According to The Star | Malaysia News: National, Regional and World News, Based on the Annual Global Retirement Index, Thailand is the ninth-cheapest country in the world to retire. The International Living website's experts prepared the "10 Cheapest Places to Live After Retiring" list for 2023, which was released this week. It lists the locations with the highest quality of life and lowest cost of living for retirees. Portugal is at the top of the list due to the country's weak currency and simplicity in obtaining a long-term visa. Mexico comes second, then Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, and France are listed in that order. In a tie for ninth position with Italy is Thailand.
The list, according to International Living, is not just for retirees but for anyone looking for a better and more economical life or simply wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle, violence, politics, and division of their home country. The factors considered for the 2023 list include cost of living, climate, obtaining visas, housing, and healthcare.
According to International Living correspondent Rachel Devlin, Thailand's pleasant, sunny atmosphere makes it a desirable location for retirees. The nation "speaks to people with a strong sense of adventure and an appreciation for the beauty of both nature and culture." She adds that as the only country in South-East Asia to have escaped colonization, it also maintains a distinctive way of life.
Devlin makes more observations about Thailand's affordability, particularly with regard to real estate. Condos are fairly simple for foreigners to purchase, and there are great deals everywhere. If you require something tiny and charming, you may rent a two-bedroom apartment for as little as $180 [6,000 baht] each month and purchase a two-bedroom condo for less than US$30,000 [1.01 million baht]. Foreign couples can live well on as low as $1,596 [53,963 baht] per month, according to Devlin, who spoke about living expenses.
