International Living January 1st 2017
https://internationalliving.com/the-best-places-to-retire/

The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2017

For just over a quarter of a century, International Living has ranked, rated, and named the best retirement destinations in the world. Each year we’ve refined and improved the process, bringing new categories and considerations into play, gathering new data, and asking more and better questions of a greater number of expats.

We’ve added countries to the shortlist as they moved into the limelight, Malaysia in 2000…Colombia in 2007…and let others drop away. But the winner this year has been constant. For the past 14 years, this country has consistently ranked in the top 10 retirement destinations on the planet.

And—for the fifth time—it takes the top spot once again in our Annual Global Retirement Index.

This year sees our most comprehensive index yet, with a list of 24 top retirement destinations, all of which have been put under the microscope and examined as regards their cost of living, retiree benefits, climate, healthcare, and much more.

This thorough questioning and assessment ultimately leaves us with a definitive list of the best retirement havens from around the world. All of which share the values that you can expect from an International Living approved retirement destination, while also maintaining aspects that make them stand out as individuals, meaning our index has a place to suit every taste.

So, without further ado—after months of research, number-crunching, and fact-finding—allow the expats who live there to introduce you to the benefits of the world’s top 10 retirement destinations in 2017....

8. Nicaragua

Nicaragua has changed greatly over the last decade. And all for the better. Pock-marked roads have turned into smooth highways. Renewable energy windmills dot the southern countryside. San Juan del Sur has blossomed into a foodie town, as well as a surf town, and a great place to retire. Matagalpa is now on the map too, and its coffee sells in cafés around the world. Everywhere you look, there is progress, and the expat lifestyle gets easier and easier every year.

It doesn’t take long to get your resident’s card, and it’s easy for expats to open businesses. Many find that when they open a business they make a U.S. profit, but in a country where their costs are a fraction of what they are back home, allowing for a superior lifestyle.

And that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the amenities and conveniences you had back home either. IL Nicaragua Correspondent Bonnie Hayman says: “Nicaragua has stores like PriceSmart and Walmart, where you’ll find all the electronic equipment you need as well as washing machines, flat screen TVs, and high-end sound systems. Modern supermarkets like Maxi Pali and La Colonia provide turkey, shitaki mushrooms, quinoa, almond milk, all the beef cuts you like, and more. Alcohol distributor Global Brands also provides all of your wines, preferred tequilas, and everything else to stock a bar. This is a far cry from a decade ago, when your choices were rum and nothing else.”

In 2006, Bonnie’s financial advisor told her she could never retire in the U.S. She had worked since she was 16, paid into Social Security all her life…yet she would have to work forever.

“One vacation later and I made up my mind,” Bonnie says. “I was going to leave the U.S. and retire in Nicaragua. What was there to stay for? Working forever?”

So, about 11 years shy of her retirement, she moved to San Juan del Sur, all by herself, without knowing a soul there. “Sounds scary,” Bonnie admits, “but it was the best decision I ever made.”

So if you’re considering retiring in Nicaragua, just know that each year the infrastructure improves, the chocolate and coffee wins global awards, there’s great healthcare, wonderful people, less stress, no traffic jams, and a couple on a budget can live here for $1,500 a month. What more could you want?