More Americans are buying real estate and retiring outside the US than ever before.
Why do they? Here are the primary benefits retiring outside the US?
1. It's not that far
If you have your eye on Central America, Mexico or Canada, you're not that far from friends and family. Once you get on a plane, if the flight is another 1 or 2 hours, so what? That's what retiring is all about – having a little extra time for things you want to do.
2. You save money
While not true if you select Europe or Canada, just about any place in Central America, Mexico, South America or the Caribbean will be 50% less for your housing costs. Retiring in comfort is a possibility because you can have twice as much house or the same amount of house and maybe a full time maid and cook!
3. Better climate
Depending on where you relocate from, the climate is likely to be better in the aforementioned locations that are closer to the equator. You won't see any snow at sea level in Costa Rica for example. Retiring to a tropical paradise with warm weather and lots of sun, does that sound bad?
4. No comfort sacrificed
You will still have excellent places to dine, a flat screen TV, your subscription to Netflix and your Internet connection. While it may take a little longer to get any of the above because the pace of life is slower, isn't that what retiring is all about?
5. Healthcare
Make your inquiries before you move. While it is true that outside the US healthcare will not be up to the same standards, it is also true that many Americans go abroad for their healthcare. You may have gear about "medical tourism." Americans go abroad as they find the health care is equal and often 1/6 the cost of the US for a major operation. Additionally, you can often get medical treatments that are not approved in the US.
6. Inexpensive services
Would it be okay with you to pay your gardener or maid $3 an hour? Or have custom cabo9nates made that would cost $6,000 in the US for only $400? Because the cost of labor is so much less, your quality of life can be significantly enhanced so that you live like a rich person! You may not have thought retiring could be so good.
Time to plane some vacations and spend a week in a few places to check out-places that may be where you'll spend many retirement years.
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