Here's an article that rates the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand as the top three. I will be retiring eventually in the Philippines myself as it is my wife's home country.
Mountaineer wrote:
The United States of America if you restrain your desires and live modestly and do not try to unnaturally prolong your life.
You can make an argument for America as one of the best countries to live in for a lot of reasons but I can't see LOWER COST as one of them.
And also, what would the immigration issues be for a foreigner wanting to retire in the U.S.A? I'm not sure Americans are all that welcoming to foreign retirees unless you have a lot of money.
Mountaineer wrote:
The United States of America if you restrain your desires and live modestly and do not try to unnaturally prolong your life.
You can make an argument for America as one of the best countries to live in for a lot of reasons but I can't see LOWER COST as one of them.
When I wrote my response I think I was focused on the word "best", my eyes read "lower cost" but my brain interpreted it as "best value".
When I think of somewhere I'd want to live, cost does play a role, but I think of the whole package (generic model for evaluating options - you can change the words to fit the situation): quality, services, effect in use, and cost. When I consider all those things, the United States wins hands down - my opinion of course!
If you really want ONLY lower cost, then probably somewhere in the interior jungle of Brazil or sub-Saharan Africa would be it.
... Mountaineer
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
I lived in Thailand for the better part of a year and my money went a long way.
I would not move there now even if my wife wanted to. Too much political turmoil.
Also, I don't remember any of my Thai except "garlic squid" and "not too spicy."
Funny, I just found my old Bangkok bank book yesterday while preparing for a temporary move to an apartment. Nice memories.
No money in our jackets and our jeans are torn/
your hands are cold but your lips are warm _ . /
doodle wrote:
Did a lot of thinking about this and have traveled and lived in many different countries. USA is best value for money by a long shot.
I'm not sure but I think the OP is not an American citizen so retiring here would be problematic as there is no such thing as a retirement visa. The law currently only allows you to stay for six months. I have a lot of friends that visit Florida from Canada for the winter and they all tell me that's the deal.
You can always overstay your visa, become an illegal immigrant and wait for the next amnesty to become a U.S. citizen, of course.
Kriegsspiel wrote:
I think some of the countries in eastern Europe would be very cool. Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and that. I like colder weather though.
My understanding is that Austria is very expensive, and also doesn't have much provision for foreigners settling there.
I hear Panama and Ecuador are excellent choices for quality of life and low cost.