The Best Countries to Move To, Here's Where to Change Your Life

A study reveals the best countries to live and work in.

What are the best countries to move to? Awareness, style, and perspective are the necessary ingredients when closing one chapter of life while simultaneously opening another.

Changing your life and moving abroad for work or retirement doesn't just mean escaping the daily routine, but immersing yourself in new cultures, embracing different landscapes, and enjoying a fulfilling lifestyle and better quality of life.

The allure of retiring abroad lies in the promise of stability, the possibility of further maximizing retirement savings, and the opportunity to enjoy the sun year-round or explore vibrant cities.

Like every year, International Living has published its Annual Global Retirement Index, highlighting the best places to relocate or retire, a trend that is increasingly popular among both older adults with flexibility and savings and those aged between 35 and 45 who work remotely with flexible hours, all in search of affordable, safe destinations with sound infrastructure, healthcare, and vibrant communities of local and foreign residents.

The research ranks the best places in the world to retire based on 12 categories: climate, cost of living, English spoken, entertainment, environmental conditions, existing expatriate communities, healthcare, infrastructure, real estate, residency options, safety, and taxes.

Here are some of the best places in the world to consider relocating to under favorable conditions.

The France is consistently at the center of global tourist flows, poised to become the most visited country in the world by 2025. It's no surprise that France is also one of the best places to retire for various reasons.

According to the World Health Organization, France has the best healthcare system in the world. Its high-quality healthcare covers about 70% of medical services, provided that you have lived in France for at least three months.

The residency procedure is quite simple and straightforward. It has the best infrastructure in the world, the best international schools, and moreover, the country does not impose a net worth or value tax.

The retirement cost in France varies depending on where you settle, but you must demonstrate an annual income of at least €16,236.

In some parts of the country, except for Paris, the cost of living and housing can also be quite affordable.

The region of Gascony, for example, boasts one of the most accessible French lifestyles. Located in the southwestern corner of France, between Bordeaux and the Pyrenees, this tranquil region is one of the lesser-known destinations in the country with a countryside dotted with picturesque and accessible villages.

Other good destinations include Brittany on the Atlantic, Pezenas, and the Dordogne near the mountains, or the Languedoc region near the Mediterranean.

Panama is a very popular destination among retirees worldwide, thanks to its natural reserves, friendly people, safe living environment, and excellent healthcare with both public and private healthcare systems.

Research estimates that a realistic starting point for a couple of retirees would be around $2,000 a month to cover basic housing and living expenses.

The Panama Pensionado program offers many benefits to retirees. This includes discounts on medical bills, dental visits, eye exams, and prescription medications. It also includes a 50% discount on movie tickets and sporting events and a 25% discount on utility bills and airline tickets.

Taxation is jurisdictional, meaning there is no local tax burden if income comes from abroad.

Panama is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, a solid and stable nation with a strong economic base and boasts magnificent landscapes with long coastlines, beautiful beaches, islands to visit, mountain retreats, and colonial cities.

Choosing a place other than Panama City usually means not having easy access to the kinds of things that expatriates appreciate: excellent healthcare facilities, banks, American-style supermarkets, nice bars and restaurants, entertainment opportunities, and much more, but there are exceptions. The most popular places to retire are Casco Viejo, Santiago, El Cangrejo, El Valle de Anton, and Chitré, a small, safe community-focused town four hours from Panama City, in the "inland" of the country.

Mexico is an ideal destination for expatriates and foreign retirees attracted by culture, picturesque places, and mild weather, with two long coasts, mountains, colonial cities, Mayan ruins, and rainforests.

Mexico is one of the best places to retire abroad for affordable and efficient healthcare. Additionally, the cost of living and rental prices are favorable, allowing retirees to maintain a comfortable monthly budget of around $1,500 - $2,000, depending on lifestyle and location.

To obtain residency in the country, one can apply for a permanent resident visa, which is particularly appealing to retirees.

Any other applicant must follow the procedure and wait four years to obtain a permanent resident card in Mexico.

The Mexican Permanent Resident Card is also known as the Mexican retirement visa, although it is more akin to a self-sufficiency visa.

Mexico is not a tax haven. But it is easy to legally avoid becoming a tax resident. Many cities in Mexico are excellent places to retire. Playa del Carmen is one of these cities. The number of foreigners living in Playa del Carmen is extremely high, accounting for about 7% of its total population.

Mazatlán offers the best beach lifestyle in Mexico. Located about halfway along the Pacific coast of Mexico, it boasts miles of sandy beaches with warm weather year-round and an international airport.

The Portugal has long been a destination on the list of retirees and expatriates, and its popularity continues to grow due to its timeless charm, delightful landscapes, mild climate, low cost of living, a world-class healthcare system, and low crime rates.

Among other advantages, tax benefits, cities close to the beach, historical sites, and a functional transportation network make it an excellent choice.

Additionally, the country has an attractive real estate market: rental prices, especially in bustling cities like Lisbon and Porto, are still affordable.

The annual income required for a visa is at least €8,460, making it one of the most economical options for retiring abroad. Additionally, the government offers EU-funded Portuguese lessons for migrants.

Portugal offers several pathways to obtain residency, including the accelerated Portuguese golden visa with tax incentives for foreign residents.

Aside from its main attractions, a good choice could be the city of Braga, a culturally vibrant capital of the northern province of Minho, famous for its lush green landscapes from which vinho verde is produced.

This beautiful Central American nation is one of the easiest places to retire, with an affordable cost of living and relatively flexible residency laws, with permanent residency available after three years of temporary stay.

Lush green rainforests, charming coastal towns are the natural attractions of Costa Rica, which also offers a relaxed and healthy lifestyle, as well as warm weather year-round and relatively low taxes round out the picture.

The cost of living is low and there is no income tax on foreign pensions, plus the annual income requirements are much lower than in Italy.

Popular spots chosen by those who have relocated include: Guanacaste, Monteverde, Nuevo Arenal, and the Central Valley.