Latest news with #InternationalLiving
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Surprising destination named as best place in the world to retire
An unexpected destination has taken the crown as the world's best place to retire. According to a new report on retirement by International Living, a Central American country is officially the globe's best place to spend your golden years in. The International Living Annual Global Retirement Index looks for countries where retirees can 'live a healthier and happier life, spend a lot less money and get a whole lot more'. And this year's winner? Panama. The Central American country is known for its beaches while the capital city, Panama City, is a hub for casinos and nightclubs. Jess Ramesch, a U.S expat who lives in Panama, says her friends' 'jaws drop' when they see what the Central American country is really like. She tells International Living: 'As we leave the airport, that incredible city skyline comes into view, mirage-like over the shimmering waters of the warm, tropical Pacific. '[My friends] boarded a plane to a little Central American republic, but suddenly they're wondering: "Did we somehow land in Manhattan?" When their jaws drop, I have to laugh.' Jess Ramesch, a U.S expat who lives in Panama, says her friends' 'jaws drop' when they see what the Central American country is really like The expat claims that Panama is a 'safe, stable and wealthy country' where a person can live a 'comfortable lifestyle' on $2,400/£1,780 a month. And expats who are willing to spend $2,900/£2,152 a month can 'live a life that feels positively luxurious'. Jess adds that Panama 'doesn't charge tax on foreign-earned income' and property tax is just 0.5 per cent for primary residences. Retirees can qualify for a pensioner visa in 'as little as six months' if they have a pension of at least $1,000/£742, claims Jess. Pensioners can also pick up some enticing discounts in Panama, including 25 per cent off their power bill, 50 per cent off cinema tickets and 25 per cent off restaurant meals. When it comes to lifestyle, Jess reveals that Panama's warm temperatures mean that residents can play golf, tennis and pickleball 'all year long'. The expat explains that she lives in Coronado, a coastal city and resort, just 54 miles/87km southwest of Panama City. She says: 'I chose Coronado for the gorgeous breezy weather and the ocean views. I bought my apartment (1,130 sq ft) - my happy place - in 2022 for $155,000/£115,029. Expats who are willing to spend $2,900/£2,152 a month can 'live a life that feels positively luxurious' 'My building is in a coveted location on a golf course and beautifully maintained. We have a large social area and pool on the ground level, as well as three rooftop levels with more common areas, another pool, a gym, a game room, and a sauna.' Jess adds that Coronado is 'welcoming' to expats with 'overwhelmingly kind' locals who are happy to help non-English speakers. To claim its place at the top of the podium, Panama beat out tough competition from other expat hotspots including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Thailand. Jess concludes: 'Fitting in and staying busy is almost ridiculously easy. That's the nature of a well-established expat destination - where you can live an active, social, comfortable life without reinventing the wheel. 'Simply put, that's Panama. And no other country offers so much.'
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Move To Europe: 8 Secret Towns Where You Can Live Well (For Less)
Villefranche sur Mer, France—a European town where you can live a better life (for less). Think you have to be rich to live in Europe? Think again. A new report from International Living spotlights the best places to live in Europe—eight secret towns across France, Portugal, Greece and Italy. These are places where expats can enjoy a high quality of life, for much less than it costs to live in the U.S. The report is part of the brand's new 'Hidden Places Initiative,' which aims to uncover the next awesome spots. 'At International Living, we're on a mission to find the next great, overlooked expat destinations—the villages, towns, and cities where you can live well for less—before they hit the mainstream,' International Living's executive editor Jennifer Stevens told me in an interview. According to Stevens, the rise of social media has led travelers to crowd the same few hotspots. 'On the one hand, social media has opened up the world to more people—in a wonderful way. But on the other hand, everybody is just following everybody else around,' says Stevens. The result? Overcrowding, homogenization and skyrocketing prices. That's where the Hidden Places Initiative comes in. Backed by on-the-ground contributors, International Living has identified destinations that haven't hit the mainstream—yet. 'To be clear, just because a place is 'unknown' doesn't make it a worthy recommendation,' says Stevens. 'We're looking for places that earn your attention—because they're beautiful, well-connected, offer enough to do and see and occupy you if you were to live there and offer excellent value for your dollars, too.' Here, we've got a recap of International Living's eight European picks. Keep in mind: These towns might not be full of English speakers or Instagram influencers. But each town on this list offers something more meaningful: an authentic lifestyle, a strong sense of community and the chance to live well—without draining your savings. Villefranche sur Mer—an idyllic French Riviera town. Why: Right between Nice and Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a cozy village with swoon-worthy villas. 'But this sunny port city offers all the Mediterranean lifestyle perks—waterfront living, 300+ days of sunshine a year and a thriving food and arts scene—at a far more accessible cost,' writes International Living. 'Residents enjoy a revitalized historic center, trendy bistros, and highlights like Les Halles, a gourmet food hall and Rue des Arts, a creative hub with galleries and performances.' The Cost: According to International Living, a couple should budget at least $3,000 a month. Housing is the biggest cost, with rent starting around $1,457 (€1,300). French healthcare is excellent and cheap—a doctor's visit will cost you $28 (€25). A view of Toulon, France. Why: If Nice is the queen of the Côte d'Azur, Toulon is her scrappy little sister—with all the sun and sea, but no sky-high prices. 'This sunny port city delivers all the perks of coastal living at a much more accessible cost,' writes International Living. The Cost: According to International Living, a two-bedroom rental starts around $950, and couples can live comfortably on about $2,800 a month—including healthcare, groceries, dining out and endless aperitifs. The beautiful medieval and artistic city of Ascoli Piceno—an affordable place to live in Europe. Why: Set in the Marche region, Ascoli Piceno is older than Rome and packed with beauty and culture. 'Expats are drawn by the flat, walkable layout, active cultural life, highly rated healthcare and proximity to Adriatic beaches and the Apennine Mountains,' writes International Living. 'A small but happy expat community enjoys year-round festivals, Italian language schools and excellent restaurants—don't miss the local delicacy, olive all'Ascolana.'writes International Living. The Cost: According to International Living, a two-bedroom rental in the historic center runs $650 to $1,200 per month. Couples can live comfortably on about $2,000 a month. And if you want to buy a house and move in for good, you're in luck: You can find a countryside home for under $200,000. The beaches of Esposende, Portugal. Why: Located in northern Portugal's Braga District, Esposende is a peaceful coastal town with a laid-back lifestyle and strong appeal for creatives, retirees, and remote workers. 'It feels more like a beach town than a city,' writes International Living, 'with walkable terrain, ocean breezes, and a slower pace that's perfect for unwinding.' The Cost: According to International Living, a two-bedroom rental ranges from $872 to $1,090 per month. Healthcare is affordable for legal residents, and everyday living costs are low enough that many couples can live comfortably on a modest budget. Saint Tiago Square (Praca Sao Tiago) is the main square of historical center of Guimaraes, Portugal, an affordable place to live in Europe. Why: Known as the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães blends medieval charm with modern livability. 'It's a walkable, culture-rich city where Gothic architecture meets contemporary cafés and boutiques,' writes International Living. The Cost: According to International Living, couples can live well here on about $1,800 a month. Rent is modest, and the city's size makes it easy to get around without a car—saving even more. S. Bento monastery in Santo Tirso, Portugal, an affordable place to live in Europe, Why: Set along the River Ave in northern Portugal, Santo Tirso is a peaceful town with history and natural beauty. 'It blends thermal spas, riverside parks, and small-town charm—with a lower cost of living and a relaxed pace,' writes International Living. The Cost: According to International Living, furnished one-bedroom apartments rent for around $925 a month, and daily expenses are low. Healthcare access is excellent, with a 24-hour hospital in town and top clinics nearby in Porto. Vila Nova de Famalicao, Portugal—an affordable place to live in Europe. Why: Just 20 minutes from Porto, Vila Nova de Famalicão is an up-and-coming city combines modern infrastructure with small-town friendliness. 'It's well-connected, walkable and full of green spaces—plus it's got a youthful, creative energy,' writes International Living. The Cost: According to International Living, one-bedroom apartments start at $179,000 to buy, and four-bedroom rentals go for around $1,516 a month. With co-working spaces, a solid expat community, and affordable living, it's a smart pick for remote workers and families. A traditional stone house with blooming pink oleander flowers in the village of Litochoro, Greece. M Why: Set between the Aegean Sea and Mount Olympus, Litochoro is all about stunning views, outdoor adventure and lovely little villages. With snow-capped peaks towering above, a charming village nestled in the foothills, and the Aegean Sea minutes from town, it's a breathtaking setting,' writes International Living. 'The surrounding nature and welcoming community blend seamlessly, creating a place full of adventure and warmth.' The Cost: According to International Living, two-bedroom rentals range from $270 to $380 per month. Meals out cost as little as $11, and healthcare is both accessible and affordable.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
These Countries Were Just Named Safer for Retirees Than the U.S.
A new ranking from International Living is highlighting the safest places for retirees to live abroad. To create the report, experts at International Living combined scores from its Global Retirement Index and its Global Peace Index. Destinations such as Portugal, Malaysia, and Costa Rica all made the 2025 deserves to feel relaxed, happy, and, most importantly, safe in their retirement years. After all, you've spent a lifetime working and saving, so now is your time to kick back and relax. And the experts at International Living made a new list to help you do just that. In May, the pros at International Living, which helps expats live their best lives all over the world, released their list of the safest places to retire in 2025. As the team shared in a statement with Travel + Leisure, the list is not ranked in any particular order, it simply presents the destinations that all performed well based on their analysis. As for how they came up with the list, International Living noted it created a combined score from its annual Global Retirement Index and the Global Peace Index to find the most peaceful places to retire. "When readers ask about safety abroad, the answer is almost always 'yes, it's safe'—if you choose the right place," Jennifer Stevens, the executive editor of International Living, shared. And it's certainly a list you can trust, as it also includes plenty of hands-on, lived-in experience. "Our international correspondents and regular contributors live in and regularly visit the places we recommend,' says Stevens. "If we don't feel a place is safe for a 'regular person' to go about their 'regular life' day-to-day, then we don't recommend that place.' Perhaps most interestingly of all, every single one of these destinations ranks (much) higher than the U.S. in the Global Peace Index, which ranked all the way down at No. 132 in the 2024 rankings. As for a few key spots that made International Living's list, unsurprisingly to me, Portugal made the list thanks to its place at No. 7 on the Global Peace Index list and No. 2 on International Living's Global Retirement Index. 'Violent crime is virtually unheard of,' Terry Coles, who has lived in Portugal for seven years, shared in International Living's report, a claim I can attest to as well as an immigrant here myself. 'There's a sense of security here that wraps around you like a warm blanket—steady, comforting, and always present.' Portugal's calm atmosphere and inclusive culture make it a reassuring haven for retirees. Also making its way to the list is Malaysia, which clocks in at No. 10 on the Global Peace Index list and No. 7 on International Living's Global Retirement Index. 'After 16 years in Malaysia, I can say this with confidence: I've never felt safer,' Keith Hockton, an expat living in Malaysia, noted. With a peaceful, multicultural society and low petty crime, 'safety here isn't about high fences or patrols. It's about cultural norms.' Most expats live worry-free lives in places like Penang and Langkawi. Costa Rica, another hot spot for retirement, also appears on this list. It holds a bit of a lower position on the Global Peace Index list at No. 38, but also holds the No. 3 spot on the Global Retirement Index, giving it an edge. 'I've never questioned my choice to raise my two children in Costa Rica,' Bekah Bottone, a resident since 2013, added. "I'm thankful my children have grown up on the beach, immersed in nature's playground. Life here is lived outdoors—relaxed, joyful, and connected to the environment.' Other key destinations include Ireland, No. 2 on the Global Peace Index and No. 15 on the Global Retirement Index; Vietnam, No. 41 on the Global Peace Index and No. 16 on the Global Retirement Index; and Uruguay, No. 52 on the Global Peace Index and No. 14 on the Global Retirement Index. See the full list and all the local insights at Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
Why Every Expat, Retiree, and Digital Nomad Should Consider Moving to This Affordable European Island Destination Right Now
Moving abroad to a warm, sunny spot that looks out on the azure waters of the Mediterranean sure sounds dreamy. It also sounds expensive. But, as a new report in International Living shows, there is one place where you really can have it all for under $36,000 a year. In late March, the website dedicated to helping expats live, retire, and travel abroad released a list of the top spots to live in Malta, an archipelago located off the coast of Sicily, known for its beautiful scenery, fantastic architecture, and a growing expat community. "With its stunning coastline, mild climate, and affordable cost of living, English-speaking Malta offers expats and retirees a high-quality yet budget-friendly lifestyle," International Living reported, adding that Malta is often one of the European Union's most overlooked retirement destinations. 'Malta offers the best of Mediterranean living—history, safety, and affordability,' Kathleen Evans, a contributor to International Living, shared. 'It's an incredibly safe place where living on $3,000 a month, or even less, is still a reality.' According to Evans, expats and retirees can stretch their dollar by living outside hotspots, such as Valetta's Inner Harbour. International living highlighted three locations as the best destinations for affordable living in Malta: Mellieħa, Marsaxlokk, and Gozo. In Mellieħa, a less populated area of the island, expats will find gorgeous beaches and thinner crowds. They'll also find two-bedroom, two-bath apartments renting for about $950–$1,000 per month. (Though the website notes that "sea-view properties come at a premium.") Those who want to buy can find houses in the $250,000–$300,000 range. Marsaxlokk, located in the south, is a quaint fishing village with just 4,000 full-time residents. Here, apartments rent for about $900–$1,000 per month, while homes can be purchased for over $300,000. And lastly, in Gozo, Malta's northernmost island, expats will find a bit more energy, thanks to its 41,000 residents. Here, a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment rents for $900 per month, and homes sell for around $309,000. International Living noted that those seeking permanent residency should consider buying property worth at least €300,000 (about $309,000), which will qualify them for the country's MPRP permanent residency program. However, if you just like to test the waters first, you can apply for its Digital Nomad Visa, which allows non-residents to stay for up to one year and can be renewed up to three times. As for the rest of your living expenses, International Living reported that groceries are a little pricey due to shipping costs, and there is only one public hospital in Malta, complicating access to specialized care. See the full report and more insights on Malta at
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Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Health
- Travel + Leisure
These Countries Were Just Named Safer for Retirees Than the U.S.
Everyone deserves to feel relaxed, happy, and, most importantly, safe in their retirement years. After all, you've spent a lifetime working and saving, so now is your time to kick back and relax. And the experts at International Living made a new list to help you do just that. In May, the pros at International Living, which helps expats live their best lives all over the world, released their list of the safest places to retire in 2025. As the team shared in a statement with Travel + Leisure , the list is not ranked in any particular order, it simply presents the destinations that all performed well based on their analysis. As for how they came up with the list, International Living noted it created a combined score from its annual Global Retirement Index and the Global Peace Index to find the most peaceful places to retire. "When readers ask about safety abroad, the answer is almost always 'yes, it's safe'—if you choose the right place," Jennifer Stevens, the executive editor of International Living, shared. And it's certainly a list you can trust, as it also includes plenty of hands-on, lived-in experience. "Our international correspondents and regular contributors live in and regularly visit the places we recommend,' says Stevens. "If we don't feel a place is safe for a 'regular person' to go about their 'regular life' day-to-day, then we don't recommend that place.' Perhaps most interestingly of all, every single one of these destinations ranks (much) higher than the U.S. in the Global Peace Index, which ranked all the way down at No. 132 in the 2024 rankings. As for a few key spots that made International Living's list, unsurprisingly to me, Portugal made the list thanks to its place at No. 7 on the Global Peace Index list and No. 2 on International Living's Global Retirement Index. 'Violent crime is virtually unheard of,' Terry Coles, who has lived in Portugal for seven years, shared in International Living's report, a claim I can attest to as well as an immigrant here myself. 'There's a sense of security here that wraps around you like a warm blanket—steady, comforting, and always present.' Portugal's calm atmosphere and inclusive culture make it a reassuring haven for retirees. Also making its way to the list is Malaysia, which clocks in at No. 10 on the Global Peace Index list and No. 7 on International Living's Global Retirement Index. 'After 16 years in Malaysia, I can say this with confidence: I've never felt safer,' Keith Hockton, an expat living in Malaysia, noted. With a peaceful, multicultural society and low petty crime, 'safety here isn't about high fences or patrols. It's about cultural norms.' Most expats live worry-free lives in places like Penang and Langkawi. Costa Rica, another hot spot for retirement, also appears on this list. It holds a bit of a lower position on the Global Peace Index list at No. 38, but also holds the No. 3 spot on the Global Retirement Index, giving it an edge. 'I've never questioned my choice to raise my two children in Costa Rica,' Bekah Bottone, a resident since 2013, added. "I'm thankful my children have grown up on the beach, immersed in nature's playground. Life here is lived outdoors—relaxed, joyful, and connected to the environment.' Other key destinations include Ireland, No. 2 on the Global Peace Index and No. 15 on the Global Retirement Index; Vietnam, No. 41 on the Global Peace Index and No. 16 on the Global Retirement Index; and Uruguay, No. 52 on the Global Peace Index and No. 14 on the Global Retirement Index. See the full list and all the local insights at
