Retirement is a tremendous accomplishment. It marks the point in your life where you're finally able to settle down and enjoy life by the fullest without having to worry about your 9-5 on Monday. For those who have left employment for good, you may be asking yourselves... what's next? Well,
retirement sure does have an array of options for you. You could perfect your skills with an instrument, spend days reading your favorite novel, build something, or make a permanent indentation in your couch. Either way, we won't judge. If you're a retiree and have decided that getting away from home is how you're going to celebrate your freedom from work, we've compiled a few places for you to consider as you
pack your bags.
Colombia
Located at the tip of South America, Colombia could be just what you're looking for when considering moving. Boasting excellent healthcare, a diverse and temperate climate, low cost, and a short flight away from North America, this country has something for everyone. This 440,000 square mile country has it all, lush green coffee plantations, sparkling crystal beaches, and quaint colonial towns. Being so close to the equator, Colombia enjoys an average of 12 hours of sunlight a day with no daylight savings time. Getting from one side of the country to the other may be a lengthy trip if using public transportation, but the scenery along the way will have you absorbed. Many airlines fly city to city if you're looking for a quicker route. Life in Colombia can be pretty laid back. Take trips down the beach in the coastal town of Santa Marta. Or maybe enjoy the culturally rich capital of Bogotá, filled with theaters, churches, and the
Gold Museum.
Costa Rica
This Central American gem has been hosting retirees for more than 30 years and for good reason. The country's unofficial motto is
Pura Vida ("Life is good.") stands as pretty good representation of life there. Costa Rica has a wide variety of climates for retirees to enjoy, so there's something for everyone. One of the country's largest attractions is its healthcare. With the latest technology available and highly-skilled doctors, Costa Rica's government-run healthcare system is based on a monthly fee decided by your income. It also has a lower cost of living. For retirees, the pensionda program requires an income of $1,000 per month from Social Security, a pension, disability, or another similar source.
Mexico
Having arguably the easiest transition to retiree life, Mexico offers an appealing balance of exotic foreign culture and First-World lifestyle. The cost of living is close to $1,200 per month; the city hospitals are considered first-rate world class, and the climate and culture are beautiful to say the least. Once you've applied for residency, which is not a grueling process at all, there are discounts for those over 60 towards amenities such as airline or bus tickets, medical care, museum entrance fees, and much more. If you're into architecture, take a trip to the mighty ruins of
Teotihuacan. If you're looking to catch a tan on the beach, head on over to
Playa del Amor, the hidden beach of the Marieta Islands. In Mexico, there is something for everyone with warm sunshine weather to keep you company.
No matter where you decide to retire, fall in love with where you go! Let us know where you decided in the comments below.