Here are the top 10 places to retire overseas

‹

Emmanuel Faure | Getty Images

You diligently planned and saved your hard-earned money for many years so you could be comfortable living out your retirement dream. Now the time has come to decide which destination will be the perfect place for you. More and more, soon-to-be retirees are thinking of heading overseas.
Each year, International Living publishes a shortlist of the best countries in which to retire. Called the Annual Global Retirement Index, it takes into consideration factors such as health care, cost of living and climate and then calculates a final score for each country. The top three countries on this year's list differ in their final score by just 0.1 points. And if you're worried about adjusting to a new culture, the magazine also lists the top 5 places where American retirees will feel most comfortable.
Read on to see what the magazine ranks as this year's top 10 places in the world to retire.

— By CNBC.com's Natalia Wojcik
Posted 15 March 2017
Source: InternationalLiving.com
10. Malta

Peter Young | Getty Images

A picturesque and compact archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta boasts gorgeous weather and mild winters. According to International Living correspondent Barbara Diggs, a couple can retire comfortably in Malta "for less than $2,700 a per month."
Source: InternationalLiving.com
9. Portugal

Perry Mastrovito | Getty Images

In Lisbon, one of Europe's oldest cities, retiring well can cost "as little as $1,700 a month" for a couple, said International Living editor Glynna Prentice. Portugal offers a rich history, both in landmarks and in a cuisine that speaks to the nation's seafaring past.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
8. Nicaragua

Jane Sweeney | Getty Images

Sometimes hailed as the next Costa Rica, Nicaragua boasts a warm tropical climate and award-winning coffee and chocolate. The town of San Juan del Sur has become a popular destination, and the Central American country's many natural wonders lie waiting to be explored. Retiring here can cost as little as $1,500 per month for a couple.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
7. Spain

Visions Of Our Land | Getty Images

Spain has long been a popular destination among European retirees due to its low cost of living, fascinating history and easygoing pace. A couple retiring to one of the larger cities, such as Valencia, can expect to pay around $2,220 per month. Costs are lower in smaller cities, where you can get by on $1,900 a month, according to International Living editor Glynna Prentice.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
6. Malaysia

Muhammad Hafiz bin Muhamad | Getty Images

Cities in Malaysia are clean and modern, the country's public transport is unrivaled, and its people are considered by some to be the friendliest in Asia. Consisting of 13 states and three federal territories, Malaysia offers a lot to see and do. That's just one of the reasons many first-time tourists to Malaysia return again and again and ultimately end up moving or retiring here.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
5. Colombia

EyesWideOpen | Getty Images

Just three hours by plane from Florida, Colombia offers both calm beaches and exciting city living. An apartment in an upscale neighborhood in Medellin can go for $1,250 per month, but prices can be as low as $500 a month in other parts of the city, according to International Living correspondent Nancy Kiernan.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
4. Costa Rica

Christer Fredriksson | Getty Images

Costa Rica has been a popular destination for retirees for more than three decades. Its major draws include excellent health care and a cost of living as low as $2,000 to $3,000 a month for a couple, without being thrifty, said International Living's Roving Latin America editor Jason Holland. "A decent meal at a local restaurant will run you $5 per plate … and rents start at $400 per month for fullfurnished condos or homes in nice areas," he added.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
3. Ecuador

Gabrielle and Michel Therin-Weise | Getty Images

Ecuador contains a range of climates within its borders, offering something for everyone. The country is affordable and has many discounts available for people over age 65. International Living's Coastal Ecuador correspondent Jim Santos said his monthly budget for him and his wife comes out to less than $1,500 per month.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
2. Panama

Ivan Kashinsky | Getty Images

With consistently warm temperatures, Panama nabs the second spot on the list. This narrow isthmus has great internet connectivity, welcoming people and a cosmopolitan capital.
Source: InternationalLiving.com
1. Mexico

Bruce Yuanyue Bi | Getty Images

Though President Trump is frequently in the headlines bashing Mexico, the country landed a final score of 90.9, making it the best place in the world to retire, according to International Living. The conversion rate of dollars to pesos allows the nearly 1 million American retirees in Mexico to live comfortably on about $1,200 per month.
Source: InternationalLiving.com

›

Many impact investors lack a clear strategy	Investment management trends poised to benefit investors	A costly ‘gray divorce’ can upend retirement plans	Why now might be the right time to look at hedge funds
A portfolio diversifier now that Fed's raised rates	IRA trusts can protect your heirs from themselves	This hidden expense could derail those retirement plans	Deferring compensation now could help you in retirement
3 things investors should know when buying ETFs	Artificial intelligence is transforming investment strategies	Mortgages for seniors? Available, but exacting	Younger workers should not ignore the power of 401(k) plans
ETFs are the go-to investment choice of advisors: Survey	Advisors say market conditions make diversification difficult: Survey	How tax-friendly is your financial advisor's advice?	How to plan your estate if you have no children or heirs
Why asset allocation is so important for investors	The 401(k) follies: The right and wrong ways to save	Backdoor IRAs: Another way to save on taxes in retirement	Home away from home: Top 5 places to retire abroad
Want to be a millionaire? Nowadays it's just not enough	In your 50s? You can still save for retirement	What makes a financial advisor trustworthy?	Tony Robbins: Hidden fees are killing your retirement plans
When you're about to buy a stock, ask youself this key question	Here are 10 financial terms everyone should know	Is rebalancing a portfolio essential or overrated?	Whether or not you like Trump, don't invest emotionally
Here are the top 10 places to retire overseas	How financial advisors manage risk, and client quirks, across decades	What you don't know about your 401(k) can cost you	Environmental moves: Blue skies for China investors?
Investors need to brace for a stock market correction	Tony Robbins: White House delay of investor protection rule is 'ridiculous'	Ranking the world’s top portfolio managers, 40 and under	Expert: Elder financial abuse is fast becoming the crime of the 21st century
The sad truth about Trump's attack on retirement investor protection	The top 10 US companies by market capitalization	Birds and bees? Sure, but parents really need to have ‘the money talk' with kids	The top global retirement spots where US expats will fit in
As Americans live longer, savings habits change	Retirees should look carefully before leaping into a relocation	With stocks at record highs, here’s how to invest that year-end bonus	Buffett didn't fail in Unilever deal; he dodged a bullet: Op-ed
Active or passive management: Why not take both approaches?	Though popular, passive investing isn't any less risky	Fiduciary fiasco? The retirement-savings rule is on life support	Rebalancing your portfolio? 5 big mistakes to avoid
Tony Robbins: Hidden 401(k) fees destroy retirement dreams	Learn ABCs of ETFs before betting retirement on them	Missed these tax deductions? Then you overpaid Uncle Sam	'Real' financial advisors do not fear the retirement-savings rule
The pros, cons of using target-date funds in 401(k) plans	Advisors weigh future of fiduciary rule under Trump	Smart and saved up enough to retire early? The best states to settle down in	Advisor jury still out about active portfolio management
Do advisors' clients understand their own risk tolerance?	Op-Ed: How you can retire in the Caribbean for $1,000 a month	Trump vows to abolish a surtax on the middle class	4 self-destructive things investors do when buying stocks

Here are the top 10 places to retire overseas

10. Malta

9. Portugal

8. Nicaragua

7. Spain

6. Malaysia

5. Colombia

4. Costa Rica

3. Ecuador

2. Panama

1. Mexico

More From Portfolio Perspective

more from Portfolio Perspective