“Safe” + “affordable” is the golden combo for retirement. Below I picked top, practical options (both international and inside the U.S.), and for each I list why it’s safe/affordable, what to expect cost-wise, and a quick note on healthcare/visas. All estimates are approximate — I’ve cited sources for the biggest claims so you can dig deeper.
Top international picks
1) Portugal (Algarve, Lisbon suburbs, Porto areas)
- Why: consistently ranks high on safety/peace indexes and offers excellent public/private healthcare plus a friendly expat community. Portugal is often recommended for retirees for quality of life at a reasonable cost compared with many other Western European countries. Vision of Humanity+1
- Cost: many retirees report living comfortably on ~$2,000–$3,000/month depending on location (cheaper inland, higher in Lisbon/Algarve).
- Notes: good healthcare, English widely spoken in expat areas, D7 / residency options for retirees.
2) Mexico (Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, coastal towns)
- Why: very affordable living close to the U.S., strong expat infrastructure, and many safe towns popular with retirees. Safety varies by region — choose well-known expat towns. MoveAdvisor+1
- Cost: ~$1,200–$2,500/month depending on town and lifestyle. MoveAdvisor
- Notes: excellent private healthcare at lower cost; easy travel back to U.S.; temporary/resident visas geared to retirees.
3) Costa Rica (Central Valley, smaller beach towns)
- Why: stable, politically peaceful, with strong healthcare options (public & private) and a large retiree community. Popular for “pura vida” lifestyle. blog.savvynomad.io
- Cost: ~$1,800–$3,000/month depending on whether you live in tourist hotspots. blog.savvynomad.io
- Notes: good healthcare; pensionado visa available for retirees with guaranteed income.
4) Panama (Panama City suburbs, Boquete)
- Why: long been a top pick for retirees due to retiree incentives, affordable living, and good healthcare infrastructure. International Living often ranks Panama highly for retirees. International Living+1
- Cost: ~$1,500–$3,000/month depending on location and lifestyle. SmartAsset
- Notes: strong retiree visa programs (Pensionado), good international flight connections.
5) Ecuador (Cuenca, Loja)
- Why: very low cost of living, pensioner visas available, and many retirees live comfortably there; safety in expat towns is generally good though region matters. MoveAdvisor
- Cost: ~$1,000–$1,800/month in popular retiree cities like Cuenca. MoveAdvisor
- Notes: excellent affordability; medical costs are low and decent private clinics are available.
6) Malaysia (Penang, Kuala Lumpur suburbs)
- Why: ranks well on safety/peace lists for the region, excellent private healthcare, and English is widely used — low cost relative to Western countries. Vision of Humanity
- Cost: ~$1,500–$2,500/month depending on lifestyle.
- Notes: Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program (subject to changes — check current rules).
Top U.S. options (safe + affordable states/cities)
If you prefer to stay in the U.S., look at states that combine low crime, good health access, and reasonable taxes/housing:
- New Hampshire, Maine, Wyoming, Vermont, Idaho — these ranked highly in Bankrate’s 2025 “best states to retire” study for safety, taxes, and overall retiree friendliness. (New Hampshire and Maine often score best for retirement quality). Bankrate
- Affordable small cities/towns in the Midwest and parts of the South (e.g., some towns in Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi) can offer very low housing costs and peaceful living — but check local healthcare access and climate risks.
How I judged “safe + affordable”
- Safety: Global Peace Index / country peace rankings and regional crime trends. Vision of Humanity+1
- Affordability: expat cost-of-living guides (International Living, MoveAdvisor, SmartAsset), Numbeo/market reports and local expat forums. International Living+2MoveAdvisor+2
How to pick your best place
Think about these priorities — I can tailor recommendations once you pick which matter most:
- Stay in U.S. or move abroad?
- Climate preference (warm year-round vs four seasons).
- Healthcare importance (top hospitals nearby vs affordable/basic).
- Proximity to family / ease of travel.
- Budget (monthly range you’d like to live on).
