Millions of Americans are exploring retirement abroad as rising living costs, healthcare expenses, and shrinking retirement savings make life harder at home. But while destinations like Mexico, Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan promise a more affordable lifestyle, the reality is often more complicated than it appears. In this video, we break down why so many retirees are considering life overseas, the hidden challenges they face after moving, and the emotional trade-offs that rarely make it into travel vlogs. From taxes and healthcare concerns to family distance and cultural adjustment, there’s much more to the story than cheaper rent and lower monthly expenses. Here's the thing: retiring abroad can offer financial relief and a better quality of life, but it also comes with decisions that can reshape your future in unexpected ways. Understanding both sides of the equation is essential before making a life-changing move. Watch till the end to discover what many American retirees wish they had known before leaving the United States. Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. Retirement, tax, healthcare, and immigration rules may vary by country and individual circumstances. Always consult qualified professionals before making financial or relocation decisions. #RetireAbroad #RetirementPlanning #ExpatLife #retirementabroad
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I moved permantly to Costa Rica 12 years ago, and became a permanent resident.🏖 It was one of the best decisions in my life! I follow the foreign and U.S. banking loopholes, and file annual Federal tax returns. I only kept my Medicare Part B, because my military retiree Tricare Health Plan requires it. I see them as insurance, if i need them if I visit the U.S. The most important lesson I have learned. You must go where you are treated best, and have a higher quality of life!
I live in America. I was born and raised here, but what you've described in this video is exactly what I feel living here. Yes, it's my country, but it's not my home anymore
America is a country that disrespects and abuses its citizens
If a US citizen have enough money, they can live comfortably! But the US government is full of corrupt criminals and one of the biggest criminals is Larry Fink from BlackRock!
The USA is Not a country, is an Enterprise for profit ONLY.
I moved from the US to Ecuador over 4 years ago. I couldn´t afford to retire in the US. My cost of living in Ecuador is about 1/4 of the US. It´s not perfect but it´s a fairly nice place to live. Safe, with a very comfortable climate, and all the modern shopping a person could want alongside the little farmers´markets. I have no plans to return to the US.
I've been living ex-pat for 13 years and living the best years of life.
USA WILL HELP AND SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO OTHER COUNTRIES BUT ITS OWN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING EVERYDAY!!! GO FIGURE
Retired on $2800/month. Save at least a quarter of that. Costs me roughly $1,400 to live on my paid for rural ranch in the Central Sierra. Not having a mortgage for the past 25 years and not buying every piece of crap peddled by retailers makes a difference.
North America Designed for Corporate América & For Rich People not for Working Citizens.
It's sad that the US - the richest county in the world failed its people and made life harder for them after years of doing what is right - following the system, worked so hard to have security in their old age, in their retirement. But this is not the case. Their homeland treated their own people unjustly & unfairly. This is not how life in a first world county should be. This is like a death sentence! No mercy, no compassion. No dignity! Us government should fix their system that is no longer working & not helping its people.
Every American who Imigrated to Germany since 2024 and itsa lot, tell us they never will return back to the US.We welcome them with an open Heart and mind❤🇩🇪
Another thing I see is people finally retire and have their house paid for but their property tax is so high along with the increase in utilities . Retirement income isn't enough when the cost of living increases every year .
Yep!!! Unfortunately living abroad is a lot more affordable for seniors. The Philippines is so beautyful and affordable.
I moved to Costa Rica in 2002 and I am still healthy and comfortable. I am sure I would not have lived this long in the US.
I work and lived in USA for 40 years but life is much easy much better in México, the American Dream is long gone!
We have lived all over the world and the USA has become unaffordable. We had a villa in Merida, Mexico with a pool for $1,250 per month with a housekeeper once a week. We had a resort style condo in Pattaya, Thailand for$450 per month! A $950 beautiful apartment in a 1500 year old building in Perugia, Italy! The food is really food. Medical care with a foreign insurance policy was by far one of the most affordable! It's just my husband and I and we pay almost $700 per month in insurance costs just to have the insurance. That's not including all the co-pays. What used to cost me about $200 per week in groceries is now costing me $600 a week if I choose to spend that and it's mostly crap food. When was the last time you tasted a tomato that actually tasted like a tomato? In all these countries that we have lived in the food is untreated and the meat just came off the farm that you know about up the street two days ago. Sure there are some places that are way affordable, but are also dangerous unless you keep your head and wits about you like Belize. Ambergris Key is unbelievably gorgeous! Mexico is a great country but they're tightening their restrictions on visiting and visas. Malta is another beautiful place that's affordable in the Mediterranean. Croatia is very affordable. The hardest thing is you get home sick and then when you come back home, you wonder why you left the country that you just did ha ha! But truly, what happens is you become a citizen of the world and experience so many things that you will never experience in the United States. I don't even recognize my own country anymore and we are planning to leave again ASAP. It is true though. It will become unaffordable for us to move back to the United States with the economy being what it is right now. My condo in San Clemente California was renting for $1100 for the longest time and now that it has become a bougie beach town that everyone thinks they discovered that same apartment is almost $4000. I don't even know who can afford these rent prices these poor kids are paying. And how do our elders afford it unless they own their own home and can afford the property taxes? You can buy a four bedroom standalone ancient Stonehouse in France for $59,000 and you can find cheaper houses all over Italy for a song. What do we actually get here in the United States that cost us so much now? I have to tell myself that there's really not much left here for me the way that things are going! Take a chance!
I already went through that feeling when I went away to college. My wife was originally from Vietnam. We have a home and family waiting for us there. the possibility of retiring to Vietnam is a very serious consideration for us
I retired early & been living in Panama for 12 yrs. I could never afford to retire & survive in the states these days. The cost in the states is not sustainable.
Living in the Philippines 4+yrs, don't plan to move back to the US. Living in the Philippines life is stress free when I left yrss back NY rent was 1300 not including lights, cable, car note, insurance for the car, gas,food etc, and life their is not filling. The Philippines, you have to find what suites you, living in Manila it is expensive but you can find better outside go to other islands and you will see rent is 50 to 65% cheaper and food is cheaper traveling it's a fraction what a train ride cost one in NYC. Philippines and medical crazy cheaper, yeah out of pocket but you get what you pay for at a fraction again cheaper in the Philippines and the beaches are freakin amazingly beautiful. Philippines 👍👍👍