It’s 2020! Let’s look at the top places to retire cheap!
For me there are some definite must haves:
1. Cheap! It’s got to be under $1000 a month Canadian for a good life. Technically you can live for under $1000 almost anywhere, but can you get great meals and $5 massages?
2. Safe. Is it safe enough, or do I have to worry every time I go out?
3. Tasty food. Seriously, I love eating!
4. Good Wifi. Without Wifi, I can’t really exist. Seriously, I crumble into a bored little pile and die.
5. Good gyms. This definitely is on my list….but might not be on yours.
Instead of numbering it like a traditional#10 to #1, this list is going to have some great places to retire cheap and most importantly why.
Valparaíso, Chile: For people who like big/small places
This city is on my list even though it is expensive. It barely qualifies on the $1000 a month budget.
Cost of living: D
Gyms: C
Wifi: A
Food: A
SAFETY: B
BIGGEST PRO: Not too big, and not too small. Great place to start!
BIGGEST CON: You need to speak Spanish, and it’s the most expensive place on my top 10 list
For a complete one month summary click here!
WHY YOU SHOULD RETIRE IN VALPARAÍSO ARTICLE
Siem Reap, Cambodia
COST OF LIVING: A
WIFI: C
FOOD: C
GYMS: A
SAFETY: B
BIGGEST PRO: Great visa on arrival, easy extensions. Cheap massages!
BIGGEST CON: Small. It’s tiny!
CLICK HERE FOR A WHY RETIRE IN SIEM REAP ARTICLE
Cuenca, Ecuador
COST OF LIVING: B
WIFI: A
FOOD: C
GYMS: B
SAFETY: A
BIGGEST PRO: Safe, and great mix of walkable and taxis
BIGGEST CON: Housing there isn’t the best. And you need to speak Spanish
Here’s an in-depth article about retiring in Cuenca
Quito, Ecuador
WIFI: A
FOOD: C
GYMS: C
SAFETY: C
BIGGEST PRO: Bigger than Cuenca, so chances of seeing a movie in English!
BIGGEST CON: Need to speak Spanish. Not as safe as Cuenca.
Click here for a more in-depth article on why you want to retire in Quito
Bangkok, Thailand
WIFI: B
GYMS: C
SAFETY:D
FOOD: A
BIGGEST PRO: LRT! Cheap massages! Great food!
BIGGEST CON: Safety is a concern. And only 1 month stay allowed without visa runs. Also hot!
Why retire in Bangkok? Click here for my article.
Cebu, Philippine
WIFI: D
GYMS: D
SAFETY:B
FOOD:A
BIGGEST PRO: Safe, great beaches, great English skills. TASTY FOOD!
BIGGEST CON: Not a flight hub, so more expensive to get in and out. HOT!
CLICK HERE FOR A MORE IN DEPTH ARTICLE ON WHY YOU SHOULD RETIRE IN CEBU
Bali, Indonesia
WIFI: D
GYMS: B
SAFETY:C
FOOD: B
BIGGEST PRO: So many beaches, lots of varieties of things to do
BIGGEST CON: Hot! Only allowed 1 month on arrival.
Click here for a one month Bali summary.
Arequipa, Peru
WIFI: D
GYMS:A
SAFETY:B
FOOD:A
BIGGEST PRO: 6 month on arrival! Great food. Fantastic gyms.
BIGGEST CON: Need to speak Spanish. Not a main hub, so can cost more.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO RETIRE IN AREQUIPA
Medellin, Colombia
WIFI: B
GYMS: A
SAFETY: D
FOOD: B
BIGGEST PRO: Gorgeous people. You will fall in love every 10 minutes. Great food. Fantastic gyms.
BIGGEST CON: The most dangerous place I’ve been in the world. And you need to speak Spanish. Also, surprisingly expensive.
An in-depth article on Medellin. Click here
Regardless of where you head! I hope you all have fun exploring the world. Time is short…..don’t let life pass you by.
Why is safety such a low rating for Bangkok? Is it the motorcycle taxis?
Basically because the general idea of safety is lacking, from so so police, to sketchy areas, to a “screw you farang” attitude.
While not all of Bangkok is unsafe, it’s rated low versus the others on my list.
Funny because I have always felt safer in Bangkok than I did in Cuenca but maybe that was just the company I was keeping. Leave it to a Canadian to take you to the sketchy places in a peaceful town.