Best Places to Retire in the World

Each fall I await the Best Places to Retire lists to see what has changed. This past year we learned that Panama was still up at the top of the list in second place. In fact Panama has been up there at the top for more than five years now.

The Best Places in the World to Retire

For 2010 the top spot went to Ecuador. This morning as I was reading more about Ecuador it occurred to me that I already wrote about the top retirement spots in a previous article but I don't believe I went into very much detail about this wonderful little country. We have covered the Retirement in Belize (Retire Belize Program) and in Panama but never Ecuador.

For example, did you know you can enjoy a four-course lunch for just $2? Taxi fare to just about anywhere in Quito, the nations capital runs around a buck? A night in a nice, clean and safe hotel will cost you less than $20? and, this is one for those looking for the Cheapest Places to Retire in the World, a couple can maintain and nice comfortable, quality lifestyle on less than $600 per month? It's true Ecuador is likely one of the least expensive places to live and if you're on a fixed retirement income or you lost a lot of your retirement nest egg to Wall Street, than it may just be the kind of laid back lifestyle you're looking for.

When you visit Ecuador you'll be amazed by the variety of different locations available to live. You can chose from an apartment in a Colonial city, your private piece of paradise on an stretch of unspoiled beach or even a stunning view of a snow capped volcano from your own highland homestead. What ever you're looking for you'll likely find it in Ecuador and what's best is that it's all there at prices unheard of in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Here's a cool real life example - how about a spacious beach front condo for $79,000? Yes, it's true. This particular condo is in the city of Salinas which is a seaside city that is often compared to Miami.Think I'm exagerating?

Check out this photo comparing the two cities -

Want to learn more about Ecuador? Find out of it's really the Cheapest Place to retire or at least cheap enough but nice enough too? Be sure to check out this Special Report - Cheap, Safe, and Friendly: The World's Top Retirement Havens. It's jam packed with everything you need to know - not just about the country in general but about how to make your move there.

Least Expensive Places to Live

It's true this place may not be in the top ten best places to live list but it still has a lot going for it including being one of the least expensive places to live. But it's not just living cheap that makes this place so popular. It's known as one of the best places to retire for many other reasons too. Like...

The Best Climate

Could this be considered the ideal climate for life and living - daytime high of around 77º and down to around 50º at night? That sounds like a place where there is no need for air conditioning and a nice warm blanket will keep you cozy while you sleep. In this special place you can find yourself wandering the streets of an historic yet sophisticated city, -or- hiking a tranquil pine tree lined mountain trail ending with a relaxing and rejuvenating soak in a natural warm thermal pool -or- discovering the species of an exotic coloured bird in a lush rainforest jungle. Oh, it doesn't end there. How about walking barefoot along pristine beaches where the only footprints you see are your own?

It may sound like a fantasy but this place actually exists. The country is Ecuador and last year it was rated the Best Place to Retire by International Living Magazine. One of the big reasons is the ability to live comfortable on a very low income. Here's an example of why this is one of

The Least Expensive Places to Live

Lee and Peggy are American expats who live in Cotacachi, Ecuador. One couldn't call them cheap or shut-in's who avoid steeping out to save money. No, they dine out for practically every meal. Not only that they even have a maid who cleans their apartment and does their laundry too!

Here's how much Lee and Peggy spend each month -
Rent $150
Food $250
Water $6
Electricity $13
Propane $7
Medications $50
Laundry $24
Housecleaning $40
Dog food $40

That's a total budget of just $580 for two people and a dog! Now you might be thinking, yes, but what about all of those other little expense you're not telling us about? Well, let's see if we can fill inna few more of the details for you, like - a hair cut for $2, $2 manicures, $7 for a case of beer, 25 cents for the bus, and if you don't feel like doing the paper work for your medical insurance you can just pay the doctor $10 for the occasional visit.


Another couple, John and Sue, live in Vilcabamba. But they were able to purchase their home so they don't pay rent. They say their monthly expenses are even less at under $500 a month!

So now you're likely thinking, "It's too far. It's probably one of those 'third-world' countries. Or perhaps you're thinking Ecuador isn't safe or the government isn't stable?

The reality is none of those things are true.

The Best Place to Retire

International Living recommends Ecuador as one of the Best Places to Retire and has been doing so for ten years now.

The truth is Ecuador continually exceeds expectations.

How's this for inexpensive - a four course lunch including soup, juice, meat, salad, rice, and dessert for just $2. A taxi fares in Quito average a buck. A 30 minute massage, just $15.

And like Panama (the 2nd Best Place to Retire) Ecuador's official currency is the U.S. dollar. So no need to worry about exchange rates.

And real estate is cheap too. In fact some of the lowest prices in the world. Check this out - a brand new two bedroom, two bath condo with city or ocean view for under $50,000. A Spanish Hacienda style home with lots of land in the mountains for under $90,000.

These aren't the lowest prices. These are just the typical prices!

Coldwell Banker studied 83 countries for it's annual International Home Price Comparison Index and found Ecuador has had the lowest priced real estate for the past two years.

Waco - Cheapest place to live in U.S. but...

Browsing the net today I came across a small item on the Channel 25 News site serving Waco, Killen and Temple, Tx. claiming "Waco as one of the Cheapest Places to live in the U.S.A.

The article basically drew on data compiled by the Real Estate research website, HomeFacts.com. Homefacts listed Waco as one of the top ten cheapest places to live in the U.S. based on cost of living data they compiled from the U.S. department of housing. Waco was #7 on the list.

I always find these little snippets interesting - its often what's not reported that is most interesting. If available, the comments people leave can be quite revealing. In this case the comments were pretty negative. Confirming that Waco is in fact one of the least expensive places to live but perhaps for good reason. Posters trashed the place for high taxes and what sounds like a pretty nasty crime and poverty problem.

A comment by one poster may just sum it all up, " Woo Hoo Waco! - Save money, get robbed, shot or maybe raped. Thats the place I want to raise my family..."

As I mentioned its a pretty small piece and what I've written here captures it all but if you still want to check out the original source you can go here - Source: www.kxxv.com

Yes, it's true Waco is the cheapest place to live in the U.S.