I subscribe to International Living magazine, and in the publication’s September issue, the editors rank countries by their suitability as retirement destinations. The annual “retirement index” ranks a couple of dozen countries across a number of categories, including real estate prices, overall cost of living, culture, health, infrastructure, safety/stability, climate and “special benefits”(emphasis on discounts for senior citizens). The five top countries are featured, and for 2010, they are (in rank order) Ecuador, Panama, Mexico, France and Italy. The United States, largely because of a low rating on “real estate,” is tied for 13th on the list, although it scores perfect 100 ratings for “infrastructure” and “safety/stability.” France is the only other destination that racks up two scores of 100 (health and safety/stability).
Accessible golf was not one of the criteria the editors used to determine the best places to retire. Even promotional web sites for
The magazine claims that a couple can live “a millionaire’s lifestyle” in Ecuador for $1,200 per month. Four course lunches in Quito can run as low as $2, a taxi ride $1 and a nice hotel no more than $20 per night. Two-bedroom, two bath condos with either city or ocean views are less than $50,000.
Panama ranks second largely because of its retiree residency program which supplies deep discounts to foreign pensioners. These include, according to International Living, 50% off entertainment, 30% off public transport and 25% off dining tabs. A mountain home will cost as little as $85,000. Along the golf course at Tucan Country Club and Resort near Panama City, villas start in the high $200s.
Despite all the negative news coming out of Mexico, the magazine gives the country a score of 81 on a scale of 100 for its safety and stability. A colonial home in the Yucatan Peninsula will run less than $200,000, with monthly total expenses per couple of about $2,000. There are more than a half dozen well-regarded golf clubs in the Yucatan, including the well-respected Playacar Club de Golf.
France and Italy may not offer much in the way of cost advantages for retirement living, but you will eat well. And the golfing, while not abundant,
