The same income.
A far richer life.
Your retirement check can buy a coastline in Portugal, a colonial town in Mexico, a calmer pace and better healthcare — for a fraction of what you spend now. See exactly how far it goes.
Your geo-arbitrage calculator
Two questions. A clear answer.
A move this big should feel simple.
We do one thing: turn the overwhelming question of "could I actually do this?" into a clear, honest plan you can act on at your own pace.
See the numbers
Start with the calculator. In seconds you'll know which countries fit your income — and how much breathing room you'd gain.
Learn the real picture
Taxes, healthcare, visas, banking. We translate the complicated parts into plain English, sourced from the agencies that set the rules.
Go at your pace
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We weren't trying to escape America. We were trying to afford the retirement we'd been promised.
Ten countries that welcome retirees.
Go as deep as you're ready to.
Start with the essentials or get the complete system. Every guide is honest, sourced, and written for the life you've earned.
Where in the World Can You Afford to Retire?
The fast on-ramp — ten countries, real costs, and an honest gut-check in one short read.
- 10-country cost comparison
- The freedom-number method
- "Is this for you?" self-check
The Geo-Arbitrage Playbook
The complete system — choosing your country, the full money picture, visas, and your first 90 days.
- 14 chapters across 4 parts
- Social Security, taxes & healthcare
- Visas + first-90-days plan
Playbook + Relocation Toolkit
Everything in the Playbook, plus the done-for-you tools to actually make the move.
- Country comparison spreadsheet
- Move-budget & runway calculator
- Visa, 90-day & departure checklists
No sales pitch. No commission on your life.
We don't sell real estate, visas, or relocation packages. Every cost figure is built from public data and on-the-ground reporting, with our method published in the open. We make our living from readers who find us genuinely useful — not from the move you make.
How we calculate the numbers
Every figure in the calculator is the estimated monthly cost of a comfortable lifestyle for a retired couple in a mid-size city or established expat area of that country — rent for a well-located one/two-bedroom, groceries and regular meals out, private healthcare, local transport, and leisure included.
Each country's number is cross-checked against at least two independent cost-of-living guides updated in 2026, then rounded to the nearest $100. Costs vary by city and lifestyle — treat these as a well-grounded starting point, not a quote. The U.S. comparison uses the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey average for households 65+ ($61,432/yr, 2024 — the latest published year — ≈ $5,100/mo). The expense breakdown shows a typical expat budget allocation; your mix will differ.
Sources by country
- Portugal — International Living; Idealista (Jan 2026)
- Mexico — International Living; Mexico Relocation Guide; ExpatDen
- Spain — Idealista (Feb 2026); International Living
- Thailand — ExpatDen; International Living
- Costa Rica — ExpatDen; TheLatinvestor (2026)
- Panama — International Living; TheLatinvestor (2026)
- Malaysia — International Living; Rumavi (2026)
- Colombia — International Living; ColombiaMove (2026)
- Greece — International Living; Investropa (2026)
- Vietnam — International Living; Live and Invest Overseas (Da Nang)
Figures last reviewed July 2026. We re-check them at least twice a year, and whenever exchange rates move sharply.
The weekly letter for the life you've earned.
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