TerraBKK Research has found that "Thailand" ranks 14th in the world's best places to retire according to The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2018 statistics from internationalliving.com. This ranking is based on an evaluation of 12 key factors related to the quality of life for retirees.

             Thailand stands out as a suitable place for retirees due to two prominent factors that scored as high as 90 out of 100: Cost of living and Entertainment and amenities. These include the variety of restaurants, cultural activities, outdoor activities, and the ease of finding English-language films, among others. The area that needs the most improvement is Benefits and discounts, such as special privileges for seniors. In the ASEAN region, besides Thailand, Malaysia also ranks 5th. Overall, Malaysia scores higher than Thailand in all aspects except for Cost of living and Climate.

The top three countries for Best Places to Retire in 2018 are:

              3rd Place: Panama - 91.1 points Panama City is a great retirement destination with clean, beautiful beaches and a friendly local population. The Panamanian government offers benefits for retirees by not taxing foreign income. The healthcare system in Panama is world-class, and dental care is affordable.


            2nd Place: Mexico - 91.2 points Mexico is a comfortable retirement destination with a low cost of living and affordable flights to various destinations across America. It has excellent public utilities and healthcare at half the cost of the U.S. Mexico is vibrant and rich in culture.


            1st Place: Costa Rica - 91.3 points North Americans have been traveling to Costa Rica for retirement for over 30 years, attracted by its climate, low cost of living, adequate healthcare, affordable housing, and natural beauty. This country is a prime example of political stability in the region and is sometimes referred to as the "Switzerland of Central America."


             TerraBKK Research summarizes the scores across the 12 factors (out of a total of 100 points) for the Top 20 Best Places to Retire in 2018 along with a brief description of each factor as follows:

  • Governance: Assessed based on respect for personal freedoms, government oppression, and a stable and secure environment.
  • Climate: Evaluated based on rainfall, temperature and humidity, and the feelings of foreign retirees.
  • Development: Assessed based on infrastructure such as road quality, public transportation, internet speed and coverage, and mobile phone signals.
  • Healthy lifestyle: Benefits from geographical features such as fresh farm produce, a temperate climate for outdoor activities, and a stress-free living environment.
  • Healthcare: Evaluated based on the quality and cost of healthcare, with many top retirement destinations offering world-class care at lower prices than the retirees' home countries.
  • Entertainment and amenities: Scored based on the variety of restaurants, cultural activities, outdoor activities, and the availability of English-language films.
  • Fitting in: How easy it is to create a friendly community, including the presence of expatriate communities, the prevalence of English, and lifestyle compatibility.
  • Cost of living: Survey responses regarding living costs that meet the needs of foreign retirees, such as housing, utilities, food expenses, and flights back to their home countries.
  • Visas and residence: Retirement destinations should not complicate these matters, such as the process for obtaining tourist visas, visa duration, and ease of becoming a permanent resident.
  • Benefits and discounts: Special benefits for seniors in some countries that help reduce retirement costs, such as discounts on public transport, health insurance, and utility support.
  • Renting: "Try before you buy" - many countries offer rental options that provide a better financial feeling than purchasing, such as short-term rental convenience, rental property conditions, rental price levels, and additional costs for long-term rentals.
  • Buying and investing: The ease of purchasing and owning property, such as the price of two-bedroom homes, condominiums in popular locations, construction costs, and property taxes. ---TerraBKK

Article by: TerraBKK Investment Tips
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