The World’s 3 Best Places To Live In Your 60s

28.09.2023 - 14:53 / forbes.com

Where we live shapes most every aspect of our lives. Many of us simply grew where we were planted. That is to say, home was where your parents made it, and likely their parents before them. But as travel options expanded and opportunity-rich destinations beckoned, many young people flocked to cities in search of their fortunes. It’s a trend that continues today.

High-paying jobs, new social connections, and exciting entertainment options lure 20- and 30-somethings from small towns and villages, but naturally over time priorities shift.

For those a few decades on, no longer tied to a location by work and family obligations, there’s a lot of great options out there… but where’s best to live when you’re in your 60s?

I have covered the live, retire, and do business overseas beat for more than 30 years and as the founder of Live And Invest Overseas I know just how many great options are out there for those looking for a new adventure outside home borders.

So, to determine the top three destinations for those in their 60s, I’ve considered the following key criteria: the availability and affordability of real estate (both to buy and rent), culture and entertainment options, health care, safety, climate, the ability to walk or make use of public transport, and being able to get by day-to-day in English.

Here’s my top three destinations in Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia…

Home to one of the world’s largest expat retiree communities, in the mountain town of Boquete you can enjoy a soft landing into expat life.

Boquete district is made up of six townships or corregimientos: Bajo Boquete (Lower Boquete), Alto Boquete (Upper Boquete), Caldera, Jaramillo, Los Naranjos, and Palmira.

Sitting at the lowest point in the valley is the district’s center, Bajo Boquete. When people refer to the town of Boquete, Bajo Boquete is where they mean.

Daytime temperatures here typically linger in the low- to mid-70s. March is the hottest month here. October, the coldest. There’s a rainy season and a dry season but the weather is typically predictable and ideal for those who enjoy a mild climate. Panama sits outside the hurricane belt meaning worries about weather extremes aren’t a part of daily life here.

Bajo Boquete is also the most walkable destination in Panama. It’s reasonably pedestrian-friendly and you can reach most all essential services on foot within the town itself. Drivers yield to pedestrians and drive slower and more courteously than in other areas.

For big city conveniences, David is a 45-minute bus ride away. There, you’ll find shopping malls, movie theatres showing films in English, a hospital, and an airport. The journey from Boquete to David takes around 45 minutes, costs around $2, and buses run