And the best country for retirement is…Ecuador

        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 13^th 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

Ecuador acknowledge that good golf courses are far and few between in the country, although the El Condado Golf Club of Quito, the capital, has been open for more than 50 years and plays to over 7,000 yards.  At an elevation of more than 9,000 feet, a septuagenerian could keep his distance off the tee a few years longer than, say, in Florida.  Another alternative, the Guayaquil Country Club, is located just a few miles from the Pacific and has roots that go back to a golf match in 1914, although the club was formed in 1933.

        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,

is refined and plentiful enough, and the climate, especially on the southern ends of the countries, will support year-round golf.   A 2 BR, 2 BA apartment adjacent to the Barbaroux golf course in southern France, a Pete and P.B. Dye design, is listed at 325,000 euros, or about $416,000 at today’s exchange rates.  Those who want to spend their retirement close by some of the most beautiful art in the world, might consider a villa or apartment within range of the famed Florence, Italy.  Many properties are available in the Tuscan countryside for less than 400,000 euros.  Golf is available throughout the region, but I particularly liked one description I read about Poggio dei Medici, a 7,100-yard (from the tips) course that opened to international acclaim in 1995.  A local bed and breakfast operator’s web site termed Poggio “one of the most suggestive golf courses in Italy.”