Retirement abroad is within the realm of possibility even for Americans on a limited budget, according to a new report from International Living.
“You can live comfortably in the right spots abroad on a budget that, in the U.S., would really have you skimping and counting pennies,” Jennifer Stevens, IL’s executive editor, said in a statement.
“We worked with our contributors on the ground around the world to get realistic, up-to-date recommendations and guidance from them, to point to specific places where $1,200 a month can cover housing, food, utilities, transportation and entertainment in communities that are safe, welcoming and full of life.”
Taken together, their stories show that a fulfilling retirement abroad doesn’t require wealth but rather a willingness to adapt, to live like a local and to embrace new surroundings.
The stories have a common thread: Where retirees choose to live makes all the difference. Smaller cities and towns offer far lower housing costs than capitals, leaving room in the budget for food, utilities and leisure. Cooking at home, shopping local and relying on public transport stretch every dollar further.
And in each destination, there is an abundance of free or low-cost entertainment, from local festivals to mountain hikes to evenings at the café.
“This isn’t about living small — it’s about living smart,” Steven said.
See the accompanying gallery for the 14 best places to live on a $1,200 a month budget.
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