But Everybody Hates Us, Don't They?

More people are retiring overseas than ever have before. Travel is inexpensive, and people can live well overseas for much less than it costs in the United States. That means you might want to think about retiring abroad to another country. Here are some ideas that you should consider. Costa Rica is a very popular destination for American retirees, so we will examine it as an example.

For Americans, living in Costa Rica is easier than you may think. Flights between the two countries are short and relatively inexpensive, and your standard of living in Costa Rica can be higher than it might be if you stayed in the United States. Flying from Costa Rica, for example, is just as quick and easy as flying in from Florida to New York. Living in Costa Rica allows you to live cheaply, but in style, while keeping you close to home.

The two main purpose of retiring abroad is to find a less expensive and higher quality way of life. Costa Rica is definitely the place to find both. Compared to real estate values of the southern U. S. states, Costa Rican property costs 70% less. So retiring abroad in Costa Rica is not only possible on a pension of $2500 per month, but it can also be a very comfortable introduction to expatriate living.

Retirement living in actual fact should mean living a peaceful life on your own terms, exactly the way you wished it to be. In place of packed cities, crime, graffiti, polluted air, and traffic bottlenecks, an abode in Costa Rica provides a heavenly experience comprised of unspoiled and lovely beaches, majestic mountains, dense and lush green rainforests, volcanoes, an abundance of varied wild life, and a relatively hassle-free life that is devoid of most of the crime we experience now in the U.S. You can live at a comfortable pace. At the same time the experience is very homey. There are a large number of expatriates - expats who are quite similar to you - who have chosen to retire abroad, thus you will never feel out of place.

Costa Rica's communications, entertainment, nightlife, and shopping are as good as anywhere in the world. It has some of the world's best golf courses, amazing fishing, and rural areas of remarkable beauty. This list could go on and on.

Costa Rica is becoming a popular country with people from the US, Canada, and Europe as the economy in Costa Rica continues to thrive. Costa Rica is a safe country with all of the modern amenities from home, and the government makes it easy for non-citizens to expatriate there. Many baby boomers and folks who want to retire early or retire young plan to retire overseas because they can no longer continue to live the lifestyle they are used to at home. A lot of people are living longer and haven't saved enough money to live the lifestyle they want to in their home country. These people have to deal with the declining dollar (inflation), and less support from the government. For a lot of people the only answer to be able to maintain the lifestyle they wish is to retire abroad. Many people though are afraid to do so because of the culture shock they feel they will experience.

Many expatriates from America, Canada, and Europe settle in Costa Rica because of its strong economy, excellent safety, and the government's eagerness to accommodate retirees.

Many people retire overseas because they can't maintain their current lifestyle at home or because they couldn't save enough to make up for inflation and reduced government transfer payments. They want to preserve their lifestyles by moving abroad, but they're worried about the culture shock that will result when they move.