The Best Places in the World to Retire in 2025 Workshop
-
We are interested in retiring to either France, Mexico, Panama or Portugal. Getting visas can be tricky for those of us who haven’t done it in the past. Do you recommend getting an immigration attorney? If so, would that be one in the U.S. or the country we’re interested in? How do we find a knowledgeable immigration attorney?
Hello,
The French visa is pretty straight forward, you could do it on your own if you wish. Otherwise, the IL country correspondents can give you attorney contact info.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
what plans to make to bring a pet into your country?
-
safest place to retire?
I think France is a good bet! Also Spain, Portugal, Italy... many places in Europe are very safe.
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
I am a musician and I'm wondering what is the best way to research the community music scene in various places overseas.
Hello,
In France, you look on the town hall website, or really just go to the center of the village and ask at the cafe. There's always something going on, music-wise.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
Not all airlines allow dogs these days to Costa Rica, but I have heard these airlines still allow them in cabin or as luggage: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Lufthansa.
There are also companies that have private charters for pets you can research.
I know a lot of people who have brought their pets along to join their new life! I know a woman who works at a vet and I can have her send me the guidelines. If you want more info, send me an email: bbottone@internationalliving.com
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
-
my husband and I are 76, so social contacts would be very important should we move away from our family.
Can you recommend locations in France, Spain, Italy and Spain where there are large english speaking populations. -
great counties for a liberated woman?
please talk about heath insurance. I see someone else asked.
thank youThis little discussion of places for folks retiring solo might be helpful: https://internationalliving.com/can-you-advise-me-on-the-safest-countries-for-a-single-woman-to-live-in-qa/
More in-depth is this piece Jess wrote for us a little bit ago -- lots of good advice in here: https://internationalliving.com/singles-guide-to-fitting-in-and-making-friends-overseas/
-
What about moving? I mean physically. Do you recommend shipping all your furniture, appliances, books, cd's, etc. Or should you just dump all that and start from scratch?
What type of electricity is available in these 5 places?
Is online shopping easy and reasonable abroad? During covid I got used to using Amazon a lot. I know Walmart and other common US stores have an international presence, Can I shop online with them? What about HSN and QVC?Hello,
In my opinion, I would take as little as possible. It can get expensive to ship, plus any additional customs fees... and paperwork to deal with. Shopping online is a breeze in France. I am a happy Amazon prime member. Shopping currently for Christmas! I haven't seen HSN or QVC, but we have a lot of discount shopping sites. See Showroom Prive, my favorite.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
Hi everyone
Bonjour !
-
As a US expat, is it necessary to have an address in the US for matters of federal/state tax, Social Security, Medicare Advantage coverage, etc.? If so, do the mail screening and forwarding services that provide you the US address, that is not a P.O. Box, an effective and practical solution?
I suggest establishing a virtual home address in your home country as many people say family and friends is not ideal-- although I use my parent's address still, after MANY years.
For Costa Rica, you can look into Correos de Costa Rica (with a box in Miami) and these options too: Access USA: myus.com / Earthclassmail.com
Bekah Bottone, IL Costa Rica Correspondent
-
Interested in Colombia to retire, is this not an acceptable place any longer?
Colombia is still a good option. It's on our Global Retirement Index... and here's a recent piece that will hopefully give you some insights -- reasons you should (and should not) retire there. https://internationalliving.com/countries/colombia/
-
UK has horrendous waits to see a dr. how are wait times in the countries you mention?
Hello,
I can see my general practicioner the same day for an emergency, common here when you establish a relationship with them. Other wait times are a few weeks for most serves, a bit longer for an MRI or special test. If you have a procedure to do, that will be a few months. Otherwise, I call around if I need to get in somewhere quick and usually manage to find a spot - even if it's the next town over.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
Does International Living offer one-on-one consultations to help me narrow down which countries would suit my family's situation?
Yes, my colleague Ted Baumann does this -- he's our Global Diversification expert and does exactly what you're talking about... he helps people sort through their best options for residency, investment, how to hold real estate, tax considerations, etc.
https://internationalliving.com/author/ted-baumann/ -
what plans to make to bring a pet into your country?
Hello,
I believe that info will be on the IL website, by country. For France, you need to have your pet microchiped and have the vet sign-off. When you arrive, there is no quarantine period.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
LOTS of people speak English in Panama, but if I were a betting woman, I'd say southern Portugal would find you among more English speakers, just because of the huge population of British and Northern Europeans there. That said, if you settle in Panama in a spot where there are lots of N American expats, you'll find many, many English speakers -- Boquete and Coronado, for instance, are two places you might consider.
-
my husband and I are 76, so social contacts would be very important should we move away from our family.
Can you recommend locations in France, Spain, Italy and Spain where there are large english speaking populations.Hello,
For France, there are many English speakers in Paris, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Lyon, Toulouse, the Dordogne and Lille - to name a few!
-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
I would love to live in a place with constant spring like weather. I don’t like hot humid tropical climates. My initial research suggests the following:
Lake Chapala or Oaxca in Mexico
Boquette Panama
Medellin ColumbiaCould you compare the pros and cons of these places? Could you include things not usually covered byIL, insects, disease, crime etc. Are there other places I should consider?
ThanksWatch your January 2025 issue of International Living magazine -- we're coming out with a brand-new Regional Index that takes a deep dive into exactly what you're asking about.
I think your list is a good one (though Oaxaca is going to be warmer, possibly, than you'd like). I'd add San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to your list as well.
-
In Costa Rica is there a government information entity to answers questions if we spend a month looking around before making a possible move?
-
Do you have anybody at the different locations that could be hired to give a tour and show someone around the area and explain things tht are needed ?
Hello,
If you contact the IL correspondent where you'd like to visit, they can usually point you in the right direction.-Tuula, IL France Correspondent
-
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,
As you know the world's been changing since you did that semester in Rome. Imagine all the change you've witnessed wherever you live now; in the 1970s US women often needed a man's signature to get a bank account or credit card. That couldn't be farther from the truth today, right?
All the other countries we're talking about today have been progressing, too. I remember my first visit to Italy in the 90s and today more than 20 years later it's a very different experience.
That said let me comment on Panama, where I live. In parts of Panama yes women will often be catcalled (generally women under 40), but in 2018 a new law and public campaign raised awareness and put sanctions in place, and that led to improvement. The wealthier Panama gets, the more educated and less prone to that sort of thing people are (today Panama is the wealthiest country in Latin America by PPP). Like other countries, Panama has evolved and continues to do so.
Is it a welcoming place for women? In my experience, yes. It's pretty respectful (and by the way, elders are generally respected here and treated with more courtesy than in the US). For me it's also a positive sign that there are women in high positions, as industry leaders, at the top in STEM careers, etc (Panama voted in its first female president in the 90s whereas the US has never had a female president).
I go out alone, even late night, and I have traveled the entire country (half the time on my own, driving my own car). Naturally I frequent nice areas and use the same blend of common sense and street smarts that keep me safe when in the States, but I am generally less worried when I am in Panama.
There may still be some challenges, here and no matter where you go, but as a single woman (and a POC) I feel safe and free to live my life in Panama, that's a big reason why I love it and continue to live here.
Best,
Jess Ramesch
IL Panama Editor