Picking an Overseas Destination to Retire

By: Sacha Tarkovsky

More people are considering retiring overseas than ever before, but it is important to choose a destination that suits you here are some questions to consider so that you can choose the right destination.

Here is your checklist and also a great place to retire overseas that is more popular than ever.

1. Distance

How far do you want to be from your loved ones?

It can become extremely lonely if you are to far away and you don't realize it until you are there just how isolated you feel.

Many Americans for this reason choose to retire overseas to Central America where they are only a three hour direct flight away, so it's just like going between states.

2. Cost

This is major consideration but not the only one as you need a comfortable lifestyle as well.

Taking Central America as an example, Honduras is cheaper than Costa Rica but Costa Rica is far more popular.

Why?

Simply because the lifestyle and amenities are better in Costa Rica, however Costa Rica property is still 70% less than the US, so its worth paying a bit more to have a pleasant lifestyle.

3. Lifestyle

When you retire overseas you are looking to enjoy your golden years - you have earned the right and some countries offer a great lifestyle similar to home and some do not.

The infrastructure, entertainment and general living conditions tend to be better where there are already large amounts of foreigners, as they build a community and this attracts people to provide the lifestyle that these people need and are used to.

Costa Rica again is a great example, as it provides a lot of the facilities that people expect such as restaurants, bars, night life, good infrastructure and good shopping.

Many people who retire overseas get a culture shock when they don't have the comforts of home around their used to and are surrounded by poverty, street children and beggars and that occurs in many developing countries.

Play it safe, if you want a good lifestyle, you will pay a bit more but it won't be much more.

In Costa Rica for example, you can live comfortably on just $2,000 a month, which is far cheaper than the US.

4. Health care

As people get older this becomes a major consideration so pick a country where you can get the best. Costa Rica is a great place as it offers healthcare that's cheap but acknowledged as world class.

5. Safety

Again, Costa Rica is safe, serious crime is rare and it's a stable democracy which has friendly locals that welcome foreigners.

Most people who retire overseas want the comforts of home at a cheaper price.

The questions above are ones you need to consider when you retire overseas.

If you choose correctly you will enjoy your retirement, so be careful with the country you choose and try and visit for a period beforehand to get a feel for the lifestyle.

Costa Rica offers a great lifestyle at a good price not the cheapest but you get what you pay for and Costa Rica offers excellent value and an affordable lifestyle for most retirees.

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