Top 10 Places to Retire

Retirement is a time when a man or woman stops working. It is a time when you put a stop to your professional life and start concentrating on your personal life. According to me retirement should be easy and acceptable because when I retire; I want to go to a place where I have always wanted to go and do things I always dreamed about doing. This article is written for people who are just few years away from retirement. Have a look at the places where life is really beautiful, here are some of the best places to retire.

Today, people are really smart, they want to spend their retirement at a place where they can afford all the basic necessities of life. For instance; a house, a car etc. Retirement planning is something which needs to be done in advance so that not much time is wasted on petty things, so let's have a look at the top 10 places to retire.

Best Places to Retire

Well if you have lived all your life at a single destination, it is safe to say you know everything about it. Hey don't get me wrong I am not against patriotism. I just want to say why not search something different and unique when you retire. So here are some of the best places to retire in the world.

Croatia
Don't think that Croatia offers a low-cost living. It is nothing like that; in fact Croatia is one of the most beautiful European countries in the world. For instance a hearty meal in Croatia will cost you around $20 which will include all the three courses. Real estate is cheap and for apartment shopping you can also check out some of the plenty coastal building sites which are available at economical prices.

Panama
Panama is a great country to live in. It offers comfortable lifestyle at reasonable cost. If you are thinking of building your own house in Panama, you can start by building it at $40 per sq. ft and domestic help costs only $120 a month. If you become the official resident of Panama, you can be a member of the world-famous "Pensionado" program. Through this program you get heavy discounts on bus, plane and train tickets, entertainment, restaurants meals and much more.

New Zealand
One of my favorite places in the world, New Zealand is pure heaven. The country has exotic beaches, range of exciting outdoor activities, cultural attractions and free medical care. New Zealand comes at #3 because the cost of living is slightly higher than other places but very less compared to the US. In fact in New Zealand you can lead a decent life for only $600 a month.

Costa Rica
Hailed as one of the best places to live after retirement. Costa Rica is filled with beautiful beaches and great people. In fact the cost of living is far much less than what you would pay in the US. Costa Rica real estate is cheap and good, you can rent a three bedroom house for just $2500 a month. If your income is coming from social security then you don't have to pay taxes.

France
France may be the fashion capital of the world but it is also a great place to spend life after retirement. In France, the cost of living will depend on where the person lives. It is a rural country and the cost of living is actually very less than what you can imagine. On average, food will cost $130 a week, and the cost to rent houses in rural France can go up to $700 a month.

Italy
One of the most famous countries in the western land, Italy has a lot to offer. The country has a vast and impressive history starting from the Renaissance era and the Catholic religion. People say that Italy is expensive to stay in but that depends on where you are planning to retire. If you choose the North then yes it is expensive but if you head South then Italy is an affordable place to retire.

Mexico
With beautiful beaches and lustrous weather, Mexico offers a luxurious lifestyle at less money. A month's grocery would cost $400 a month and the rent for a one bedroom apartment is only $200 a month. Well if you rent a place near the beach or some popular tourist area then it would cost you around $380 a month.

Spain
The country has sparkling beaches, beautiful landscape and lots of fun festivals and sunshine. Selected as one of the Forbes top places to retire, Spain offers so much and yet the cost of living is lower than many European countries. The rent of an apartment is around $5 per square meter. However, if you plan to rent a house in Madrid or Barcelona the price could go up to $14 for an area equal to 10 sq.ft.

India
Let's plan a trip to the east after your retirement. The Indian sub continent or India is a mystical country with so much to offer to tourists. It is a place where people follow one motto "Unity in Diversity". Taxes are low and real estate is cheap. You can rent an apartment near the beaches in Goa for only $200 a month. If you want a quieter side, opt for Kerala or Pune where you come one step closer to nature.

Ecuador
Last but not the least comes Ecuador. Ecuador is one of the least expensive places in the world but it still offers a lavish lifestyle. Your week's expenses will not cross more than $250. So it's safe to say that in Ecuador you can stay like a King on a pauper's budget. Considered as an affordable place to stay, in Ecuador, your monthly expenses will not cross more than $700.

Best Places to Retire in the US

When you plan to live your retirement age in the US you certainly have to keep a lot of factors in your mind. You have to do a lot of research, as you don't want to fall in something you regret on later. So let's have a look at the best places to retire in the US.

1. Apache Junction, Arizona
2. Franklin, Tennessee
3. St. George, Utah
4. Largo, Florida
5. Charleston, South Carolina
6. Santa Fe, New Mexico
7. Ann Arbor, Michigan
8. Prescott, Arizona
9. Bellingham, Whatcom County
10. Ashville, North Carolina

So I hope you have enjoyed reading this article on top 10 places to retire. Retirement is a time when most of us get involved in deep thinking. Before selecting any of these beautiful places for your retirement, it's very necessary that you have the basic knowledge about the language and traditions to make your life easy.