Offbeat Retirement Destinations to Think About

If you’re considering retirement, where are you planning on living?  Your living situation is going to change in retirement. For instance, if you had several children living in your house, they may have moved out by now. This means you could be in a four- or five-bedroom house for just you and maybe your partner. That may not be the best financial decision, plus, it’s also a lot of cleaning and upkeep to stay on top of.

A lot of people downsize in retirement, which frequently means giving up the big house and moving into a smaller townhouse or condominium. That’s a common scenario, but, again, it might not be the best choice for everyone.

There are several less conventional choices that may be exactly what you’re looking for in retirement.

Eastern Europe and Central or South America

A lot of people who live in North America move to Arizona or Florida when they retire, but these aren’t the only choices! Venturing to Central America, South America, or even Eastern Europe could be an amazing way to retire. After all, you don’t need to be close to work anymore and you wanted to travel in your retirement, right?

Here are some offbeat retirement destinations to consider:

Panama is becoming a more popular retirement destination due to its great climate, wonderful culture, and established expat communities. The cost of living is a draw as well, with many areas of the country’s interior being quite affordable. 

Retiring to Ecuador is an incredibly cost-effective choice, and you’ll usually find monthly living costs to be under $1,000 US a month. As a foreign retiree, you’ll enjoy all the benefits and rights as Ecuadorian citizens, including discounted water and electric bills as well as several tax exemptions and reductions.

Czech Republic offers low monthly costs alongside incredibly gorgeous scenery and a high standard of living. Bulgaria is another hidden gem in Europe. The country is known for its amazing beaches, stunning mountains, and low monthly costs. Plus, there’s great, affordable healthcare options as well. 

Tiny Home Communities

Another offbeat retirement option is tiny home living.  Tiny home communities are usually made up of smaller homes, typically 500 square feet or less, located close to one another. The houses are often quite basic in nature, featuring a sleeping area, bathroom, kitchen, and living and dining areas. Sometimes these homes are mobile, which means they can pick up and move to another location, while some are permanent structures.

There are quite a few benefits to retiring in a tiny home community. One major one is the cost. A smaller space comes with lower initial costs as well as ongoing expenses. Compared to a larger home, living in a tiny home can be very cost effective.

Shared common spaces are another benefit. Many communities have gardens, recreation areas, and common amenities that are shared between residents. You’ll likely find a very strong sense of community in these living quarters, with the people there helping each other out, working together, and sharing what they can. These social interactions and sense of belonging can make a tiny home community the perfect retirement. In fact, there are several tiny home communities that are built with seniors and retirees in mind!

Houseboats

You may think that living on a boat is a fantasy, but it can be a very comfortable and achievable way to retire. Houseboats tend to be more affordable than most traditional homes, and they often have lower monthly fees in many situations. 

Once you have the boat, your water and electricity are typically provided by the docks, and you can frequently hook up your boat to a sewage line while you’re docked as well. 

Much like tiny home communities, houseboats are smaller than typical homes, so they come with all the benefits of downsizing. You’ll likely find a great community along the docks as well. Many houseboat residents stay docked for long periods, but it doesn’t mean you have to! You’re free to head out into the open water and travel to different locations whenever you feel the itch. 

An important thing to remember is that your retirement doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You have your own goals, your own dreams, and your own visions for how retirement should be. Yes, there are always financial considerations to keep in mind when you’re planning your retirement, but there are lifestyle factors to think about as well.

A lot of people want to spend their retirement traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing different sights and activities. There is perhaps no better way to achieve this than by planning an unconventional retirement in an offbeat retirement destination.