The Best Places in the World to Retire

"The natural beauty of Costa Rica is no secret, with beaches, cloud forests, and coffee plantations filling its relatively small area. The country has been extremely popular with expats for the past 40 years, so you can easily find established communities of English-speaking peers (though you should definitely learn Spanish if you’re considering a permanent move). Costa Rica’s famous pura vida lifestyle encourages people to relax, get outdoors, and stop sweating the small stuff. It’s easy to get back to the fast pace in the States, however, with numerous airlines flying out of the international airports in San José (SJO) and Guanacaste (LIR). Cost of living: Couples can live comfortably off $2,100 a month in Costa Rica. That includes all costs: housing, transportation, medical care, utilities, food, and entertainment. Healthcare: Once you become a resident, you can either pay monthly into the universal medicine program (typically 7 to 11 percent of your income) or get a private policy. You can also pay out of pocket, with visits costing around $70 for a regular doctor’s visit and $90 for a specialist. Visa requirements: There is no age requirement for the Pensioner Visa, but you must have a monthly pension of $1,000. You must apply in person at the Immigration Office of Costa Rica in San José. You can find full details on the Costa Rica Embassy website." - Caitlin Morton