Many Americans are retiring abroad to save money and make their retirement savings last longer.
Over 413,000 American retirees access their Social Security benefits outside of the United States.
However, many Americans are wary of retiring abroad. They will have to adjust to new cultures, downgrade standard of living lifestyles, and learn a new language.
Here are four countries with low cost of living standards and where English is spoken.
Panama
Boquete, Panama quiet small town in the western highlands of Panama. It is located about three hours west of its border with Costa Rica and about seven hours from San Jose, the Costa Rican capital.
Boquete is elevated about 4,000 above sea level, so it has a very cool climate. Daytime temperatures don’t usually exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The easternmost upper portion of the town is bisected by the Caldera River. The local long-dormant volcano, Volcán Barú, majestically rises up into the clouds and offers stunning picturesque aesthetics.
Panamanian currency is called the Balboa, but the American dollar is widely accepted there. You would need a monthly income of at least $1,000 to live there.
Most of the locals speak English because the 20,000 population of Boquete is primarily comprised of American and Western expatriates.
Belize
English is widely spoken in Belize because it is a former British colony. The likeness of Queen Elizabeth is still on the official currency, the Belize dollar.
About $50 converts into 100 Belize dollars at current currency exchange prices.
English is widely spoken in Belize also because many expatriate communities are established throughout the country. The country is full of scenic villages, farmlands, exotic beaches, and jungles.
While the cost of living is very low the standard of living is low as well. You should invest in a good four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate Belize’s poorly maintained asphalt and dirt roads.
You could live well in Belize for about $2,000 a month.
Malaysia
George Town is the capital of Penang, a state in Malaysia. Malaysia is a former British colony that only gained its independence in 1957.
Penang is located on the northwestern coast of the Malay peninsula, on the eastern end of the Malacca Strait, and south of Thailand.
George Town is a modern city relative to the lower standard of living you will find in nearby Southeast Asian countries. The population numbers just under 2 million.
There are significant expatriate communities from the United Kingdom and other Western countries, which is why English is spoken throughout George Town and greater Penang
The cost of living here is low for Westerners. You can retire in George Town, Penang for $650 to $2,500 monthly, depending on how thrifty you are.
Mexico
Ajijic, Mexico is located about 35 miles south of Guadalajara. Ajijic is situated about 5,000 feet above sea level, has a cool and temperate clime, and is home to the largest expatriate community in Mexico.
The small town of 11,500 people is comprised mostly of expatriates from Canada, the United States, and Europe.
You can live in Ajijic for about $2,000 monthly.
