9 International Locales to Retire and Live Better

9) Ecuador

Aside from Panama, Ecuador is the most desirable place in South America for North Americans to retire. Due to its proximity to the equator, Ecuador enjoys 12 hours of daylight every day of the year, a godsend for anyone who despises long winters with depressingly short days. The main draw for retirees in Ecuador is the competitive housing costs. Popular destinations like Cuenca, Cotacachi and Vilcabamba woo retirees with gorgeous rentals that can cost as little as $500 per month. English is not widely spoken but there’s nothing stopping you from learning Spanish and fully embracing the Ecuadorian culture. Infrastructure is developing which means that roads in particular will not be of the standard you’re used to but the low cost of living more than makes up for this inconvenience. As in Panama, the government of Ecuador are trying very hard to make their country desirable for retirees and offer a number of benefits to their older ex-pats including half-price public transport and value-added tax refunds on purchases. Foreigners can even join Ecuador’s national healthcare system ensuring costs are low.