South East Asia is a hugely popular region both for visitors and those who wish to stay long-term. The enormous wealth of cultures and the depth of history make it a fascinating part of the world. The food’s great, the climate’s warm and the people are welcoming. One of the huge draws for retirees is that you can live a great lifestyle for less money, as house prices and everyday goods can be significantly cheaper. Here are some of the nations you might like to consider for your own retirement…
Thailand
Whether you’re looking for a home overlooking a tropical ocean, a secluded spot in a rainforest where elephants roam, or an apartment in a vibrant city with some of the finest street food on your doorstep, Thailand has it. The south of the country has the best of the white sandy beaches, with Phuket being particularly popular for those wanting a great selection of bars and eateries to go with their ocean. Chiang Mai, to the north, has mountains and forest for its surroundings. And then there’s Bangkok – the nation’s capital – full of life, food and entertainment.
Vietnam
A warm welcome awaits you, and you’ll find your money goes a little further here too. Most expats in Vietnam head to Ho Chi Minh City (known as Saigon) – the most digitally advanced part of the country. But as a retiree, you may prefer the wonderful Hanoi, which is a bit cooler, significantly more laid back and has a thriving cultural scene.
Cambodia
Famous for the remarkable ruins of Ankor, and particularly the Angkor Wat temple. But there’s so much more to this fast-developing country than just sightseeing. There are well-developed expat communities in Siem Reap (where the Angkor ruins are based), Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, and the country as a whole offers beautiful landscapes, hot weather and very cheap living.
Philippines
Covering no fewer than 7,000 tropical isles, this amazing country attracts those who’d like to experience an island way of life. If you choose the right spot, you’ll get gloriously warm waters to yourself and can enjoy overlooking the ocean all day long. Parts of the Philippines aren’t the safest, so you’ll need to select your location carefully, but do so and you’ll have a wonderful retirement in store.
Malaysia
The most developed nation on this list, Malaysia has a wonderful array of cultures. And with this comes incredible food that varies from region to region. Kuala Lumpur has all the food markets, entertainment, transport links and technological communications you’d expect from a major world city. But you also have fascinating cultural cities such as Penang and Malacca, as well as tropical islands to relax with a good book while listening to the lapping waves.
South East Asia can provide a wonderful retirement, but often there’s red tape, complex visa laws and plenty more hoops besides to jump through before you’re allowed to live in certain countries. Getting help from experts is strongly advised to take stress and unwelcome surprises out of the equation.
