy trying new foods – Malay, all sorts of Indian food, all sorts of Chinese food, fresh seafood all year would enjoy staying here.  Same with those people who have decent health and who want to keep it that way by being active and curious.

People who don’t have to work in retirement to make ends meet – and you will find it even easier here, since so many things are inexpensive.

Fortunately Malaysia has an exceptionally low cost of living and is aided by a tax regime that is most welcoming to foreigners.

Another reason why some people want to retire in Malaysia is that it has superb healthcare facilities and highly-skilled medical practitioners. Yet medical expenses and insurance can be very cheap and affordable compare to other countries.

Malaysia’s cultural mosaic is marked by multinational traditions, originating from China, India, the Middle East, Europe, and the entire Malay Archipelago.

New cultural influences from Europe and China mixed with Hindu and Islamic traditions later in history. A collective but distinctively Malay cultural pattern has emerged from this blend. It is reflected in literature, music, dance, and art forms.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, where more than a million work and reside, and functions as the center of Malaysia’s political, commercial and social life. It is a city of delightful contrasts. The favorable climate accounts for the lush greenery and profusion of tropical blooms in a riot of colors. The end result is a unique blend of age-old customs and traditions; colorful festivals, songs and dances and a rich variety of foods to tempt the palate.

Credit cards and travelers cheques are accepted at larger establishments. Most banks readily accept foreign currencies like the US Dollar, Pound Sterling, Yen, Deustchmark and Franc for exchange into  Malaysian Ringgit.

This is just a sample of what makes Malaysia one of the best countries to retire in Asia and in the world.

Technorati Tags: best country, best country to retire, best country to retire in Asia, best places to retire, move to Malaysia, retire in Malaysia, retire overseas, retire to Asia, retire to Malaysia