Retired Americans leave the United States in search of a better life

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Long years of work behind, children grew up, and there are years ahead of a quiet retirement life? Many believe that American pensioners live happily ever after, but this is not entirely true. Unfortunately, money for a decent life is not always enough, which is why older people leave the country in search of a better life. At the same time, the number of Americans who move to live outside the US after retirement is constantly growing. According to statistics, sand the period from 2010 to 2015 year their number increased by 17%. Often they choose Latin America as their new home.

Mexico

This country has become a new home for a retired firefighter, 72-year-old Dan Williams and his wife, 68-year-old Donna. The couple lives in the village for the elderly on the lake Chapala already 14 years, and they are completely satisfied with the climate, and medical services. Dan gives drawing lessons for adults and children, publishes a monthly magazine with his wife for representatives of the local branch of the American Legion organization and is a member of the community Lake chapala societywhich offers a variety of entertainment for senior citizens.

The couple is glad that they moved to this lively area. “All the year round we observe how elderly people walk around our town, even those who move in wheelchairs. If we were in the United States, they would probably live out their days in a nursing home, and here they lead an active life. I don’t think I can go back! ”

In 2017, for the first time in twenty years, Mexico topped the list on the website International living best countries for living American pensioners.

Their number in Mexico is growing relentlessly: there are now about 1 million such inhabitants (the figure is approximate), and many of them live in the border areas of the country, for example, on the peninsula Baja Californiawhich is located on the border of Mexico and the United States in the region of California, or on the above-mentioned Lake Chapala. Here they enjoy the wonderful weather, tasty and cheap food and low housing prices. American retirees are beneficial to Mexico from an economic point of view, for them there is a visa for temporary residents who are not going to work in this country and are financially independent.

Costa Rica

Green forests, white sand beaches, while modern cities with many museums and entertainment facilities, reliable infrastructure and good medical care.

It is not surprising that the country has become so popular among retirees who want to live by high standards, but at the same time pay a little.

The cost of living in Costa Rica is much lower than in the United States: one person can live on $ 1300- $ 1600 per month.

At the same time, the cost of housing varies greatly depending on the city, the location of other factors. For example, renting a good three-room apartment near the city center costs a little over 850 dollars per month, and a studio apartment costs less than 450 dollars. Average prices for apartments outside the city center are about 20% lower.

There are many other housing options, including cheap beach bungalows, furnished villas and houses surrounded by gardens and lawns. You can also buy a house. Utilities, including water, electricity and garbage collection, make up just over $ 70 per month. The weather is also an important factor - the average temperature here is 72 ° F almost all year round.

Many retirees prefer to live in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, surrounding the capital San José, where there are international airports, shops and medical facilities. Also, many settle in the province Guanacaste on the northwest coast of the Pacific Ocean, which is called the Gold Coast. There are entire enclaves inhabited by immigrants from other countries.

Japan

Joseph Roginski says that the cost of living in Japan is higher, but medical services are cheaper.

“Living here is very expensive. Just do not live on social benefits. But the main thing for me in this country is good medical insurance, ”says Roginsky, a retired 71-year-old military man who served in Japan in 1968 year.

He pays only $ 350 per year for Japanese medical insurance covering 70% medical expenses. The rest is covered by his second retirement insurance.

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the number of US pensioners in Japan increased by 2010% from 2014 to 42, which is more than in any other country. An important factor is the presence of US troops in the country - about 50 thousands. On the island of Okinawa, US military bases occupy about 19% of the area.

Roginski, who works as a volunteer at the Misawa Military Air Base Retirement Home, says that 450 helps retirees and their families living in northern Japan and is not going to return to the States. “Here we feel safe and keep the doors unlocked. No one will take anything! When I return from trips, I feel that my home is here. ”

Cambodia

If you don’t need to fly home to America often, you may be interested in living in Cambodia - a country where living is most cost-effective for American expats according to InternationalLiving.com. You can rent an apartment for $ 250 per month and dine at a restaurant for $ 5. Here you can live in the warmth and get acquainted with the rich culture of Southeast Asia.

Spain

If you want to live in Europe, but you are afraid of high prices, it is most convenient to move to Spain - for an American citizen with dollars in his wallet, everything is not so expensive here. An apartment can be rented for $ 500, you can buy a property for $ 70 thousand, a month you can pay about $ 1900, including rent.

To move here for permanent residence, you need to get a residence permit for pensioners. However, only people with a certain, fairly high income level can receive such a visa.

Colombia

This country attracts retirees for two reasons: a favorable climate and affordable medical services. In addition, there are many direct low-cost flights to the United States. You can live here in the coastal resort town of Santa Marta, or in large cities such as Bogota and Medellin. The latter was considered the most dangerous city on earth at the beginning of the 90s. Now the colonial city has changed dramatically and has become attractive for economic migrants.

Portugal

For the same reasons, Portugal is among the top ten countries to relocate to 2017. As the editor says International Living Glynna Prentice: "In many small towns, a couple can live on $ 1700 per month, including payment for an apartment, and in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon - about $ 2200."

Favorite places for Americans are Lisbon, Porto and small coastal cities. Cascais and Estoril.

Panama

Panama won the best marks and ranked second on the list due to various benefits and discounts for senior citizens in Central and South America, as well as the ease of obtaining a visa. The fact is that in Panama, changes were made to the visa system. Pensioners receive interest discounts on public transport, entertainment and medical expenses. The health care system in Panama is considered one of the best in the world.

Nicaragua

This country attracts Americans not only for its good medicine and cost of living less than $ 1500 per month. Here, US retirees feel at home because of the presence of American stores, such as Walmart and PriceSmart.

Correspondent IL Bonnie Hayman, a former financial consultant, moved to Nicaragua, as she could not afford to retire in the United States.

“The prospect of working all my life did not please me at all. Why stay in America? In order to work forever? ”She argues.

After a couple of tourist trips to this country, Bonnie moved to Nicaragua in the city San juan del surwhere did not know a soul. “Sounds scary. But this is the best decision that I took! ”- says Bonnie.

Malaysia

Low prices for housing and food, the ability to travel to other countries of Asia without spending big money, and a good level of medicine - this is where retirees come here. Upon arrival, an American citizen is issued a visa for three months, but if you want to stay, you can extend the visa without leaving the country. Doctors, according to American expats, speak good English, many of them studied in the US or the UK. Prices for medical services of Americans please. “When I needed an operation on my knee, all the procedures, including MRI, consultations, the services of the anesthesiologist and the operation cost only $ 2 thousands. In the US, it would have cost thousands of 18, or even more! ”, Says Malaysian retiree Kate Hawton.

There are many countries in the world where life is cheaper and the climate is much better. And if we are not kept working and family, you can go to another country. Once we have already emigrated, why not decide on this step again?

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