The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
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Hi everyone
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What is it like living as a SINGLE WOMAN in your best places? I spent a semester in Rome, Italy a long time ago and remember the papagali (Italian men just "standing on the corner watching all the girls go by") were quite annoying., Of course I am no longer a bella ragazza but a 77 year old. But I still like to shop and even eat out alone and I worry about being harrassed especially in "latin" countries like Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal, France, Mexico and yes Italy. I will be moving alone leaving my family behind, with no men to "protect" me. I guess that makes me a scarlet woman.
Bonjour,
I've felt quite comfortable in France. I do feel that this is a country where the woman have a very strong role and are generally respected a lot. I travel alone frequently and have never had a problem... except for folks passing wishing me "bon appetit" when I'm eating a sandwich on bench!-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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What is a good way to handle automobile driving and auto insurance in my new place of retirement, as well as on those times I return to the US? Is it better to not drive in my new country, and to use rideshare services and car rentals when back in the States? Is my US driver's license good abroad and would a license from a foreign country be valid in the US?
Hi B,
You'll need to note each country's requirements individually.
In Panama: you can drive for up to 90 days on a US driver's license but no longer. You're generally allowed to stay for up to 180 days on a US passport but you can only drive for the first 90 of those days. Panamanian car rental companies generally require you to buy their insurance no matter what.
Most would agree Uber/the metro is preferable to driving in Panama City but outside of the city I do prefer to have a car.
Best,
Jess Ramesch, IL Panama Editor -
Do any/all of the 5 countries require lengths of stay within the country to establish residency or can you come and go without restrictions?
Hi Jonathon,
Mexico allows you to come and go without restriction once you have obtained permanent residency. If you are doing the yearly renewal of temporary residency then you'll need to return each year to renew your residency.
Bel Woodhouse - Mexico Correspondent. -
Hello,
I think France could be a good place for you. There's a woman who was profiled for IL who is raising Golden retrievers on a farm in France. She found the transition with the dogs fairly easy.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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In Costa Rica is there a government information entity to answers questions if we spend a month looking around before making a possible move?
You could reach out the the US embassy: https://cr.usembassy.gov/
I am not sure exactly what you are asking. Can you give me an example of the type of information you are asking about?
I always suggest finding a laywer you can trust to help with any questions. It took me a while to find someone I trust and use (I went through various ones). I love sharing her info if you are interested.
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What is it like living as a SINGLE WOMAN in your best places? I spent a semester in Rome, Italy a long time ago and remember the papagali (Italian men just "standing on the corner watching all the girls go by") were quite annoying., Of course I am no longer a bella ragazza but a 77 year old. But I still like to shop and even eat out alone and I worry about being harrassed especially in "latin" countries like Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal, France, Mexico and yes Italy. I will be moving alone leaving my family behind, with no men to "protect" me. I guess that makes me a scarlet woman.
Hi Pat,
I'm a single woman living in Mexico for the last 8 years and have never had any issues or inappropriate behaviour from men. If anything it's the opposite, I've always found them to be very respectful and helpful. Hope that helps.
Regards,
Bel Woodhouse - Mexico Correspondent. -
One of my basic concerns would be availability and cost of health insurance for me 73 and my wife 70 years old.
Also the offers of a 2 bedroom & 2 bathroom apartment , house or similar.
Where to find B&B at reasonable prices to rent while scouting the areas. Car rentals too. -
Two questions. First, I am a single man, almost 87, who is in excellent health. I think that, more important than where you live is the human relationships you form. That said, finding a female partner in a country where more than half the people voted for a criminal, traitor, and overall despicable person as president is very difficult. I hope to find an educated, more enlightened woman in the expat or native population of the country I move to. What areas are best for cultivating female friendships that may lead to a relationship?
Second, I am a writer and author, and want to continue plying my avocation where I relocate. In what spots would I most likely thrive?Hello,
I think you could have some luck in many spots in Europe. Quite a different cultural mindset, worth perhaps spending some time in one city / town and seeing if it speaks to you.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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For longer stays abroad, what are the best options for health insurance, especially for those over 65 with pre-existing conditions, in countries that require private insurance?
Hi Eric,
Panama doesn't require you to have health insurance but I urge everyone to buy travel insurance prior to any international travel and if you're living in Panama rather than just visiting I do recommend looking into locally underwritten insurance if you're under 64 or international insurance if you're over 64.
After the age of 70 it can be difficult to get into an int'l insurance plan but you can use the super-subsidized public system in Panama and/or pay for inexpensive private out of pocket as it's so affordable. (Most USCs keep some form of Medicare so they can return and be close to family in the event of anything major.)
Best,
Jess Ramesch, IL Panama Editor -
What is a good way to handle automobile driving and auto insurance in my new place of retirement, as well as on those times I return to the US? Is it better to not drive in my new country, and to use rideshare services and car rentals when back in the States? Is my US driver's license good abroad and would a license from a foreign country be valid in the US?
In Costa Rica, you can get a liscense nowadays once you are a resident. However, before that, as long as your tourist visa is valid, you can drive on your US liscence showing your passport stamp, which can be good for up to 180-days, depending on what they gave you when you entered the country.
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Im wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of buying vs renting property
also, Im not much of an urbanite. I prefer to live within reasonable distance to town, but would prefer living in a quiet riral area, in a small bungalow-type of home. Im having a hard time finding a website to begin a search
thank you in advance
Brucieil_admin said:
The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
Our Annual Global Retirement Index Explained
If you’re looking for your just-right place overseas, this roundtable discussion is for you. Here at International Living, we’ve been exploring the world’s best options for better living abroad since 1979. Each year, we create a useful tool with our Annual Global Retirement Index—comparing, contrasting, ranking, and rating the 20 top countries for retirement living across seven key categories.
Jennifer Stevens, Executive Editor, together with expats who live in the countries that snag the top five spots in the 2025 Index—Tuula Rampont in France, Bel Woodhouse in Mexico, Glenda Cole in Portugal, Bekah Bottone in Costa Rica, and Jessica Ramesch in Panama—will discuss what life is like in their respective countries and dive into the benefits that make them top contenders. You’ll discover how they compare when it comes to healthcare, cost of living, day-to-day lifestyle, climate, and more, plus take a look at those under-the-radar perks that make these places special.
Our experts will be online answering your questions, below. Please type your questions, and we’ll get you the insights you’re looking for.
Monday, December 2, 2024
12:00 Noon Eastern TimeHello,
Well, there could possibly be budget questions... but overall, it's a good idea to rent for awhile, even up to a year, to see if the spot where you landed is a good fit.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Will it be captioned? I am Deaf
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Is it cheaper and easy to ship a car to Panama, Costa Rica or Portugal or purchase a car in country?
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Female - 84 in February, 2025
Active and mentally alert/Multi-lingual
Somewhat limited financial resources
Any suggestions? -
We are big music people. What countries/cities have the best nighlife (as in live music, not "club" music).
France is great for live music! All around the country... Every June 21st, they have a national music festival where bands, singers, etc play all around France, even in small villages. Loads of jazz festivals, especially in the summer. Nice, Toulon, and Antibes, to name a few.
Check out "Fete de la Musique" on Google.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
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Are you recording this so I can share it with my Fiance' No need to answer live
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Do any/all of the 5 countries require lengths of stay within the country to establish residency or can you come and go without restrictions?
In Costa Rica, to maintain temporary residency, you depending on the type of residency you have, you need to spend 3-4 months in the country (I need to confirm with my laywer). Once you obtain permanent residency, you need to visit Costa Rica once a year to keep your status (for 3 days).