Retirement Destinations Around the World

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What does a person usually yearn for after a lifetime of hectic activity – getting married, handling the stresses of work, trying to make ends meet, bringing up children and paving their way to a good future? Obviously, a meticulously planned, comfortable retirement as a culmination of a well lived life, with a haven to call one’s own, in which to put up his feet and enjoy the fruits of his life’s labor.

This, however, is easier said than done, and it does take considerable effort to decide on where to retire, as does the process of getting there. In today’s world, one is spoilt for choice, with myriad options present globally.

For folks who want to spend their retirement far from their homes, the Internet opens up a world of options at the click of a button, with the advantages and disadvantages of each spelt out clearly. Most destinations offer good infrastructure and excellent healthcare facilities, making a dream of retirement at an exotic getaway an affordable and exciting possibility.

Retiring to Warmer Climes

There are many popular retirement destinations the world over. Topping the list are places like Panama, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. After having spent a lifetime in extremely cold climes, older people often opt for places where the climate is moderate and kind to old bones. Panama offers income tax exemptions for senior citizens, along with discounts on everything from entertainment to medical bills. Thailand and Singapore thrive on medical tourism and provide excellent service at relatively low cost. Both the Philippines and Thailand have world class golfing facilities, with the former offering snorkeling and water sports in addition.

Special Programs for Retirees

Malaysia has also become an attractive option with cheap gasoline and labor, affordable housing, an excellent quality of life and low cost of living, all of which should appeal to retirees. The “Malaysia, My Second Home” program for people over 50 is a government scheme providing renewable ten year visas and duty free vehicle imports, along with the right to buy and own property. Costa Rica, Mexico, New Zealand, Belize and Spain are also popular retirement options, with cultures and landscapes that are novel to people from other countries. The cost of living is also comparatively low, and a further advantage is that many retirees have already made their homes there, most of them from similar age groups and cultures. While Mexico is a homely option with a laidback lifestyle in which family values are of paramount importance, Costa Rica tempts one with its balmy mountain air, and Belize offers a formal program called the Retired Persons Incentive Program. Spain, Portugal and Costa Rica have an army of real estate developers and property agents creating great homes at low cost for expatriate retirees.

English is widely spoken in places like Belize, the Philippines, Gibraltar and Malaysia, and hence, these countries are as popular as English speaking countries like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and British Columbia. New Zealand and South Africa are stunning in their scenic beauty. In the United States, Florida, Texas and Arizona are on top of people’s lists, as the climate is salubrious.

Activities for the Retired

The term ‘retirement’ has now come to mean time to engage in all the activities one wanted when younger, whether fishing, skiing, theatre, social work or camping and finding the right place to be, in order to be able to do the same.

Healthcare Facilities and Tax Breaks for Retirees

Top notch health care is vital to a retired person, and places like Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi are ideal as they have good medical facilities. Alaska, Florida, Washington and Dakota, among others, do not have a state income tax, which is a big draw for retired people. For those looking for recreational activities, Colorado provides mountain sports, rock climbing, hiking, camp fishing, rafting and the like. Safety is also a concern for older people. Cities like New Jersey and New York are especially safe and hence have a larger population of retirees. While South Africa is picturesque, the high crime rate might prove a deterrent, and older people tend to value their security more than ever before.

India as a Retirement Option

India is emerging as a popular choice for retiring NRIs and foreigners. The low costs for healthcare and personalized services are a huge draw. There is a view that outsourcing of geriatric care may be the next outsourcing boom.

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