Free Homes in Italy

A lot of people dream of retiring to Italy. And this can become a reality if you're up for an adventure! The town of Gangi, Sicily is giving away free homes/buildings to replace its vanishing population. Gangi also has an amazing backdrop, Mt. Etna!

{Copywrite Alamy, source}

Of course there is a catch, and you can read about it here on Yahoo! Travel. But if you are up for some legal fees, paperwork and renovations that have to be complete in less than 3 years then I think you have found your ticket to owning some property in Italy!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST

BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

Retirement Destinations

I have written about retirement destinations before on this blog. I found a few more lists of places and I wanted to share. The first one is from Yahoo! Travel and Kathleen Peddicord, founder of LiveandInvestOverseas.com (whom I have mentioned on this blog before) and the second is from Dave Ramsey, amateur financial adviser. I tried to keep the post short since its two lists so if you want to know more please click the links provided above. 

Yahoo! Travel's list:

Malta

Cost of living: This archipelago, located about 50 miles south of Sicily, is more expensive than retirement destinations in South America and Southeast Asia, but compared to the rest of Europe, it's a bargain. A long-term rental in Valletta runs from about $600 to $1,000 a month. A couple could live comfortably for $2,000 a month.

{Source: Thinkstock}

Cayo District, Belize

Cost of living: A couple could live comfortably in western Belize for $1,400 to $1,700 a month. In San Ignacio, you could rent a two-bedroom furnished home for $500 to $600 a month, or buy one for $75,000. A two-bedroom home on 20 acres just outside San Ignacio was recently listed for $199,000.

Guethary, France

Cost of living: Many retirees rule out France as a retirement destination because of the high cost, but the Basque region is surprisingly affordable. At current exchange rates, a couple could live there comfortably for $2,000 a month.

Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica

Cost of living: A retired couple can live comfortably on $2,000 a month.

Tagaytay, Philippines

Cost of living: The Philippines has the second-lowest cost of living of the 24 countries in International Living's Global Retirement Index. A retired couple could live quite comfortably for about $800 a month.

Antigua, Guatemala

Cost of living: Guatemala tied with Cambodia for the lowest cost of living on International Living's Global Retirement Index. Many American couples live quite comfortably on $1,500 a month, but it's possible to get by on much less. A furnished apartment with a rooftop terrace costs $350 a month, according to International Living--and that includes utilities, cable and WiFi.

Tulum, Mexico

Cost of living: Tulum is more expensive than some other expat communities in Mexico, but it's also not as overrun with resident Americans. A retired couple can live comfortably on a budget of between $2,500 and $3,500 per month. But for what you get, the cost of living is still less than it is in many parts of the U.S., says Ron Burdine, 48, who has lived in Tulum for seven years and plans to retire there. Housing prices range from $85,000 for a small two-bedroom house to more than $2 million for a beachfront hacienda. Monthly rents for a two-bedroom, furnished condo range from $550 to $1,200 a month.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Cost of living: Cambodia tied with Guatemala for the lowest cost of living on International Living’s Global Retirement Index. A couple could live quite comfortably on $700 a month. A furnished 2,000-square-foot house on the beach with free high-speed Internet and utilities costs about $150 a month. A three-course lunch costs about $5.

Dave's list:

Florida

And she’s right! You can retire for $100 a day in Gainesville, according to AARP, or spend your golden years in the lap of luxury in Naples, North Key Largo or Palm Beach—three cities that made Forbes’ “25 Top Places to Retire Rich” list.

Hawaii

According to Forbes, the average home in Honolulu will cost you $500,000. But the aloha way of life may be worth the premium. From consistently wonderful weather, a laid-back lifestyle, to an abundance of natural and cultural beauty, and the fact that you could have a backyard filled with healthy foods that you can grow yourself.

{From our trip to Hawaii Island, 2011}

Texas

If you’re looking for wide open spaces with a side of swagger, don’t mess with Texas. With 268,596 square miles to stretch your arms, Texas has room for every retirement lifestyle.

Colorado

Colorful Colorado is a great destination for outdoor lovers who want to maintain an active retirement lifestyle. In fact, a recent Gallup-Healthways survey ranked Colorado as one of the top states for well-being. Another reason to move here - the sun shines almost every single day. Pueblo, Colorado, gets more sunshine than Honolulu.

Tennessee

For many of you, there’s a rocking chair with your name on it in the hills of Tennessee. A good reason to put Tennessee at the top of your list should include the no income taxes, low property taxes and low car insurance.

Costa Rica

Looking for a place where you can live in paradise for $2,000 or less per month? Costa Rica might be for you. Costa Rica stands out because it offers top-notch medical care, with many U.S.-trained healthcare providers. In fact, that’s just one of the many reasons International Living included Costa Rica in its “World’s Best Places to Retire in 2014” list. Another plus is the abundance of fresh produce and fresh fish is very healthy.

RV or Bust!

You can’t tie a free spirit down—not even in retirement. Who needs to stay in one place when you can see and experience everywhere? Like 2People1Life

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST 

BLOGLOVIN | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

Top Places to Grow Old

I found this article on Yahoo! and wanted to share – I always day dream about one day living abroad. Whether it’s in the near future for work or it’s in the distant future for retirement, it’s always on my mind. In creating this list they used four factors: Income security, health, employment/education and environment.

15. Finland

14. Australia

13. The United Kingdom

12. Ireland

11. Austria

10. Japan

9. Iceland

8. The United States

7. New Zealand

6. Switzerland

5. Canada

4. The Netherlands

3. Germany

2. Norway

1. Sweden

Where do you want to live abroad? 

Cheap Places to Retire Abroad

I found this article written by Michael Foster and wanted to share. You can find the original article here. In it he talks about some awesome alternatives to retirement, where you're biggest expense is probably getting there. 

======================================================

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thanks to its weather and low cost of living, Thailand has been on retirees' radars for years, and Chiang Mai is cheap, even by Thai standards.

"For under $2,000, I live like a king," says Barry, a Canadian who relocated to Chiang Mai in early 2009. Since then, he has rented a 1,200-square-foot condo for a little more than $400 per month. Groceries are no big concern, usually running him about $50 per month. Restaurants cost about twice that at $100 per month -- and he goes out to eat almost every day.

Barry says that Chiang Mai has just about everything he needs. "There are Western-style restaurants, entertainment venues and social events," he says. The city has several modern hospitals. "I had an emergency spinal fusion two years ago at a cost of 280,000 baht (about $9,300 at the time). In Canada, medical coverage is free, but the waiting time is long. Here, the service is almost instantaneous and very professional."

More routine medical issues are so inexpensive, Barry says, that he doesn't need insurance to cover them. "Going to a dentist for a checkup and cleaning is 500 baht," or about $17.

2. Guam

Guam is an often-overlooked alternative for American retirees, despite its many benefits. Because it's a U.S. territory, English is spoken everywhere on the island, and its currency is the U.S. dollar. And, at least on the surface, much of the country's culture and politics will seem familiar to many Americans.

Situated 3,700 miles southwest of Honolulu, Guam is a lower-cost alternative to Hawaii while sharing the same climate. One-bedroom apartments in Guam can rent for as low as $400 per month, with luxury units facing the sea costing $1,000 per month. American citizens can buy property on the island; three-bedroom houses often sell for less than $200,000.

Since the territory is a small, remote island, most items have to be imported, which means groceries can be more expensive than on the U.S. mainland. Meats, most vegetables and some dairy products can cost twice as much. Restaurants, however, are usually comparable in cost to their American counterparts.

Besides enjoying the weather, retirees in Guam can use both American and Guam-based insurers -- including Medicare -- to cover their health care costs. All major medical services are available at Guam Memorial Hospital, which is certified and accredited by several federal agencies in the U.S.

3. Valencia, Spain

The subprime mortgage crisis caused property values to plummet everywhere, including Spain, making the Mediterranean nation suddenly affordable for a number of retirees. The euro crisis notwithstanding, the southeastern coastal city of Valencia offers hundreds of villas, apartments and houses for less than $200,000. New one-bedroom apartments in the city sell for less than 50,000 euros ($65,575). For those who do not want to invest in real estate, rentals are cheap and plentiful. A two-bedroom apartment in the center of Valencia rents for 600 euros per month ($780).

Groceries sold in traditional open-air markets cost the same or less than supermarket prices back in the States, while low property taxes keep the cost of living low for expats in Spain. The country offers free public health coverage, and additional health insurance rarely exceeds $300 per month. Prescription medicines are almost always a fraction of what they would be in America.

Valencia is a great option for retirees who want to spend their golden years traveling. Its airport offers direct flights to France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Morocco and Norway. Round-trip flights to the rest of Europe often cost less than 150 euros ($195).

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Although Buenos Aires is pricier than most parts of South America, it is still a bargain compared to most American cities. A one-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood can be rented for less than $400 per month or bought for less than $70,000. Internet, cable and electricity combined rarely costs more than $100 per month. The city's comprehensive subway system and buses make transportation cheap. One ride on the subway costs 2.50 Argentine pesos (about 50 cents).

Health care in Argentina is a bargain, thanks to the country's public health care system and surplus of doctors. The quality and affordability of Argentina's medical services has led to a booming medical tourism industry. In 2011, more than 100,000 visitors came to Argentina to receive medical care, according to Argentina's National Institute of Tourism Promotion.

For most expats, the costliest part of Buenos Aires is dining in the city's European-style cafes, restaurants and night spots. While movies are relatively cheap in Argentina (a ticket costs less than $8 in most places), dinner out at a restaurant usually costs between $25 and $45. An espresso will cost around $2.50 and can be found in any of the city's thousands of small open-air cafes.

5. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Lake Atitlan is about 75 miles away from Guatemala City and is surrounded by volcanoes and villages where Mayan traditions still thrive. The area has perennial spring-like temperatures ranging from the 60s to 80s Fahrenheit. Several waterfront houses are available for rent on the lake; a three-bedroom house costs around $300 per month to rent.

Other expenses remain extremely low in this retiree-friendly part of Guatemala. "Restaurants cost about $10 per dinner and $3 (to) $4 for breakfast," says Andy Lee Graham, founder of HoboTraveler.com. The cheapest foods are also the healthiest; fresh fruits and vegetables cost about a third less in local markets than they do in the U.S.

For those who require assisted living, a full-time personal nurse can be hired for $15 to $20 per day, says Graham. "A maid is about $4 (to) $10 per day."

Graham recommends using taxis or tuk-tuks in Guatemala, which he notes are very cheap. Tuk-tuks are three-wheeled motorized versions of rickshaws. "Tuk-tuks will go between cities for about $3 (to) $5 per city. Inside metropolitan areas, they cost 75 cents for one trip." He warns that, "Driving a car is dangerous, but taxis are safe."

Andy estimates that retirees need $1,000 per month to live near Lake Atitlan.

Groupon Deal ~ TESOL Express

Have you ever wanted to work abroad but never really knew how to take the first steps. Well Groupon has an amazing offer to get you started. TESOL is offering a 120-hour TEFL course for just $69 (regularly $599)!

Let me tell you a little more about what TESOL does. They take native English speakers with a degree and a TEFL 120 hour certificate and send them to different countries all over the world to tech children English. How wonderful is that?! This would be a great way for a young person so experience different cultures and a great way for older people to spend their retirement (something I'll have to remember when I hit that threshold)!

Right now TESOL has job openings in Thailand, Japan, China, Korea and France. 

*Disclaimer, I did not receive compensation for discussing Groupon on my blog

Retire in Cuenca, Ecuador on a Budget

So I was surfing the web and came across this article about Cuenca, Ecuador and how its a really great place to retire. In the article, written by Kathleen Peddicrod, she talks about how you can rent a furnished apartment for only $400 a month or buy a small condo outright for $40,000. Ecuador uses the US dollar so you don’t have to worry about converting your money and you can get a better deal on the dollar over there too. She mentions how lunch would only cost between one and two dollars! And that you can take a bus through the city for $0.25. The city doesn’t lack in culture either, Kathleen talks about how you can attend orchestras, plays, tango shows, and art openings all for free. Since the city is a popular destination for international tourists and students there are many offerings for super affordable Spanish lessons.

When moving to a new country one major thought is health care. Will you be able to get the kind of care you could get in the states? The answer is yes! Cuenca heath care is high quality, honest, and inexpensive. In the article Kathleen links to another article she wrote about Latin America's Top Health Care. She mentions that some friends of hers had the same procedure but one was in Ecuador and the other in Arizona. The total cost in Ecuador was $110 and in Arizona it was $5,190 with the patient's portion being $347.

I have to be honest this article made me want to check out this city and look into traveling there. You can check out the whole article here. And check out Kathleen's websites katheleenpeddicors.com and liveandinvestoverseas.com. This would also be the perfect place for people who can work from home to move to for a while and take in a new culture!

Places to Retire Abroad!

As you know I love to travel! So when I found this article by Kathleen Peddicord on the 18 best places to retire I knew I would be posting about it. Her first 10 were in the America's...I'm not too into Central America so I'll skim over those and go straight to what she says about Europe and Asia :)

The Americas
1. Panama
2. Belize
3. Colombia
4. Uruguay
5. Ecuador
6. Nicaragua
7. Roatan, Honduras
8. Argentina
9. Mexico
10. Chile

Europe

11. France. France is a land of superlatives. Its capital has been called the most beautiful, most romantic, and most touristic city on earth. It also boasts some of the world's best wines, cheeses, restaurants, shopping, castles, gardens, parks, beaches, museums, cafes, galleries, vineyards, and architecture. The typical concern for anyone who has ever dreamed of a new life in France is that it's too expensive for the average retiree to consider seriously. Not so. Paris isn't cheap. But elsewhere in France you can find realistic options, even if your retirement budget is modest. Perhaps the most retirement friendly region in this country is in the southwest, north of Spain, where small country towns offer a way of life that is quintessentially French and also very affordable. 

12. Italy. The cost of living in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany might be beyond the limits of your retirement budget. But that doesn't mean you should take Italy off your list entirely if this is the country that stirs your imagination and speaks to your soul. A retiree on a budget interested in Italy could look at Abruzzo. From this beautiful Old World base, within a half-day's drive of both the coast and the mountains, you could plan excursions to Italy's better-known and more expensive outposts as often as you liked.

13. Ireland. Americans have long dreamed of retirement on the Emerald Isle and with good reason. Ireland is safe, peaceful, relaxed, welcoming, friendly, hospitable, and English-speaking, making it an ideal retirement choice for many. Ireland today is also more affordable than it has been in more than a decade, and its property market has fallen off a cliff. Real estate prices are down 50 percent or more in many markets and are still falling. If you, like so many others, have dreamed of wiling away your retirement years on your own little piece of the Auld Sod, this could be the best time in your lifetime to think about making that purchase.

14. Spain. Spain is known among expats for its Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, especially its infamous (and unfortunately over-developed) Costa del Sol. But there's more to this country than its costas. Barcelona, for example, is a world-class city on the ocean, perfect if you're looking for a cosmopolitan life near the water. Real estate prices in this country have fallen tremendously since the highs of four or five years ago. If retirement in Spain appeals to you, this could be the time to search for a great deal on Spanish retirement digs.

15. Croatia. Croatia, a country with an extraordinarily complicated history and an extremely open-minded, forward-looking population, is at another turning point in its long history. Countries at turning points are interesting places to be. I recommend the country's Istrian Peninsula, which serves up some of the most delightful scenery on the planet. The land seems to rise up to embrace you, and everywhere you look, something nice is growing like olives, grapes, figs, tomatoes, pumpkins, blackberries, and wildflowers. Even the buildings seem to be part of the earth, built of its white stone and red clay. This sun-soaked region offers one of the most appealing lifestyle options in Europe today. (I would LOVE to live here!!!)

Asia

16. Thailand. Thailand boasts both really cheap and developed and comfortable lifestyle choices. It is also noteworthy as being one of the few countries in this part of the world that offers formal options for long-term and retirement visas. Hua Hin is one of the few classic retirement havens in Southeast Asia, complete with golf courses, factory outlets, and gated communities. Foreigners make up approximately 15 percent of that population, and most of them are retired. With 12 golf courses in operation and another 3 under construction, this is definitely the place to go if you're a golfing enthusiast. Hua Hin is a place where, if you were so inclined, you could live a North American lifestyle and never have to involve yourself more than superficially with the local Thai culture. This could be a plus or a minus for you, but it is worth noting when discussing options in this typically exotic part of the world. (Another place I am interested in!)

17. Vietnam. While Thailand is well-established as an interesting option for expats and foreign retirees, Vietnam is an emerging choice, which could get a lot more attention in the coming few years. Nha Trang offers an interesting coastal retirement option for adventuresome retirees. Nha Trang's total population of more than 200,000 includes an expat population of about 1,000 people, meaning foreigners here are still pioneers. You'll find no organized activities for foreigners, such as expat clubs or softball leagues. The lack of a big foreign population makes it easier to have meaningful interactions with the locals. The major attraction in Nha Trang is its cost of living, which can amount to much less than $1,000 per month for a retired couple. If you're a budget-minded retiree with an interest in Asia, this town should be on top on your list.

18. Malaysia. After Thailand, Malaysia is the easiest country to navigate in this part of the world. The country's capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a city of contrasts. The shining stainless steel Petronas Towers, two of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, anchor a startlingly beautiful skyline that is truly unique to this city. Modern, air-conditioned malls flourish, selling everything from beautifully handcrafted batik clothing to genuine Rolex watches and Tiffany jewelry. In the shadows of these ultra-modern buildings, the ancient Malay village of Kampung Baru still thrives, with free-roaming roosters and a slow pace of life generally found in rural villages. Less than a 20-minute walk from the city center, you can find yourself conversing with monkeys in the city-jungle surrounding one of the highest telecommunications towers in the world. A walk of less than 30 minutes leads you to Chinatown and Little India, where merchants offer their wares, foods, and culture in happy neighborhoods that showcase the amazing diversity of the city.

Unlike some places in Asia, foreigners are genuinely welcomed in Kuala Lumpur. Language isn't a problem, as almost everyone speaks adequate English. Immigration is easy, and it is possible to stay for an extended period with a simple tourist visa. Although Kuala Lumpur is more expensive than rural Malaysia, it can be marvelously inexpensive by Western standards. You can realistically expect to cut your living expenses by a third and still enjoy a lifestyle comparable to what you are accustomed to now.

Here is the original article.