Retiring by the beach is a popular dream of many, but while escaping the 9-to-5 grind on a deserted island may seem like a fun idea, the reality of a life without everyday conveniences is another matter entirely.
Of course, there is a solution. Many expat havens around the world offer beachside living along with every city convenience. Here’s my pick of beachside cities ideal for retirees in Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia has much to offer expats, including great weather, a friendly community, Mediterranean beaches, excellent infrastructure and health care, and a safe environment.
Home to over 800,000 residents, Valencia basks in sunshine some 300 days per year. Expats make up around 13% of the city’s population and the locals are a friendly bunch. Many speak English but, as anywhere, it’s always a good idea to at least pick up some basics of the local language.
The infrastructure is impressive here, too. There’s an excellent public transport network and solid, reliable services including internet with download speeds of 208 Mbps.
Health care is another draw. Valencia offers excellent medical facilities, including Hospital Quirónsalud Valencia and La Fe Polytechnic. Spain offers a mix of public and private care, with about 90% of the population relying on public health care. As an expat, you’ll need to take out private health insurance, at least initially, to access the local health system.
Although Spain doesn’t have a retiree-specific visa its Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is aimed at retirees and those with passive incomes. To qualify, you need to show a monthly income of around $2,400. This gets you a one-year residence permit, which you can extend for a further four years.
Spain in general is a safe country, ranking at number 23 in the 2024 Global Peace Index—and expats in Valencia report feeling safe here at all times of day and night.
The cost of living is another big draw. A couple could enjoy life in Valencia on a monthly budget of $2,477.
Locals and visitors here can take their pick of beaches in the city and surrounding area and there are numerous low-cost public transport options available to reach them. Playa de Las Arenas (also called El Cabanyal) is the most central, about 3 miles from the city center.
Mazatlán, Mexico
Located about midway along Mexico’s Pacific coast, Mazatlán boasts over 10 miles of sandy beaches, much of which are easily accessible and can be enjoyed from the city’s bustling five-mile-long boardwalk.
Enjoying warm to hot temperatures year-round, with a long dry season (November to June) and a short rainy season (July to October), Mazatlán doesn’t get much rainfall, making it a great spot for sunseekers.
Among Mazatlán’s population of around half-a-million people, is a large, welcoming English-speaking expat community—Mexico offers several temporary and permanent residency options.
In the city’s Centro Histórico there’s a wide range of restaurants, cafés, museums, shops, and more. You’ll also find familiar stores like Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and AutoZone locally too, so won’t want for any of the conveniences of home.
Most everything from food and entertainment to housing and utilities costs less here than in the United States or Canada. A monthly budget of $1,788 is a good guide for an expat couple in Mazatlán.
In Mexico the quality of medical care between public and private facilities varies wildly. As an expat, you’ll likely seek out private care, which is first-rate.
Much of Mazatlán is walkable and buses, taxis, and Uber are also options. If you opt to drive, roads and highways are high quality. Internet in Mazatlán is relatively good, with download speeds of 63 Mbps but brief power outages are fairly common—expect a couple per month.
While crime is a concern across much of Mexico, Mazatlán is considered safe. It’s unlikely you’ll experience petty crime or pickpocketing here, let alone anything more serious.
Da Nang, Vietnam
Da Nang is a fast-moving city of skyscrapers, bridges, and glitzy malls with a palpable entrepreneurial spirit, energy, and enthusiasm. Famous for its iconic fire-breathing dragon bridge which spans the mighty Han river and impressive coastline which includes the breath-taking My Khe beach, this city has much to offer.
A city of one million people, Da Nang’s locals are welcoming and take great pride in their home. The streets and beaches are impeccable—it’s one of the country’s cleanest cities—and public amenities including manicured parks and gardens abound.
Da Nang has a tropical monsoon climate with year-round temperatures hovering around 79 F. The rainy season runs from August through October.
You’ll find decent quality health care and English-speaking professionals at the city’s international hospitals including Vinmec International Hospital.
While Vietnam doesn’t offer a retirement visa there are several options for those looking to enjoy an extended stay or settle in for good.
Home to an international airport, a vibrant nightlife, golf courses, and high-end spas, it’s easy to understand why Da Nang is known as Vietnam’s most liveable city. It’s incredibly affordable, too. A monthly budget of $1,500 would see a couple living very comfortably here. In this part of the world you can famously dine out and enjoy a cold beer for less than $5.
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