Just imagine the freedom of being able to get up each morning and decide how you want to spend your day – without having to adhere to a schedule. You say you want to have a late breakfast, spend time reading the morning paper and then linger over a second or third cup of coffee? No problem. It’ll be your day and you can do whatever you want.

While you may not have thought of this, you can also decide where you want to spend the rest of your life. While many retirees decide to stay right where they are, others choose to live the life of an expatriate – and move some place where the weather is always warm and the cost of living is cheaper. And sometimes that means you need to look at the best places to retire abroad.

The important thing is that you don’t have to stay put. There’s a whole world of places out there where you could retire. In some cases, you would be able to live a much better life and enjoy more luxuries because these countries have costs of living that are much less than here in the States.

Nine great places to retire

Retire to Vietnam

Retire in Panama

Retire to Cuba

Retire in Argentina

Retire in Puerto Rico

Retire in Jamaica

Retire in Chile

Retire in Colombia

Retire in Ireland

This site will take you to nine great places to retire. One of them is considered by many to be the best place in the world to retire (hint: it has a canal). This is because it not only offers a cheaper cost of living it also has a special program for retirees. If you choose this country, you may not even have to pay any income taxes and how sweet would that be?

We’ll also introduce you to two countries you might not have ever considered for retirement in your wildest dreams. However, both have become very popular destinations for retirees. One of these countries (hint: think great cigars) has become something of a haven for people who are tired of having the government peer over their shoulders every minute.

We’ll introduce you to another country that boasts seven climate zones. In fact, you can go from hot sunny Atlantic Ocean beaches to an area of 300-plus glaciers without ever leaving this country (hint: this one sort of forms South America’s backbone).

We’ll also tell your about a U.S. has a territory that has actually voted to not become independent. It’s an island about three times the size of Rhode Island with population of about 3.9 million and offers deep sea fishing and snorkeling to die for.

There is another island we’ll introduce you to that has kept faith with its European heritage. Its natives speak mostly English (or English patio) and even though it sits in the middle of the Caribbean, it’s still a British colony (hint: think Olympic bobsled team).

You’ll probably remember the miners that were trapped deep in a mine for 69 days. Do you remember which country the mine was in? We’ll tell you why its one of the best places to retire and why it’s a great place to buy a home.

If that’s not enough, we’ll introduce you to yet another Central American country that’s often overlooked as a retirement destination but that has a lot going for it, plus a country that has often been called the “emerald isle.”

So sit down, strap yourself in and get ready for a ride to nine of the best places in the world to retire.

Note: The costs you will see quoted are based on average costs as of February 2012 and may vary from what you encounter firsthand in any of these nine countries.

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Texas is one of the cheapest states to live in the United States. Some areas in Texas may be expensive but if you go to the southwestern region of the state, you can find a small metro area known as Brownsville. The Brownsville area includes San Benito and Harlingen which are known areas for cheap costs of living. First, rental in these areas are almost 4 times lower than the cost in New York. Housing cost is also lower in Harlingen compared to other areas. Transportation and the cost of groceries are low too. Gas prices in the Brownsville area are lower compared to other places since it is much closer to refineries. When the gas price is low, the transportation cost also goes down. As the transportation becomes cheaper, prices of basic commodities and groceries also becomes cheaper as well. But people who are considering this area need to know that utility prices may be pricey. There are also fewer colleges in the area and the income is relatively low. The median household income in Brownsville is $30, 034.

Ft. Hood is also another area in Texas considered to be cheap. A U.S. Army Base is located in the area so soldiers and their families are the common occupants there. Housing prices are very competitive. Because of the presence of the army base, healthcare is expected to be of high quality. Great schools are also present in the area for the kids of those who are in the military. The median household income in Ft. Hood is $46,183. Sherman is also a cheap place to live in Texas. The population is mostly composed of families and living in this area is great since basic commodities and utility charges are cheap. The major employers in the area are health care related which pays higher compared to the paychecks of other cheap places to live in.  Gas prices in Sherman are also relatively low. The low cost of gas produces a chain reaction which affects the prices of commodities to go lower as well. Median household income in Sherman, Texas is $45,171.

Another cheap place to live in the United States is Pueblo, Colorado. Pueblo is a great area to consider since according to statistics, there are more better paying jobs here than in Harlingen. Cost of housing is also very affordable and since it is a metropolitan area, there are major employers situated there. Based on the data collected by the Council for Community and Economic Research or C2ER, housing costs in Pueblo are 30 percent lower than that of the national average.  Pueblo, Colorado also enjoys an average of 300 days of sun each year. The weather is great and there is lesser snow compared to other cities. A good reason why Pueblo is considered one of the cheap places to live in the country is the fact that there are good schools and hospitals in the area. Healthcare is accessible and the amenities are updated too. Recreation and shopping areas are located in key areas of the city as well. Compared to Brownsville, the prices of groceries and basic commodities might slightly be higher but this is balanced out by getting a small raise in your income. Median household income in Pueblo, Colorado is $40,805.

If you are looking for a budget friendly area in the Arkansas area, then Fort Smith is the place for you. Cost of housing is low and the prices of basic commodities are very affordable too. Utilities are cheap and rental rates are reasonable. Transportation is also cheap and the area is generally low-tax. Aside from that, there are a number of companies in Fort Smith that can offer employment opportunities. Median household income in Fort Smith is $37,363. This is a bit lower compared to Pueblo, Colorado or Sherman, Texas but the cost of living in Fort Smith will balance this. The area is not similar to other big cities in the country and if you want quality education and other recreational activities, you would need to drive to other cities like Fayetteville.

Springfield in Illinois is another great place to live. 65% of the populations in the area are families. Housing costs are average but income is higher compared to other cheap cities. Rent is also affordable and usually averages to $556. There are a number of large employers situated in the city which increases the chances of being employed. Most of the jobs in the area are at the state government since it is the state capital. According to statistics, there are around 17,200 employees by the State of Illinois. There are also hospitals in the area which are capable of performing procedures like cardiovascular operations. Median Household income in Springfield is $51,001.

Generally, these cheap places to live are all great areas if your family knows how to adjust. These areas may not have the perfect scenario of great quality living but with the income that these cities offer, they provide a living that is suitable to that rate. It is always advisable to do research and check employment opportunities before making a decision to make sure you and your family get the best deal out there.

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• Cheap Places to Visit for Vacation (cheapplacesretire.com)

The post Looking for Cheap Places to Live in the US? first appeared on 2026 Best Places To Retire.

Key West, Florida

Maybe not all of Florida is a good place to retire but you simply can’t overlook Key West as it offers many of the same advantages as places like Belize and Panama but is right here in the good, old USA.

When you retire to Key West, you won’t have to learn a new language or master a new currency. You can enjoy a tropical climate and great beaches but still be only a short plane ride away from your friends and family back home in Elmhurst, Illinois or where ever it is you’re retiring from.

Key West is the southernmost city in America and has a really interesting history. At one point the city tried to secede from the US and become the Conch Nation. It was the home of world-renowned author Ernest Hemingway and also at least one of the wildest festivals in America.

Living in Key West is not cheap (we said best places to retire not cheap places to retire). It is on a par with other southern cities such as Charleston South Carolina or Raleigh, North Carolina. However it offers some positives that neither of these cities do, Not the least of which are its superb weather and Duval Street which boasts 22 bars and restaurants within walking distance of one another, including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Our choice for a small town to retire in is Hendersonville, North Carolina. It lies in the foothills next to the North Carolina Mountains, the Blue Bridge Parkway and the Great Smokey Mountains National Forest. Hendersonville has become a magnet for retirees due to its mild climate, the diversity of its topography, its charming downtown area and all of the outdoor activities it has available, which includes horseback riding, water sports, fishing, skiing, cycling and just about anything else you can do outside.

Hendersonville’s downtown features historic Main Street, which is charming, vital and a place for every generation. In fact, the city’s downtown area has been designated a National Historic District.

As of 2009,  Hendersonville’s population was 12,223. Its architecture reflects the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries and there has been much revitalization of the town since the early 1990s. The city’s largest street festival is its annual North Carolina Apple Festival, which culminates in the Apple Parade that regularly draws as many as 50,000 spectators. The city’s climate is moderate–due to its elevation, Its temperatures range from a mean high temperature of around 47° in January to a high of 84° in July.

Maui, Hawaii

Throwing all money concerns to the wind, we  choose Maui as another great place to retire. It’s the second largest island in the Hawaiian islands. The seat of Maui County is Wailuku and its largest city is Kahului with a population of 20,146.

Maui’s climate is characterized by a two-season year, but with mild and uniform temperatures almost everywhere except its higher elevations. Maui has a wide range of climactic conditions and weather patterns that are determined by the ocean, elevation and orientation towards the Tradewinds. It has a rugged, irregular topography that produces large variations in conditions.

Throughout 2007, Maui experienced rapid population growth and its city of Kihei was one of the fastest growing towns in United States. The island has attracted many retirees and people who came to provide services to them. There’s also been a big upswing in the number of tourists visiting the island.

Maui offers some amazing beaches, including Kiaka Beach Park, Waimea Bay Beach Park  and Offers Surfing Support Park on the island’s North Shore. Its East Shore has Makaua Beach Park and Temple Beach among many others. And Maui’s South Shore has Diamond Head Beach Park, Wai’alae Beach Park, Fort DeRussy Beach and numerous others.

As we warned you up front, this is a sort of dream list of places to retire and is totally subjective. The magazine International Living has a report that lists what it considers to be the 100 Best Places to Retire and you probably wouldn’t find any of our choices on that list. But this should give you some things to think about and maybe start you dreaming about your ideal best place to retire in the world.

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If you consider yourself to be a part of the baby boomer generation, then perhaps you are already trying to find where you would like to retire the best. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be one of the many so-called baby boomers, there’s no harm in searching for the top places in the world to retire because you will have to do that sooner or later anyway, since retirement is inevitable for everyone. Since you will have to find where to retire sometime in the future, you might as well do the proper research now and really start to enjoy it as soon as you embark on it.

Considerations About Where To Retire

So what are the things that you need to think about when it comes to trying to find out where to retire in the USA or the world? There are at least four factors that should be taken into consideration by everyone when it comes to retirement.

Where To Retire Factor #1

The first factor would be the availability of affordable or low-cost housing. Affordable housing is one of the most important things that you have to consider because it concerns money. Your aim should be to find cheap places to retire so that you will be able to live off your savings or whatever passive income source that you might still have for as long as possible. Of course, it’s important that your choice of a cheap place to retire is something that actually fulfills your needs. If you get something that’s affordable but doesn’t give you what you need, then it’s probably just a huge waste of your time and money. Your best bet is to try and strike a balance between affordability and convenience or utility.

Where To Retire Factor #2

The next thing that should concern you is the climate. In trying to find out where to retire to, climate is of huge importance because this will dictate the kind of lifestyle that you will be able to live in all throughout the year. Do you want to retire in a place where it is always sunny and warm? Or do you want to live somewhere that has a cold climate? The choice you make will be entirely up to you. Meanwhile, there are other factors that you should take into consideration before you make a decision on where you want to retire.

Where To Retire Factor #3

Next in your list of retirement factors should be low crime rate. Since you will be spending your later years in wherever place you choose to retire, it’s important that this place has a very low crime rate so that you can live in relative safety for as long as humanly possible. A low crime rate would mean that you won’t have to worry very much about dangers on your life and property. As long as you are safe, you will be able to freely enjoy retirement.

Where To Retire Factor #4

Finally, you should make sure that the place you choose to retire in has low taxes, so that you can consider it to be a very minor expense that will be drawn from your limited retirement savings. As with the factor of affordable housing, this one is important because it concerns your money directly. One or more of the above-mentioned factors should be present in the place you choose when you are done picking out where to retire in the world. What are some possible choices for you?

In the U.S., it can often be very expensive and troublesome to live in most states. But still, you’ll have plenty of choices for where to retire considering all of the above-mentioned factors or requirements. One such example is the state of Texas, which offers some of the most affordable housing rates in the entire United States of America. You also won’t have to pay any income tax then so you will be able to go far on the dollar. The climate changes just like in any other places, but it can be a lot better there compared to some other states. Plus it’s great if you are tired of snow every winter and want a little warmer climate. 90 degrees in the winter – no problem in South Texas. The crime rate is also said to be average, and in fact, is slightly better than some other nearby states.

Another place that you should consider for your retirement is Virginia Beach, Virginia. This place is great because it has average crime rates and the rate of taxes can be much lower when compared with other nearby states. In particular, even though its sales tax, income tax, and auto insurance tax rates may be deemed by some as pricey, if you look at the rates on other states, you’ll find that it is actually a lot lower. You will also be able to get far for less by retiring there.

Besides retiring in certain states in the US, you can also consider retiring in other countries instead. If you really want a place that has a low cost of living, you should try looking at different countries in Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines, or places in Central Asia like those in India. Countries like the ones just mentioned have very low costs of living and because of the favorable foreign exchange rate, so you can really be sure that you will be able to go a long way with your money. Of course, the issue of tax rates, crime rates, and climate becomes a whole other thing entirely, and it will vary depending on which country you look at, but nothing changes the fact that these are the important factors that you should consider when trying to find out where to retire.

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Where to Retire Cheap in the United States

The United States offers lots of places on where to retire cheap in the US. One will find that they will discover where to retire cheap easily through the use of references. Moreover, people who are living within the state will find that they too are getting the benefits of where to retire with a low cost of living without the need to lift a finger. Here are some states that offer affordable retirement places that can be used to their advantage. In some cases, some of these states offer a low cost of living with low or no state income taxes which is ideal for retirees to enjoy.

Texas

With its southern charm and stunning views, this state tops the list if you need a place where to retire cheap in the United States. It offers a wonderful vacation environment for retirees without the hefty price, compared to other U.S. states.

• Pros: Wonderful Environment
• Cons: Hot Weather

Colorado

With its resort towns like Aspen, Colorado is another good option if you need a place where to retire cheap in the U.S. It offers a wonderful cozy environment for retirees and offers a lot of amenities for them to enjoy. Moreover, you don’t have to be a millionaire to stay in a place that is as wonderful as Colorado.

• Pros: Cozy Environment; Lots of Things for Retirees to Do
• Cons: Extremely Cold Weather in Some Areas; Limited Access to Urban Areas

Florida

Florida was once famous because of its wonderful family destinations, but it is also a good place to go to if you’re looking for a place where to retire cheap. Its picturesque sunny weather can be a perfect setting for people who are looking into retiring in a vacation paradise.

• Pros: No Income Tax; Cheap Housing
• Cons: Extreme Weathers and Natural Calamities

Arizona

With wonderful places like Sedona, Arizona is one of the places where to retire cheap while having a great, long vacation. You don’t have to be away from the U.S. to feel the wonderful weather that a state like Arizona can offer

• Pros: Fantastic Weather; Wonderful Sights
• Cons: Limited Access to Urban Areas

Georgia

Being the wonderful state of roses and beaches, Georgia is one of the best places you can go to if you want a place best places retire cheap because of its charm and accessibility. It is connected to four states along its borders and has a wonderful culture that has a little bit of an American southern charm. One would only need to see the things that this state can offer, and they will know that it is one of the best places people can turn to if they need an area where to retire cheap in America.

• Pros: Wonderful Cities; Diverse Culture
• Cons: Extreme Weather Conditions

That covers 5 of 10 cheap places to retire in the United States. Next time we will go over 5 of the best places retire overseas with a low cost of living, low taxes, good weather, high quality healthcare and more.

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Even while countless men and women simply desire to live in a particular destination as soon as they retire, there are folks who will definitely seek for the best means to manage their life and preferences. One of the most famous states and cheapest places to live and retire in the United States is Florida, yet Texas is a decent place to choose also. Texas in fact features a couple of the most economical destinations to retire in America. Of course, you can still locate few of the most attractive and most affordable destinations to retire in different states like Texas.

Without a doubt, Austin is perhaps one of the best destinations when you decide to retire in the U.S., not focusing in Texas alone. In addition, the location of Austin is in the stunning heart of Texas Hill Country, which is very popular for its highly appreciated bluebonnet fields and lakes. It is a highly rated place when it comes to housing expenses, tax rates, excellent lifelong programs and healthcare quality. America recognizes this place likewise for the enormous opportunities in their culture, such as active music and movie industries.

When we talk about Texas, Houston is one of the most multinational cities here. You can discover the many southwest embassies and consulates in this area, and it is the location for countless individuals across the globe that contributes distinctive selections of music, stores and dining establishments. Being the largest city in Texas, this place is the key center for health care, aeronautics, energy as well as industries of transportations.

Moreover, Houston also boasts a remarkable cultural center featuring a performing arts society and massive theaters. However, regardless of these stunning achievements of this place it remains one of the best places to retire and live in America. The field of technology, fine sunny weather condition, economical tax and house revenues, are among the reasons on why Houston ranked number four as the best retirement cities in the U.S.

Lastly, another excellent place to retire in Texas is Fort Worth. This place is a little small when compared to Dallas or Houston. Forth Worth boasts wealthy stores, different restaurants, and prominent museums like Kimbell Art Museum, amazing horseback riding and stock show. Housing is affordable here and they have built countless retirement houses within the active region of Sundance Square. This destination is also wealthy with the chances for seniors to engage in communities where they will live as volunteers in local charities and politics.

Bear in mind, anywhere you decide to live or stay, all of us constantly think about the security of our own lives and valuable things. Definitely, many inexpensive destinations are available where all of us can choose to live and retire in the United States. Still, it is important to determine the safety consideration prior to moving to the place also. An opportunity for retirement may appear to enticing right until you discover living in a place that is not safe. Not all of us would be putting our own investments using the money from our retirement at risk, if we will just lose out valuable things because of the uncivilized criminals.

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A very broad term

Unfortunately, the terms retirement community and retirement village are very broad and don’t necessarily mean the same thing everywhere. These are generic terms that can cover many types of housing for retirees and seniors. They are both designed or geared for those of who no longer work. Some are age restricted and some are not. There are also retirement homes though this term has virtually disappeared due to its negative connotations – a building where old people are sent by relatives to sort of vegetate away.

The difference between a retirement village and a retirement home is that a village normally consists of a complex of houses, apartments, clubhouses, on-site medical facilities, swimming pools and usually even a golf course.

The basic concept of a retirement village is hat it’s a community where retired people come to live together. They feature independent living and people are encouraged to bring their own furniture, pictures and other familiar objects – so they will feel as much at home as possible.

To make matters even more confusing, retirement communities can offer independent living, assisted living, congregate living, continuing care, nursing care and even Alzheimer care.

The pros of living in a retirement village

For most people, the biggest advantage of living in a retirement village is that you can kiss maintenance goodbye. There’s no more house painting, no snow shoveling, no plumbing repairs, no yard work, no broken garage doors to repair, no electrical outages, no leaky basements. Instead, all maintenance is taken care of for you. In some villages, you can even forget about cooking and cleaning, as these are either included or can be purchased as optional expenses.

A second reason to choose a retirement village is that there will be plenty of activities right at your doorstep. Many retirement villages include salons, fitness facilities, a library, a pool, tennis courts and areas where you can just sit and relax.  Most of them also offer a full schedule of fun events – talent shows, picnics, bar-b-ques, car shows, bowling nights, bridge tournaments, and more.

Third, it’s easy to make friends in a retirement village. Your neighbors are also new to the area and looking to make new friends. They will be about the same age as you and will probably have many of the same interests. Since you all will be about the same age, you will have a common bond of shared experiences – those TV shows you watched as kids, your favorite music and movies and, who knows, maybe you will discover you were all at Woodstock together.

Retirement villages generally provide transportation to nearby malls and shopping centers so you don’t even need to get in your car to go shopping, catch a movie, get a hair cut, buy gifts for your grandkids or do your grocery shopping.

The cons of living in a retirement village

The biggest “con” to a retirement village is the cost. Whether the developers of these villages want to admit it or not, they are costly and mostly for the affluent. In most cases there will be an initial entry cost that just allows you to settle into your new residence. Beyond this, there will be on-going charges and maybe even a “departure fee” you will have to pay if you move out or that your heirs will have to pay.

One of the biggest advantages of a retirement village is also one of its disadvantages – the sameness of the residents. People will be pretty much like you so there are few differences between you and your neighbors. You all will be about the same age, will have about the same income and the same likes and dislikes. There will be no kids to watch, no playgrounds, no vibrant younger people to spice up things.

There will also be restrictions you may not like. For example, if you buy a house in a retirement village, you may not be able to plant a garden in your backyard or put up a privacy fence. There may also be restrictions as to how you or your heirs can sell the house. Retirement villages generally do not offer assisted living.  This means that if you or your partner becomes ill or incapacitated, you will have to move to a new facility. And even though you may not want to dwell on the subject, the odds are that you will eventually get sick and need assistance.

Retirement villages do not have hospitals. If you become injured or seriously ill, you will have to be taken to a hospital that may be miles away from your village and your friends.

Finally, the biggest and best known retirement villages in the US are the Villages in Florida. You may have seen TV ads for them. What these ads don’t tell you is that the ratio of men to women there is 10 to 1 women over men. So, if you’re a widow hoping to meet a man with whom you can spend your golden years, you might want to check this out before deciding to move into a retirement village.

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