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If you’re considering retirement abroad, you need information, and you need lots of it. But more than that, you need guidance on how to interpret that information. That’s what we’re here for, and that’s why we’ve compiled the 2021 Annual Global Retirement Index: to help you with the exciting business of choosing where in the world will best suit your needs.
When it was first conceived, our Retirement Index was our special way of coping with an embarrassment of riches. At that stage, IL had already spent over a decade exploring all manner of dream locales. The result was a huge and exciting variety of choice and opportunity. Fast-forward to 2021.
Three decades have gone by, during which our scouts have scoured every corner of the globe many times over. The result is a much bigger and ever-growing selection of outstanding destinations where you can live a healthier and happier life, spend a lot less money, and get a whole lot more.
But how do you choose?
The Retirement Index is the most comprehensive and in-depth survey of its kind. It’s the best way we know of to sift through the wealth of opportunity the world offers, bring some order, and help you pinpoint the best destination for you.
Our index is informed by hundreds of opinions and real-life experiences—information—compiled by our trusted sources in the best retirement destinations across the globe. We think of it as a tool for you, our reader. A way for you to quickly compare and contrast your best options and begin to narrow down your choices.
We have our people out there pounding the pavement in attractive overseas communities we know you should consider. They’re reporting back to us with insights, and information about what’s really going on. They’re not beholden to relocation service providers or real estate agents or tourism boards or economic development organizations. They work for you.
In no way is our Global Retirement Index meant to be a scientific output. It’s designed to be a useful tool for people, constructed out of real-world, on-the-ground information interpreted through a lens of well-informed experience and opinion.
Our sources are living in the places where they’re gathering their intelligence. And we trust their judgment. If they say the healthcare is good, or that a meal for two in a nice restaurant costs $20, then we believe them.
Our intention with this index is that it be genuinely useful. We’re not looking for random input from random people around the world—you can get that with a simple internet search. Instead, we’re in the business of providing sound recommendations about a refreshingly limited number of options.
Beyond data—it offers, more importantly, information, opinions, perspective, and guidance.
What has their research revealed about the best retirement havens in 2021? Read on…
By Wendy Justice
“You’ll know within 36 hours of coming here whether you love it or not,” says 65-year-old Redwood City, California expat Deb Aronson. “I knew within three months of being in Vietnam that this would be my home. It captured my soul.” That was 21 years ago, and she’s still under the spell. She’s one of a growing number of expats who lives long term in Vietnam.
I’ve lived here for 10 years now—in the coastal resort city of Nha Trang, in the progressive and delightfully livable city of Da Nang, and currently in Hanoi, Vietnam’s 1,010-year-old capital city. When I’m not at home, I’m often exploring other parts of the country—the wild, remote mountains of the far north, the pristine beaches of the central coast, the waterfalls and pine forests of the Central Highlands, and the skyscraper-filled skylines of Vietnam’s rapidly developing cities.
Vietnam’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. It’s hard to imagine that this war-torn nation of 40 years ago has developed into the world’s fastest-growing economy in 2020. The signs of growth are everywhere: high-rise condos and gated communities with private yacht clubs and international schools, shiny new hospitals with all the latest equipment, controlled-access freeways, and even the occasional Rolls Royce.
Despite the development that you see in every town and city, Vietnam hasn’t sold its soul. Ancient traditions, like the burning of offerings on the full moon and exotic ceremonies honoring the Mother Goddess, are still very much a part of life here. The ornate mansions left behind by the French during their lengthy occupation house embassies, government offices, and fancy restaurants now. The many parks and streets lined with century-old shade trees—also a legacy of the French—give a certain European grandeur to Vietnam’s urban areas. Glitzy shopping malls with the latest fashions and electronics compete with cavernous traditional markets selling gallon-size jugs of ginseng, traditional medicines, and $2 jeans.
Elegant restaurants serving fresh lobster and Wagyu steak sit alongside humble street food stalls selling spring rolls and chicken soup. The rising middle class have no issues taking a meal at either place; they’re happy to splurge on occasion, but nothing quite compares to sharing a humble kettle of “hot pot” in the company of friends and family.
Vietnam may be growing in leaps and bounds, but for retirees looking for a delightfully comfortable lifestyle, it remains one of the least expensive countries on earth. Couples who have made their homes in the mountain town of Dalat say they’re not sacrificing a thing to stay within a budget of $800 per month or less, and expats in Nha Trang rave about spending $1,000 per month and “living rich.” Even in the most expensive cities—Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)—you can live comfortably for less than $1,500 per month.
70-year-old Texas native Larry Chilcoat has lived in Dalat since 2018. He says, “I’m able to live well on just my social security alone. My monthly budget, with travel and everything, is $800 to $1,000 per month and I don’t hurt for anything–I have everything that I want and need. Things are so reasonable here.”
The Vietnamese language is notoriously difficult to learn. Fortunately, the Vietnamese know this and are thrilled if you attempt to speak just a few words of the language, no matter how badly you might mangle it. Many locals speak excellent English, especially in urban areas. Vietnam scores well on the English Proficiency Index—higher than most other Asian and even Latin American countries. They are also eager to practice their English skills; many friendships are formed through informal language exchanges.
That’s one of the things that makes Vietnam stand out from other countries: it’s an easy place to make local friends. Age isn’t a barrier here, either. One retired couple I met in Da Nang said that they were invited to their neighbor’s high school prom. My best friend is my daughter’s age. Whether they’re hoping to practice their English or simply curious about seeing a new face in town, the Vietnamese aren’t shy about initiating conversations. They’ll ask your name, your age, whether you’re married and if so, how many children you have and their ages. Before you know it, you’re invited to their house for dinner or to visit their ancestral home in the countryside.
Many expats are drawn to Vietnam for its beaches, which stretch more than 2,000 miles along the entire length of the country. Places on the central coast like Da Nang, Hoi An, and Nha Trang have exceptionally pretty beaches, while offering residents the benefits of city life, too. In other places, such as the south-central village of Mui Ne and the southern island of Phu Quoc, the laidback lifestyle is centered around the coast.
Wherever you are in Vietnam, you’re never far from quiet, rural roads, stunning mountain scenery, and tiny hamlets where life hasn’t changed much in the past century. It’s a country that invites exploration and adventure; scenic wonderlands like Halong Bay and Sapa, minority villages overlooking terraced rice fields that extend to the horizon, and the world’s largest caves attract tens of thousands of visitors.
Vietnamese cuisine is delightfully regional, with savory broths in the north, spicy noodles in the south, and incredibly delicious dishes and specialties that are found in only one town or village in the entire country. The food is fresh and healthy, with complex flavors expertly blended to create unique dishes. The country is also famous for its coffee—strong, rich, and locally grown, it’s a source of pride for the Vietnamese, who are its biggest consumers.
Vietnam is a regional travel hub. Several international airports serve regional destinations, while airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offered flights to all major global destinations, including direct, non-stop flights to the U.S., and likely will again, once borders reopen. Budget carriers like VietJet Air, Pacific Airlines, and Bamboo Airways offer ridiculously low promotional fares, while the signature carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has full-service flights.
