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00:00 After a lifetime of hard work, or even sooner, you deserve to really enjoy yourself.
00:04 Welcome to Mojo Travels, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 countries for
00:09 retirement. For this list, we're looking at countries that offer a balance of safety,
00:22 entertainment, value, enjoyable weather, and affordability, making them an ideal place to
00:28 retire. Spain is considered to be a generally safe place to live, and while it's not nearly
00:43 as cheap as some of the other destinations we'll be discussing today, it remains among the least
00:47 expensive countries in Western Europe. Your grocery bill, in particular, is sure to drop
00:53 substantially due to all the excellent local produce. And if you choose to settle outside of
00:58 one of the major cities like Madrid or Barcelona, your dollar will stretch even further. Plus,
01:03 given how diverse the country is, we expect that you'll be doing a fair amount of travel
01:07 within the borders of your new home. This Southern European island nation only
01:13 consists of about 122 square miles of land, but it sure packs a lot of character and appeal into
01:19 that modest footprint. The Republic of Malta is an archipelago made up of three main islands;
01:24 Gozo, Camino and Malta, the latter being the largest and home to the capital city of Valletta.
01:30 A popular tourist destination year-round, Malta is a sun-lover's paradise, averaging about 3,000
01:36 hours of sunlight a year. Even in winter, the temperature tends to remain in the 60s,
01:40 and bottoms out in the mid-50s Fahrenheit. And unlike on vacation, as a resident, you won't
01:46 be paying vacation prices to be there. Rent, groceries, public transportation,
01:50 it all costs a fraction of what one typically spends in the US or mainland Europe.
01:55 When retirement approaches and you begin to really think about your priorities,
02:01 climate quickly rises to the top of the list. That being said, not every expat has the same
02:06 definition of "perfect weather". Some like it hot and tropical, while others are looking for
02:11 more moderate temperatures year-round. This is the major draw of moving to Ecuador. It's a country
02:16 that gives you options. The coast offers consistently warm weather, while the Andes
02:20 are notably cooler, making them a great choice for those who tend to run hot. Because of its
02:25 varied climate, Ecuador has been said to have some of the best overall weather on Earth. It's also a
02:30 nation rich in history and culture, all of which can be appreciated for less than $2,000 a month.
02:36 And that's for a couple. This European nation has long played second fiddle to Spain,
02:43 both with travellers and retirees looking to settle abroad. So how and why did Portugal pull?
02:49 Simple. Portugal's "over-tourism" problem isn't nearly as major as Spain's,
02:53 meaning that the locals are still far more welcoming, even in major cities.
02:57 Second, it's one of the cheapest countries in not just Western Europe, but Europe as a whole.
03:02 Add to that a pleasant climate, the architectural marvels of cities like Porto and Lisbon,
03:07 and some of the best wine in the world, and it starts to sound like a dream come true.
03:11 The thing is, Portugal for all its budget-friendly luxuries, is also a great place for the more
03:16 active retiree, with lots of opportunities to stay fit, from hiking and surfing to golfing.
03:22 It's also the third safest country in the world.
03:24 If you imagine your retirement to be a verdant one and your days to play out at a relaxed pace,
03:31 Colombia is a great choice. Like Ecuador, a local biodiversity translates to a variety of climates,
03:38 meaning that there's likely one that suits your personal tastes. Wherever you wind up,
03:42 you'll find an extremely affordable cost of living. If you're not sure you can imagine
03:46 putting down roots in Colombia, take a trip there and test the waters. Retirees currently living
03:51 there tend to overwhelmingly agree that they not only felt safe, but also incredibly welcome,
03:56 especially in smaller cities and larger towns. Depending on your lifestyle, the place you settle
04:02 and your health, you and your significant other can live relatively comfortably for as little as
04:06 $1,100 per month. If you're looking to get the most bang for your buck without making too many
04:14 sacrifices in terms of quality of life and comfort, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better
04:18 place to settle than Malaysia. Southeast Asia, except for Singapore, is incredibly affordable,
04:24 which is what facilitates backpackers to travel there so extensively. But while Vietnam is another
04:29 solid option for retirees, Malaysia offers arguably the greatest balance, and because the country
04:34 values the economic boost brought by expat residents, the government has made it relatively
04:39 easy to acquire a residence visa. Generally speaking, a couple can get by on as little as
04:44 $1,000 a month, and that's even when leading a rather cushy lifestyle with plenty of entertainment
04:50 and indulging in Western foods. Between the bustling urban centres and its pristine stretches
04:55 of wilderness, you're unlikely to ever get bored. Tropical climate? Check. Welcoming locals?
05:02 Definitely. Costa Ricans are famous for their hospitality. Furthermore, the government is a
05:08 notably progressive one that puts an emphasis on education, affordable healthcare and LGBTQ+ rights,
05:15 all of which is likely to appeal to expats. Real estate, like the cost of living, is quite
05:20 affordable, meaning that rather than rent, there's reason to consider buying a home.
05:24 A phrase you're likely to hear a lot in Costa Rica is "pura vida", which means "pure life",
05:29 and sure enough, if you choose to retire here, you will discover a rich, fulfilling,
05:33 more mindful way of living, one that reconnects you with nature. And let's not forget the
05:38 incredible wildlife that you'll be able to observe while exploring this land of natural wonder.
05:42 This Central European country might not be as cheap as many of the other options on our list
05:49 today, but for those who are concerned about the culture shock that might come with moving
05:52 to Latin America or Southeast Asia, it's a great option. In terms of safety, it ranks 11th globally,
05:59 the second highest ranked country on our list today. Prague, the capital city and where people
06:04 are most likely to be tempted to retire, is absolutely stunning. It is a bean, it's great.
06:09 As for healthcare, the Czech Republic is considered to be something of a gold standard.
06:14 You get top-notch service and treatment for a very small monthly payment. For those with a
06:18 passion for history, culture and beautiful landscapes, this country is a great choice,
06:23 and at under $2,000 per month, all things considered, this retirement package is a steal.
06:28 If you'd like to settle in a large country with a lot of diversity in terms of not only
06:34 landscapes and climates, but also regional cultures, you'd be hard-pressed to choose
06:38 a better, adoptive home than America's neighbour to the south. If you want to spend the rest of
06:43 your life soaking up rays and sipping tropical drinks under a palapa by the ocean, that can be
06:48 arranged. But for someone looking for a more active and exciting retirement, it's again,
06:53 a great choice. Mexico City has gone from being considered dangerous to one of the most popular
06:57 trending destinations in the world, meaning that retirees who like to be immersed in a truly
07:02 metropolitan culture will find much to appreciate about it. With solid healthcare, low cost of
07:07 living and a wealth of history and culture to discover, Mexico is a perfect place to retire.
07:13 This Central American country has been a favourite retirement spot for decades,
07:19 and it continues to have major appeal to those looking to kick back, relax and enjoy the fruits
07:24 of their labour. With its beautiful weather, sunny beaches, modern infrastructure, rich local
07:28 culture and sizeable English-speaking population, there's a lot to like about Panama. And so long
07:33 as any ongoing earnings are made outside the country, you pay zero income tax. On top of
07:39 everything, the cost of living is a fraction of what you pay stateside, without compromising
07:43 quality of life. Panama is well aware of its appeal to international retirees, and the benefits that
07:48 this brings to its economy. As such, it has at times made a retirement visa available that entitles
07:55 newly arrived expats to a wide variety of perks, as well as certain tax and exemptions that help
08:00 your savings go even further.
08:10 [Music]