On January 10, I joined a few colleagues for the 2025 Top 14 Retirement Havens Webinar.
Together, we introduced the top 5 winners for this year:
- Valencia, Spain
- Cascais, Portugal
- Medellín, Colombia
- Crete, Greece
- Mazatlán, Mexico
Those of the nearly 15,000 registrants who joined us live were also able to ask us questions. Many of these are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive, so let me share a few, along with our answers…
Question: Do all these budget numbers include rent or is it if you own your home?
Answer: For the Overseas Retirement Index, we feature budgets which include rental figures, but in each issue of Overseas Living Letter (of which the Index is but one monthly issue), we include three budgets for each destination we cover: a renter’s budget, a homeowner’s budget, and a “penny-pincher’s budget.”
Question: Does the Index include the minimum guarantee of income for retirement visas for every destination?
Answer: Not every destination on our list offers a specific retirement visa, but they all offer easy residency visa options for retirees, and in each case we specify the requirements needed to qualify.
Question: As a handicapped person, how is it getting around in these places?
Answer: This depends greatly on the destination, but, generally speaking, accessibility is not as well provided overseas as it is in the States or Canada, where standards are at their global best.
You’ll find that most public transportation in Europe is handicapped accessible, with wheelchair lifts on buses, and in cities you’ll typically find ramps on most sidewalks. Metros are hit and miss… some offer elevators but some don’t. In smaller towns or villages, you might not be able to count on accessibility.
In Latin America, some cities will be more accessible than others, there’s no real way to speak generally.
In the end, the only way to truly know if a destination will accommodate you is to visit for yourself.
Question: Is the newsletter you’re speaking about online or in print? I loved getting the magazine years ago, but we do not have postal service in Ecuador so only online works.
Answer: Overseas Living Letter is indeed digital, complete with beautiful high-resolution images and full details on living in each destination covered.
Every issue is delivered in PDF format to your inbox on the 10th of every month.
Question: Can you recommend tax experts within these countries? I have done a tour already in Europe. One of my biggest problems is taxes—I need a resource that can do a comparison for countries in terms of the tax consequences of each option. This is important, especially for retirees who have passive income that will be taxed. Please advise if you can.
Answer: Yes, this is a critical thing to consider about any move overseas, and is something we cover—especially in regards to retirement income—in each issue, including the annual Overseas Retirement Index.
Question: Considering crime, which of the top five locations discussed officially reported the least crimes?
Answer: We always include coverage of crime and safety when we report on a destination, and all of the places we talk about are generally safe. In fact, many of them are noted as some of the most peaceful countries in the world. The only real crime you’ll encounter in any of these places would be petty crimes of opportunity, mostly pickpocketing.
Of our top five, Cascais, Portugal would have the least crime, as it’s not a typically touristed part of the country, so it’s not a pickpocket hot spot.
Question: Are any of these places good for couples with high school-aged children?
Answer: Yes, many of these places are ideal places to raise kids, and we know of many expat families doing just that in all of our top five retirement havens.
Outside of the top five, the notable exception would be Ambergris Caye, Belize, which wouldn’t offer a standard of education that most parents would seek. Every other destination has international schools, and some have a great many to choose from.
Question: Do you need a car if you live in Valencia? Does Spain have a golden visa program?
Answer: No, living in Valencia you could live very comfortably without a car—and most residents would recommend doing just that. A car here would be an unnecessary expense.
Spain has had a Golden Visa program, but it was just announced that it will be terminated on April 3, 2025, and since the news was broken, applicants have skyrocketed.
Question: Which of the recommendations would be easiest for walking? Not a lot of ups and downs, I need mostly flat areas…
Answer: Crete and Medellín are the only two cities of our top five that are mountainous and not so easy for walking. Otherwise, these destinations are all nice and flat, with plenty of public transport options.
Question: Is there an airport on Crete?
Answer: Yes, Heraklion International Airport offers a few direct flights throughout Europe, but many are seasonal. You’ll likely have to connect from Athens, depending on where you’re coming from.
Question: In Mazatlán or elsewhere in Mexico, are any investments set up in pesos, or a way to take advantage of the current great exchange rate?
Answer: Yes, you can buy real estate or CDs in Mexico in pesos to take advantage of the excellent exchange rate.
Question: Does your information include if places are LGBTQ friendly? Many of us are interested…
Answer: Yes, this is something we always report on, and generally speaking, all of the destinations on the list would be welcoming, though Italy is staunchly religious and conservative, and may not be a top choice (Milan is the big exception in Italy).
In Latin America, where the culture is macho and also traditionally religious, acceptance is variable… while bigger cities are typically more welcoming, and many even have pride parades these days, smaller towns may not be as understanding.
That said, we have known of many gay readers who have moved to Belize, Panama, Argentina, and Mexico, and been very happy, reporting that on a person-to-person level, they never experienced any discrimination.
Happy trails,
Kat Kalashian
Editor, LIOS Confidential
