NUMBER 4: MALAYSIA
In Malaysia, you can live quite comfortably. For instance, you can rent a sea-view apartment on Penang Island for $1,000 a month. Plus, Malaysia has a unique retirement benefit called the My Second Home program, which is open to all foreigners who want to retire to one of Asia’s best-value destinations, International Living said. And while it might not seem so, the editors said Malaysia is also an easy place in which to integrate. You’ll find plenty of locals who want to practice their English-speaking skills. And you can catch a feature movie — in English — for $4. And there’s a good infrastructure in place for retirees. There’s Internet access, quality roads and cell phone coverage, among other must-haves for ex-pats.
NUMBER 9: THAILAND
As with Malaysia, it can be fairly inexpensive to live in Thailand. According to International Living, you can live comfortably for less than $1,000 a month on a powder-sand beach in Thailand. In fact, it’s likely you could find “really nice, liveable place just about anywhere in the country” for about $500 a month. As with Malaysia, you’ll find plenty of locals happy to practice their English with you; so integration shouldn’t be too much of an issue. And, for excitement, what could top Bangkok? “If variety is the spice of retired life, than Paris, Panama City, the expat communities of Mexico, Medellin in Colombia, and Bangkok, Thailand, should be top of your list,” International Living researchers said.
Original Link URL: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-worlds-top-10-retirement-havens-2012-01-19
