Countries

For more than 30 years, International Living‘s editors and writers have been scouring the world to find the best places to live and retire to. Imagine lounging on your deck, a cocktail in hand, the quiet turquoise waters of the Caribbean spread out before you… Or picture yourself relaxing in a flower-filled courtyard where lavender bougainvillea tumbles over stucco walls, while the sweet perfume of frangipani fills the air at dusk. Maybe you dream, instead, of a mountain retreat where the air is crisp and you live amidst expansive, snow-capped peaks. Or perhaps it’s an elegant pied-à-terre in a cosmopolitan city you envision.

Whatever you imagine, you can find out more here.

Click on the country below that most interests you to start learning all you need to know.

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Top Countries

Whether you’re looking for sand and sea, a skyline full of high-rises, or a secluded retreat deep in the mountains, our top countries can offer you all that and more. Explore the countries below and find the retirement destination that’s right for you.

Ecuador

Ecuador

Countries
By |
July 1, 2021

Sell your winter clothes…and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in the Land of Eternal Spring. Every cliché you’ve heard about living large on little…on even a retiree’s budget…is true in Ecuador. Ecuador lies in the northwestern corner of South America, bordered by Colombia to the north, Peru to the south and east, Read more...: Ecuador

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Countries
By |
January 28, 2023

Costa Rica is a beautiful country, with long stretches of deserted and undeveloped beaches…dense jungles teeming with exotic wildlife…towering volcanoes, lush green valleys, and hundreds of crystal-clear lakes and rivers… Not only that, but the country offers a great climate year-round, neighborly atmosphere, no-hassle residence programs, excellent healthcare, a stable democracy, and safety and security. Read more...: Costa Rica

Panama

Panama

Countries
By |
January 1, 2023

Why do so many expats choose Panama? Often the intangibles…the feel of a place…play a big role. But there are also a lot of concrete, quantifiable reasons Panama is so appealing, starting with its modern infrastructure. Panama’s cosmopolitan capital, Panama City, is the only true First World city in Central America.

Belize

Belize

Countries
By |
September 14, 2021

Over 200 pristine cayes (islands) are scattered along Belize’s coastline—each surrounded by crystal clear, turquoise seawater that teems with brilliant fish, coral, and sponges. A favorite pastime on the cayes is to relax in a hammock, under a gently swaying coconut palm, while sipping an icy Belikin beer, or a pina colada…

Colombia

Colombia

Best Places
By |
February 14, 2020

Lush green coffee plantations along the Andes Mountains, sparkling crystal beaches, and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—the 18,700 foot, snow-capped mountain which is only 26 miles from the Caribbean Coast. The country is the second most bio-diverse in the world. Located in the north of South America, it has coastline on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean,

France

France

Countries
By |
January 14, 2023

France, with its reputation for glamour and the finer things in life, leads many people to cross the country off their retirement destination list, assuming that they could never afford to live there. But that’s a mistake. Whether you dream of a city pied-à-terre…or a rambling farmhouse among the sunflowers…or a village house wrapped in Read more...: France

Thailand

Thailand

Best Places
By |
February 23, 2019

For years, its warm climate, inexpensive cost of living, and laidback lifestyle in Thailand have attracted tourists and expats from around the world for both short-term and long-term stays. Some of the world's most beautiful beaches are located in the south of the country.

Mexico

Mexico

Countries
By |
February 16, 2023

As many as 1 million U.S. and Canadian citizens already call Mexico their home, with more joining them all the time. In terms of numbers, Mexico is the most popular expat destination for North Americans in the world. This should come as no surprise, actually. Mexico has a lot to recommend it.

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