International Living gets it wrong for 2019

In 2018 International living finally got it right in that they chose Costa Rica as the best place to retire. Read here

For 2019 they ranked Panama first and Costa Rica second which in my opinion is absurd.

First, Costa Rica has many more places in which to live than Panama. There are scores of communities in the Central Valley, all along the Pacific Coast, on the Caribbean Coast and there is San Isidro de General in the southern section of the country. I once had a client on one of my tours who was a resident in Panama. I asked, “If you are living in Panama then why are you taking my tour? To which she responded, “Costa Rica has more more places and choices for retirement”. She was 100 percent correct in my opinion.

Aside from the Boquete area in northwest Panama and Panama City in the southern part of the country, there are really no suitable areas for expat retirees when compared to Costa Rica.

When choosing a place to retire most people make the mistake of looking at the cost of living as the most important factor in making their final decision. If one has a small pension then countries like Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia will be more appealing because of their affordability. Since International Living’s ranking was based on living on less than $1800 per month for couple, then clearly Panama ranks ahead of Costa Rica. But you really get what you pay for.

On the other hand, those seeking an excellent quality of life, political stability, friendly people, 40 years of ,experience dealing with foreign retirees, a squeaky-clean international reputation and above all one of the best climates in the world in the Central Valley, then Costa Rica is the only logical choice.

If I thought that any of the countries on the list affords a superior lifestyle, then I would move. To date I have absolutely no desire to relocate because what Costa Rica has to offer.

Lately, I have had a lot of clients who have explored some of the countries mentioned above on their own or by taking a retirement tour. Those who have taken a retirement tour to Panama are quick to point out that not only is Costa Rica a better place in which to live, but my relocation tour is the best one they have taken.

International Living’s 2019 Global Retirement Index of the world’s top 10 retirement destinations is found below. Getting to some of these spots like Thailand, Malaysia, Portugal and Spain involves avery long plane ride. On the other hand, Costa Rica is only two-and one-half hours from by air from Miami. It is interesting to note that my clients who have visited Ecuador all report that getting there can be complicated despite being nearer to the U.S. than Europe or Asia