I am going to show you pictures I took of my Top 15 Places in Entire World to Retire Early Cheap in 2022, as I tell you all about them. But full written reports about each individual location are available at VagabondBuddha.com.
Things have changed since last year’s list so pay close attention. But I will put links back to the rankings for last year and the year before (2020 and 2021), so you can see how things changed. The competition is stiff, but some places just hold up better over time.
This ranking is for year-round early cheap retirement. Year-round means you have to think about the weather in the off-season since you will live there year-round.
I will rank locations based purely on my gut reaction. My method only works if you have spent considerable time in each place.
There are two reasons why I think my ranking is better than the other international retire cheap gurus. First, I don’t gather data from 10k miles away. I put my feet on the ground and spend weeks, months, and even years in some of these places.
Second, I don’t rely on the gut reactions of 20 different people that have only lived in 2 or 3 different overseas places each. You get only my gut reaction here. Not me telling you what other people said to me over the phone. There is just no real way to compare the gut reaction to all of these places if your feet and eyes haven’t been on the ground in all of the places you compare to each other.
Just collecting data from 10k miles away and talking to people that live in each place has some value, but you also need the visceral experience that comes from a single set of eyes. That is what I do. I have lived outside the USA since 2007.
But remember, these are just my summaries. To see my pictures and videos filmed by me on the ground in each place and to read detailed reports about each written by me, visit VagabondBuddha.com.
Now I will summarize my top 15 places in REVERSE ORDER so you have to wait until the end to hear my top 3. Okay, here we go.
Top 15 Places in Entire World to Retire Early Cheap in 2022
Medellin Colombia Retire Cheap Report (15th): Medellin is a gorgeous place surrounded by green luscious hills, beautiful people and things to see, a rich and interesting history, workable Internet speeds, and a reasonable cost of living. Medellin has been called the city of eternal spring by both foreigners and locals alike. It is almost never too hot or too cold. The people of Medellin are proud and they should be. It is a lovely place. Two hours from Medellin is Guatape, the most colorful village I have seen in Colombia. Each home has a painted mural on the front in vibrant colors, that tells you who lives there based on the kind of work they do. The cost of living in Medellin would range from about $1000 USD per month to about $2500 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble. If you would prefer to live near the beach, then check out my Santa Marta Columbia Retire Cheap Report for a quaint affordable beach town. Cartagena is also gorgeous and amazing but would not generally be considered cheap.
If you are not familiar with the difference between an ex-pat bubble and integrating into the local culture, I have provided a report at the link below this video that explains that concept. Difference Between an Expat Bubble and Integrating into The Local Culture.
Arequipa Peru Retire Cheap Report (14th): Arequipa is a gorgeous colonial-era city in the Andes in the southern part of Peru. Walk along the cobblestone streets and you will find an endless array of both foreign and domestic foods. The central park is a gorgeous place to spend an evening as the sun goes down while the city lights the cathedral built-in 1566. It is also a beautiful college town and has one of the highest per capita incomes and a large population of educated intellectuals. The only thing that makes me hesitate at all is its elevation which made it feel a little too cool in the evenings. A t-shirt is often fine during the day, but after about 4 pm, you will need to throw on a light jacket or sweater. The cost of living in Arequipa would range from about $950 USD per month to about $2200 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble. Consider our Cajamarca Peru Retire Cheap Report if you are looking for a more traditional Peruvian experience in a smaller more quaint colonial-era setting or Mancora Peru Retire Cheap Report if you are more of a partying surfer.
Cuenca Ecuador Retire Cheap Report (13th): Cuenca is on almost everyone’s retire cheap in paradise list and it is easy to see why. It is a smaller colonial-era city in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador at the perfect elevation. So it stays cool even in the warmest summer. Expats have been coming here for decades because the city center is a colonial-era showpiece with many of the best-restored buildings in all of South America. Somehow the cost of living here has remained relatively low and stable, partly because Ecuador uses the American dollar. There are multiple large public markets where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables from locals and even an ex-pat grocery store where you can get food from Home. The cost of living in Arequipa would range from about $1000 USD per month to about $2400 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Antigua Guatemala (12th): Antigua Guatemala is the most well-preserved colonial-era city in all of Central America. With 500 years of history, art, and architecture, along with an amazing array of foods from around the world to delight your senses, Antigua is one of the best places in the world for integration of colonial culture, indigenous culture, and international visitors. Antigua is a place where many experienced world travelers call home after they have seen much of the world. Because of Antiguas elevation, it remains relatively cool throughout the year. There are also many hiking trails around the city including an active volcano that erupts almost every night. You can take a tour there and watch the volcano light up the skies at night. The cost of living in Arequipa would range from about $1000 USD per month to about $2500 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble. If you are more of a mountain lake lover, check out our Lake Atitlan Guatemala Retire Cheap Report. This beautiful lake a mile high in the sky is surrounded by seven villages of varying character that would provide a home for people of many different kinds of interest including a hippie spiritual natural healing artist village, an ex-pat party animal village, several indigenous culture villages, and a large ex-pat community village.
Guanajuato Mexico Retire Cheap Report (11th) This gorgeous colonial-era city has some of the richest architecture in all of Mexico. Most streets are so skinny or steep, automobiles can’t drive down them so it feels like a small European village in rolling hills. The nearby Valenciana silver mine produced two-thirds of the world’s silver for 200 years so the architecture in the city center is some of the most extravagant in all of Mexico. The international food choices for a city of this size are perfectly respectable including Lebanese, Chinese, Thai (limited), Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Argentinian, and French. Plus, as a university town, it maintains a very active nightlife with live music, concerts, theatre, modern dance. The cost of living in Guanajuato would range from about $1000 USD per month to about $2100 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Oaxaca Mexico Retire Cheap Report (10th): Oaxaca State has a large indigenous population with 50% of the population with different indigenous cultures speaking different local languages. Oaxaca hosts the largest indigenous people’s festival in the world annually to celebrate their native culture of music, costumes, dances, and food. Some of the most well-preserved ancient pre-hispanic ruins are there including Monte Alban and Mitla. Oaxaca is at a perfect elevation so it is not too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter. The colonial-era center of the city is one of the most beautiful and well preserved anywhere in the world. The central park (Zocolo) is a joy day and night with music, dance, and delicious foods to try. The cost of living in Oaxaca would range from about $1000 USD per month to about $2200 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Camiguin Island Philippines Retire Cheap Report (9th): Camiguin is a small island with a fairly low density of people. But for those looking for less civilization and more nature, this may be your place. There are several waterfalls cascading down the sides of the fairly dormant volcano-filled mountains landing in swimmable pools of water. There are a few hidden white sand beaches on the island itself but you are just a very short ferry ride to two of the most beautiful uninhabited smaller islands in the world. You can snorkel, scuba dive, fish, ride bikes and scooters, and enjoy the friendly locals. There are a few really good restaurants plus many local food choices There is one small shopping mall and daily ferries to larger islands to the north and south. Make sure to check out the 100-year-old clams that grow to 1 meter (3 feet) in size. The cost of living in Camiguin Island would range from about $800 USD per month to about $2000 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Porto Portugal Retire Cheap Report (8th): Porto Portugal is like living in a romantic storybook with a beautiful landscape. The central area of Porto is highly walkable. Porto has gorgeous ancient architecture. It is like walking through a living museum with single-lane cobblestone pre-vehicle streets. There are beaches, wine tours, symphony, great restaurants, hiking, biking, great day trips, weekend getaways, sports stadiums, sailing, water sports, parks, nature, etc. Porto has an old-world charm that you usually only find in more expensive cities. You may need to take the Porto Metro underground a few stops outside the city center to find cheaper rents to meet the $1500 USD total living costs, but isn’t it nice that you won’t need to buy a car? The cost of living in Porto would range from about $1500 USD per month to about $2800 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble. Consider reviewing our Coimbra Portugal Retire Cheap Report if you would prefer to live in a smaller less congested college town.
Penang Malaysia Retire Cheap Report (7th) Hours will feel like minutes as you stroll around Georgetown colonial-era and spot colorful street art around every corner. The number one attraction here is finding the best Mama’s restaurant in town for a $2 USD meal. Once you taste the amazing local foods, you will have a hard time convincing yourself to pay $8 to $10 USD in the tourist restaurants. Children are still taught English in most schools here. The Canteen in China House Restaurant is still listed as the premier live music forum. Make sure to take our beach and buddha tour, the street-art tour, our old town walking tour, our nightlife tour, and try out our favorite restaurants. Most of our retire cheap in paradise reports include these types of tours. The cost of living in Penang would range from about $1000 USD per month to about $2500 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Queretaro Mexico Retire Cheap Reports (6th) Queretaro would now be my favorite place to retire in Mexico. For a one or two-week vacation, I would still pick a beach in Mexico. But for everyday life in a cooler colonial-era town full of culture in Mexico, I would pick Queretaro. Queretaro has one of the highest per capita incomes in Mexico because it is the silicon valley of Mexico. There are many great restaurants in town because of the higher incomes. I would live in the colonial-era center of Queretaro where there is a large selection of foods both expensive foreign and inexpensive local family restaurants. There is also a large selection of nightlife venues with live music, many coffee shops, museums, and arts and crafts. The cost of living in Queretaro would range from about $1200 USD per month to about $2600 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Top 5 Places in Entire World to Retire Early Cheap for 2021
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Retire Cheap Report (5th) Kuala Lumpur is a large modern city with all the conveniences that implies. It has several of the most beautiful and modern malls, hotels, resorts, and public transportation in SE Asia. All the famous movies from all over the world play in multiple languages and all of the most famous expensive brands in the world have stores in the malls around KL. If Singapore and Bangkok had a baby, they would name it Kuala Lumpur. It is not as gritty as Bangkok nor as boring, expensive, or antiseptic as Singapore. It is not for everyone, but if you like a large, organized, clean, and safe city, you will love it here in Kuala Lumpur. The retiree visa rules just got ridiculous, so you will need to do visa runs every 3 months unless they wake up and change their rules back to a more reasonable level. The cost of living in Kuala Lumpur would range from about $1200 USD per month to about $2800 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Dumaguete Philippines Retire Cheap Report (4th): Dumaguete is a quaint little city that you may not expect to find in the top 5 places to retire early for cheap. But the city has everything you need in terms of a public market, restaurants, and grocery stores with many international foods. Plus there is a central city area where you could live and walk everywhere. But I would prefer to live up the hill about 8 kilometers in a smaller city called Valencia. There are hot springs, waterfalls, and public markets, but you will need a scooter to get around (or a small car). The real fun starts when you hop on a ferry to one of the beautiful islands nearby like Apo or Siquijor. Dumaguete is sort of like Camiguin but more centralized with more people and business to make everyday life a little easier and more diverse. Plus it is a university town that has influenced the dynamic nature of the city and has one of the best hospitals and medical schools in the islands outside of Cebu and Manila. The cost of living in Dumaguete would range from about $800 USD per month to about $2200 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Bangkok Thailand Retire Cheap Report (3rd): Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world even before you adjust for its low cost of living. The food choices are unmatched with the integration of east and west cuisines. It has one of the most modern and clean transportation systems in the world, so you will not have to waste your money on a car. The Grab taxis are so cheap you can get your groceries home for just a little more than public transportation. Riding the water taxis from Khao San to the King Taksin Bridge while stopping at all of the temples, the flower market, and the King’s Palace is probably the most interesting cultural experience you will find anywhere in the world. Thus, even before we talk about the crazy nightlife and shopping in Bangkok, it is one of the most interesting places in the world. Plus you are just a $50 flight to the best island beaches in SE Asia. The cost of living in Bangkok would range from about $1200 USD per month to about $2600 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble. But if you prefer a smaller mountain town that hosts the digital nomad capital of the world, check out our Chiang Mai Thailand Retire Cheap Report.
Puerto Morelos Mexico Retire Cheap Report (2nd): I have been a fan of Quintana Roo Mexico for about 33 years. But it has gotten over the top expensive over the last 10 years. That was until I discovered the smaller village of Puerto Morelos. Normally I like larger culturally dense cities with more things to do, so I am not completely sure why I have such a great gut feeling about Puerto Morelos. I think it has to do with two major concepts that touched me deeply. There is a Colonia area just a few kilometers from the white sand beaches that is at the edge of thousands of acres of untouched jungle. So a few times per week, monkeys would be playing in the trees outside our windows. On other days gorgeous birds would land in the trees outside our apartment and sing to us. Plus, Riviera Maya is normally a very loud and crazy place. But the Colonia area of Puerto Morelos was one of the quietest places I have ever stayed in Mexico. Plus, there are a bunch of delicious and cheap family-owned restaurants on the Colonia side instead of the overpriced restaurants in the tourist white sand beach areas. But whenever the white beaches called us, we were just a 30 pesos ($1.50 USD) taxi ride to the most beautiful beach in the world. This combination of nature, the authentic Colonia Mexican Village, the beautiful animals in their serene jungle environment just outside our windows, along with the crazy gorgeous white sand beach heaven really made me love this place. The cost of living in Puerto Morelos would range from about $1100 USD per month to about $2800 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
Bali Indonesia (1st): Ubud is a beautiful traditional village in the mountains of Bali where many people love to stay and eat in many of the healthy international food restaurants. This is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. It was, of course, beautiful; the landscape, the beaches, the people. The joys of this relatively small island are spread out everywhere. So you will need to have a vehicle or rent a scooter like most people. Make sure to ride your scooter to Utuwala on the southern tip of Bali to see the fisherman boats, the local fish market, and children dressed in their school uniforms. Also, take the ferry over to Lembongan for the weekend and visit the famous cliff beaches and umbrella graveyards. Finally, bring your camera with you when you visit the terraced rice fields when they are in full green before harvest. The cost of living in Bali would range from about $1100 USD per month to about $2800 USD per month depending on whether you integrated into the local culture or lived in an ex-pat bubble.
You may be wondering why Vietnam did not appear anywhere on the list when it was highly recommended just two years ago. Vietnam changed its visa rules so it is just too difficult to stay in Vietnam for months at a time unless you are lucky enough to meet and marry a local.
That said, I am happy to report that the citizens of Vietnam are just as lovely to foreigners as they have always been.
You may also be wondering why some countries that you love do not appear on this list. For example, I love countries like Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, Estonia, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Nepal, and Turkey. Although I have visited and love these countries and many more, I only use data I have collected in the last few years. But do look for reports on these as more of the world opens in 2022 and 2023.
Finally, make sure to read and watch my list of things you must know before you decide to retire cheap internationally. It includes 14 years of many of my best tips, tricks, and ideas I have about living internationally. It could save you from a decade of problem-solving if you start knowing everything I learned the hard way since I left the USA in 2007.
Also, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you will see when I post my best white sand beaches in the world, my best towns for cultural explorers, and my best small towns in the world.
Okay, thanks for considering my Top 15 Places in Entire World to Retire Early Cheap in 2022.
This is Dan of Vagabond Awake, the Youtube Channel for VagabondBuddha.com. The world is your home, what time will you be home for dinner?