The 2024 Overseas Retirement Index presents our selection of the world’s best places to retire overseas this year.
Our 10 winning destinations—plus three up-and-coming spots—are beautiful, welcoming, and safe havens that offer compelling lifestyle opportunities.
Depending on your priorities (be they health care, cost of living, English-speaking, or something else entirely) and where in the world you want to base yourself, your number one may differ from ours… but we can think of no better place or easier way to start your search for your overseas haven than with this index.
So, to get you started on the path to a new overseas adventure, here’s a sneak peek at some of the delights on offer in our number one pick in each region…
#1 In Latin America
Offering the best beachfront lifestyle you’ll find in the region… and arguably in the world… the charming Mexican city of Mazatlán boasts over 10 miles of sandy beaches and a 5-mile boardwalk—a hub of activity with people walking, exercising, and socializing.
Mazatlán is a spot where you can settle in easily and get by in English, too. It’s close to home and offers many conveniences and amenities you’ll be familiar with—the only difference is the prices here are far less than you’d pay in North America.
Also on offer is great weather for most of the year, an historic center in renaissance, a vibrant cultural scene, a friendly expat community, hundreds of appealing dining options, lots of nightlife, and a low cost of living… A monthly budget of $1,788 would suffice for a couple savoring expat life here.
Start Your New Life Today, Overseas
#1 In Southeast Asia
With gorgeous beaches, a low cost of living, and excellent health care, the Thai island of Phuket offers a lifestyle so appealing that it has attracted an expat community of more than 115,000—as a result, you won’t need to learn a new language to get by here.
The beaches here are world class. Phuket is ringed by pearly white sands, hemmed in by limestone cliffs, and lapped by warm waters. Sprawling national parks, thundering waterfalls, and exotic wildlife abound in this nature lover’s paradise.
The local cuisine is fresh, healthy, and delicious… The weather is warm yea-round… There’s a rich mix of entertainment options and cultural offerings… Health care is top-notch and crime is low…
One of the biggest draws for expats in Thailand is the lifestyle upgrade on offer. You can cut your budget while indulging in everyday luxuries like dining out, enjoying relaxing massages, and hiring your own captain for a private boat ride to a deserted beach for a lavish seafood barbecue…
For example, a monthly budget of $1,702 will allow a couple to live the good life here in this expat playground.
#1 In Europe
Known as the “City of Joy” this sun-soaked haven of Valencia, Spain, took not only the top spot in Europe but also claimed the crown as #1 Best Place To Retire In The World this 2024.
It’s a geographically blessed locale, with sandy warm Mediterranean beaches just minutes from the city center, and gets some of the best weather in the world, with about 2,700 hours of sunshine—300-plus sunny days—per year.
Infrastructure is excellent here, English is widely-spoken, crime is low, and the expat community is welcoming.
As regards health care, here hospitals are of a high standard, with highly trained medical staff and high-tech equipment. A mix of public and private care is on offer, with about 90% of the country’s population relying on public health care.
Add to that, this culturally rich, historic spot with high-level infrastructure and a high quality of life, is affordable by most people’s standards—a monthly budget of $2,477 would see a couple living comfortably in Valencia.
Sincerely,
Sophia Titley
Editor, Overseas Living Letter
