BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): Thailand is the world’s 9th cheapest place to live for expat retirees, according to the Annual Global Retirement Index.
The 2023 list of “10 Cheapest Places to Live After Retiring” was compiled by experts at the International Living website and published this week. It details the best places to retire in terms of high quality of life and low cost of living.
Portugal tops the list thanks to the weakness of its currency and ease of acquiring a long-term visa.
Second is Mexico, followed by Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece and France. Thailand ties with Italy in ninth place.
International Living says the list is not just for retirees, but anyone seeking a better and more affordable life, or just to escape the bustle, violence, politics and divisiveness of their home country.
The 2023 list focuses on aspects such as cost of living, climate, visas, housing, and healthcare.
Thailand’s warm, sun-drenched climate makes it an alluring destination for retirees, explains International Living correspondent Rachel Devlin.
The country “appeals to those who have a keen sense of adventure and an eye for natural and cultural beauty”. It also retains a unique way of life as the only nation in South-East Asia to avoid colonisation, she notes.
Devlin also comments on Thailand’s affordability, especially when it comes to real estate.
“Foreigners are able to buy condos very easily and there are bargains everywhere. It is possible to buy a two-bedroom condo for under US$30,000 [1.01 million baht] and rentals can be as cheap as $180 [6,000 baht] per month if you need something small and quaint.”
On living costs, Devlin said an expat couple can live comfortably on as little as $1,596 [53,963 baht] per month.
