Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

The 5 Most Affordable Retirement Havens of 2019—InternationalLiving.com
  • USA - English


News provided by

www.internationalliving.com

Jan 29, 2019, 09:20 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Waterfront Phnom Penh Cambodia
Waterfront Phnom Penh Cambodia

BALTIMORE, Md. (PRWEB) January 29, 2019 -- “Part of what makes a country a good bet for retirement is its affordability,” says Jennifer Stevens, International Living’s Executive Editor. “It’s that simple. So we assess the value baby boomers get for their dollars overseas and come up with a short list of the spots where greenbacks stretch the most—that's the countries around the world that top the Cost of Living category of our annual Global Retirement Index.

“In these low-cost communities, folks can live well on a modest budget, meaning they could afford indulgences like a housekeeper or regular meals out as well as enjoy the security net of affordable healthcare and accommodation.”

The five countries that score highest in the Cost of Living category of International Living’s 2019 Annual Global Retirement Index are….

Cambodia

For the fourth year in a row, Cambodia takes the top prize in the Cost of Living category of the Annual Global Retirement Index, scoring full marks: 100 out of 100.

When folks dream of visiting Cambodia they are initially more likely influenced by the exotic draw of its ancient temples, royal palaces and saffron-robed monks or the beautiful beaches and undeveloped islands on the southern coast than anything else.

But the low cost of living leaves them astonished. Cambodia is a place where retirees can upgrade their lifestyle to one of luxury on a modest budget.

“Living in Cambodia has been a game changer for me,” says Paul Howard, 68. “The lifestyle I can afford is amazing and I feel a real sense of financial freedom compared to my old life.”

Paul has lived in the capital, Phnom Penh, for two years, lured by the incredibly low costs he observed on a vacation to the country.

“The rent for my Western-style apartment is $275 a month, and even with utilities, air conditioning, and cable television, I only pay $380 for everything,” he says.

“You can’t imagine the difference in my life. Living in Cambodia means I never have to worry about what things cost, as it’s all so affordable. You name it, and I guarantee you can get it for a fraction of the price back home.”

These low costs let expats in Cambodia live richly on a poor man’s budget—a bottle of Champagne goes for $25 (as a former French colony, the European influence can still be felt in Cambodia) or a round of golf on a pro-designed course with caddie for $65 a day at the country club.

Vietnam

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most popular tourist and retiree destinations. With its tropical climate, mouth-watering food, and bewildering range of shopping delights, the region melds together big-city buzz with the charm of small historic towns, and low-key beach life. The region’s rising star, Vietnam, takes second place for Cost of Living, just one point behind Cambodia, at 99.

St. Louis, Missouri natives Esther and Lloyd Bedik live in Da Nang, the largest city in Central Vietnam. The Bediks rent a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the gorgeous Han River, which runs right through the city.

“Our apartment is about 1,200 square feet, and it came fully furnished, even with a built-in oven, which is quite unusual for Vietnam,” Esther says. “The best thing is the view of the riverfront from the balcony and from our bedroom. We could live much less expensively, but the view made me feel like I had to have this apartment.

“Our rent is $800 per month, and it includes parking, as well as use of the pool and gym. It would be way more than we could afford in the States. In St. Louis, we’d be paying around $2,200 per month for a comparable apartment with a view of the Mississippi.”

Thailand

Lured by the rich culture, first-class healthcare, and low cost of living, an increasing number of expats are calling Thailand home. The country—taking third place with 94 points—offers a wide range of great retirement options from vibrant towns and cities to laidback beach spots and highlands.

The country’s second-largest city, Chiang Mai, is well known as being one of the top places for retirees and digital nomads to settle—a place to upgrade their lifestyle.

“The chance to live an opulent, resort lifestyle is at your fingertips,” says Rachel Devlin, IL’s Chiang Mai correspondent. “You’ll find the top resorts offering gym memberships to local expats—they’re a bargain. For just over $500 a year, you can have a membership to the Rati Lanna Resort & Spa.

“Or you can play in the footsteps of royalty at the Gymkhana Golf Club. Established in 1898, this club has been visited by kings and queens, consuls, and even the novelist William Somerset Maugham. For under $5, a nine-hole game may be just what you need; and all within view of an ancient and famous Yang Na tree that has been ordained as holy.

“And Chiang Mai is now rivalling Bangkok for elite dining experiences. Just recently, the Shangri-La Hotel has been hiring Michelin-ranked chefs to offer divine culinary meals at very affordable prices. For example, nine dishes set over a seven-course lunch costs only $44 per person. For $17, you can add a glass of wine to each of the first five courses—specifically chosen to complement the dishes on offer.”

Peru and Bolivia are tied for fourth place with 92 points.

Peru

Machu Picchu is by far one of the most iconic landmarks in South America but there is much more to Peru than this ancient Inca citadel. Miles of unspoiled beaches, hundreds of other archeological sites, colorful colonial cities, and dense tropical jungles. And all of it is remarkably low cost.

Walter Rhein, 43, is originally from Wisconsin but has been living in Peru on and off for the past 17 years. He first moved to the capital city, Lima, in 2001, and lived there full-time for the next eight years. Now, he and his wife maintain residences in both the U.S. and Peru, and they spend a considerable amount of time in Peru each year.

“Renting a nice apartment in Miraflores [an upscale district of Lima] is going to start at $800 a month,” Walter says. “Once you get to $1,000, you’re starting to get ones with a nice ocean view. You could probably keep it to another $1,000 for food and entertainment. And then your healthcare is inexpensive. I could still live here for under $1,000 a month, if necessary.”

“My quick calculation is that I was spending $8,000 a year here in the old days, including two trips to the U.S. and one trip to Europe. And that was going out to eat four or five times a week.”

Nowadays, living in Lima costs more, but it’s still affordable. “You can have someone live with you and prepare your meals for under $500 a month,” Walter says.

“Pharmaceuticals is another big factor. I use an inhaler…my Ventolin inhaler in the U.S., with insurance, is $25. In Peru I can get the same inhaler for $6. There was another one for asthma, the Advair disk. That’s $250 a month in the U.S. Here, it is $50—buy two, get one free.

“And this applies to all medications…any medications you are taking, across the board, cost a fraction of what you would spend in the U.S. And that’s probably a large part of the cost that most people who are retiring are spending.”

Bolivia

From adventurous mountaineering routes, to the lush Amazon Basin, and the Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia attracts visitors in their droves each year. But, with warm, welcoming people and a low cost of living, more and more are calling the Andean nation home.

In 2015, at age 66, Terry Booher moved to Cochabamba in Bolivia’s central highlands. Part of Terry’s decision to move was because he needed somewhere dry and warm to help manage a long-term health condition he’s struggled with since serving in the Vietnam War: congestive heart failure (CHF).

Just a couple of weeks after arriving in the country, Terry had a medical scare, with fluid building up in his lung. He was rushed to the emergency room at one of Bolivia’s best hospitals, Los Olivos, in Cochabamba. He was treated and admitted to the hospital unit to manage his condition. “I could have chosen a shared room for a lower price, but I opted for the private room with WiFi, because it was so cheap,” Terry says. “To my surprise, the hospital was a brand-new building and had all the modern equipment you would see in the States.”

Terry ended up staying in that hospital room for eight days. In that time, he was seen by four physicians daily, he wore an oxygen mask around the clock, and three separate procedures were performed to drain fluid from his lung. Every morning he had several laboratory tests on his blood, along with a chest X-ray. He also had a pacemaker adjustment and an echocardiogram. The entire hospital stay amounted to just $2,800 for everything.

“I couldn’t believe the cost,” says Terry. “In the States, the ER trip alone would have been more than my entire week here. The doctors and nurses were all so nice, too, and took their time with me.”

Cochabamba is a popular choice among expats in looking for a slow lifestyle and access to creature comforts from home.

Eating out is an affordable pleasure, from the high end right down to street-food outlets. No matter which part of Cochabamba you’re in, you will find restaurants serving fried or rotisserie chicken piled high on top of rice and fries for about $1.50 to $2.

Not only is the healthcare and food more affordable, so is the real estate. Terry moved to a detached home that looks like a miniature White House and costs him only $500 a month in rent. That same home would cost $2,000 and up in almost any U.S. city.

Terry is delighted with his life in Bolivia. He says, “It was super to pull out of the fast-paced American lifestyle and move to a place so calm and peaceful.”

More details on the top five countries in the Cost of Living category of International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index 2019 can be found here: The Cheapest Places in the World to Live in 2019

Editor's Note: Members of the media have permission to republish the article linked above once credit is given to Internationalliving.com
Further information, as well as interviews with expert authors for radio, TV or print, is available on request. Photos are also available.

For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact PR Managing Editor, Marita Kelly, +001 667 312 3532, [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalliving/
Twitter: @inliving — https://twitter.com/inliving?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/International.Living/

About International Living

Since 1979, InternationalLiving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment.

Marita Kelly, www.internationalliving.com, http://www.internationalliving.com, +001 667 312 3532, [email protected]

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.