The recent wave of globalization has improved the lives of billions of people around the world and changed the political composition of many developing countries for the better. It has also created numerous opportunities for American retirees looking to escape the high taxes and uncertain economic climate of their homeland. What’s more, the perennially strong dollar has turned the international property market into a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity for entrepreneurial types. Read on to learn more about where to live and retire overseas.
Mexico
Although it’s connected to the United States by an extensive land border and billions of dollars’ worth of international trade, Mexico is starkly different from its northern neighbor. Rich in natural resources like oil and precious metals, the country can be subdivided into several geographical regions. These include an industrialized north, a heavily urbanized core centered around Mexico City, and a pastoral south dominated by coffee plantations and tourist-friendly Mayan ruins.
On the Caribbean side, the so-called Mayan Riviera features prime spring-break destinations like Cancun and quieter spa towns like Maloma. While the central districts of these cities can fill up quickly during the tourist season, reasonable real estate values in the surrounding communities make them attractive to budget-conscious retirees.
Italy
Italy’s unique geography makes it an especially attractive catch for prospective retirees. Its northern reaches are dominated by the mountain lakes and snow-capped peaks of the Alps, and the communities that dot the shorelines of Lake Lugano and Lake Como attract heavy foreign investment despite their relative remoteness. Further south, the rugged hills of Tuscany provide awe-inspiring vistas and some of the world’s best local produce. Florence, the regional capital, is one of Europe’s most-visited small cities.
Although the Alps are Italy’s highest mountains, the Apennines are its longest mountain range. These impressive peaks split the main body of its “boot” and pose a serious barrier to travel between the eastern and western halves of the country. Thanks to their presence, the country’s Mediterranean and Adriatic coasts remain culturally distinctive. The latter is more attractive for prospective retirees as its countless small seaside towns are both friendlier and more affordable than the Mediterranean side’s larger urban agglomerations.
Calabria and Sicily, the country’s southernmost regions, are less industrialized than the rest of the country. As such, they tend to attract retirees looking for a brand of laid-back authenticity that’s virtually absent from the United States and Canada. Many of Italy’s national parks, including recently-designated Sila National Park, can be found here.
Croatia
Sitting squarely across the northern Adriatic from Italy, Croatia is a prime destination for bargain-hunting retirees. While the country lacks the glamour of other Mediterranean nations, it has plenty of rustic authenticity to enhance its appeal. Like Sicily and Calabria, Croatia remains largely pastoral despite a booming technology economy that has dramatically increased its living standards since the fall of communism.
Visitors looking to sample Eastern Europe’s famed nightlife must head to Zagreb, Croatia’s cultural and political capital. Many high-flying expatriate retirees own property in the shadow of this city’s rapidly-multiplying forest of high-rises. Those constrained by more modest budgets often purchase small rural spreads in the country’s wine-producing region or modest villas along its island-dotted coastline.
With so many inviting, low-cost countries from which to choose, figuring out where to live and retire overseas can be a daunting task. Fortunately, Live and Invest Overseas offers a wide range of products and services tailored to the needs of soon-to-be retirees and expatriates. From in-depth country profiles to one-on-one consultations with renowned retirement experts, Live and Invest Overseas provides unmatched insight and expertise. Don’t hesitate to consult them before choosing where to live and retire overseas.